If you want to do your postgraduate studies abroad, you should take the Graduate Record Examination.

Foreign universities, especially those in the US and Canada [Images], consider the GRE a major component of a candidate's application.

But how can you prepare for the GRE? What's an ideal score?

And what about the changes to its format?

Atul Prashar and Pragya Nagar, competitive examination experts, chatted with Get Ahead readers on July 31. They discussed the GRE and answered the questions listed above.

For those of you who missed it, here's the transcript:

Part I: Taking the GRE? Train for at least three months

bharadwaj asked, Are there any plans of GRE going iBT next year?

Atul Prashar answers, No.

debo asked, Sir, I am a software engineer and want to persue my MS in MIS(management information systems) in US. What are the good universities offering this course and what kind of backgroung and profile they want? Also how good this course is in Indiana University(Kelly school of business)?

pragya nagar answers, Kelly is a good choice. You can also loook at CMU. They definitely ask for work experience. As for GRE and GMAT scores, it depends on the university.

Abhay asked, What is the minimum score needed to go to US for PhD, if I have 5 publications and 14 presentations?

Atul Prashar answers, The score would depend upon your preference of universities. Your publications should help. 

dinesh asked, iam planning to take GRE butthe slots are not available.the next slot available is on november 6th.so will the pattern be same as now or the pattern going to change?

pragya nagar answers, The pattern would change, but only one new question would feature in the entire examination, so you need not worry much.

amit22 asked, what is GRE and what is purpose of passing GRE

pragya nagar answers, GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. It needs to be cleared to pursue MS or PhD abroad, especially in US and Canada.

rai asked, hi atul. Please tell me how is University of Pennsylvania for MS in computer Science....what will be the type of placement I can expect from it.

Atul Prashar answers, Wharton is preferred as a business school. You must look into departmental rankings as well in order to decide the university. 

debo asked, What kind of GRE score I should aim for in order to get an admit in kelly and cmu for ms in mis?

pragya nagar answers, 1350+ should be your target. 

chiranjive asked, How to Improve accuracy in Analogies???

pragya nagar answers, For improving analogies, one needs to have a good vocabulary and loads of practice. Its just the matter of understanding the application and relation of words in the question. Take online tests from takegre.com

bharadwaj asked, by what time I should give GRE to seek admission in the mnth of Jan 2008?

Atul Prashar answers, By next month (August).

astro asked, are the rankings given to schools in US by US news, Washington Daily etc really true? .. everyone gives a different ranking .. how much can we rely on these rankings?

pragya nagar answers, The rankings are correct. However, you should consider a comparitive ranking as per various courses.

raims asked, my gre score is 1200 and tofel is 110....which univ. can i apply for ....????

Atul Prashar answers, University should be decided on the basis of the specialisation, academic record, GRE score and TOEFL score.

amit22 asked, What is the maximum limit of score in GRE and how much score is required to get the admission for Phd at US

pragya nagar answers, 1600 is the maximum score! Your score requirement depends on the university and course in question.

Vinit asked, Dear Atul I am a Research Scholar in Physics and to submit my Ph.D. Thesis in next march. My question is I want to join post-doc at USA should I appear in GRE.

Atul Prashar answers, Most of the schools do not ask for GRE for PDF. Still, You must visit the web sites of the relevant schools.

debo asked, please suggest some other universities offering ms in mis with lower requirements. i scored a 1270 in GRE. shall i have to retake the test? I have around 60% in engg from VTU, bangalore

pragya nagar answers, Chances are bleak if you are looking at the top notch universities. Retaking is your decision!

mt asked, i am planning to seek admission in masters (biotechnology) so what verbal and quants score should i aim for?

Atul Prashar answers, Individual scores required vary from university to university. Every student should be able to score at least above average -- 550+ in Verbal and 650+ in Quantitative.

champ asked, GRE is an adaptive exam and depends on how you answer the initial questions. So till which question number one needs to perform with great care and precision?

Atul Prashar answers, 50% of questions decide your score. Next 50% fine tune it. Hence, first target should be initial half.

vishnun asked, wht kind of GRE score do i need to get any good admit for MS in computer science in a good uni?

pragya nagar answers, Computer Science is a pretty competitive field and to get through a good university, a minimum of 1350 is required.

Yogendra asked, what is the best time to appear for GRE so thet i can apply for maximum no of universities in US for PhD

Atul Prashar answers, For Fall 2008 session, it's before October 2007. For Spring 2008, it should be Mid-July (already passed).

vish asked, Could you pleae explain in detail as to what are the changes in the new GRE format. Is the complete overhaul of the GRE exam on hold for the moment?

pragya nagar answers, There is no new format. Only two new types of question are being introduced. The complete overhaul has been cancelled and now a more step-by step change will be introduced.

astro asked, dont you think good SOPs, Recos, Work ex, Acads, special achievements, extra curricular etc can compensate for an average GRE score of about 1200 for getting admits even in the ivy league for that matter ??

Atul Prashar answers, No, not for the Ivy Leage.

debo asked, with my profile what are the chances of getting an admit from kelly for ms in mis? GRE 1270, TOEFL 240, acads 60%. please suggest some universities matching my profile

pragya nagar answers, It is very difficult to tell you at such a short notice. However, consult www.usnews.com and you can easily shortlist the universities matching your profile.

a asked, do you think there are some universities that accept GRE scores more than 5 years old?

Atul Prashar answers, Score loses its credbility after three and a half years. Most universities will ask you to take GRE again.

vish asked, Is it true that even when one retakes the GRE examination, universities take into the average score secured?

Atul Prashar answers, It happens if the second GRE score does not prove a substantial improvement.

nupur asked, will there b any change in pattrn or type of qestion in Aug-08

pragya nagar answers, No, ETS has clearly ststed that the new type of questions will feature from November onwards.

mt asked, hi please answer my question that whether i will be able to apply in time for fall session 2008 if i take gre in 22 aug and toefl in 12 sept

Atul Prashar answers, Yes, for sure. This leaves you plenty of time. 

arunansh asked, what is GRE and how can i benefited with this?

pragya nagar answers, Graduate Record Examination is required to pursue Master's and PhD in US. 

MOORTHY asked, GRE score for getting admission in uni. of california berkely in dept of agricultural economics for PhD

Atul Prashar answers, Anything above 1380 is a good score. For details regarding specific programmes, please refer to the university web site.

MOORTHY asked, what is the gre score that can be taken by average candidate

Atul Prashar answers, An average candidate must score well in GRE in order to overshadow average academics. Target 1350, at least. 

 Part I: Taking the GRE? Train for at least three months

Atul Prashar and Pragya Nagar work for Top Careers and You consulting. They are experts in competitive examination training