The Physics GRE test is a specialized subject test designed for students pursuing master’s or Ph.D. programs in physics. It evaluates your understanding of fundamental physics concepts typically covered during the first three years of undergraduate study. Many physics graduate programs require or strongly recommend taking the Physics GRE as part of the application process. It’s essential to prepare effectively for this exam to demonstrate your proficiency in physics.

Test Overview

The Physics GRE assesses your knowledge in various areas of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and more (check out below).

The exam lasts for two hours and has about seventy-five multiple-choice questions. It is based on graphs, diagrams, experimental data, and descriptions of real-world situations.

The Physics GRE differs from other standardized tests in that it is conducted only on specific dates throughout the year. These dates typically fall in September, October, and April:

• The September test has a registration deadline of August, with the test scheduled for September and scores reported by October.
• For the October test, registration is in September. The test itself takes place in October, with scores reported by November.
• The April test requires registration by March, with the test occurring in April and scores reported by May.

These dates are crucial for planning and preparing effectively for the Physics GRE.

Preparation Tips:

• Begin your preparation well in advance to cover all relevant topics thoroughly.
• Utilize study materials such as textbooks, practice exams, and online resources.
• Focus on understanding core concepts and solving problems to build confidence.
• Consider joining study groups or seeking guidance from professors or mentors.

Test Topics

The Physics GRE test covers various topics, including:

Classical Mechanics (20%):

1. Kinematics:
   • Motion in one, two, and three dimensions. Video 1, Video 2, Video3
   • Understanding displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Video
2. Dynamics:
   • Newton’s laws of motion. Video
   • Work, energy, and momentum. Video1, Video2
   • Oscillatory motion (simple harmonic motion). Video
   • Rotational motion about a fixed axis. Video
   • Dynamics of systems of particles. Video
3. Conservation Laws:
   • Linear momentum conservation. Video
   • Angular momentum conservation. Video1, Video2
   • Energy conservation.
4. Central Forces:
   • Gravitational forces (e.g., orbits). Video, 
   • Electrostatic forces (e.g., charged particles).
5. Rigid body motion:
   • Rotation (moment of inertia, torque).
   • Understanding rigid bodies’ behavior.
6. Oscillations and Waves:
   • Simple harmonic motion (e.g., springs, pendulums).
   • Wave properties (e.g., interference).
7. Celestial Mechanics:
   • Understanding planetary motion and orbits.
8. Three-dimensional particle dynamics:
   • Extending particle dynamics to three dimensions.
9. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Formalism:
   • Mathematical approaches to mechanics.
10. Noninertial Reference Frames:
    • Analyzing motion in accelerating frames.
11. Elementary Topics in Fluid Dynamics:
    • Basic concepts related to fluid flow.

Electromagnetism (18%):

1. Electrostatics:
   • Electric fields: Understanding how charges create electric fields and how other charges respond to them.
   • Gauss’s law: Relating electric flux to enclosed charge.
   • Electric potential: Calculating potential energy and voltage.
2. Magnetostatics:
   • Magnetic fields: Describing the behavior of magnetic fields around currents and magnets.
   • Ampère’s law: Relating magnetic fields to current distributions.
   • Inductance: Understanding self-inductance and mutual inductance.
3. Electromagnetic Waves:
   • Maxwell’s equations: Fundamental equations that describe electromagnetic phenomena. Video
   • Wave propagation: How electromagnetic waves travel through space.
   • Polarization: Understanding the orientation of electric fields in waves.
4. Circuits:
   • RC, RL, and LC circuits: Analyzing circuits with resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
   • Impedance: Resistance in AC circuits.
   • Resonance: Conditions for maximum energy transfer in oscillating systems.

Optics and Wave Phenomena (9%):

1. Geometric Optics:
   • Reflection and refraction: How light behaves at interfaces between different media.
   • Lenses and mirrors: Understanding image formation using lenses and mirrors.
   • Focal length adjustments: Observing changes in images when adjusting focal lengths.
2. Wave Interference:
   • Double-slit interference: Patterns formed by overlapping waves.
   • Thin films: Interference effects in thin layers of material.
   • Diffraction: Behavior of waves around obstacles.
3. Polarization:
   • Linear and circular polarization: Orientation of electric fields in waves.
4. Dispersion:
   • Index of refraction: How light bends in different materials.
   • Dispersion relations: Relationship between refractive index and wavelength.

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (10%): Video

1. Laws of Thermodynamics:
   • First law: Conservation of energy.
   • Second law: Entropy and heat flow.
   • Third law: Unattainability of absolute zero.
2. Heat Engines:
   • Carnot cycle: Idealized heat engine efficiency.
   • Efficiency: Efficiency of real-world heat engines.
   • Entropy: Relationship between entropy and heat transfer.
3. Entropy:
   • Boltzmann entropy: Statistical interpretation of entropy.
   • Statistical Distributions: Understanding Probability Distributions.
   • Partition functions: Calculating thermodynamic quantities.
4. Kinetic Theory:
   • Ideal gases: Behavior of non-interacting gas particles.
   • Equipartition theorem: Distribution of energy among degrees of freedom.
   • Heat capacity: Relationship between energy and temperature changes.

Quantum Mechanics (12%) and Atomic Physics (10%): Video

1. Wave Functions:
   • Schrödinger equation: Fundamental equation describing quantum systems. Video
   • Probability density: Understanding the likelihood of finding a particle in a specific region.
   • Wave-particle duality: The dual nature of particles as both waves and particles. Video
2. Quantum States:
   • Energy eigenstates: Allowed energy levels in quantum systems.
   • Angular momentum: Quantized rotational motion.
   • Spin: Intrinsic angular momentum of particles.
3. Hydrogen Atom:
   • Quantization: Energy levels in the hydrogen atom. Video
   • Spectral lines: Emission and absorption spectra.
4. Fundamental Concepts:
   • Solutions of the Schrödinger equation Include square wells, harmonic oscillators, and hydrogenic atoms.
   • Spin and angular momentum.
   • Wave function symmetry.
   • Elementary perturbation theory.

Special Relativity (6%): Video

1. Time Dilation: Understanding how time intervals change for moving observers.
2. Length Contraction: Knowing how lengths appear shorter in the direction of motion.
3. Simultaneity: Grasping the concept that events simultaneous in one frame may not be simultaneous in another.
4. Energy and Momentum: Relating energy and momentum in relativistic scenarios.
5. Four-Vectors and Lorentz Transformation: Working with four-vectors and understanding Lorentz transformations.
6. Velocity Addition: Calculating velocities in relativistic scenarios.

Laboratory Methods (6%):

1. Data Analysis and Error Estimation:
   • Understanding how to analyze experimental data, including statistical methods and error estimation
   • Familiarity with mean, median, standard deviation, and error propagation.
   • Recognizing systematic and random errors in measurements.
2. Electronics and Instrumentation:
   • Knowledge of electronic circuits, components, and measurement devices.
   • Understanding signal processing, filters, and amplifiers.
   • Awareness of common laboratory instruments and their functions.
3. Radiation Detection and Counting Statistics:
   • Basics of radiation detection techniques (e.g., Geiger-Müller counters, scintillation detectors).
   • Interpretation of counting statistics (Poisson distribution) in experiments involving radioactive decay.
4. Interaction of Charged Particles with Matter:
   • Comprehending how charged particles (e.g., electrons, ions) interact with materials.
   • Topics include stopping power, energy loss, and range.
5. Lasers and Optical Interferometers:
   • Understanding laser principles, coherence, and applications.
   • Grasping the working of optical interferometers (e.g., the Michelson interferometer).
6. Dimensional Analysis and Probability/Statistics:
   • Dimensional analysis to derive relationships between physical quantities.
   • Fundamental applications of probability and statistics in experimental physics.

Specialized Topics (9%):

1. Nuclear Physics:
   1. Understanding the structure of atomic nuclei.
   2. Topics include nuclear models (liquid drop model, shell model), nuclear reactions, and decay processes.
2. Particle Physics:
   1. The fundamental particles and their interactions.
   2. Familiarity with concepts of quarks, leptons, gauge bosons, and the Standard Model.
3. Condensed Matter Physics:
   1. Investigating the properties of solids, liquids, and soft matter.
   2. Topics include crystal structures, electronic properties, superconductivity, and magnetism.
4. Mathematical Methods:
   1. Proficiency in mathematical techniques used in physics.
   2. Topics cover vector calculus, differential equations, Fourier analysis, and complex variables.
5. Computer Applications:
   1. Computational tools for simulations and data analysis.
   2. Understanding numerical methods, Monte Carlo simulations, and programming languages.
6. Astrophysics: Video
   1. Exploring the universe on a cosmic scale.
   2. Topics include stellar evolution, cosmology, black holes, and gravitational waves. Video

Remember that the test may not cover all topics equally, but this breakdown will guide your preparation.

Check out the Official ETS website: The GRE® Subject Tests View the content of the Physics GRE Subject Test.

Study Materials

Textbooks and Review Guides: Acquire textbooks relevant to the test topics.

1. Conquering the Physics GRE 3rd Edition
2. Schaum’s 3,000 Solved Problems in Physics

Practice Exams: Use effectively the free practice tests available online for GRE Physics (Released by ETS).

1. Physics GRE Test 1985
2. Physics GRE Test 1991
3. Physics GRE Test 2001
4. Physics GRE Test 2004
5. Physics GRE Test 2011
6. Physics GRE Test 2017
7. Physics GRE Test 2023

Program Requirements

Check the admission requirements of the programs you’re applying to.

Some related fields (e.g., astronomy) may require an optional Physics GRE.

GRE requirements & admissions fees for US/Canadian Astronomy & Physics Programs

Useful Links

Official ETS GRE Page: Register online, find test information, and more. Prepare for a test

1. PhysicsGRE.com: An online forum with additional advice and discussion of official practice test questions.
2. Acing the Physics GRE: Tips and Strategies
3. Preparing for the Physics GRE: Strategies for Success
4. Everything You Wanted to Know About Physics Graduate School (But Were Afraid to Ask!)
5. Applying to Physics Graduate Programs: Your Questions Answered
6. Physics Graduate School: Tips for Applying
7. Choosing a Graduate School in Physics and Related Disciplines
8. Applying to Graduate Programs in the United States: Strategies for Success

Prepare diligently, use the resources wisely, and best of luck with your GRE preparation! Good luck! 🌟📚📚