Many schools require applicants to their M.A. and Ph.D. programs to submit GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores.  Some disciplines require applicants to take two GRE tests, one general, the other specific to their subject area.  Philosophy is not one of them.  There is no subject test for philosophy.  As such, you need only concern yourself with the GRE General test.

The GRE General test is designed to give an objective indication of your potential for success in graduate school.  And although the GRE consists of three separate sections testing your verbal, quantitative and analytical skills, most philosophy programs consider the verbal score (not, as might be expected, the analytical section) to be the most accurate indication of your potential.  While it is true that the GRE is not the only factor taken into consideration by graduate programs, a high score could be your ticket to a scholarship and other forms of financial support whereas a low score will almost certainly result in your application being rejected.

The GRE is taken on a computer at specific test centers.  For more information about the GRE, please go to the website of the Educational Testing Service, the publisher of the GRE:  www.ets.org

For help in preparing to take the GRE, you might consider using the publications of The Princeton Review: www.princetonreview.com