Catastrophe definition, a sudden and widespread disaster: the catastrophe of war. See more.
1 Total Time: The computer-delivered GRE takes 3 hours and 45 minutes for the average student.  Experts recommend sitting for the GRE exam one year prior to entering graduate school. This allows for ample study time and the option to retake it if desired.
Another way of interpreting this question is from the standpoint of deadlinesâyou need to apply to a program by a certain date. Unlike the old GRE, the new GRE requires you to wait 21 days before you can retake the test. If applications are due, retaking the test may not be feasible and you may not have a choice but to stick with your current score.