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.
Doing well on the GRE can require a good deal of preparation. Although the exam's designers say the it's intended to measure only general ability -- meaning you shouldn't have to study for it -- that doesn't mean it's a good idea to simply walk in on exam day and hope for the best.