The GRE Exam pattern varies for the General and Subject Tests. The General Test covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, while the Subject Tests assess knowledge in specific areas like Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics.
The total number of questions asked is 54 and the duration of the exam is 1 hour and 58 minutes. The Verbal and Quantitative sections each have 2 parts, following an adaptive format where the difficulty of the second section adjusts based on your performance in the first.
In this article, we will break down the exam pattern, scoring details, and provide helpful resources for preparation.
GRE Exam Pattern
The GRE exam tests your skills in different areas, and there are 2 main types: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test.
GRE General Test:
- This test measures your skills in three areas:
- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- The test can be taken either online (computer-based) or offline (paper-based).
- Both versions of the GRE General Test are the same in terms of format.
GRE Subject Test:
- This test checks your knowledge in a specific subject, like Biology, Physics, etc.
- The GRE Subject Test is only available as a paper-based test.
In short, the GRE General Test is available both online and offline, while the Subject Test is only paper-based.
GRE General Test Pattern
The GRE pattern consists of 3 sections. The GRE syllabus for the General Test measures your ability in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing.
The table below illustrates the GRE syllabus in detail. You can go through the table to have a better understanding and knowledge of the pattern of GRE exam.
| GRE Exam Pattern | Question Type | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze an Issue task | 1 | 30 Minutes | |
| Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes | |
| Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
GRE General Test Scoring Pattern
ETS has shared the GRE scoring pattern for each section of the test. You can check the table below to get a clearer understanding of the GRE scores. A score of 320+ is generally considered strong and can make you competitive for top universities.
| GRE Section | Score Pattern |
|---|---|
| GRE Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 with 1-point increment |
| GRE Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 with 1-point increment |
| GRE Analytical Writing | 0-6 with 0.5-point increment |
| Total | 260-340 |
Also Read
How to Send GRE Scores to Universities?GRE Subject Test Pattern
The GRE Subject Tests are administered in a computer-based format. The total test duration will be 2 hours and 50 minutes for Mathematics and 2 hours for Physics and Psychology Tests.
The subjects included in the GRE test will be:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Biology, English, and Chemistry tests have been discontinued. GRE scores on the exam continue to be reportable for 5 years after the exam date.
| Subjects | Questions | Content Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 66 MCQs | Calculus: 50% GRE Algebra: 25% Additional Topics: 25% |
| Physics | 70 | Classical Mechanics: 20% Electromagnetism: 18% Optics and Wave Phenomena: 8% Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: 10% Quantum Mechanics: 13% Atomic Physics: 10% Special Relativity: 6% Laboratory Methods: 6% Specialized Topics: 9% |
| Psychology | 144 MCQs | Biological (30 questions) Cognitive (29 questions) Social (19 questions) Developmental (18 questions) Clinical (23 questions) Measurement/Methodology/Other (25 questions) |
GRE Subject Test Scoring Pattern
The GRE subject test score is measured on a 200 to 900 score scale in 10-point increments. Each of the individual test scales for the GRE Exam Pattern total marks occupies the 200 to 900 GRE score range.
Note: Physics and Psychology tests are reported on 0-100 percent correct subscores and 1-point increments.
Difference Between GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test
The table below compares GRE General Test v/s GRE Subject Test. You must go through the table to know the major differences in the exam pattern of GRE.
| Factors | GRE General Test | GRE Subject Test |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Comprises Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning | Tests based on different subjects like Mathematics, Psychology, Physics |
| Mode of test | Computer or Paper-based | Only paper-based |
| Duration | 1 hour and 58 minutes long | 2 hours and 50 minutes long |
| Time-Period | Taken year-long | Only taken in September, October, and April |
| Score range | 130-170 score range for reasoning 0-6 for writing | 200-990 score range |
Old GRE Vs GRE New Pattern
Understanding the differences between the old GRE exam format and the new pattern is important. Before starting your GRE registration, you must visit the official website for detailed information. Below described is the comparison between the old format and for GRE new format. Go through the table to know the details for the exam pattern of GRE.
| Component | Old GRE Pattern | New GRE Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| GRE Analytical Writing tasks | Two essay tasks (60 minutes) – Includes “Analyze an Argument” and “Analyze an Issue” tasks | One essay task (30 minutes) – “Analyze an Issue” task only |
| GRE Quantitative Reasoning questions | 40 questions (70 minutes) | 27 questions (47 minutes) |
| 40 questions (60 minutes) | 27 questions (41 minutes) | |
| Unscored Section | Varies | Removed |
| Scheduled Break | A 10-minute break after the 2nd hour | No scheduled break |
| Total Test Time | 3 hours, 45 minutes | 1 hour, 58 minutes |
| Score Delivery Time | 10-15 days | 8-10 days |
GRE Preparation Tips
GRE preparation tips will help you to effectively prepare and increase your time management abilities. Following a proper study plan and practicing with the best books and resources helps the candidates to achieve their desired results. Below are a few GRE general test preparation tips and GRE subject test preparation tips.
- Know the mathematical concepts
- Go through the vocabulary
- Construct grammatically correct sentences
- Build a GRE study plan
- Think analytically
- Practice typing to improve speed
- GRE preparation can be done through GRE coaching centers
- Understand the subjects from a basic level
- Know about the difficult part through graduate-level books
- Learn time management
- Utilize GRE question papers for practice
GRE Exam Books
The best way to prepare for the GRE is through the GRE prep book. Below are a few prep books - Manhattan Prep GRE, Kaplan GRE prep, and Magoosh GRE prep for GRE test prep. Also, the books help to do GRE preparation online.
GRE Question Paper PDFs
Regular practice with the question papers helps to understand the exam pattern. Solving the previous year's questions and regular mock test scores gives proper feedback on your preparation. You can go through the various GRE question papers for preparation through these PDFs. Below are the GRE Question paper PDFs for each section.
GRE Verbal Practice Test
Below in the table are the GRE Verbal Practice Paper PDFs. Candidates can go through these PDFs to get a better understanding of the GRE verbal questions.
GRE Quantitative Practice Test
Below in the table are the GRE Quant Practice Paper PDFs. Candidates can go through these PDFs to get a better understanding of the GRE quant questions.
GRE AWA Practice Test
Below in the table are the GRE AWA Practice Sample Essay Papers. Candidates can go through these to get a better understanding of the GRE argument sample essays and issue essays.
| GRE Argument Sample Essay | Sample GRE Issue Essay |
|---|---|
The GRE General Test always starts with Analytical Writing, followed by Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. You can go visit the ETS site to have a comprehensive idea about the GRE syllabus. You need to understand the GRE question paper pattern to aim for a high score.
Important Articles Related to GRE:
Key Summary
- GRE has 2 main types: General Test and Subject Test.
- The General Test includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
- The Subject Test focuses on specific subjects like Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics.
- The GRE format was updated to reduce the total time to 1 hour 58 minutes and 54 questions.
- Verbal and Quantitative sections are adaptive, with the second section's difficulty based on your performance in the first.
- The General Test can be taken online or offline; the Subject Test is paper-based only.
- The General Test consists of 3 sections: Analytical Writing (1 task), Verbal Reasoning (2 sections), and Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections).
- GRE scoring: Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170, Analytical Writing: 0-6, Total score range: 260-340.
- Subject Test scores range from 200-900 in 10-point increments.
- Subject Tests are paper-based and are available in specific months (Sept, Oct, Apr).
- Preparation tips include practicing math concepts, improving vocabulary, building a study plan, and using GRE prep books like Manhattan Prep, Kaplan, and Magoosh.
FAQs
Ques. What is GRE?
Ans. GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination and is conducted by ETS. There are 2 types of GRE – GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests.
Ques. What is the order of the sections for the GRE?
Ans. The GRE General exam always starts with Analytical writing, followed by Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and un/scored sections in any order.
Ques. How many sections are there in the GRE Exam?
Ans. In total, the GRE General test consists of six sections.
Ques. What does the GRE verbal reasoning section test?
Ans. The GRE verbal reasoning section tests your ability to understand the meaning of entire texts, sentences, and words.
Ques. Can I give a paper-delivered GRE Exam?
Ans. Yes. However, it is only offered in locations where the computer-delivered test is not available.
Ques. How much is the GRE fee in India?
Ans. The GRE fee in India is ₹22,000 for the General Test and ₹14,500 for the Subject Test.
Ques. Can we clear the GRE without coaching?
Ans. Well, it is possible to clear the GRE without coaching.
Ques. Can I reduce GRE fees?
Ans. ETS provides GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers for people who can show financial need, for those who are unemployed and receive unemployment compensation.
Ques. When can we take the GRE?
Ans. There are no specific dates. You can take the GRE whenever you want throughout the year.
Ques. What are the two optional sections in the GRE paper pattern?
Ans. The 2 optional sections in the GRE paper pattern are – research and unscored.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments
Found 2 Comments
The Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections of the GRE test are scored on a scale of 130 to 170. The mean score for Verbal Reasoning is 151, and the mean score for Quantitative Reasoning is 153. The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, and the mean score is 4.0. There is no negative marking in the GRE.
The paper-delivered GRE section has 102 scored questions. There are 82 total scored questions on the computer-based GRE. However, on test day, you may find yourself taking 102 questions (or some other number greater than 82) depending on if you get an experimental or research section. The experimental GRE section is an unmarked, unscored section of your GRE exam.