FAQ Chat
Ask a question to get started!
Common Questions:
GRE Test Structure and Timing
The overall test time is about 1 hour and 58 minutes. The exam consists of five sections.
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (One section) | One "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
The GRE test structure begins with the Analytical Writing section, which is always placed first in the exam. Following that, the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections can appear in any order. This flexible sequence means you might encounter these two sections in various combinations, depending on how the test is administered.
VERBAL REASONING SECTION
The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE General Test assesses critical reading, vocabulary usage, and analytical skills. It includes three types of questions:
1. Reading Comprehension:
- Tests your ability to understand and interpret written material.
- You'll read passages and answer related questions.
2. Text Completion:
- Requires filling in blanks within a passage using context clues.
- Focuses on understanding sentence structure and logical flow.
3. Sentence Equivalence:
- Involves completing a sentence with two words that create meaningfully similar sentences.
- Tests vocabulary and comprehension of nuanced word meanings.
About half of the Verbal Reasoning questions involve passage-based tasks, while the rest focus on interpreting and completing individual sentences or short paragraphs.
Reading Comprehension in GRE Verbal Reasoning:
The Reading Comprehension questions assess your ability to read and critically evaluate texts similar to those encountered in graduate school. This includes tasks like:
- Understanding meanings at word, sentence, and text levels.
- Distinguishing major points from minor ones and summarizing passages.
- Drawing inferences, reasoning from incomplete data, and analyzing text structure.
- Evaluating arguments, identifying assumptions, and considering alternative explanations.
Active engagement is crucial, requiring you to:
- Ask questions, form hypotheses, and evaluate them.
- Relate the given text to broader contexts or external information.
Passage Types and Sources
- Structure: Most passages are one paragraph long, with a few longer ones
- Topics: Content spans physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, business, arts, humanities, and everyday issues.
Question Types
- 1. Select a single correct answer.
- 2. Select multiple correct answers (e.g., choosing two or three correct options)
- 3. Select a sentence from the passage that answers the question or supports a claim.
This question diversity ensures comprehensive evaluation, from vocabulary usage to logical reasoning. About half of Verbal Reasoning questions derive from passages, with 1-6 questions per passage
Text Completion in GRE Verbal Reasoning
Text Completion questions assess your ability to interpret and evaluate incomplete passages by filling in missing words or phrases. This tests your reasoning skills and understanding of context.
Question Structure:
- Passage Length: 1 to 5 sentences.
- Number of Blanks: 1 to 3 per passage.
- Answer Choices:
- 1 Blank: 5 answer choices.
- 2-3 Blanks: 3 answer choices per blank.
- Answer Independence: Choices for each blank function independently. Selecting an answer for one blank doesn't affect other blanks.
- Scoring: No partial credit, all blanks must be filled correctly for points.
Key Skills Assessed:
- Understanding sentence structure and logical flow.
- Reasoning from context and interpreting meaning.
- Revising interpretations as more information becomes available.
To master this section, focus on expanding vocabulary, practicing context-based reasoning, and identifying logical relationships in text.
Sentence Equivalence in GRE Verbal Reasoning
Sentence Equivalence questions assess your ability to complete a sentence meaningfully while producing two sentences with similar meanings. This section focuses on contextual vocabulary and logical reasoning.
Question Structure:
- Sentence Format: Single sentence with one blank.
- Answer Choices: Six possible words or phrases.
- Task: Select two correct answers that complete the sentence coherently and produce equivalent meanings.
- Scoring: No partial credit, both correct choices must be selected.
Key Skills Assessed:
- Vocabulary Mastery: Knowing precise word meanings.
- Contextual Reasoning: Using context clues to infer intended meanings.
- Logical Consistency: Ensuring both choices fit the sentence's tone and meaning.
Success in this section requires a broad vocabulary, an understanding of synonyms, and careful reading of context.
Overview of the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Measure
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test evaluates:
- Basic Mathematical Skills: Fundamental arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Understanding of Concepts: Grasping elementary mathematical principles.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Applying quantitative methods to solve problems.
Content Areas Covered:
1. Arithmetic:
- Integers: Divisibility, factorization, prime numbers, remainders, even/odd numbers
- Operations: Exponents, roots, percentages, ratios, rates, and absolute values
- Concepts: Number lines, decimal representation, and numeric sequences
2. Algebra:
- Expressions: Operations with exponents, simplifying expressions
- Equations/Inequalities: Solving linear and quadratic equations, simultaneous equations
- Functions: Understanding relations, functions, graphs, slopes, and intercepts
3. Geometry:
- Figures: Lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, and 3D shapes
- Measurements: Area, perimeter, volume, and angle measurement
- Key Theorems: Pythagorean theorem (proofs not required).
4. Data Analysis:
- Statistics: Mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, percentiles.
- Data Interpretation: Graphs (line, bar, circle), scatterplots, and frequency tables
- Probability: Elementary probability, conditional probability, combinations, and permutations
GRE Quantitative Reasoning: Question Types and Data Interpretation Sets
The Quantitative Reasoning section features four types of questions designed to assess a range of mathematical skills and reasoning abilities
1. Quantitative Comparison Questions:
Task: Compare two quantities, labeled Quantity A and Quantity B.
Answer Choices:
- Quantity A is greater.
- Quantity B is greater.
- The two quantities are equal
- The relationship cannot be determined from the information provided.
2. Multiple-Choice Questions-Select One Answer Choice:
Task: Solve the problem and select the single correct answer from five choices.
Format Standard problem-solving format, covering all content areas
3. Multiple-Choice Questions - Select One or More Answer Choices:
Task: Choose one or more correct answers from a list (usually three to seven options)
Scoring: Correct answers require selecting all valid choices, no partial credit is awarded
4. Numeric Entry Questions:
Task: Enter the correct numerical answer directly into a blank box
Format: No answer choices provided, requiring precise calculations
Data Interpretation Sets:
Structure:
- A set of multiple questions based on the same dataset.
- Data is presented through tables, graphs (bar, line, pie charts), or other visual representations
Skills Assessed:
- Interpreting and analyzing data
- Performing calculations and making inferences based on quantitative data.
Overview of the GRE Analytical Writing Measure
The Analytical Writing section assesses critical thinking and analytical writing skills by evaluating how well you:
- Articulate and support complex ideas.
- Construct logical arguments.
- Maintain a focused and coherent discussion.
Key Focus: This section doesn't test specific content knowledge but rather your ability to evaluate issues and communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
Task Structure:
"Analyze an Issue" Task
Format: A 30-minute task presenting an opinion on an issue.
Task Requirements:
- Evaluate the issue and explore its complexities.
- Develop a reasoned argument with supporting examples.
- Maintain clarity, logic, and coherence throughout the essay.
Key Focus: This section doesn't test specific content knowledge but rather your ability to evaluate issues and communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
Writing Environment:
ETS Word Processor
- Basic functionalities: insert, delete, cut, paste, and undo.
- No spell check or grammar-check tools are provided.
Preparation Tips:
- Understand Scoring Criteria: Review official scoring guides and rubrics.
- Practice with Prompts: Use sample topics and essay responses from ETS.
- Read Rater Commentary: Learn how essays are evaluated for content, clarity, and organization.
The topics cover a wide range of subjects, from arts and humanities to social and physical sciences, without requiring subject-specific knowledge.
GRE General Test Scores
What scores are reported?
| Section | Score Scale |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 130-170, in 1-point increments |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170, in 1-point increments |
| Analytical Writing | 0-6, in half-point increments |
Note: If no questions are answered for a specific measure (e.g., Verbal Reasoning), then you will receive a No Score (NS) for that measure.