The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standard competitive assessment to analyse the academic skills of international students applying for postgraduate courses abroad. The GRE exam results are accepted as proof of academic achievement in educational institutions in countries around the world. The GRE General test determines your skills in academics, including analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and verbal reasoning. Here’s everything you need to know about the GRE General test.
Table of Contents
- GRE General test: An overview
- GRE General test pattern 2024
- Breakdown of the computer-based and paper-based GRE General test
- GRE General test syllabus 2024
- Analytical Writing
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Unscored and Research sections
- Best preparations tips for the GRE General test
- Frequently asked questions
GRE General test: An overview
| GRE full form | Graduate Record Examination |
| GRE General test total score | 340 |
| GRE exam duration | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| No. of sections in the exam | 3 |
| GRE exam formats | Paper-based, computer-based |
GRE General test pattern 2024
Total no. of sections: 3
Total duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
The GRE General test determines your skills in analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and verbal reasoning. The assessment is available in three formats.
- GRE Computer-based test
- GRE Paper-based test
- GRE at Home test
Breakdown of the computer-based and paper-based GRE General test
| Factor | Computer-based | Paper-based |
| Exam duration | 3 hours 45 minutes | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| No. of sections | 3 | 3 |
| No. of questions | 82 | 102 |
There are three sections in the GRE General test pattern.
- Analytical Writing
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
Also read: Comparing the GRE general and subject tests: which one is right for you?
GRE General test syllabus 2024
As mentioned above, the GRE General test has three sections. Here’s a detailed description of the GRE General test syllabus.
GRE General test syllabus 2024
| Section | Tasks | Types of questions | Allocated duration | Total duration |
| Analytical writing | 2 | 1. Analyse an issue 2. Analyse an argument | 30 minutes for each task | 1 hour |
| Quantitative reasoning | 2 sets (20 questions each) | 1. Questions on quantitative comparison 2. Multiple Choice Questions (One correct answer) 3. Multiple Choice Questions (More than one correct answer) 4. Numeric entry | 30 minutes for each set | 1 hour |
| Verbal reasoning | 2 sets (20 questions each) | 1. Reading comprehension 2. Text completion 3. Sentence equivalence | 35 minutes for each set | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Research | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Unscored | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Analytical Writing
Duration: 60 minutes
No. of questions: 2
The analytical writing section of the GRE General test consists of 2 tasks, and it evaluates your knowledge in the below-mentioned areas:
- Expressing complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner
- Supporting ideas with relevant points and examples
- Examining claims and accompanying them with valid proof
- Sustaining a well-focused, coherent discussion
- Showing reasonable control of standard written English
The analytical writing section of the GRE General test asks you to deliver a robust, concise, and focused response to each scenario.
Quantitative Reasoning
Duration: 60 minutes
No. of questions: 40
The quantitative reasoning section tests your mathematical knowledge. You can expect four question types in this section.
- Quantitative comparison
- Multiple-choice (one correct answer)
- Multiple-choice (one or more correct answers)
- Numeric entry
The GRE General test’s quantitative reasoning section requires you to demonstrate an ability to.
- Understand, interpret, and analyse quantitative information
- Solve problems using mathematical models
- Understand and apply basic, elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
Note: The quantitative reasoning section has an on-screen calculator for solving the problems, which is optional for all questions.
Verbal Reasoning
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
No. of questions: 40
The GRE General test syllabus for verbal reasoning has three question types.
- Reading comprehension
- Text completion
- Sentence equivalence
The verbal reasoning section requires you to demonstrate the following factors.
- Analyse and conclude a conversation or interaction; use your reasoning skills to draw conclusions from incomplete data; understand an author's assumptions, intentions, and/or perspective; and interpret multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative, and author's intent
- Choose important points; distinguish primary details from minor or irrelevant issues; summarise and understand the structure of the given text
- Understand the meaning of individual words, sentences, and entire texts; analyse the relationships among words and concepts
Unscored and Research sections
Duration: Varies
No. of questions: Varies
The unscored and research section, also known as the GRE "experimental section," requires you to complete the tasks any time after the analytical writing section. Currently, these sections can be part of the test's verbal or quantitative reasoning sections.
The scores from this section do not count toward your overall GRE test score. Also, you will not be informed when the experimental section of the test begins, and it appears like the other questions on the exam.
Best preparations tips for the GRE General test
The GRE General test is considered one of the most difficult competitive exams. But with dedication and regular practice, you can easily ace the exam! Here’s how to fully prepare for GRE and get a high score.
- Familiarise yourself with the GRE General test’s pattern and syllabus. Learn about the types of questions and the format for the same. This will help you efficiently study and prepare for the exam without obstacles.
- Create a study plan and set your goals. Streamline your preparation process, and you can study well for the exam. This will also reduce your anxiety ahead of the exams as the planning will help you cover the GRE General test syllabus before the assessment.
- Make use of GRE study materials and online practice tests to prepare well for the exam. The official guide to the GRE general test is a great study resource for students.
- Other GRE General test preparation resources include books, practice papers, webinars, and videos can help you better understand the pattern and syllabus. Understanding these major components of the exam will contribute to better performance during the exam.
Also read: GRE Percentiles
Frequently asked questions
What is the GRE General Test used for?
The GRE General test is taken by students who wish to pursue their higher education in universities abroad.
What is a good score on the GRE General Test?
Any overall mark above 300 is considered a good score in the GRE General test.
Is the GRE General Test difficult?
The GRE General test is considered a difficult assessment, but with regular studying and enough practice, one can ace the exam easily.
How many sections are there for GRE?
There are three sections in the GRE General test.
- Analytical Writing
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
Is the GRE exam tough for Indian students?
The GRE General test can be challenging for Indian students, but with ample practice and studying, one can score good marks in the exam. Make use of the study resources and GRE general test samples for a better understanding of the concepts and questions.
