GRE General Test: Complete Format, Pattern, and Guidelines
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test is a standardized assessment widely used by graduate programs, business schools, and select law schools worldwide to evaluate applicants’ academic readiness. A competitive GRE score is often essential not only for admission but also for securing merit-based scholarships.
The GRE General Test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), headquartered in the United States, with regional offices and authorized test centers across more than 160 countries.
■ Test Overview
- Purpose: Measures analytical writing, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
- Score Validity: GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
- Test Format: Primarily computer-delivered; paper-delivered testing is available only in regions where computer-based testing is unavailable.
- Registration: Candidates can register through an ETS account on the official website or via regional ETS offices.
■ GRE General Test Format
The GRE General Test has undergone significant revisions to streamline the exam. The current test is shorter and more focused, with no experimental or unscored sections.
■ GRE General Test Format
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 essay task (“Analyze an Issue”) | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
18 min / 23 min |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
21 min / 26 min |
- Total Duration: Approximately 1 hour 58 minutes.
- Section Order: Analytical Writing always appears first; Verbal and Quantitative sections may follow in any order.
■ Section Details
1. Analytical Writing
- Task: Analyze an Issue essay.
- Duration: 30 minutes.
- Scoring: 0–6, in half-point increments. Essays are evaluated by both trained human raters and the ETS computer scoring system.
2. Verbal Reasoning
- Question Types: Text completion, sentence equivalence, and reading comprehension.
- Duration: Two sections (18 min and 23 min).
- Scoring: 130–170, in one-point increments.
3. Quantitative Reasoning
- Question Types: Multiple-choice, numeric entry, and quantitative comparison questions.
- Duration: Two sections (21 min and 26 min).
- Scoring: 130–170, in one-point increments.
■ Scoring Methodology
- Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: Raw scores are converted to scaled scores to account for test difficulty variations across different editions.
- Analytical Writing: Scores are averaged between human raters and computer scoring (e-rater), then reported on a 0–6 scale.
- Score Reporting: Official scores for computer-delivered tests are available 8–10 days after the test date via the candidate’s ETS account.
■ Test Fees
- Standard Registration Fee: USD $220 (varies by country).
- Rescheduling or Test Center Change: Approximately USD $50–$55.
- Additional Score Reports: Fee applies beyond the four free reports offered on test day.
■ Additional Guidelines
- Test Frequency: Candidates may take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within 12 months.
- ScoreSelect Option: Candidates may choose which scores to send to institutions.
- Availability: The GRE is offered year-round at authorized centers and in select locations through at-home testing.
- Important Update: Unlike previous versions, there are no unscored or experimental sections in the current format.