Format of the GRE
GRE Sections
The GRE contains a total of five sections: one Analytical Writing section, two Verbal Reasoning sections, and two Quantitative Reasoning sections.
Analytical Writing
According to ETS, the Analytical Writing section tests critical thinking and analytical writing skills, as well as assessing a test-taker’s ability to “…articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion.” The Analytical Writing section does not assess specific content knowledge about a particular subject; instead, test-takers are given an issue and asked to analyze it by writing an essay within the 30-minute time limit.
On the ETS website, test-takers can access a document entitled, “Analyze an Issue” Topic Pool. When you complete the Analytical Writing section, you will be given a topic from this pool, which makes the document a very helpful tool for test preparation.
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from written material, as well as your skills at analyzing relationships among parts of sentences while recognizing relationships between words and concepts. This section of the GRE contains three types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. There are two Verbal Reasoning sections on the exam:
Section 1: test-takers have 18 minutes to complete 12 questions
Section 2: test-takers have 23 minutes to complete 15 questions
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE measures basic mathematical skills, the ability to reason quantitatively, the ability to model and solve problems using quantitative methods, and an understanding of elementary mathematical concepts. Questions address one of four content areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
There are two Quantitative Reasoning sections on the GRE:
Section 1: test-takers have 21 minutes to complete 12 questions
Section 2: test-takers have 26 minutes to complete 15 questions
GRE Structure
The GRE underwent an important change in 2023, when the length of the exam was shortened from 4 hours to just under 2 hours (1 hour and 58 minutes). Research and experimental sections were removed, and the number of questions included in each section was reduced. While the shortened test time is very welcome, it is also important to note that no breaks are given during the exam.
The Analytical Writing section of the GRE is always completed first, but Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections may be presented in any order afterwards. This means that the format of the exam you take will be one of six possible options:
Option 1: Analytical Writing—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning
Option 2: Analytical Writing—Verbal Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning
Option 3: Analytical Writing—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning
Option 4: Analytical Writing—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning
Option 5: Analytical Writing—Quantitative Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning
Option 6: Analytical Writing—Quantitative Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Verbal Reasoning—Quantitative Reasoning
No ordering of sections is more difficult than another, and every test-taker completes the same five sections, regardless of whether you take the GRE at a testing center or remotely from the comfort of your own home.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Given |
| Analytical Writing | 1 | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning #1 | 12 | 18 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning #2 | 15 | 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning #1 | 12 | 21 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning #2 | 15 | 26 minutes |
There are a total of 27 Verbal Reasoning questions across two sections and a total of 27 Quantitative Reasoning questions across two sections, combining for a total of 54 questions across four sections. Test-takers receive slightly more time for Quantitative Reasoning questions, and an onscreen calculator is provided for these sections.
GRE Administration
All students take the GRE entirely on a computer, either at a test center or online at their home (the GRE paper test is no longer offered). The GRE itself is exactly the same regardless of the location where it is taken, which means that where you take the exam is completely up to you and what works best for your schedule. Similarly, the cost of the GRE is $220 whether you take the exam at an approved testing center or remotely at home.
Testing Center Administration
If you choose to take the GRE at a testing center, you will need to bring your ID, and it must exactly match the name you used when registering for the exam. When you check in at the testing center, ID verification may involve biometric voice and/or photo identification, fingerprinting/thumbprinting, videotaping, and signature comparison. Check-in procedures may be different depending on the country in which you are taking the GRE, and the test center proctor will provide you with instructions upon arrival. You are only allowed to bring two (2) items into the testing room with you:
- Your ID
- A mask if you choose to wear one
Lockers are provided for you to store additional items in, such as a purse, car keys, a cell phone, or snacks. If you have submitted an accommodations request that was granted due to health-related reasons, you will be permitted to bring the approved equipment, beverages, and/or snacks into the testing room.
Test-takers are assigned a seat and a computer by the test center proctor, and scratch paper will be provided to you. You are required to remain in the test center until the exam has been completed and you have been dismissed by the proctor. While breaks are not part of the GRE, you may ask for permission to use the restroom but know that the clock will not stop while you are out of your seat, meaning you will have less time to complete whatever section you are currently working on. If you leave the testing room without permission, you may be dismissed, your test fees forfeited, and your scores canceled.
Remote Administration
If you choose to take the GRE remotely in your home, you will need to have your ID on hand, and it must perfectly match the name you used when registering for the exam. You will also need the following:
- A cellphone or small mirror
- An erasable marker
- A small whiteboard or one blank piece of paper inside a transparent sheet protector
Before beginning your exam, close all browsers and applications on your computer not needed for the GRE and disable any screen-sharing or remote-access software. Sign in at least 15 minutes before your scheduled test time using the “Start Your Test” link in the confirmation email you received after registering for the exam. If you are more than 12 minutes late to your exam, you will not be permitted to continue, and your test will be cancelled. You should make sure you are alone in the room in which you are taking the test; if you live with other people, remind them not to open the door to the room where you are taking the exam. Ensure that your testing area is quiet and well-lit, and that your desk or table is clear and empty of all items except your computer, ID, whiteboard or paper, erasable marker, mirror and/or cellphone.
To begin your exam, the proctor will ask you to do the following:
- Show your ID
- Use your mirror or cellphone to show the proctor your computer screen
- Show a 360-degree view of the room where you are taking the exam.
You must remain in view of the proctor at all times, and your test session will be recorded. You will have access to an onscreen calculator during Quantitative Reasoning sections, as personal calculators are not permitted. Before your session ends, you will be asked to erase any notes you have written on your whiteboard or paper in view of the proctor. Unless you have received specific accommodations, you are not allowed to eat or drink when taking the GRE at home.
Whether you take the GRE at a testing center or remotely, the computerized exam only requires basic computer skills, such as pointing and clicking with a cursor. The computer calculates raw scores for the multiple-choice sections, which are then converted to total scores. The Analytical Writing section essay is graded by qualified and trained college professors from several academic disciplines using a standardized rubric, and also by a computerized scoring program. Computer adaptation is a feature of both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the GRE, in order to control for slight variations in test difficulty level and ensure that each administration is as fair as possible.
GRE Computer Adaptation Overview
The computer-adaptive format of the GRE adjusts the difficulty level after each section, meaning that if you perform well on your first Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section, your second Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section will feature more difficult questions. Alternatively, if you perform poorly on your first Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section, your second Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section will feature easier questions. Your final test scores take into account not only the number of questions you answered correctly, but also the difficulty level of each question. Since the first Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section determines the difficulty of the second section, test prep experts recommend doing your very best on those all-important first sections.
The GRE allows you to easily navigate within a given section, and you can skip questions, go back and change your answers, and choose which questions you want to answer in what order in that particular section. Adaptive testing aims to offer a personalized assessment of your knowledge in order to provide the most accurate reflection of your abilities.
GRE Format and Test Preparation
Understanding the structure and format of the GRE is very helpful when it comes to preparing for such an important exam. While you may not know the exact order of sections within the exam until the day of your test, you know the possible order of sections, and unlike other tests, there are no research or experimental sections, which means you know every section you complete will count towards your final test score. You also know exactly how many questions you will be asked to complete within a given amount of time, and you can familiarize yourself with possible Analytical Writing essay topics ahead of time.
When taking practice tests, start by completing a section without timing yourself. Next, try completing a section using a timer (see above table for the number of questions in a section that correspond with a specific time limit). Work your way up to completing one section after another, untimed and then with a timer, until you are able to complete all four Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections one right after the other within 1 hour and 28 minutes.
When it comes to practicing for the Analytical Writing section, select prompts from those provided by ETS (do an online search for “ETS Analyze an Issue Topic Pool”) and practice writing complete essays within 30 minutes. The final step in test preparation is completing all five GRE sections within 1 hour and 58 minutes, which is the amount of time you will be given when taking the test for real.
Books, videos, online resources, practice exams, prep courses and/or tutoring programs can help you learn to manage your time, as well as any test anxiety you might experience, since the more familiar you are with the content and format of the GRE, the more relaxed and prepared you will be on the day of your exam.