About the GRE
What is the GRE?
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test required for admission to most graduate schools in the United States and many programs worldwide. The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.
The test is accepted by thousands of graduate and business schools globally, making it one of the most important steps in your graduate school application process.
Test Format and Structure
GRE General Test Overview
- Total Time:About 3 hours 45 minutes
- Score Range:260-340 (130-170 per section)
- Format:Computer-based or paper-based
- Cost:$220 USD (varies by location)
- Validity:5 years
Test Sections
Analytical Writing (2 tasks, 60 minutes)
Measures your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, and examine claims and evidence.
Tasks:
- Analyze an Issue (30 minutes): Present your perspective on a given issue and support your position with reasons and examples.
- Analyze an Argument (30 minutes): Evaluate the logical soundness of an argument and identify flaws in reasoning.
Scoring: 0-6 in half-point increments
Key Skills: Critical thinking, persuasive writing, analytical reasoning
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 30 minutes each)
Measures your ability to analyze written material, synthesize information, understand relationships among words and concepts, and reason from incomplete data.
- 20 questions per section (40 total)
- Score range: 130-170
- Section-level adaptive (second section difficulty based on first section performance)
Question Types:
- Reading Comprehension (50%): Multiple-choice questions about passages from various academic fields. Includes literal comprehension, inference, author's intent, and critical reasoning questions.
- Text Completion (30%): Fill in 1-3 blanks in a passage to create a coherent, meaningful whole. Tests vocabulary in context and ability to follow complex narrative threads.
- Sentence Equivalence (20%): Select two choices that complete a sentence and produce sentences that are alike in meaning. Emphasizes word meaning and sentence coherence.
💡 Verbal Success Strategy:
Build a strong vocabulary foundation with our 43-day spaced repetition program covering 2,880+ essential GRE words. Practice reading complex academic texts and identifying main ideas, supporting details, and logical structures.
Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 35 minutes each)
Measures your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information, solve problems using mathematical models, and apply basic mathematical concepts.
- 20 questions per section (40 total)
- Score range: 130-170
- On-screen calculator provided
- Section-level adaptive
Content Areas:
- Arithmetic (25%): Properties of integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, rates, exponents, roots, and number sequences.
- Algebra (25%): Algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, coordinate geometry, and word problems.
- Geometry (20%): Lines, angles, triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, 3D figures, area, perimeter, volume, and geometric reasoning.
- Data Analysis (30%): Basic statistics (mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation), probability, distributions, graphs, and data interpretation.
Question Types:
- Quantitative Comparison: Compare two quantities and determine their relationship
- Multiple Choice (Single Answer): Select one correct answer from five choices
- Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers): Select all correct answers from the given choices
- Numeric Entry: Enter your answer as an integer or decimal
📊 Quantitative Success Strategy:
Review fundamental math concepts and practice problem-solving strategies. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing formulas. Use the on-screen calculator efficiently but don't rely on it for simple calculations.
View Comprehensive Quantitative Reasoning Guide →Adaptive Testing Explained
The GRE uses section-level adaptive testing for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. Here's how it works:
- 1.You'll complete the first section of Verbal (or Quantitative) at a medium difficulty level.
- 2.Your performance on the first section determines the difficulty of the second section:
- Strong performance → harder second section → higher potential maximum score
- Weaker performance → easier second section → lower maximum score range
- 3.Both sections contribute to your final score, with the difficulty level factored into the scoring algorithm.
Scoring System
Verbal Reasoning
130-170
1-point increments
Quantitative
130-170
1-point increments
Analytical Writing
0-6
0.5-point increments
Combined Score Range:
260-340 (Verbal + Quantitative only)
Note: The Analytical Writing score is reported separately and does not factor into the 260-340 combined score. Most graduate programs consider all three scores in admissions decisions.
Score Interpretation
| Percentile | Verbal Score | Quantitative Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th | 162+ | 168+ | Excellent - Top tier programs |
| 75th | 157+ | 163+ | Very Good - Competitive programs |
| 50th | 151 | 154 | Average - Most programs |
| 25th | 145 | 147 | Below Average - Less competitive |
Preparation Strategies
📚 Build Vocabulary Daily
Use our 43-day spaced repetition program to master 2,880+ essential GRE words. Consistent daily practice is key to verbal success.
Start Vocabulary Program →🎯 Practice Regularly
Use our practice questions to build familiarity with all question types and improve your skills across all sections.
Start Practicing →⏱️ Master Time Management
Practice with our quiz mode to develop pacing strategies. Aim for 1.5 minutes per question on average in both Verbal and Quantitative sections.
📊 Analyze Your Mistakes
Learn from incorrect answers to understand concepts and identify patterns in your errors. Focus on weak areas in your study plan.
🎓 Study Strategically
Start with foundational topics before progressing to medium and advanced difficulty. Build a strong foundation before tackling complex problems.
✍️ Practice Writing
Write practice essays under timed conditions. Focus on clear structure, strong arguments, and specific examples. Review sample high-scoring essays.
Start Your GRE Preparation
Ready to begin your GRE preparation? Choose a study mode to get started: