GRE is an acronym for the Graduate Record Examination, a standardized test offered by the Educational Testing Service (usually known as the ETS).
Purpose
What Is It Used For?
GRE testing is used to evaluate potential students for graduate-level academic programs at thousands of graduate schools, business schools, law schools, and other academic programs.
In addition, some fellowships, scholarships, and other opportunities also use GRE scores as an evaluating factor.
Overview
What Is Covered on the GRE?
The six sections are as follows:
- A writing section, including both Issue Writing and Argumentative Writing tasks - 60 minutes total.
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Two Verbal Reasoning sections - 30 minutes each. Questions in this section can be categorized into three types:
- Two Quantitative Reasoning sections - 35 minutes each.
- One experimental or research section, either qualitative or verbal - 30 to 35 minutes.
- An additional unscored section may pop up on the screen at any point during the test. Although it doesn't count as part of your overall score, it is intended either for ETS research purposes or as a trial section that might appear in future tests.
Order
What Is the Test Like?
The Analytical Writing test will always appear first. However, the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and unscored sections can appear in any order. Bear in mind that even if a section is not going to be scored, you should treat it as though it is.
Tools
Are Calculators Allowed?
No outside calculators are permitted in the test center, so the Quantitative Reasoning section includes an on-screen calculator.
Format
How Does the GRE Exam Work?
Computer vs. Paper
The GRE is offered in two possible formats. The test is either given on paper or computer-delivered, which is now most common.
Computer
The computer-delivered option is available throughout the year at test centers. In areas where this format is unavailable, the paper-delivered test takes place in October, November, and February at approved test centers.
Paper
As with the computer-delivered test, there will be six scored sections. However, there is no unscored section included in the paper version.
Length
How Long Is the GRE?
When done by computer, the GRE test lasts for 3 hours and 45 minutes and consists of six sections, with a 10-minute break after the third section.
Study Resources
GRE Reading Comprehension Tips