The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the most widely recognized standardized tests for graduate school admissions. Whether you’re planning to apply to a master’s, MBA, or doctoral program in various fields, the GRE is often a critical part of the application process. The GRE assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills, providing graduate schools with insight into your academic preparedness. In this blog, we will break down the GRE exam pattern in detail, so you can better prepare for the test.
1. Overview of the GRE
The GRE is divided into three main sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
In addition to these sections, there may also be an unscored research section (known as the “experimental” section), but it does not count toward your score. The GRE is administered in two formats: the Computer-based GRE (most common) and the Paper-based GRE (for locations where computer-based testing is unavailable).
2. GRE Test Format
The GRE exam consists of General Test sections, which are designed to measure your readiness for graduate study. The test is structured as follows:
- Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 35 minutes each): This section evaluates your ability to analyze written material, understand relationships among words and concepts, and make inferences.
- Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 35 minutes each): The focus here is on your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information. You’ll be tested on basic mathematical concepts, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Analytical Writing (1 section, 60 minutes): This section tests your critical thinking and writing skills. You will be required to write two essays: one analyzing an argument and the other analyzing an issue.
3. Section Breakdown
Let’s explore each section in more detail:
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section is designed to assess your ability to analyze and evaluate written material. It consists of two sections, each with 20 questions that must be completed in 35 minutes.
- Reading Comprehension: You’ll be asked to read passages and answer questions about their content, tone, and structure. Questions test your ability to extract meaning, draw conclusions, and understand the passage’s underlying ideas.
- Text Completion: These questions provide a short passage with missing words, and you will need to choose the correct word or set of words to complete the passage.
- Sentence Equivalence: In this section, you’ll see a sentence with a missing word. You must choose two words that could correctly fill in the blank to make the sentence logically complete.
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your ability to understand and apply basic mathematical concepts. It also includes data interpretation, algebra, geometry, and basic statistics. This section also consists of two parts, each with 20 questions, which must be completed in 35 minutes.
- Problem-Solving: These questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
- Data Interpretation: These questions are based on graphical or tabular data, where you will have to interpret the data and make inferences.
- Quantitative Comparison: In these questions, you’ll be given two quantities, and you must determine whether one is greater than the other or if the quantities are equal.
The test allows the use of a calculator, which can be helpful for performing basic operations in the Quantitative Reasoning section.
Analytical Writing
The Analytical Writing section is designed to measure your ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas in writing. You’ll be asked to complete two essays:
- Issue Task (30 minutes): You will be given a topic and asked to take a position on the issue. Your essay should discuss your perspective and support it with relevant reasons and examples.
- Argument Task (30 minutes): You will be provided with an argument and asked to critique it. This task is not about agreeing or disagreeing with the argument, but rather assessing the logical soundness and reasoning behind the argument.
4. Experimental Section (Unscored)
In addition to the scored sections, you may also encounter an experimental section. This section is used by ETS (the organization that administers the GRE) to try out new questions. It is unscored, but you will not know which section is experimental, so it’s important to treat all sections with equal focus.
5. Scoring
- Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning: Each of these sections is scored on a scale of 130 to 170, in one-point increments. The total possible score for both is 340.
- Analytical Writing: This section is scored separately, on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments.
- The experimental section does not contribute to your score.
6. Test Duration and Breaks
The total duration of the GRE exam is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, including the research section and optional breaks.
- Section Timing: As mentioned, the Verbal and Quantitative sections are each 35 minutes long, while the Analytical Writing section lasts for 60 minutes.
- Breaks: There is a 10-minute break between the third and fourth sections, which allows you to refresh before continuing.
7. Conclusion
The GRE exam pattern is designed to assess your readiness for graduate school, evaluating your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. By understanding the test format and preparing strategically for each section, you can increase your chances of achieving a competitive score. Whether you’re applying for a master’s degree, a doctoral program, or an MBA, mastering the GRE pattern is an essential step toward reaching your academic goals.