GRE Exam Pattern 2025: Check Section Wise Test Format, Duration and Score

The GRE Exam Pattern 2025 consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Graduate Record Examination aims to assess skills related to these sections.

ETS has changed some aspects of the GRE exam pattern 2025-26. The test has been reduced to 1 hour 58 minutes and a few sections of the pattern are removed. There is hence a need to be familiar with the new pattern of GRE exam and prepare accordingly. The GRE exam pattern 2025 comprises three sections in the general test: Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning, and Analytical writing. For GRE there will be a total of 55 questions distributed into three sections. Candidates can download the GRE test pattern on the ETS official website.

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This Story also Contains

1. Latest GRE Exam Pattern
2. ETS GRE Exam Pattern Shortened to Just 2 Hours
3. GRE Test Pattern 2025 Overview
4. GRE Exam Pattern New 2025
5. GRE Computer-Based vs GRE Paper-Based Exam Pattern
6. GRE Exam Pattern: Verbal Reasoning Section
7. GRE 2025 Test Pattern
8. GRE Subject Test Pattern
9. GRE Exam Pattern Total Marks
10. GRE Exam Syllabus
11. GRE Marks Distribution 2025
12. GRE Preparation Tips
13. GRE Exam Practice Test

As per the GRE exam 2025 pattern, the test duration is 1 hour 58 minutes for the computer-based general test version and the three sub-sections have three different durations as announced by the authorities.

GRE Analytical Writing section is made up of only one task which is of 30 minutes. The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE exam pattern consists of two sections with 20 questions in each section. Similarly, the Quantitative Reasoning section has two sections with 20 questions in each section. Moreover, the GRE exam fee is Rs. 22,550 for Indian students while registration.

GRE exam is conducted in two modes, namely, Computer-delivered and paper-delivered exam. However, only computer-based GRE modules are available to Indian GRE candidates. Read the article to learn about GRE exam pattern, its sections, duration, and much more.

Latest GRE Exam Pattern

The GRE exam pattern has been revised and a few changes have been made from September 22, 2023. All these GRE exam pattern change is beneficial to students. Here are the latest updates to the GRE exam format changes:

• The GRE exam time duration 2025 has been reduced to 1 hour 58 minutes from 3 hours 45 minutes.

• The GRE new exam pattern consists of a total of 55 questions.

• The "Analyse an Argument" task has been removed from the Analytical Writing section in the GRE test pattern.

• The unscored section has been eliminated from the GRE new format.

• The Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections will have a reduced question count of 54 in total.

• There will be only one Analytical writing essay in the new GRE pattern.

• GRE subject tests are offered in two modes: computer-based and at home like the GRE General Tests.

• The GRE exam duration for Physics and Psychology is reduced to 2 hours from September 2023.

• Chemistry will no longer be offered as a subject test. The last test was held in April 2023 and the scores for those tests will be available for the next 5 years.

• The official GRE scores will now be available in 8 to 10 days which previously took 10 -15 calendar days.

ETS GRE Exam Pattern Shortened to Just 2 Hours

The GRE, one of the most popular exams for graduate school and professional programs, was initially scheduled to last just over 4 hours, but ETS, the organization that administers the exam, has announced that it will now only take slightly under 2 hours.

In order to reduce test-taking fatigue, the GRE General Test has been shortened. It has fewer Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning questions at 26 and one essay only in Analytical Writing. The test was launched on September 22, 2023. The GRE now lasts for approximately two hours compared to three hours and seven minutes for the GMAT, two hours and fifteen minutes for the GMAT Focus Edition, and three hours for the LSAT.

GRE Test Pattern 2025 Overview

Indian students planning to attempt the examination must be aware of the GRE exam pattern and duration. Therefore, we have enlisted the same GRE test pattern below:

GRE Exam Pattern Highlights

GRE Exam Pattern New 2025

The GRE test pattern consists of three major sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. While Analytical Writing in GRE exam pattern is a descriptive task, the other two sections contain MCQs. Whereas, in the new GRE exam format, the analytical writing section had only 1 task, previously there were 2 tasks.

The GRE exam has two modes: GRE Computer-based mode and GRE Paper-based mode. Paper-based mode is available where there is no accessibility to computers. However, in India, only computer-based mode is available for all the test-takers.

Candidates can opt for any one of the GRE exam patterns they wish to appear for and mention the same during the GRE registration. The GRE paper pattern of both formats is quite similar. Besides the computer-delivered GRE test structure 2025 has the feature of skipping the questions and moving back and forth to change and review of the answers.

According to ETS, candidates can take the online GRE revised General exam once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.

GRE Paper-based vs Computer-based

All aspiring candidates preparing for GRE exam should be understand the two different modes one can opt for while attempting the paper. Hence, we have provided the difference between paper based and computer based GRE exam 2025.

GRE Paper based vs Computer based Exam Pattern:

GRE is conducted throughout the year at more than 1,000 GRE exam centres and in more than 160 countries. The GRE scores are used as one of the selection parameters for many graduate schools worldwide.

Aspirants can take the GRE exam paper once every 21 days and the exam dates can be chosen by the candidates. What makes the exam so flexible is that there is no specific GRE exam eligibility. Aspirants can apply for the exam irrespective of age and qualification.

While there is no change in content specifications for the GRE computer-based test, each section will be divided into two subsections Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning. One needs to join their ETS GRE login account to facilitate registering for the examination for computer-based test.

There will be 47 questions in total. Analytical writing contains one section with two tasks of 30 minutes each. Whereas in the GRE PBT, there are two Analytical writing sections. There are several GRE exam pattern pdf available for students to go through.

GRE Computer-Based vs GRE Paper-Based Exam Pattern

These categories are divided into two further subcategories (verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning), totalling forty questions with a computer-based GRE paper format. The category Analytical Writing is divided into a single section with two one-hour exercises each. The computer-based pattern exam further adds two variable portions to the above major categories. There is also a ten-minute break immediately after the completion of the quantitative reasoning portion. Nevertheless, the total GRE scores do not include the two variable sections-the unscored and the research component.

GRE Exam Pattern 2025: Analytical writing section

The GRE test format for GRE Analytical writing includes two separately timed analytical writing tasks of thirty minutes each:

GRE Paper Pattern: GRE Question Sample for Analytical Writing

Sample Analyze an Issue task

The more people will become reliant on technology to solve the problems, the less and less human beings will think of themselves.

Write a response in which you discuss the degree to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for taking that position. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not be true and explain how those considerations shape your position.

Sample Analyze Argument task

The following appeared in a memo from the president of a company that manufactures parts for heavy machinery:

"Three months back, our research and development department formulated a new synthetic lubricant, TechLub, which is utilized by a local trucking firm to service its fleet engines. The trucking company has stated that since it instituted the use of TechLub, engine failure had dropped by 15%. We should therefore start on an industrial scale to start producing TechLub while marketing it to other trucking firms and firms that heavily rely on heavy machinery operations in order to maintain a competitive edge and increase its profit margins."

Write a response in which you analyze the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, as well as what implications exist for the argument should these assumptions prove unwarranted.

GRE Exam Pattern: Quantitative Reasoning Section

The GRE test format for GRE Quantitative Reasoning comprises two separately timed analytical writing tasks that are each thirty-five minutes long. Topics covered under the GRE Quantitative Reasoning include

• Basic mathematical skills

• Understanding elementary mathematical concepts

• Ability to solve problems by using quantitative methods

Under the category of GRE Quantitative Reasoning (GRE Math Section), subjects covered include

• Algebra

• Arithmetic

• Data analysis

• Geometry

GRE Exam Pattern: Verbal Reasoning Section

• Reading Comprehension

• Text Completion

• Sentence Equivalence

GRE 2025 Test Pattern

Discover the exam pattern for GRE 2025 (both General and Subject tests) in the tables given below.

GRE General Exam Pattern 2025

GRE Subject Exam Pattern 2025

GRE Subject Test Pattern

The GRE Subject Tests are computer-delivered. Mathematics Test: The total time is 2 hours and 50 minutes. The Physics and Psychology Tests total time is 2 hours. There is no timed section.

1. GRE Subject Test Pattern for Maths

The test contains about 66 multiple-choice questions, which are sourced from undergraduate-level courses typically taught.

About 50% of the questions involve calculus and its applications—subject matter assumed to be common to the backgrounds of almost all mathematics majors.

Of all the questions in the test, around 25% pertain to elementary algebra, linear algebra, abstract algebra and number theory.

The remaining questions deal with other areas of mathematics that are currently studied by undergraduates in many institutions.

2. GRE Subject Test Pattern for Physics

• There are about 70 questions that are 5 choices on this test based on the kinds of materials like diagrams and graphs of experimental data and descriptive materials of physical situations.

This test aims to provide answers to the following:

• to what extent do these test examinees understand the basic principles

• and how they may use this to solve problems

• Majority of the questions can be solved in light of the first 3 years of an undergrad course in physics.

• The International System (SI) of Units is used primarily in the test. A table of information representing a number of physical constants and a few conversion factors among SI units is included in the test book.

• The approximate percentages of the test on the major content topics have been established by the committee of examiners, with input from a nationwide survey of undergraduate physics curricula. Percentages reflect the committee's best estimate of the relative emphasis that would be placed on each topic in a typical undergraduate program. Major subtopics in each content category are presented below along with percentages. For each category, subtopics are listed approximately in order of decreasing importance for inclusion in the test.

• Almost all the questions in the test relate to material in this listing; however, there may occasionally be questions on other topics that are not explicitly listed here.

• The Physics Test provides three percent correct subscores in addition to the overall score: (1) Classical Mechanics, (2) Electromagnetism, and (3) Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics. Questions that are related to subscores are distributed throughout the test; they are not set aside and identified separately, although several questions from a single content area may appear consecutively.

3. GRE Subject Test Pattern for Psychology

• There are approximately 144 multiple-choice questions. There are five options for each of the question. The test taker has to choose the correct answer.

• All stimulus materials, such as a description of an experiment or a graph, may form the basis of several questions.

• The questions on the Psychology Test are selected from the heart of knowledge most frequently met in undergraduate-level courses for majors in the broadly defined field of psychology.

• A question may involve recalling facts, analyzing relationships, using principles to make judgments, deriving conclusions based on data and/or examining a research design.

• The test is according to the terminology, criteria and classifications referred in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR).

• The test also generates six percent correct subscores in addition to the total score: (1) Biological, (2) Cognitive, (3) Social, (4) Developmental, (5) Clinical, and (6) Measurement/Methodology/Other.

GRE Exam Pattern Total Marks

GRE total marks consist of 340 score with 6 points on 130-170 scale in the quantitative and verbal sections in General. On the other hand, GRE total score for the subject test is assessed upon 200-990 scale.

Why do I need to know GRE Pattern?

As an applicant for the this examination it is essential to know about GRE pattern as well as GRE marks distribution. Hence, we have enlisted some important points to remember while booking for GRE exam.

• Knowing the GRE exam pattern helps put in place a better strategy at the time of GRE preparation.

• To prioritise preparation time for each section depending on the weightage.

• Understanding GRE exam pattern to assess our strengths and weaknesses.

• Understand the time it takes to attempt different questions as well as a real-time testing environment.

• Practice time management techniques according to the new GRE pattern.

• Knowing GRE marks distribution helps plan for high scores in each section.

• Sometimes it is also possible to assess the difficulty level of questions asked and tailor preparation strategy according to that, by knowing GRE paper pattern.

GRE Exam Syllabus

GRE exam pattern and syllabus assess the critical reasoning, analytical, problem-solving, and argument analyses skills of the candidates in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

The GRE math syllabus checks the basic math understanding and concepts to solve problems in real-world contexts. Subject tests in the GRE are optional for candidates, however, they help candidates to stand out in highly competitive fields.

GRE Paper Pattern

GRE Marks Distribution 2025

There are three sections in the GRE examination pattern where the GRE marks distribution of both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning is 130-170 each while that of Analytical Writing is scored at 0-6 in half-point increments.

So the new GRE exam pattern total marks will be 340+6 [scored on half-point increments]. Candidates aspiring for top universities must aim for both GRE total marks and section-wise scores. Here are the details of the GRE test marks distribution given in the table below.

GRE Marking Scheme 2025

GRE Preparation Tips

The GRE exam is a standardised test commonly required for admission to graduate programmes in many countries. Around lakhs of students from various countries take the GRE exam every year. Therefore, to get admission to top courses in top universities across the world, candidates must get a good GRE score.

Students are advised to follow a strict exam schedule, effective GRE resources, and strategic GRE preparation tips to achieve a high score in GRE exam. Applicants can also look for various downloadable GRE exam sample papers to accelerate their preparation. Here are some of the best GRE preparation tips 2025:

• Build a GRE preparation strategy and set an individualised study plan.

• Analyse the GRE test pattern thoroughly and focus on identifying the weak areas.

• Build vocabulary consistently.

• Learn time management.

• Include physical and mental workouts.

Just like for other exams, knowing the GRE exam pattern is a stepping stone to achieving the desired GRE score. It must be the first step towards GRE preparation.

The GRE test pattern may change at any point in time. So it helps to keep track of the latest pattern of the GRE for prospective students to perform without uncertainty in the GRE.

GRE Exam Practice Test

The ETS provides official practice tests on its website. Candidates can easily access the GRE exam practice materials by logging into the official ETS website. These practice tests indicate a replica of the original GRE exam pattern and are the most updated and accurate for the GRE.

Additionally, there are numerous GRE books available that contain various mock test papers based on the current Graduate Record Exam formats. A few popular best GRE books for GRE 2025 are as follows:

• The Official Guide to the GRE General Test

• Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides

• Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus 2025

• Princeton Review’s GRE Premium Prep 2025

• Barron’s GRE with Online Tests

Related Reading:

• Best books for GRE

• GRE Preparation Books and Study Materials

• GRE Sample Paper