GRE Exam Pattern 2024 - Test Format, Section Wise Number of Questions, Duration, Marks

GRE Exam Pattern: The Educational Testing Service (ETS) releases the GRE exam pattern for aspiring candidates. GRE exam pattern comprises three sections in the general test - Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning, and Analytical writing. There will be a total of 55 questions distributed into three sections. Candidates can download the GRE test pattern on the ETS official website. As per the GRE exam pattern, The total duration of the GRE exam is 1 hour 58 minutes for the computer-based GRE General Test and three sections have three different durations as announced by the authorities.

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This Story also Contains

1. Latest Updates for GRE Exam Format
2. GRE Examination Pattern
3. GRE Exam Pattern - Section Wise Details
4. Why do I need to know GRE Pattern?
5. GRE Exam Pattern 2024 for Subject Test
6. GRE Exam Pattern and Marks
7. GRE Preparation Tips
8. GRE Exam Practice Test

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. In the GRE subject test, questions are asked based on specific GRE exam subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Read the full article to know about the GRE exam pattern such as GRE marks distribution and GRE exam format total marks, etc.

GRE Test Format Overview

Latest Updates for GRE Exam Format

From September 22, 2023, the GRE exam pattern has been revised. A few updates have been added to the new GRE format. Here are the latest updates to the format of the GRE exam:

• The test duration 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.

• 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 Graduate Record examination syllabus.

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

• The duration of the GRE exam 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.

A detailed table for GRE exam pattern before September 22, 2023 is mentioned below.

GRE exam pattern before September 22, 2023

GRE Examination Pattern

There are three main sections for testing in GRE test pattern: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. While Analytical Writing in GRE exam pattern is a descriptive task, the other two sections contain MCQs. In the new GRE exam pattern, the analytical writing section had only 1 task, previously there were 2 tasks.

ETS has provided two test modes for the GRE exam: 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 formats they wish to appear for and mention the same during the GRE registration. The GRE paper pattern of both formats is quite similar. 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 Exam Portion Comparison: Paper-based vs Computer-based

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 exam once every 21 days and GRE 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.

GRE Paper Pattern for GRE Computer-Based Test

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. 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.

GRE Exam Pattern - Section Wise Details

The detailed study of the three sections of the GRE General exam in accordance with the GRE examination pattern and GRE syllabus are stated below:

Verbal Reasoning

This section of the GRE exam pattern measures the ability to analyse information and evaluates candidates’ proficiency level with English text and grammar. This section of GRE exam pattern contains three types of questions: reading comprehension, text Completion and sentence equivalence.

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE exam format 2024 covers three areas:

• Analyse and evaluate content information

• Assess the candidates’ ability to analyse relationships between different parts of sentences

• Distinguish between concepts and words and their relationships

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE exam pattern examines candidates’ ability to analyse quantitative information, problem-solving abilities, understanding of basic concepts of maths and applying mathematical skills and elementary mathematical concepts pertaining to arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and data Interpretation.

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE exam consists of four types of questions:

• Quantitative Comparison Questions

• Multiple-choice Questions- Select One Answer Choice

• Multiple-choice Questions- Select One or More Answer Choices

• Numeric Entry Questions

The calculators are made available to the exam takers when they are attempting the Quantitative Reasoning section. Computer-based exam candidates get an on-screen calculator and paper-based candidates are provided one by the exam center.

Analytical Writing

The GRE exam pattern section, Analytical Writing evaluates candidates’ ability to:

• Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively.

• Provide relevant reasons and instances to support the stated views on specific ideas.

• Analyse claims and information provided.

• Coherently, effectively, and logically discuss a topic in English.

According to the GRE pattern, the Analytical Writing section of the GRE exam syllabus has one analytical writing task:

• Analyse an Issue Task: This task evaluates candidates' ability to think critically about a topic and express their thoughts in writing.

The 'Analyse an argument ' task is removed in the new GRE exam pattern to be adopted from September 2023.

Why do I need to know GRE Pattern?

• 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 Pattern 2024 for Subject Test

GRE syllabus assesses 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 GRE are optional for candidates, however, they help candidates to stand out in highly competitive fields.

GRE Exam Subjects

GRE Exam Pattern and Marks

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 exam pattern total marks and section-wise scores.

GRE Scores Distribution

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 sample papers to accelerate their preparation. Here are some of the best preparation tips for the GRE:

• Build a GRE preparation strategy.

• Focus on identifying the weak areas.

• Build vocabulary consistently.

• Learn to manage time.

• 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 exam 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

Candidates can easily access the GRE exam practice materials through ETS (Educational Testing Service), which provides official practice tests on their website. These practice tests are the most updated and accurate for the GRE exam. Additionally, there are numerous GRE books available that contain various mock test papers based on the current GRE exam pattern.