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updated GRE Exam Pattern 2023: Syllabus, Score Range, and Sample Questions

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Sayantani Barman

Experta en el extranjero | Updated On - Jan 8, 2024

updated GRE exam pattern for the general test includes 3 different sections: Quant, Verbal reasoning, and Analytical writing assessment. GRE Exam patterns for GRE general and subject tests are different. Candidates can take the GRE general test either as a computer-based test or as a paper-based test. The total number of questions is 82 (80 MCQs and 2 descriptives). Candidates will attempt these questions in 3 hours and 45 minutes. GRE general test syllabus is different from that of the subject test. GRE subject test consists of only MCQs. GRE subject test comes with 66-230 questions and the duration of this test is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

GRE General Test vs GRE Subject Test

Apart from the duration and number of questions, there are several differences between GRE general test and GRE subject test:

GRE General Test GRE Subject Test
3 sections: GRE quant, GRE verbal, and GRE AWA No section - a test of one single subject and its different areas
Tests analytical knowledge Tests the knowledge of the specific subject
- GRE subjects are conducted on:
Biology
Chemistry
Literature in English
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Conducted in both computer-based and paper-delivered modes Conducted only in a paper-based mode
Conducted throughout the year Conducted thrice a year: April, September, and October
Fee: US$226 to US$255 Fee: US$150
Question types: MCQ and descriptive or essay questions Question types: MCQ
Number of questions: 82 Number of questions: 66-230
Duration: 3 hours and 45 minutes Duration: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Score range: 260-340 Score range: 200-990

Check  GRE general test VS GRE subject test

Difference between Computer vs. Paper GRE Exam Pattern

  • The time allotted for a paper-based GRE exam is 3hrs 30 minutes whereas for a computer-delivered GRE is 3hrs 45 minutes. 
  • GRE Paper-based exam pattern does not have Reading Comprehension.
  • The number of Quant and Verbal questions for paper-based GRE is 25 whereas that of computer-based GRE is 20.  

GRE Exam Pattern and Syllabus

GRE test syllabus for both tests is huge and both tests come with a   certain level of difficulty. GRE General test through quant, verbal, and AWA checks the analytical ability of the candidates, and subject tests check the knowledge of the specific subject of the candidates. GRE paper pattern for GRE general test and GRE subject test is discussed in the next sections:

Overview of GRE General Test Pattern

The main components of the GRE general test are GRE verbal reasoning, GRE quantitative reasoning, and GRE analytical writing assessment. For higher studies in business, engineering, and many other fields, GRE score is one of the most important admission criteria. Here, the score of the GRE general test is accepted. GRE general test syllabus is huge and it checks the analytical skills of the candidates. GRE general test is conducted throughout the year in the locations where GRE computer-delivered tests are offered. It is conducted twice a year in the GRE test centers where only GRE paper-based exam is taken.

GRE General Test Syllabus and Question Types

The detailed GRE exam pattern for GRE general test is mentioned below in the table:

Section name Number of Sections Number of questions Sub-areas Types of questions
GRE quantitative reasoning 2 20+20=40 questions Ratio and proportion
Profit and loss
Simple and compound interest
Speed, distance and time
Permutation & combination
Linear equations
Quadratic equations
Sets Theory
Statistics
Powers and roots
Probability
Pipes, cisterns, work, time
Lines and angles
Triangles
Polygon
Quadrilateral
Circles
Coordinate geometry
Order of operations
Volume and surface area
Percentage
Number properties
Quantitative Comparison Questions
Numeric Entry Questions
GRE verbal reasoning 2 20+20=40 questions - Reading Comprehension
Text Completion
Sentence Equivalence
GRE analytical writing assessment 2 1+1=2 questions - Analyzing an Issue
Analyzing an Argument

The sub-areas of GRE quantitative reasoning show the GRE exam syllabus of this section.

According to the GRE question pattern, in GRE general test:

  • The total number of MCQs is 80
  • Total number of descriptive questions is 2
  • GRE verbal pattern includes 3 types of questions which comes with 3-5 answer options
  • Each task of GRE verbal and GRE AWA needs excellent vocabulary
  • The main areas of GRE quant are: algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and data analysis
  • GRE analytical writing is the only section with descriptive questions

Check the task focus of each section in the table below:

Section name Task focus
Quantitative Reasoning Point out the important and trivial
Understand the purpose of a particular word and its relation with concepts
Draw conclusion accordingly
Verbal Reasoning Using mathematical formula
Solve mathematical problems and equations
Analyze data
Solve arithmetic sums and understand geometrical patterns
Analyze quantitative information
Analytical Writing Think analytically
Representing ideas in words

GRE Test Duration

GRE section name Duration
GRE quantitative reasoning 1 hour and 10 minutes (35 minutes for each section)
GRE verbal reasoning 1 hour (30 minutes for each section)
GRE analytical writing assessment 1 hour (30 minutes for each section)
Total 3 hours and 10 minutes

Total duration is 3 hours and 45 minutes which includes a break of 30-35 minutes. A break is allowed after the completion of the first 3 sections of the total 6 sections.

GRE General Test Score Range

GRE section name Score range
GRE quantitative reasoning 130-170 with 1 point increment
GRE verbal reasoning 130-170 with 1 point increment
GRE analytical writing assessment 0-6 with 0.5 point increment
Total 260-340

Overall GRE Score consists of the scores of GRE quant and GRE verbal sections. An obtained score on GRE analytical writing test is not included in the overall GRE score. GRE general test has no negative marking system.

GRE Question Papers PDF

An ample number of GRE question papers will help the candidates to grasp the concepts of different topics. For regular mock tests, these GRE practice papers will help the aspirants a lot. 

GRE Verbal Practice Test

GRE Quant Practice Tests

GRE AWA Samples

GRE Subject Test Pattern - Overview

GRE subject test is a paper-based exam and it is conducted only thrice a year. GRE subject tests are meant for candidates who want a higher degree in any specific subject. The subjects included in this test are:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Literature in English
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology

Previously biochemistry was also a subject under the GRE subject test but from December 2016, it is excluded. It is possible for the candidates to take more than one subject test in GRE - they only need to pay for each subject they want to take. GRE subject tests are taken in the months of April, September, and October. Indian candidates are allowed to take GRE subject tests only in October.

GRE Subject Test Syllabus and Question Types

Check the table below to understand the GRE syllabus for subject tests:

Subjects Number of Questions Sub-sections
Biology 190 Cellular and Molecular Biology
Organismal Biology
Ecology and Evolution
Chemistry 130 Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
English 230 Literary Analysis
Identification
Cultural and Historical Contexts
History and Theory of Literary Criticism
Mathematics 66 Calculus
Algebra (Linear algebra, abstract algebra, elementary algebra, and number theory)
Discrete Mathematics
Real Analysis
Probability and Statistics
Additional Mathematics
Physics 100 Classical Mechanics
Electromagnetism
Optics and Wave Phenomena
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
Atomic Physics
Special Relativity
Laboratory Methods
Specialized Topics like Nuclear and Particle Physics etc.
Psychology 205 Biological
Cognitive
Social
Developmental
Clinical
Measurement/Methodology/Other

GRE Subject Test Duration

The duration of GRE subject tests is 2 hours and 50 minutes. Unlike GRE general test, it has no break.

GRE Subject Test Score Range

GRE subject test score range is 200-990. It uses a 10 points increment system. Each sub-areas of GRE subject test has a score range of 20-99 with 1 point increment.

GRE subject tests have a negative marking system - 1 point is given for each correct answer and ¼ point gets deducted for each wrong answer.

GRE Preparation Tips for GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test

To prepare for GRE general test, candidates should:

  • Understand the basic and complex mathematical concepts
  • Learn vocabulary
  • Learn to construct grammatically correct sentences
  • Think analytically
  • Practice typing to get a decent writing speed

To prepare for GRE subject tests, candidates need to

  • Understand the subject from the grassroots levels school level books
  • Understand complex concepts from the graduate-level books
  • Learn time management
  • Practice with GRE question papers

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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Answered Questions

AS

Akanksha Sharma

30 Jan 23

In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile.

There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780.

...Show More

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