GRE General Test Pattern: Check Structure & Syllabus

Administered by the ETS, the GRE General Test remains one of the most widely accepted entrance exams for graduate studies for students aspiring to pursue graduate studies abroad. In recent years, ETS has made changes to the GRE General Test by reducing the overall test duration and eliminating the unscored and research sections. Let us learn more!

The GRE General Test comprises  three core sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment. The test includes 54 questions —27 each in the Verbal and Quantitative sections—along with one “Analyze an Issue” task in the Analytical Writing section. The total duration of the test is 1 hour and 58 minutes when delivered as a computer-adaptive test. 

The GRE General Test assesses a candidate’s ability to think critically, analyze arguments, and solve complex quantitative problems.

Latest Changes in the GRE General Test

The GRE General Test has undergone notable changes to offer a more streamlined and time-efficient testing experience to the test takers. Below are some key changes introduced in the new GRE:

1. Shorter Test Duration: The GRE General Test is now 1 hour and 58 minutes, nearly half the length of the earlier format.
2. Reduced Question Count: Fewer questions in both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections.
3. Analytical Writing Change: The “Analyze an Argument” task has been removed from the Analytical Writing section.
4. No Unscored and Research Sections: The unscored and research sections have been removed from the new GRE pattern for 2025.
5. More Centers and Dates: ETS has expanded the number of GRE test centers and test dates for your convenience.
6. Faster Score Reporting: Official GRE scores are available within 8-10 days of taking the test. GRE scores are valid for 5 years from your test date. After five years, ETS automatically removes them, and schools are unable to access or accept expired scores.

Read Also: GRE Syllabus

The GRE General Test: How the sections look!

Let us take a look at the breakup of the various sections that make up the new and shorter GRE General Test. Let us take a look at the breakup of the various sections that make up the new and shorter GRE General:

Syllabus for the GRE General Test

In the Verbal Reasoning section of the new GRE, the focus remains on evaluating your understanding of complex passages, sentence structure, and contextual vocabulary. The GRE administers Reading Comprehension (RC), Text Completion (TC), and Sentence Equivalence (SE) questions for testing your ability to process and interpret advanced written material.

In the Quantitative Reasoning section, the GRE continues to emphasize on data interpretation and real-world problem solving. The updated pattern includes questions that require analyzing data from tables, graphs, and charts, making the section more applicable to graduate-level quantitative skills.

The Analytical Writing section has also been streamlined. It now features only one task—“Analyze an Issue,” which assesses your ability to present logical arguments, support your viewpoint, and write clearly and coherently.

Read Also: GRE Eligibility

The GRE General Test – An Adaptive Test

The GRE General test is adaptive – this means that the test engine delivers a test that adapts to your abilities. Therefore, each one of us takes our own GRE. 

The GRE General test is adaptive at the section level. Now, it sounds a bit complicated, isn’t it? Well, not really. The test engine decides the difficulty level of the second section based on your performance in the first section of a particular type (Verbal / Quant)

Here’s an overview of the section’s adaptive nature and the scoring mechanism of the new GRE.

It is important to note that the Verbal and Quant sections are independent of each other. 

Thus, even in the new GRE, ETS continues using section-level adaptation to ensure a fair and precise assessment of a candidate’s abilities in Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. 

Read Also: GRE Preparation

GRE Score Conversion: Old Format vs New Format

If you’ve taken the older version of the GRE General test and are wondering how your scores compare with the new GRE format, don’t worry! The best way to compare is by using the ETS’s ‘Score Concordance Table’. Provided by ETS, this tool helps both test takers and admissions committees accurately interpret and convert GRE scores between the old and new formats.

Considering the GRE is now a shorter test, which impacts the scores and percentiles, Top universities and institutions are well aware of these changes and consider the format-specific context when reviewing applications.

Conclusion

The revised and shorter GRE General Test exam pattern 2025 reflects ETS’s efforts to align the test with the evolving demands of graduate and professional programs. As the test modernizes, understanding the key differences between the old and new GRE formats is essential for strategic preparation. With the right approach and awareness of updated scoring methods, you can confidently move forward in your journey toward a successful graduate program and a flourishing career thereafter.

Read Also: GRE Exam Date

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 320 a good GRE score?

A GRE score of 320 is generally considered very good, especially for top graduate programs. It reflects strong performance in both Verbal and Quantitative sections, boosting admission chances.

What is a 90% on the GRE?

A 90th percentile on the GRE typically means scoring around 1635 in Verbal Reasoning or a 170 in Quantitative Reasoning or both. It indicates you’re in the top 10% of all test takers.

How is the GRE exam structured?

The GRE is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) with a total duration of 1 hour and 58 minutes, comprising three main sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Here’s a breakdown of what each section includes.