Are you a GRE Aspirant? If you are looking for a detailed report of the GRE Exam syllabus and paper pattern, then this post is for you. Check all the relevant details about GRE below!
About GRE Exam
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is commonly used for admission to graduate schools or business programs in various countries, especially in the United States. Universities and colleges consider the GRE scores as one of the criteria for evaluating applicants’ readiness and potential for success in graduate-level studies.
The GRE is divided into various sections-
- Verbal reasoning assesses the ability to analyze written material, draw conclusions and establish relationships.
- The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates mathematical and problem-solving abilities, emphasizing concepts like algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- The Analytical Writing section gauges the ability to clearly convey complex ideas, defend arguments, and communicate effectively through written expression.
Paper Pattern for GRE Exam
The GRE General Test follows a specific paper pattern. Here is an overview of the sections and their respective formats:
- Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to,
- Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
- Examine claims and accompanying evidence
- Sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
- Control the elements of standard written English
To accurately demonstrate your skills, you must provide focused responses that directly respond to the presented tasks.
Learn more on GRE Analytical Writing through this link.
Section Details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Tasks: Two writing tasks
- Issue Task: You are given a statement and asked to present your perspective.
- Argument Task: You are given an argument and asked to critique its logic and provide alternative explanations or suggestions.
- Verbal Reasoning: The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to,
- Analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify the author’s assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author’s intent
- Select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
- Understand the meaning of individual words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and among concepts
Learn more on GRE Verbal Reasoning through this link.
Section Details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Questions: Multiple-choice questions
- Sections: Two or three sections
- Content: Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, understand and draw conclusions from it, and determine relationships between components of sentences and entire passages.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to,
- Understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
- Solve problems using mathematical models
- Apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
Learn more on GRE Quantitative Reasoning through this link.
Section Details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Questions: Multiple-choice questions, including both quantitative comparisons and problem-solving items
- Sections: Two or three sections
- Content: Evaluate your problem-solving skills and understanding of basic mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Unscored/Research Section (Experimental):
- Duration: Varies
- Questions: Varies
- Purpose: This section may be included in the test but does not contribute to your score. ETS uses it to gather data for future test development or research purposes. You won’t be able to identify this section as it appears identical to the scored sections.
- The order of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections may vary.
- Furthermore, pretest questions may be included that need to be identified and will not be scored.
- These questions are considered for possible inclusion in future tests.
- Please be aware that the number of questions, scoring scales, and section order on the GRE test may vary slightly due to periodic updates by ETS.
- We recommend referring to the official ETS website or their test preparation materials for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the GRE paper pattern.
GRE General Test Syllabus
When applying for an MBA program in the US, keep in mind that the GRE syllabus is the same as the MS program. The 2023 GRE General test has three sections i.e;
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
GRE General Test Structure
The GRE General Test is computer-delivered. Our design is user-friendly, allowing you to skip questions, revisit and alter previous answers, and select the order in which you answer questions within a section.
Test sections and their timing
The total time for the test is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, with six sections. There will be a 10-minute break after the third section.
The Analytical Writing section is always the first section. Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and unidentified/unscored areas may appear in any order. It is important to treat each section as if it counts towards your score.
Section Level Adaptation
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are section-level adaptive. The initial part of both the Verbal and Quantitative measures is moderately challenging. However, the level of difficulty in the following section of each measure is determined by your performance in the first section.
If you perform exceptionally in the initial Quantitative Reasoning section, the subsequent Quantitative Reasoning section will be more challenging. The scoring system for both Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning considers the number of correct responses in both sections and the difficulty level of each section.
Test design features
The advanced adaptive design of the GRE General Test allows you to move forward and backwards throughout an entire section. Specific features include:
- Preview and review capabilities within a section
- “Mark” and “Review” features to tag questions, so you can skip them and return later if you have time remaining in the section
- The ability to change/edit answers within a section
- An on-screen calculator for the Quantitative Reasoning section
To experience the test design features click here
1 An unidentified unscored section that doesn’t count toward your score may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. Questions in the unscored section are being tried out either for possible use in future tests or to ensure that scores on new editions of the test are comparable to scores from earlier editions.
2 An identified research section that doesn’t count toward your score may be included in place of the unscored section. The research section will always appear at the end of the test. Questions in this section are included for ETS research purposes.
GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject Tests are achievement tests that measure your knowledge and skill level in a particular field of study. They’re intended for students who have an undergraduate significant or extensive background in one of the following disciplines:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Admissions or fellowship panels use GRE Subject Test scores to enhance your graduate-level study qualifications, in addition to your undergraduate records and recommendation letters.
Upcoming Subject Test Changes
- The GRE Program is excited to announce that the GRE Subject Tests in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology are moving to a computer-delivered format in September 2023.
- The tests will be offered more often in more locations, including in test centres worldwide and at home in most countries.
- In addition, the Physics and Psychology Tests will be shortened to 2 hours.
- These changes make it easier and more convenient for students worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to attending competitive graduate programs and stand out to admissions committees.
- These changes will provide greater accessibility and more options for students.
- The Chemistry Test has been stopped since April 2023. However, test scores will still be available for reporting for five years from the test date.
GRE Exam Syllabus
GRE syllabus: The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has designed two different syllabi for the GRE test, which is conducted in two formats: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. The objectives of each test are unique as mentioned below,
- The GRE General Test assesses a candidate’s verbal reasoning ability, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.
- The GRE Subject Test assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills in specific areas such as Chemistry, Psychology, and Mathematics.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus
Quantitative Reasoning questions cover real-life and mathematical scenarios, usually in the form of word problems. The four content areas test skills, concepts, and abilities.
- Arithmetic topics, including:
- Properties And Types Of Integers, Such As Divisibility, Factorization, Prime Numbers, Remainders And Odd And Even Integers
- Arithmetic Operations, Exponents And Roots
- Concepts Such As Estimation, Percent, Ratio, Rate, Absolute Value, The Number Line, Decimal Representation And Sequences Of Numbers
- Algebra topics, including:
- Operations with exponents
- Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions
- Relations, functions, equations and inequalities
- Solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
- Solving simultaneous equations and inequalities
- Setting up equations to solve word problems
- Coordinate geometry, including graphs of functions, equations and inequalities, intercepts and slopes of lines
- Geometry topics, including:
- Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
- Circles
- Triangles, Including Isosceles, Equilateral And 30°-60°-90° Triangles
- Quadrilaterals
- Other Polygons
- Congruent and Similar Figures
- 3-Dimensional Figures
- Area
- Perimeter
- Volume
- The Pythagorean Theorem
- Angle Measurement In Degrees
- Data analysis topics, including:
- Basic descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles and percentiles
- Interpretation of data in tables and graphs, such as line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, boxplots, scatterplots and frequency distributions
- Elementary probability, such as probabilities of compound events and independent events
- Conditional Probability
- Random variables and probability distributions, including normal distributions
- Counting methods, such as combinations, permutations and Venn diagrams
Click here to download the pdf for more details on the Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus by ETS
GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus
In the GRE Verbal Reasoning section, you will be tested on your comprehension of words, texts, and sentences. The syllabus evaluates your understanding of the connections between terms and concepts. To understand the text, analyze it, identify the author’s perspective, and consider the different levels of meaning and intent.
Here is a list of the topics that are covered in GRE Verbal Reasoning:
- Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
- Modifiers and Parallelism
- Verb tense
- Pronoun Agreement
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns
GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus
The GRE Analytical Writing is designed to evaluate the writing proficiency of test takers:
- In critical thinking and analytical writing skills
- To articulate and support complex ideas
- To construct and evaluate arguments
- To sustain a focused and coherent discussion
There are two tasks in this section:
- Analyze an Issue
- Analyze an Argument
The tasks encompass diverse subjects such as fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences. It’s worth noting that none of the tasks necessitates expertise in the subject matter.
The GRE verbal Syllabus is segmented into three parts:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Equivalence
- Text Completion
Sample Questions
Sample1: Click here to download the GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning With Explanation
Sample 2: Click here for GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning With Explanation
Published topic pools for the Analytical Writing measure
To help you prepare for the Analytical Writing measure, the GRE Program has published the entire pool of tasks from which your test tasks will be selected. You might find it helpful to review the Issue and Argument pools:
Sample 3: Click here to download Analyze an Issue task pdf
Sample 4: Click here to download Analyze an Argument task pdf
Recommended Books for GRE Exam
Click here to view recommended books lit by ETS
FAQs
Does GRE the only important factor for abroad university admissions?
Admission into graduate programs, especially in business, engineering, and social sciences, often necessitates or allows for the submission of GRE scores. However, it’s important to note that each institution sets its criteria for admission, and GRE scores are just one factor considered alongside other application materials, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant work experience.
