A 11 min read

Taking the GRE can be stressful, and the first step towards your preparation should be getting yourself familiarised with the GRE exam pattern and syllabus for 2023. There are two types of GRE – GRE General test and Subject test.

What is GRE exam pattern(General Test)?

The GRE General Exam is offered in two formats: computer-based and paper-based. Although there are a lot of similarities, the GRE exam pattern for both versions is different. Also, the paper-delivered test is not available for everyone. It is offered in locations where the computer-delivered GRE is unavailable. Thus, you cannot just opt for a paper over a computer-based test. It depends on where you take the exam. Here is the GRE exam pattern for the General test in 2023:

GRE Exam Pattern 2023	Computer-based	Paper-based
Total duration	3 hours 45 Minutes	3 hours 30 minutes
Total no. of sections	7	6
Total no. of questions	82	102

GRE exam pattern – Subject test

The GRE subject test is administered in a paper-delivered format only. There are no separately timed sections, and the total testing time is 2 hours and 50 minutes. You can take the subject tests in four disciplines – Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, and Physics. Take a look at the syllabus for the GRE subject test here.

In this article, we highlight the GRE Exam pattern for general and subject tests in 2023.

GRE Exam Pattern 2023

As mentioned earlier there are two types of GRE – GRE General test and Subject test. GRE general test is offered as computer or paper-based. One of the significant differences between the two GRE exam patterns is that the computer-based GRE is section adaptive in nature. Your performance in the first section of verbal and quant determines the difficulty level of the second section. Thus, the computer-based exam format offers a better assessment of your capabilities than a paper-based.

Also, if you take the computer-based GRE, you will get your scores at the test center itself. For the paper-based test, you need to wait for approx. Six weeks.

NOTE: GRE subject test is only available in paper-based format. Scroll down to the last section of the article to know about the exam pattern for subject tests or use the table content above to jump to the section directly.

Here is the GRE exam pattern for 2023.

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GRE exam pattern computer-based test

Computer-based	Total duration	No. of sections	No. of questions
Verbal Reasoning	30 minutes	2	20
Quantitative Reasoning	35 minutes	2	20
Analytical Writing	60 minutes	1	2
Research	Varies	1	Varies
Unscored	Varies	1	Varies
Total	3 hours 45 Minutes	7	82

Note: According to ETS from 2014-2019, approx. 99% of the test takers took the computer-delivered version, and only 1% took the paper-delivered version. Likely, you would also take a computer-based exam.

GRE exam pattern paper-based test

Paper-based	Total duration	No. of sections	No. of questions
Verbal Reasoning	35 minutes	2	25
Quantitative Reasoning	40 minutes	2	25
Analytical Writing	30 minutes	2	2
Research	NA	NA	NA
Unscored	NA	NA	NA
Total	3 hours 30 Minutes	6	102

GRE computer vs. paper-based exam pattern

Difference between Computer vs. Paper GRE Exam Pattern

• The computer-delivered GRE takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, whereas the Paper-delivered exam takes 3 hours 30 minutes to complete
• Both formats have similar Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing section, with the same scoring scale. Also, the GRE syllabus for both versions is the same. Check out the updated GRE Syllabus 2023
• Although the types of questions asked for these three sections are similar, one significant difference is that the GRE paper test does not have Reading comprehension select-in-passage type questions
• The number of questions in Verbal and Quantitative reasoning differs. The computer-based exam includes 20 questions, whereas a paper-based test consists of 25 questions per section
• Another difference that you can spot is that the computer-delivered exam pattern has one section of Analytical Writing with two separately timed tasks. On the other hand, the GRE paper-delivered exam pattern has two sections with one task each
• The number of questions asked for each section differs. However, the total number of questions in Analytical writing remains the same for both formats, i.e., 2

Similarities between computer vs. Paper GRE Exam Pattern

• Although there is a difference in the exam pattern, both have six sections with a 10 minutes break. Also, you can skip questions within a section, go back and change answers, and have the flexibility to choose which questions within a section to answer first.
• In addition, for both the formats, you need to attempt the analytical writing section first, followed by Verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning, and an unscored/unidentified section in any order.

Note: Paper-delivered exam does not have unscored/research section

• Also, an on-screen calculator for the quantitative reasoning section is provided for the computer-based GRE, whereas an ETS calculator is provided for the paper-based. At last, you may use a test booklet to take notes for paper GRE, whereas sheets are provided for the computer GRE.

Note that paper GRE is available up to three times a year in October, November, and February, whereas GRE Computer-based exam, is available multiple times a week year-round.

Now that you know the differences and similarities between the two GRE exam patterns let us have a look at the types of questions in each section with an example.

Learn the difference between GMAT and GRE:

GRE Exam Pattern – Types of Questions with Example 

The types of questions in each section for both Computer and paper-delivered exams remain the same, except for reading comprehension Select-in-passage questions are not included in the paper-based test.

Here is a brief overview of the types of questions asked on the GRE Exam:

For the computer-based exam, you need to answer the questions by selecting the correct answer choice presented on the screen. For the paper-based GRE, you will require to choose the answer within the workbook. Check out the ETS Paper-based workbook to have more information.

Thus, the types of questions remain the same for both formats; however, how you answer the questions differs.

Let us look into the types of questions in each section with an example.

GRE Verbal Reasoning – Type of Questions | GRE Exam

The verbal reasoning questions appear in several formats. Half of them require you to read passages and answer questions on those passages. The other half requires you to read, interpret, and complete existing sentences, paragraphs, or groups of sentences.

The verbal reasoning section has three sub-sections: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Equivalence, and Text Completion.

Reading Comprehension

This section includes three types of questions –

1. Traditional multiple-choice, where out of the five answer choices you must select one
2. Multiple choice where you must choose all the correct answers
3. Select-in-passage questions where you choose the sentence in the passage that meets a specific description.

Here is an example of the GRE reading comprehension question. The sample question is from the Official GRE site.

Answer Key: Question 1- (E), Question 2- (A) and (C), and Question 3- (the last sentence of the passage)

Sentence Equivalence

The sentence equivalence questions consist of a single sentence, one blank, and six answer choices. You need to select two answer choices that fit the meaning of the sentence. No marks are given if only one of the two chosen answers is correct.

Here is an example of the GRE Sentence Equivalence question. The sample question is from the Official GRE site.

Answer Key: Choice D and F

Text Completion | GRE Exam Pattern

The passage in this section will consist of one to five sentences, with one to three blanks and three answer choices per blank. Also, selecting one answer choice for one blank does not affect what answer choice you can choose for another blank.

Here is an example of the GRE Text completion question with three blanks and three answer choices to choose from. The sample question is from the Official GRE site.

Answer Key: Option A (i), Option E (ii), and Option I (iii).

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GRE Quantitative Reasoning – Types of Questions

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section contains four types of questions:

1. Quantitative Comparison Questions
2. Multiple choice questions where you select one answer choice
3. Multiple choice questions where you select one or more answer choices
4. Numeric entry questions

The GRE questions mentioned above appear either independently or as a set of questions called data interpretation. The data interpretation questions are based on the same data presented in graphs, tables, or other forms.

Quantitative Comparison Questions

Here is an example of the GRE Quantitative Comparison question. The sample question is from the Official GRE site.

Answer: Option D.

Multiple-choice questions

The multiple-choice questions are in two formats:

• Select only one correct answer
• Select Multiple Answer

Here is an example of the GRE Multiple choice questions. The sample question is from the Official GRE site.

Answer: Option C ($30).

Answer: Option C, D, and F. The above question is taken from GRE Official site.

Numeric entry questions

In this type of question, you need to enter your answer in the given box. This pattern of answering the question is only applicable to the computer-based test. For paper GRE you will be asked to enter the number by filling the circle grid.

GRE Analytical Writing – Types of questions

The analytical writing section consists of two types of task

1. An Analyse an Issue Task
2. An Analyse an Argument Task

Analyze an Issue Task

In this type of question, you need to think critically about a topic and then clearly express your thoughts about it in writing.  The test taker will be given an issue statement followed by a set of specific instructions to answer.

The set of instructions can be in various forms. One of the examples is given below:

Analyze an Argument

In this type of question, you will be presented with a brief passage in which the author makes a case or interpretation of events backed up by evidence. Your task is to discuss the logical soundness of the author’s claim based on specific instructions.

The set of instructions can be in various forms. One of the examples is given below:

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GRE Exam Pattern for Subject Test 2023

As mentioned earlier, the GRE subject test is administered in a paper-based format, and there are no separately timed sections. Here is the exam pattern for the four disciplines:

Chemistry

There are 130 multiple-choice questions, and the test questions are constructed to simplify mathematical manipulations. Thus, neither tables nor calculations of logarithms are needed. If the solution requires the use of logarithms, the values will be included with the question.

There are four fields into which the test’s content emphasizes – Analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Because of the interrelationship between these fields, test takers may associate a particular question with one field. In contrast, other test takers may have encountered the same material in a different area. For instance,  the knowledge necessary to answer some questions classified as testing organic chemistry may well have been acquired in analytical chemistry courses by some test takers.

Mathematics Test

There are approx. 66 multiple-choice questions drawn from courses offered at the undergraduate level. 50% of the questions involve calculus and its applications, and 25% of questions in the test are in linear algebra, abstract algebra, elementary algebra, and number theory.  The rest of the questions deal with other aspects of mathematics.

Physics Test

There are approx. 100 five-choice questions. The test aims to determine your grasp of fundamental principles and the ability to apply principles in the problem’s solution. Most test questions can be answered based on a mastery of the first three years of undergraduate physics.

The International System (SI) of units is used in the test. A table of information representing various physical constants and a few conversion factors among SI units is presented in the test book.

Psychology Test

There are approx.  205 multiple-choice questions. Each question in the test has five options from which the test taker is to select the one option that is the correct or best answer to the question.

Stimulus materials, such as a graph or a description of an experiment, may serve as the basis for several problems. The questions are drawn from the core of knowledge most commonly encountered in courses offered at the undergraduate level within the broadly defined psychology field.

A question may require recalling information, analyzing relationships, applying principles, drawing conclusions from data, and evaluating a research design.

Did you know 9 out of 10 MBA admission decisions are made using a GMAT score? Start your GMAT Preparation by registering for our FREE Trial. We can help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare. We are the most reviewed GMAT Preparation company on the GMATClub with more than 2500+ reviews as of January 2023!

FAQs – GRE Exam Pattern