GRE or the graduate record examination is taken by students who aspire to pursue a postgraduate degree from a university abroad. It has two test formats -GRE General and GRE Subject Test. The syllabus for each test is different. The GRE General Test syllabus is composed of three sections – Quantitative reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Critical Thinking, and Analytical writing skills. It focuses on measuring your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.
On the other hand, the GRE subject test syllabus focuses on evaluating the candidate’s expertise in specific fields such as Chemistry, physics, etc.
In this article, we provide you with information on the GRE syllabus 2023 for the general and subject tests.
Did know you can even take the GMAT if you planning to pursue your MBA abroad? Check out this article on GRE vs. GMAT, which can help you decide which test is better for you in 2023. You can also watch this video:
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 March 2023!
Attention test takers– Educational Testing Service (ETS) is launching a shorter version of the GRE. Starting September 2023, the revised GRE General Test will only require less than two hours to complete, cutting the current test time in half. Shorter version of GRE is now open for registration, with test dates commencing from September 22, 2023. Read this article to know all about the New Shorter GRE
GRE Syllabus for General Test in 2023
The GRE exam syllabus measures verbal reasoning, critical thinking, analytical writing skills, and quantitative reasoning. The syllabus is broadly divided into three sections – Analytical Writing, Quantitative reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. You can take computer-based or paper-based GRE testing, and the Test pattern for each is different. Generally, the computer-based exam is taken by students who want to pursue their graduate degrees abroad.
GRE General Test Pattern for computer-delivered test:
| GRE sections | Duration | No. of sections |
| Verbal Reasoning | 60 minutes | 2 sections – 40 questions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 70 minutes | 2 sections – 40 questions |
| Analytical Writing | 60 minutes | 1 section – two tasks |
| Unscored | Varies | Varies |
| Research | Varies | Varies |
The test pattern for the computer-delivered GRE exam has two sections of Verbal and Quant Reasoning with 20 questions per section and one section with two separately timed tasks in Analytical writing. The total time you will spend on the GRE Computer-delivered test is 3 hours 45 mins.
GRE General Test pattern for paper-delivered test:
| GRE sections | No. of Sections | Duration |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 sections – 50 questions | 70 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 sections – 50 questions | 80 minutes |
| Analytical Writing | 2 sections – 2 tasks | 60 minutes |
| Unscored | NA | NA |
| Research | NA | NA |
On the other hand, the Paper-delivered exam has two sections of Analytical Writing, Quantitative, and Verbal Reasoning. The analytical writing section has one task each, whereas Quantitative and Verbal reasoning has 25 questions per section. The total time you will spend on the GRE Paper-delivered test is 3 hours 30 minutes. The time taken for the unscored/research section varies.
Check out the latest GRE Exam pattern 2021 for general test in detail here.
Note: The GRE Exam syllabus is broadly divided into three sections Verbal, Quant, and Analytical Writing sections. However, only Quantitative and Verbal reasoning scores add up to your GRE Scores.
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!
GRE Syllabus for Verbal Reasoning
The GRE Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to understand the meanings of words, entire texts, and sentences. It’s syllabus measures your understanding of relationships among terms and concepts.
You need to analyze and draw conclusions from the discourse, identify the author’s assumptions/perspective, and understand multiple levels of meaning, such as figurative, literal, and author’s intent.
List of the topics covered in GRE Verbal Reasoning:
- Modifiers and Parallelism
- Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
- Verb tense
- Pronoun Agreement
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns
The GRE verbal Syllabus is divided into three parts:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Equivalence
- Text Completion
The reading comprehension questions consist of one to four or five paragraphs, and the passages are based on three different subject matter areas – humanities, natural science, and social science (Business).
The section tests your ability to understand what you are reading.
The exam contains approx. 10 passages. You need to read and analyze the passage carefully before answering any questions. Also, do not be discouraged if you encounter an unfamiliar passage.
It is about how well you can understand and answer the questions. Besides, you should not rely on outside knowledge and answer each question based on the information provided in the passage.
Remember: All the questions can be answered based on the information provided in the passage.
This section tests your ability to complete a paragraph based on incomplete information. You need to choose two ways to complete the sentence that have the same meaning while also being grammatically correct.
Note: Your answer choice gives you a sentence that is logically, stylistically, and grammatically coherent. The correct answer might not be the words that mean the same thing.
It measures your ability to form a complete picture from the text presented. Both Sentence equivalence and text completion test your grasp of vocabulary. However, just knowing the words will not help you ace this section. You need to understand the meaning too.
Learn about the types of questions asked in GRE verbal reasoning section 2023.
GRE Syllabus for Quantitative Reasoning section
The GRE Quant Reasoning section tests your ability to solve problems using mathematical models. You are required to understand, analyze, and interpret quantitative information. To ace this section, you need to apply basic elementary concepts and skills of arithmetic, geometry, data analysis, and algebra.
You can use an on-screen calculator. However, if you are taking the paper-delivered test, a calculator will be provided at the test center.
Topics in GRE Quantitative reasoning:
| Arithmetic | Geometry | Data Analysis | Algebra |
| Property and types of integer | Lines and angles | Descriptive statistics such as Median, Mean, Range, Mode, Percentiles, etc. | Exponents |
| Power and roots | Circles | Interpretation of data based on graphs, circle graphs, scatter plots, etc | Algebraic Expressions – Factoring and Simplifying |
| Statistics | Triangle | Probability | Equations and inequalities |
| Estimation | Quadrilaterals | Permutation and Combination | Linear and Quadratic inequalities |
| Number properties | Polygon | Venn Diagrams | Linear Equations |
| Percentage | Three-dimensional figures | Sets Theory | Quadratic equations |
| Exponents and Roots | Area, Perimeter, Volume | Word Problems | |
| Ratio and proportions | Angle Measurements | Speed, distance, and Time | |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Profit and Loss | ||
| Arithmetic Operations | Coordinate geometry |
Learn about the types of questions asked for GRE Quantitative reasoning section 2023.
GRE Syllabus for Analytical Writing
Did you know apart from the GMAT Exam, many MBA aspirants tend to take GRE. The acceptance and popularity of GRE for MBA admissions have been increasing in the last few years. 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!
This section measures your analytical writing and critical thinking skills.
The GRE Analytical Writing section tests how well you can articulate complex ideas effectively and clearly. Are you able to support them with relevant examples and reasons? It requires you to provide focused responses based on the tasks presented.
The GRE syllabus for analytical writing is divided into two tasks:
- Analyse and Argument: This requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions
- Analyze and Issue: This requires you to present an option on the issue of general interest with specific instructions on how to respond to that issue.
The tasks in the GRE Analytical Writing section is related to a broad range of topics such as fine arts, physical science, humanities, and more. You do not require knowledge on a specific topic. Regardless of your field of study or interests, you will be able to understand the task.
Learn more about the task mentioned above here with sample examples.
Are you planning to pursue MBA? Here are top 5 reasons to do so:
GRE Subject Test Syllabus 2023
The GRE syllabus for the subject test consists of four disciplines:
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
The test consists of approx. 130 multiple-choice questions. The topics covered are:
- Analytical chemistry (15%)
- Inorganic chemistry (25%)
- Organic chemistry (30%)
- Physical Chemistry (30%)
The test consists of approx. 66 multiple-choice questions drawn from courses that are offered at the undergraduate level. The topics include:
- Calculus (50%)
- Algebra (25%)
- Additional Topics (25%)
The test consists of approx. 100 five-choice questions, which are grouped in sets and based on materials such as graphs, diagrams, and experimental data. The topics include:
- Classical mechanics (20%)
- Electromagnetism (18%)
- Optics and wave phenomena (9%)
- Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%)
- Quantum mechanics (12%)
- Atomic Physics (10%)
- Special Relativity (6%)
- Laboratory methods (6%)
- Specialized topics (9%)
The test consists of approx. 205 multiple-choice questions. the topics include:
- Biological (17-21%)
- Cognitive (17-24%)
- Social (12-14%)
- Developmental (12-14%)
- Clinical (15-19%)
- Measurement/methodology/other (15-19%)
Take a look at the GRE subject test exam pattern here.
Key TakeAways
- GRE General Test syllabus is broadly divided into three sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning
- GRE General Test can be taken in two formats: Computer-delivered or paper-delivered format
- The GRE Syllabus for the Verbal Reasoning section is divided into three parts: Reading comprehension, Sentence Equivalence, and Text completion. Some of the topics covered in this section are – Modifiers and Parallelism; Verb tense; Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
- The GRE Syllabus for the quantitative reasoning section tests your ability to solve problems using mathematical models. Topics to cover are arithmetic, geometry, data analysis, and algebra
- Analytical Writing Section syllabus is divided into two tasks: “Analyze and issue” and “Analyse and argument.”
- The GRE Subject test has six disciplines – Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Literature in English, mathematics, and psychology
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 March 2023!
FAQs – GRE Syllabus
GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test that provides schools with a standard measure for comparing candidates’ qualifications. GRE is one of the entrance exams that you take to get into a business school. Know all about GRE Exam
You can take either a computer-based or paper-based GRE general test. The GRE pattern for each is different. Both have three sections – GRE Quantitative reasoning, GRE Verbal, and Analytical writing. However, the number of questions and duration changes for each test format. Know the difference between the two formats here.
GRE General test is divided into three sections:
1. Quantitative reasoning
2. Verbal reasoning
3. Analytical Writing
Unlike the GRE General Test, the GRE subject test does not have sections. You can take the subject test in four disciplines:
1. Physics
2. Psychology
3. Chemistry
4. Mathematics
The GRE General Test costs $205 worldwide in 2023. However, it’s different for the following five countries:
1. Australia:$230
2. Nigeria: $226
3. Turkey: $255
4. China: $231.30
5. India: $213
Yes. For computer-delivered testing on-screen calculator can be used and for paper-delivered testing, a calculator will be provided at the test center.
The GRE Quantitative reasoning section tests your ability to solve problems using mathematical models. It tests your concepts and skills in arithmetic, algebra, data analysis, and geometry.
The GRE Verbal reasoning section tests your grasp of vocabulary and how well you can understand the meaning of the sentences, words, or texts.
