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Last Updated on April 28, 2023
Before you plan your course of study for the GRE General Test, you need to know what to expect on test day. In this article, you’ll get a detailed breakdown of the format of the GRE computer-based test and the different question types you’ll encounter on the exam.
To start, let’s review the GRE test format by focusing on the sections of the GRE and some important features for navigating them.
- The Sections of the GRE General Test: An Overview
- Key Features of the GRE General Test
- Analytical Writing Section
- Verbal Reasoning Section
- Quantitative Reasoning Section
- Accessing Your Scores at the Conclusion of the Exam
The Sections of the GRE General Test: An Overview
“The three Rs,” reading, writing, and arithmetic, make up the foundational topics covered on the GRE General Test. Specifically, the Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning sections test those skills in students needing to take the test for graduate school admission.
Let’s take a look at the basic structure of the GRE.
As you can see in the chart above, a total of six sections are presented on the GRE. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are both scored on a scale of 130-170 and are combined to make up your total score. Analytical Writing is scored separately on a scale of 1-6.
Aside from the writing section, each section contains the same number of questions, although you have slightly more time to complete the Quantitative Reasoning questions than you do for verbal questions.
KEY FACT:
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are both scored on a scale of 130-170 and make up your total score, while Analytical Writing is scored separately on a scale of 1-6.
Before we delve into each of the scored sections of the exam further, let’s talk about the unscored (experimental) or research section, which is the only section of the GRE that is not scored.
A Note About the Unscored or Research Section
Each GRE has either an unscored (experimental) section or a research section. The unscored section may appear at any point during the exam after the Analytical Writing task. It is not identified as an unscored section. If instead you are presented with a research section (as opposed to an unscored section), it will always be the final section of the exam, and it will be identified as such. The research section also is not scored.
The unscored/research section may be either a Verbal section or a Quantitative section. So, let’s say there is an unscored quantitative section on your exam. Since the unscored section is not identified as such, if you are presented with 3 Quantitative sections during the exam, you will not know which of the 3 sections is the unscored one. So, you must treat each section as one that will contribute to your score. Do your absolute best!
Alternatively, let’s say there is a research section on your exam, and it is a Verbal section. Although the research section is marked as such, since it always appears as the final section of your exam (and you will not be told beforehand whether you’ll see an unscored or research section), you still will not know when you’re completing the previous Verbal sections whether they are scored or not. So, you still must treat all of the preceding sections as though they are being scored.
TTP PRO TIP:
If a third Verbal or Quant section appears after the break, put your best foot forward, just as you did with the first two, since you don’t know which one of the three counts toward your score.
We’ll talk about each of the scored sections in detail shortly. For now, let’s take a look at some of the important features of the exam to be aware of as you’re completing each section.
Key Features of the GRE General Test
Regardless of the section, or whether you take the test at home or at a test center, there are certain key features with which you need to be familiar. Let’s look at five features to be aware of as you navigate through the GRE.
Ability to Skip and Mark Questions
Within each Quant and Verbal section, you can skip a question and go back to it as long as your time for the section has not run out. However, once you move on to the next section, you can’t go back to questions you skipped in previous sections.
For example, if you skip a question in the first Verbal section and want to return to it later, you must do so before the time allotted for that section runs out. Once you move on to the next section, you are not able to go back to any question in the prior section.
Additionally, there is a mark-and-review feature that allows you to mark any questions you may want to return to later. This feature could come in handy not only for questions you’ve skipped, but also for questions you’ve answered that you’re not 100% sure about.
TTP PRO TIP:
Use the mark-and-review feature not only for questions you’ve skipped, but also for questions you’ve answered that you’re not 100% sure about.
One last feature that is helpful for marking and reviewing is the review screen that can be accessed at the touch of a button, which displays which questions you have answered and which questions have been marked. From that table, you can click back to any question you’d like to review or answer. This is what the review screen looks like:
Read the information at the top of the review screen carefully to learn what the check marks mean, what the status term “incomplete” means, and other useful information. You obviously won’t have the time on test day to learn how to use the review screen, so now is the time to understand this useful tool. All ETS practice exams have the review screen, just as the real GRE does. So, you can use it during any of your practice exams.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you want to answer skipped or incomplete questions, make sure you return to them in the time allotted for that particular section.
Section Adaptability
Another important feature of the GRE is section adaptability. The GRE adjusts the difficulty level of the second section, whether Verbal or Quant, based on your performance on the first section of that type.
So, if you perform well on the first Verbal section, the next Verbal section will feature more difficult questions, and the same goes for Quant. Likewise, if you don’t perform well on the first Quant or Verbal section, the second section of that type will contain questions equal in difficulty or easier than those on the first section.
Note that this feature does not “cross-pollinate.” In other words, your performance on Verbal does not affect the difficulty of the Quant section, and vice versa.
The reason this feature is so key is that the difficulty level of questions is taken into account in scoring the exam. Test-takers tackling harder questions have the potential to earn higher scores than test-takers completing easier questions. You can learn more about GRE scoring in our article about how the GRE is scored.
KEY FACT:
If you perform well on the first Quant or Verbal section, you will see more difficult (and score-enhancing) questions on the second Quant or Verbal section than you will if you don’t perform well.
No Point Deductions for Incorrect Answers
One great feature of the GRE is that there are no point deductions for incorrect answers. So, whether you solve a question incorrectly or you don’t know the answer and you guess incorrectly, you won’t be penalized. Thus, it makes sense to not leave any questions blank on the GRE, even if you don’t know the answers. At least if you select an answer, you have a chance of getting it right and increasing your score.
TTP PRO TIP:
Never, ever leave a question blank on the GRE, even if you have to guess.
No Partial Credit for Multiple-Answer Questions
Some GRE questions require you to select more than one answer choice in order to complete the question. If you select only one answer when multiple answers are required, even if your one answer is correct, you do not get credit for the question. Furthermore, if you select the required number of answers but not all of your selections are correct, you do not get credit for a correct answer.
In other words, multi-answer questions are “all or nothing”; there is no partial credit. When you encounter a question that requires more than one answer, you must get all answers correct in order to receive credit.
Ten-Minute Break
KEY FACT:
When you encounter a question that requires more than one answer, you must get all answers correct in order to receive credit.
At about the two-hour point, after the first three sections of the test, you get one 10-minute break. You may stand, stretch, and use the restroom if you wish. You also get one-minute breaks between the other sections of the test, but you can’t leave the room during these shorter breaks.
KEY FACT:
You get one 10-minute break at about the two-hour point of the test.
After your 10-minute break, you will have three more sections to complete.
Now that we understand the basic GRE structure structure of the GRE and key features of the GRE General Test, let’s take a look at each of the scored sections of the exam in detail.
Analytical Writing Section
The Analytical Writing section always appears first on the GRE. This section requires you to write two coherent essays that demonstrate complex thinking, logical analysis, and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively.
The Analytical Writing section consists of two essay tasks: Analyze an Argument and Analyze an Issue. You are given 30 minutes to complete each essay.
KEY FACT:
The Analytical Writing section of the GRE always includes an “Issue” task and an “Argument” task.
You will write your essays using a basic word processing program. Common features such as “cut,” “paste,” “delete,” and “undo” are available to help streamline your writing process. However, automated grammar and spelling checks are not available.
Analytical Writing scores are based partly on your correct use of spelling and grammar, but the score is most heavily based on your ability to write a cohesive, well-structured essay. Keep in mind that you do not need particular subject matter knowledge in order to craft your essay. Everything you need to know to write an effective essay appears in the question prompts.
TTP PRO TIP:
You don’t need any specialized subject matter knowledge to score well on the GRE Analytical Writing section.
Your writing score is determined using both human and computer assessments that are aggregated to calculate your score on a scale of 1-6 in half-point increments. This score is calculated separately from your total GRE score. If you would like to learn more about GRE scoring, check out our blog on how the GRE is scored.
Next, let’s look at some examples of each GRE essay type.
The “Analyze an Issue” Writing Task
The Analyze an Issue writing task presents a statement of an opinion about a topic of general interest. You will follow the instructions given in the prompt about certain elements you must include or consider when writing your response.
While you likely will have to agree or disagree with the position or statement in the prompt, the side you take will have no effect on the grading of the essay. Thus, take the stance that will allow you to craft the best possible essay, one for which you can come up with logical reasons and examples to support your opinion.
KEY FACT:
The stance you take in the Issue essay, whether agreeing or disagreeing, is not a consideration when your essay is being scored.
The following is a sample Issue prompt from the ETS Issue topic pool, with the instructions for your response:
The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position
You can see from this sample prompt that you need no specialized knowledge to write a response, but you need to use critical thinking and have the ability to organize your thoughts in order to convincingly address the topic.
Let’s now discuss the other Analytical Writing question type: the argument analysis.
The “Analyze an Argument” Writing Task
The Analyze an Argument writing task gives you a prompt that is a statement of a fact that is backed up with a justification or is followed by a conclusion, either of which is most likely faulty or illogical. Your job is to objectively evaluate the evidence provided in the argument, using facts and/or logic but not your opinion.
The following is a sample Argument prompt from the ETS Argument topic pool with the instructions for your response:
The following recommendation appeared in a memo from the mayor of the town of Hopewell.
“Two years ago, the nearby town of Ocean View built a new municipal golf course and resort hotel. During the past two years, tourism in Ocean View has increased, new businesses have opened there, and Ocean View’s tax revenues have risen by 30 percent. Therefore, the best way to improve Hopewell’s economy — and generate additional tax revenues — is to build a golf course and resort hotel similar to those in Ocean View.”
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.
Your goal is to point out errors in reasoning or logic on the part of the author and to show how his or her conclusion may or may not be supported or justified by the facts stated. You might also consider challenging the facts themselves if they do not appear to have reliable sources. It is worth repeating that you are not to interject your own opinion in an Argument essay.
KEY FACT:
You may include your own views to support or refute a claim in the Issue essay, but in the Argument essay, you must objectively evaluate the argument presented to you.
While you will not know which prompts you will be presented on test day, ETS does provide a complete list of Argument topics and Issue topics for you to review. It is worth it to scroll through them to see the actual pool of Issue and Argument prompts you could encounter on your GRE.
Following the Analytical Writing section, the section order is randomly generated, and thus you will not know which section comes next, Quant or Verbal.
Let’s discuss both of those sections, starting with the Verbal Reasoning section.
Verbal Reasoning Section
The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to understand and analyze sentences or passages. Verbal Reasoning questions test your ability to identify key points, summarize passages, and understand the meaning and use of words.
There are two separate Verbal Reasoning sections on the GRE, and both are scored on a scale of 130-170, in one-point increments. Remember, due to the section adaptability feature, your performance on the first Verbal section determines the difficulty level of the second section.
The Verbal Reasoning section features three distinct question types: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. Keep in mind that there is no way to know when you will be presented with a particular type of question within each Verbal section.
KEY FACT:
The three main question types on the GRE are Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence.
Let’s start by discussing Reading Comprehension questions.
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension (RC) questions will test you on the reading and comprehension skills that you will need for graduate school. Specifically, these questions test your ability to understand the meanings of words and sentences, how sentences relate to each other within a paragraph, and how paragraphs relate to each other in a passage. Additionally, you can be asked questions about the primary purpose of a passage, the author’s tone, the structure of a passage, inferences that can be drawn from information in a passage, strengths and weaknesses of an argument in a passage, and more.
Reading Comprehension passages range from one to several paragraphs. In each Verbal Reasoning section, you can expect to see roughly 5-6 passages, although most of those will be shorter in length. Passage topics range from science to history to arts to humanities, but you do not need any subject matter knowledge to correctly answer these questions. The passage contains all the data you need to answer the questions.
You may see 1 to 6 questions on a given passage. There are two main formats of RC questions: multiple-choice and select-in-passage. The multiple-choice questions consist of multiple-answer questions as well as traditional single-answer questions. For select-in-passage questions, you will go to the passage and use your mouse to click on any word in the sentence that best answers the question. The sentence is automatically highlighted.
Here is an example of what an RC question looks like:
Next, let’s discuss Text Completion questions.
Text Completion
Text Completion questions are made up of one or more sentences containing a total of one to three blanks. From context clues, you will choose the word that correctly fills in each blank. When answering these questions, all blanks must be filled correctly; partial credit is not given.
Here is a sample Text Completion question:
Sentence Equivalence
Sentence Equivalence questions feature a sentence that contains one blank. You must select TWO answers from a list of six options to fill in the blank. The goal is to create two sentences with the same meaning.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Now that you understand what to expect in the Verbal sections, let’s explore the Quantitative Reasoning section.
Quantitative Reasoning Section
As in the Verbal Reasoning sections, the Quantitative Reasoning sections score you on a scale of 130-170 in one-point increments. The two Quant sections test your ability to interpret and analyze quantitative information and solve problems using mathematical concepts. Basically, you will have to solve many math problems!
Although I would not say that learning GRE math is a walk in the park, I would say that with a structured study plan and a realistic timeline, you CAN learn GRE Quant.
TTP PRO TIP:
Although it’s not an easy task, you can learn GRE Quant!
Let’s take a look at some of the types of math that you’ll find in the GRE Quant section.
Types of Math on the GRE General Test
- Arithmetic
- Number Properties
- Ratios
- Percents
- Unit Conversions
- Rates
- Work
- Algebra
- Linear and Quadratic Equations
- Exponents and Roots
- Inequalities and Absolute Values
- General Word Problems
- Coordinate Geometry
- Functions and Sequences
- Geometry
- Data Analysis
- Overlapping Sets
- Statistics
- Combinations and Permutations
- Probability
- Data Interpretation
As you can see from the list above, question creators have a lot of options to choose from when crafting Quant problems.
KEY FACT:
The GRE General Test includes questions in four math categories: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis.
Next, let’s look at the specific question types you’ll encounter on the Quant section of the test.
Types of Math Questions on the GRE
Four types of questions measure proficiency in various mathematical concepts:
- Multiple Choice – Single Answer
- Multiple Choice – Multiple Answer
- Quantitative Comparison
- Numeric Entry
Multiple-Choice Questions: Single and Multiple Answer
As in the Verbal section, you will see both single-answer multiple-choice questions and multiple-answer multiple-choice questions in the Quantitative Reasoning section. An example of each question type is below.
Note that each answer choice in a single-answer question is preceded by an oval. The oval is a reminder that only one answer choice is correct. A square precedes each answer choice in a multiple-answer question. The square is a reminder that multiple answers could be correct and that all of the correct answers must be selected in order for you to receive credit for the question.
KEY FACT:
Both the Quant and Verbal sections contain single-answer multiple-choice questions and multiple-answer multiple-choice questions.
Now let’s discuss two question types that are unique to the Quant section.
Quantitative Comparison Questions
Quantitative Comparison questions ask you to compare two quantities — Quantity A and Quantity B — and then select the answer choice that correctly describes the relationship between the two quantities. Though still multiple-choice, these questions always offer the same answer choices:
- Quantity A is greater.
- Quantity B is greater.
- The two quantities are equal.
- The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Take a look at the following sample QC question:
KEY FACT:
Every Quantitative Comparison question presents the same four answer choices.
Numeric Entry Questions
Numeric Entry questions require you to calculate an answer and type it into an answer box. If you use the online calculator, the number shown in your calculator display can be transferred directly into the answer box. Make sure that the question doesn’t ask you to round the number or otherwise alter it before you transfer a number from the calculator.
Let’s look at an example question:
TTP PRO TIP:
Before you transfer a number from your onscreen calculator display to the answer box in a Numeric Entry question, make sure that the question doesn’t ask you to round or otherwise alter the number.
Accessing Your Scores at the Conclusion of the Exam
Once you complete all 3 hours and 45 minutes of the test, you will have the opportunity to see your scores or cancel them (without seeing them) and/or to send your scores to schools of your choice.
Though your official scores take 10-15 days to be sent, you are able to see your unofficial results immediately. Your unofficial scores contain your Verbal, Quant, and total scores, but not your Analytical Writing score, which must be calculated later.
Once you see your unofficial scores, you can decide whether you are satisfied with your GRE score or whether you will retake the test. If you decide to retake, then you can simply opt not to send the official scores to schools on test day. Scores remain valid for five years, and you can always send GRE score reports after test day. Using the ScoreSelect option, you can choose which scores to send from all of your GRE attempts.
You now know the GRE format of the GRE, all the question types to expect, and the important features to use throughout the exam! Now you can focus on how to plan your course of study.
