New GRE Test Format: Shorter GRE Guide

Last Updated on October 19, 2023

You may have heard that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is changing in September 2023. If so, like many other grad school hopefuls, you’re probably wondering what to expect on the new test.

In this article, I’ll answer the most common questions students have been asking about what exactly is changing with the new GRE General Test. You’ll learn what’s new, what’s staying the same, and when you can take the new GRE test!

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

• How Often Does the GRE Test Change?
• How Has the GRE Format Changed on the New Test?
  • ​​Shorter GRE Test Time
  • Reduced Number of Questions
    • Average Time Per Question (Unchanged!)
    • No Unscored Section
    • Only One Essay Task 
• Are GRE Scores Changing?
• Are GRE Subject Tests Changing?
• When Can I Register for and Take the New GRE?
• Are Official GRE Preparation Materials for the Shorter GRE Available?
• Is the Shorter GRE Easier?
• Side by Side: What Is the Difference Between the Shorter GRE Test and the Standard One?
• What’s Next?

Before we get into everything that is changing with the GRE in 2023, let’s quickly discuss how often GRE tests change — and whether we can expect more changes to come.

How Often Does the GRE Test Change?

Many people were surprised to hear that a new GRE test was on the horizon. However, the GRE does change periodically — sometimes significantly. The last time there were significant revisions to the GRE was in 2011.

At that time, the test revamp included instituting the current GRE score scales, moving to a section-adaptive model, eliminating certain question types, and adding the onscreen calculator. So, many of what we now consider fundamental characteristics of the GRE haven’t exactly been around forever.

Generally, revisions to the GRE are aimed at two things:

• improving the test-taker experience
• ensuring that the test is relevant for current students.

The revisions that ETS (the test-maker) is instituting in 2023 also have those aims.

In fact, ETS states that the 2023 changes “mark the first of several planned future updates to the GRE General Test, all of which are intended to provide test takers with a better experience that values their time and reduces anxiety and fatigue.”

So, be on the lookout for more changes to the GRE coming in the not-too-distant future!

KEY FACT:

ETS states that the 2023 GRE changes “mark the first of several planned future updates to the GRE General Test.”

Now, let’s discuss the changes coming in September 2023, starting with how the GRE format is changing.

How Has the GRE Format Changed on the New Test?

There are a few major ways the new GRE is different from the version that has been around since 2011:

• ​​shorter GRE test time
• reduced number of questions
• no unscored section
• only one essay task

Note that the new version of the GRE still allows you to (time permitting) perform the following actions:

• skip around within a section
• flag questions in a section and return to them later
• change your answers to previous questions.

You also still have access to an onscreen calculator throughout the Quantitative Reasoning sections.

Additionally, testing accommodations are still available for students who need them.

So, many familiar favorites about the GRE format are remaining the same.

KEY FACT:

You can still skip around within a section, flag questions, and edit answers on the new GRE. You also still have access to an onscreen calculator for Quant.

That said, let’s discuss the changes mentioned above in detail, starting with perhaps the most major: shorter GRE test time.

​​Shorter GRE Test Time

If a 2-hour GRE sounds much better to you than a 4-hour one, you’re in luck. With the new version of the GRE, the GRE testing time is getting slashed essentially in half. The “standard” GRE — the one that has been around since 2011 — is 3 hours, 45 minutes long. The new GRE, on the other hand, is only 1 hour and 58 minutes.

One thing to note is that the longer version of the test allows for a 10-minute break (bringing the total testing time to just under 4 hours). The shorter GRE does not have a scheduled break. However, given the much shorter testing time, not having a break is understandable. Of course, test-takers who require breaks for medical reasons can still apply for accommodations.

KEY FACT:

The new GRE test time clocks in at 1 hour and 58 minutes, roughly half the standard GRE test time.

Reduced Number of Questions

More great news for GRE test-takers: the shorter GRE contains significantly fewer questions. In fact, there are a total of 46 fewer questions in the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections.

On the standard GRE, the total number of Quant and Verbal questions is 40 each, so 80 questions in all. Additionally, there is an unscored section that is either Quant or Verbal, bringing the grand total to 100 questions across 5 sections (2 scored sections each of Quant and Verbal and 1 unscored section of either type).

On the new GRE, the total number of Quant and Verbal questions is 27 each. So, the grand total is only 54 questions. There is no additional unscored section.

Furthermore, the new GRE has only 1 essay question, whereas the standard GRE has 2.

So, overall, there are about half as many questions on the new GRE as on the old — as we might expect, given that the new test time is about half as long.

KEY FACT:

The new GRE contains 46 fewer Quant and Verbal questions, and only 1 essay question instead of 2.

Now, you may be wondering, how do these changes affect my time per question? Let’s discuss.

Average Time Per Question (Unchanged!)

Good news: the average time per question you have in each section remains unchanged. You still have an average of roughly 1 minute and 45 seconds for each Quant question and roughly 1 minute and 30 seconds for each Verbal question.

The table below breaks down how the old and new versions of the GRE compared in terms of Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning section structure:

Of course, as indicated above, the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections on the new GRE are each split in two, just as they are on the standard GRE. The thing is, on the standard GRE, test-takers see an equal number of questions in each section. On the new GRE, you’ll see a slightly different number of questions in each section. (Notice that 27 is not an even number.) The first section of each type presents 12 questions, while the second section of each type presents 15.

Consequently, the time you’re allotted per each section varies somewhat — although not enough to make a significant difference for your pacing.

Here is the exact breakdown for each Quant and Verbal section:

KEY FACT:

On the shorter GRE, you still have an average of roughly 1 minute and 45 seconds for each Quant question and roughly 1 minute and 30 seconds for each Verbal question.

Now, let’s dig into the details of the other changes we mentioned, starting with the elimination of the unscored section.

No Unscored Section

On the standard GRE, there is an unscored section that could be either another Quant section or another Verbal section. ETS used this section to test possible questions for future GREs. However, for test-takers, the unscored section added another 20 questions and 30 to 35 minutes to their exam.

Moreover, generally, there was no way to know which section was unscored. So, test-takers had to put their full effort and energy into answering questions that did not affect their scores.

The new GRE test eliminates all that. Without the unscored section, test-takers see only 2 Quant sections and 2 Verbal sections — no “mystery third.” Furthermore, test-takers know that every section they see on the new GRE counts toward their scores.

KEY FACT:

There is no unscored section on the new GRE. So, all the Quant and Verbal sections you see count toward your scores.

Now, let’s discuss the reduction in essay tasks.

Only One Essay Task 

Another change on the new GRE is the removal of the Analyze an Argument task in the Analytical Writing section.

On the standard GRE, the Analytical Writing section contains 2 essay tasks: Analyze an Argument and Analyze an Issue. Test-takers have 30 minutes to complete each essay.

The Analyze an Argument task requires you to write an essay objectively evaluating a given argument and the evidence provided to support it. This task is NOT on the shorter GRE.

In fact, Analyze an Argument is the only question type that has been eliminated on the new GRE. Although there are a reduced number of Quant and Verbal questions on the shorter test, the question types in those sections remain the same.

The remaining essay task in the Analytical Writing section, Analyze an Issue, presents a statement of opinion that you must respond to per the instructions given. With only this task to complete, the Analytical Writing section is only 30 minutes long, instead of 1 hour.

KEY FACT:

On the shorter GRE, there is only 1 essay task, Analyze an Issue, which you have 30 minutes to complete.

Now that we’ve covered all the GRE format changes, let’s discuss scoring.

Are GRE Scores Changing?

The GRE score scales are NOT changing. So, admissions committees will be able to compare the GRE performances of applicants regardless of whether those applicants took the standard GRE or the new GRE.

One thing that is changing is that your official GRE scores will be available more quickly. They will post to your ets.org account 8 to 10 days after your test instead of 10 to 15.

So, you will have a little more wiggle room as far as when you can sit for your exam and retakes and still meet your application deadlines.

KEY FACT:

Your official GRE scores will be available 8 to 10 days after your test instead of 10 to 15 days after.

Are GRE Subject Tests Changing?

There are some changes to the GRE Subject Tests coming this fall as well.

Firstly, if you were hoping to take the Chemistry Test later this year, no luck. The April 2023 administration of that exam was the last one. (If you already took the Chemistry Test, your score is still valid for 5 years.)

So, the only GRE Subject Tests now available are:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

All of those tests will be in a computer-delivered format, rather than on paper, starting in September 2023. And the tests will be available in more test centers, as well as online in most countries.

Additionally, the Physics and Psychology Tests will be 2 hours shorter.

You can read more about the GRE Subject Tests here.

KEY FACT:

Starting in September 2023, the GRE Subject Tests in Physics and Psychology will be 2 hours shorter.

When Can I Register for and Take the New GRE?

Registration for the shorter GRE is OPEN NOW. To register for the shorter test, follow the regular registration process on ets.org. Just make sure you select a test date that is either on or after September 22, 2023. If you select a date that is before September 22, you will be scheduled to sit for a 4-hour GRE.

If you want to sit for the standard test, it is available until September 20, 2023.

Note that the shorter GRE is available both at test centers and online, just as the standard GRE is. So, you can take the shorter GRE at home, as long as online tests are permitted in your country.

Note also that the registration fee is the same regardless of whether you take the standard or new GRE. You can learn all about GRE fees here.

KEY FACT:

To register for the shorter GRE, you must select a test date that is either on or after September 22, 2023.

Are Official GRE Preparation Materials for the Shorter GRE Available?

Official GRE preparation materials specifically designed for the shorter test will not be available until September 2023. The thing is, none of the question types have changed in the Quant and Verbal sections. So, you can use a pre-September 2023 Official Guide as a resource for the new GRE.

If you are using the TTP GRE Course to study but now would like to take the shorter test, absolutely nothing changes for you. All the material in your TTP study plan is still relevant for the shorter test. So, you can continue to follow your TTP study plan as usual.

Of course, if in preparation for the shorter GRE you take official GRE practice tests before September, you will be practicing with much longer tests than you need to — even if you skip the Analyze the Argument essay task.

So, ideally, if you want to take the shorter GRE, you have enough time before your application deadlines to wait until September to take the redesigned official practice tests in the weeks leading up to your exam. That way, you can really get the test-day experience and the most accurate picture of how you’re likely to score on test day.

KEY FACT:

Official GRE preparation materials specifically designed for the shorter test will be available in September 2023.

Is the Shorter GRE Easier?

There are a few reasons that preparing for taking the shorter GRE is likely to be, overall, a somewhat easier experience for most test-takers.

For one, many test-takers will have less anxiety about a 2-hour GRE than about a 4-hour one. Sure, you’re still dealing with a rigorous and challenging exam that is important for your graduate school applications. So, there is bound to still be some stress and anxiety associated with the GRE.

However, a 2-hour test just “feels” more manageable. And mindset matters — often quite a bit — not only on test day, but also throughout the test preparation process.

Secondly, you won’t have to build as much stamina for test day as you would for the 4-hour GRE. Fatigue won’t be as much of an issue.

Third, you won’t have to prepare for two different essay types. Although the essays aren’t always a top priority for GRE test-takers, it’s nice to have one less thing to worry about during your prep.

All that said, since the question types in the Quantitative and Verbal sections are unchanged, the variety of topics you have to master to earn good GRE scores remains the same. And, if you know anything about the GRE, you know those sections encompass a large number of topics that test your quantitative and logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.

So, I wouldn’t assume that a shorter test means an easy test, even if some aspects of the test are easier. Moreover, test-takers shouldn’t expect that they can spend half as long preparing for the new GRE just because the new test is half as long as the old.

TTP PRO TIP:

You have to master the same number of Quant and Verbal topics for the shorter GRE and the standard GRE.

Side by Side: What Is the Difference Between the Shorter GRE Test and the Standard One?

Use the table below as a quick reference to see how the new version of the GRE, coming September 22, 2023, and the standard GRE, available until September 20, 2023, stack up against each other. that test-takers have come to know since 2011.

What’s Next?

Check out this GRE study guide for tips on the most effective way to prepare for the GRE.

Then check out our free GRE resources page to test your quantitative and verbal skills with a GRE diagnostic, download our 1,200 word GRE Vocab Review Sheet, and more!

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