Aspiring students aiming to pursue their education in foreign universities often set their sights on the GRE exam. However, the initial and crucial step toward this goal is gaining a comprehensive understanding of the GRE exam pattern.
The GRE exam unfolds in two distinctive patterns — the GRE General exam pattern and the GRE subject exam pattern. The General GRE exam pattern encompasses an analytical writing section, two verbal reasoning sections, and two quantitative reasoning sections. On the other hand, the subject-specific GRE exam pattern involves multiple-choice questions tailored to the core subject in which the test-taker seeks to demonstrate proficiency.
For an in-depth exploration of the GRE exam pattern, delve into the details provided in this blog.
GRE Exam Pattern — General and Subject
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), administered by ETS, serves as a key gateway to graduate and professional programs worldwide. Whether you aspire to join prestigious business schools, law institutions, or graduate programs in diverse fields like mathematics, physics, and psychology, understanding the GRE exam pattern is crucial for crafting a successful preparation strategy.
For aspirants aiming for general graduate programs in domains like law, business, or others, the GRE General Test provides a comprehensive assessment of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills. By familiarizing yourself with its structure, you can tailor your preparation accordingly.
However, if you seek specialization in areas like mathematics, physics, or psychology, the GRE offers Subject Tests specifically designed to evaluate your in-depth knowledge and academic aptitude in those disciplines.
GRE Exam Pattern- General
The GRE exam pattern, as outlined by ETS effective September 22, 2023, allocates a total of 1 hour and 58 minutes for students to navigate through five sections. These include one section dedicated to analytical writing, featuring a 30-minute task; two sections for verbal reasoning, encompassing 27 questions to be addressed within 41 minutes; and two sections for quantitative reasoning, presenting 27 questions to be tackled in a span of 47 minutes.
Students need first to solve the analytical writing question and, later on, proceed with either verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning.
GRE Exam Pattern- Subject
As per the new GRE exam pattern, ETS has designated specific durations for subject-specific exams. The Mathematics GRE subject exam is allocated a time frame of 2 hours and 50 minutes, while the subject exams for Physics and Psychology are set at 2 hours each.
The Mathematics GRE exam comprises 66 multiple-choice questions, the Physics GRE exam pattern includes 70 multiple-choice questions, and the Psychology subject test features 144 MCQs. Within these multiple-choice questions, candidates are presented with 5 options and are required to select the most accurate or fitting answer for each question.
GRE Online vs Paper-Based Exam Pattern
The GRE, administered by ETS (Educational Testing Services), is conducted in both paper-based and online formats. However, for Indian students, the GRE exams are available only in online format, offering the flexibility to choose between center-based exams or taking the GRE from the comfort of home.
Notably, the pattern for both center-based online exams and home-based is same. The availability of paper-based exams is restricted to countries with limited access to computer systems and the Internet. These paper-based exams occur only three times a year and are limited to specific locations. In contrast, the computer-based exam is conducted throughout the year at various locations, providing a more accessible and flexible testing option.
Comparison of GRE Test Patterns: Old vs. New
Effective from September 2023, ETS implemented significant changes to the GRE exam pattern. Notably, the alterations include a reduction in the exam duration for the general test, decreasing it from 3 hours and 45 minutes to a concise 1 hour and 58 minutes. These adjustments also involved the elimination of specific sections to streamline the testing experience.
In the GRE subject test pattern, ETS made notable modifications by reducing the test duration for Physics and Psychology. However, the timing for the Mathematics subject test remains unchanged. These adjustments aim to enhance the efficiency and relevance of the GRE testing process.
GRE General Test Old vs New Pattern
Score Distribution in GRE Exam Pattern
In the GRE exam pattern, the total marks are derived from the cumulative scores obtained across various sections of both the general GRE and subject-specific papers. The breakdown of score distribution for the General GRE exam paper is outlined below:
Conclusion
GRE test preparation requires lots of planning and attention. Since the GRE exam fee is high, you must prepare well before sitting the exam. Galvanize is one of the top study abroad classes to do your GRE preparation, get personalized counseling, and receive quality study materials and support. Galvanize is a trust of several students who want to study abroad. You can also make your dreams come true with us.