The GRE General Test, administered by ETS, assesses skills for graduate and business school admissions. It consists of three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The computer-adaptive test lasts about 1 hour 58 minutes, with question types designed to evaluate critical thinking, vocabulary, and math proficiency.
Analytical Writing (1 section, 30 minutes): Features one "Analyze an Issue" task. You'll write a structured essay responding to a prompt, arguing a position with evidence and examples. It tests logical reasoning, clarity, and writing under time pressure no multiple-choice here.
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 41 minutes total, 27 questions each): Focuses on reading comprehension, vocabulary, and logic. Question types include:
- Reading Comprehension (about 50%): Passages (1–5 paragraphs) followed by 1–6 questions. Tasks involve main ideas, inferences, author's attitude, or weakening/strengthening arguments. Options: multiple-choice (select one or more), or select-in-passage (highlight sentence).
- Text Completion: Sentences with 1–3 blanks; choose words/phrases that best fit contextually from 5 options per blank.
- Sentence Equivalence: One sentence with one blank; select two synonyms from six options that both fit and produce equivalent meanings.
Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 47 minutes total, 27 questions each): Covers high school-level math (algebra, geometry, data analysis, arithmetic). No calculus. Types include:
- Quantitative Comparison (about 35%): Compare two quantities (A vs. B); options: A greater, B greater, equal, or relationship undetermined.
- Problem Solving (about 40%): Multiple-choice (one or more correct), numeric entry (type answer), or data interpretation (graphs/tables).
- On-screen calculator provided; some questions test reasoning without it.
An unscored experimental section (Verbal or Quant) may appear. Practice with ETS's official materials to master these formats. The GRE measures readiness for advanced study through diverse, adaptive questions.