Yes, reading comprehension is a core component of the GRE General Test, appearing primarily in the Verbal Reasoning section. The GRE does not have a standalone "reading" section, but reading skills are tested extensively through passages and question types designed to assess critical reading, vocabulary, and analytical thinking.
How Reading Appears on the GRE:
- Reading Comprehension Questions (approximately 50% of Verbal Reasoning)
- You’ll encounter 1–4 passages per Verbal section (typically 2 passages total across two sections).
- Passages are 1–5 paragraphs long, drawn from natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or business-related topics.
- Question types include:
- Main idea/primary purpose
- Specific detail
- Inference
- Author’s attitude/tone
- Strengthen/weaken arguments
- Vocabulary in context
- Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence
- These also require strong reading skills to understand sentence structure, tone, and logical flow—even without full passages.
Key Skills Tested:
- Understanding complex sentence structures
- Identifying logical relationships (cause/effect, contrast, support)
- Drawing inferences from implied information
- Analyzing argument structure
Preparation Tips:
- Practice with academic-style texts (e.g., The Economist, Scientific American, JSTOR articles).
- Focus on active reading: summarize paragraphs, note transitions, and question assumptions.
- Use official ETS materials (The Official Guide to the GRE, PowerPrep tests) for authentic passage difficulty.
In total, you’ll read ~500–1,000 words across passages in the Verbal sections. Strong reading stamina and precision are essential for top scores.