You must thoroughly understand the exam and its critical components to ace it. Knowing the exam format and curriculum inside and out will help you perform well on the test. Similarly, everyone who plans to pursue their post-graduate studies at colleges abroad must be familiar with the GRE exam pattern and other information regarding the GRE 2023.

GRE Exam Pattern

The GRE comprises two different test formats: the general test (which includes analytical writing assessment, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning) and the GRE subject test, which includes sections on physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and English literature.

The GRE general test has two different formats: one uses a computer, and the other uses paper. Paper-based tests are only administered in regions where computer-based exams are unavailable; thus, not everyone can take them. For the GRE subject test, there is only a paper-based option available. The exam is available in more than 1000 testing centres across 160 countries.

GRE Exam Pattern 2023: Section and Question Types 

Overall GRE General Test Pattern

GRE 2023 Syllabus 

The GRE test includes a general test and a subject test. The general test is standard for all; however, the subject test is taken per the subject the candidate wishes to pursue. The syllabus for GRE 2023 is provided below for the candidates’ reference. 

GRE 2023 Syllabus: Verbal Reasoning

The candidate’s capacity to evaluate, analyse, and synthesise the textual information is assessed in this portion. The section demands the candidates examine the meaning of the word, sentence, or passage, comprehend literary terminology and concepts, and distinguish between minor and significant notions. The verbal reasoning question paper will be divided into three sections: reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.

• Reading Comprehension: The purpose of the questions is to gauge how well the candidate comprehends and translates the provided material. They must understand the text’s organisational structure, recognise the author’s presumptions and point of view, determine the meaning of individual words and phrases, explain the text, engage in textual analysis, and draw inferences from the text.
• Text Completion: The candidate’s capacity to analyse and assess the data presented in brief passages of five phrases are tested in this section. Based on the details in the passage, they must complete one to three blanks.
• Sentence Equivalence: Candidates in this section must use the provided partial information to complete the passage. There will be one blank and six possible answers. No points will be awarded for partially accurate responses; therefore, candidates must mark the correct response choice. Candidates must read the statement accurately, recognise important words or phrases in the sentence, and then fill in the blank with a better suitable term for responding to the question.

Essential topics of the section.

• Basic Sentence structure: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives
• Verb Tense
• Parallelism
• Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
• Pronoun Agreement
• Modifiers
• Subject-Verb Agreement

GRE 2023 Syllabus: Quantitative Reasoning

Basic mathematical knowledge, an understanding of fundamental mathematical ideas, and the capacity for quantitative reasoning and problem-solving are all included in the quantitative reasoning section. There will be two subsections of the exam, and each will consist of 20 questions covering maths, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Each segment has a 35-minute time limit. The GRE quantitative reasoning score range is 130–170. The Quantitative Reasoning section will include four types of questions. 

• Quantitative comparison questions: Candidates must compare two quantities in these questions and choose which statement best captures the contrast.
• Multiple choice questions (select one answer choice): Candidates must choose one of the five possible answers that are true.
• Multiple choice questions (select one or more answer choices): Candidates must choose more than one right response from the available options. Answers that are only partially right won’t receive any credit.
• Numeric entry: Candidates must compute the answers and write them down. There won’t be any options provided for these questions.

Essential topics of the section

• Ratio and Proportion
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Speed, Distance and Time
• Permutation and Combination
• Linear Equations
• Quadratic Equations
• Sets Theory
• Statistics
• Power and roots
• Probability
• Pipes, Cisterns, work, time
• Lines and angles
• Triangles
• Polygon
• Quadrilateral
• Circles
• Coordinate Geometry
• Order of Operations
• Volume and Surface Area
• Percentage
• Number Properties

GRE 2023 Syllabus: Analytical Writing

The component evaluates the candidate’s capacity for analytical writing and critical thought. There will be two analytical writing exercises in the section, each with a time limit of 30 minutes. The section is graded in 0.5 increments on a scale from 0 to 6. The tasks include; an argument task and an issue task. 

• Analyse an issue task: Candidates must critically consider the issue or statement in this area and then articulate their thoughts in their own words. They must write at least 500–600 words on subjects of general interest. The subjective nature of the test and the candidate’s capacity for clear argumentation are key factors of this task.
• Analyse an argument task: The portion will test the candidate’s analytical and critical thinking skills. In under 30 minutes, they must produce at least 500–600 words. Candidates will be given a passage with justification and evidence, and they must evaluate the author’s position.

GRE 2023 Syllabus: Subject Test

 The GRE syllabus is specified separately for the subject test. Candidates should therefore search for the GRE subject test syllabus for the subject they wish to pursue in their further studies. 

GRE 2023 Eligibility Criteria 

There are no general eligibility criteria for the GRE examination. Since the aspirants are from varied educational backgrounds, laying down standard eligibility criteria for all would take a lot of work. Instead, GRE eligibility criteria are defined per the course the aspirants wish to apply for. The GRE score-accepting institutions have their eligibility criteria. Therefore, the aspirants shall check with the institution for the GRE eligibility criteria.

GRE 2023 Exam Pattern 

The GRE consists of two different test types: the general test (Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning) and the GRE subject test, which covers areas including physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, and English literature.

Both the computer-based and paper-based versions of the GRE general test are different from each other. Additionally, not everyone can take paper-based exams; they are only offered in locations where computer-based exams are not provided. There is only a paper-based format for the GRE Exam subject test. More than 1000 testing facilities in 160 nations worldwide offer the exam.

GRE General Test

As discussed above, the GRE general test is divided into 3 significant sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment and Verbal Reasoning. These sections encompass certain types of questions. 

Overall GRE General Test Pattern