The GRE General Test has a syllabus of sorts in Quantitative Reasoning — ETS names four content areas and the level of maths they stop at — and none at all in Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing, which test reasoning with language rather than knowledge. What ETS does publish for every measure is its question types and the structure of the test, and since the shorter format that began on 22 September 2023, that structure is compact enough to learn in one sitting. This page sets it out from ETS's own pages, alongside the Myndaq GRE course.
The structure
The test takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes, in five sections:
- Analytical Writing — one task, 30 minutes. Always first.
- Verbal Reasoning — two sections: 12 questions in 18 minutes, then 15 questions in 23 minutes.
- Quantitative Reasoning — two sections: 12 questions in 21 minutes, then 15 questions in 26 minutes.
After the essay, the Verbal and Quant sections can come in any order. That is 27 Verbal and 27 Quant questions in total. The current format has no scheduled break.
Section-level adaptivity. The first section of each measure is of average difficulty; the difficulty of the second depends on your overall performance on the first. Within a section you can preview, mark and review questions and change your answers. So the first section of each measure carries extra weight: it decides which second section you get.
Verbal Reasoning
ETS describes three question types:
- Reading Comprehension — questions on passages that "test the wide range of abilities required to read and understand the kinds of prose commonly encountered in graduate school". About half of the measure is reading passages and answering questions on them.
- Text Completion — short passages with crucial words omitted; you use the rest of the passage to select the words.
- Sentence Equivalence — you identify the two choices that each produce a complete, coherent sentence and that make the two sentences mean the same thing.
ETS says the measure assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate written material and synthesise information from it, analyse relationships among the parts of sentences, and recognise relationships among words and concepts.
There is no reading list and no vocabulary list. Vocabulary matters, but it is tested in context: a word you know in isolation is not enough if you cannot see which meaning the sentence needs.
Quantitative Reasoning
This is the one measure with a content syllabus. ETS names four areas:
- Arithmetic — properties and types of integers, such as divisibility, factorisation, prime numbers, remainders, and odd and even integers.
- Algebra — operations with exponents, factoring and simplifying expressions, relations, functions, equations and inequalities.
- Geometry — parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, other polygons, congruent and similar figures, and three-dimensional figures.
- Data analysis — basic descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles and percentiles.
The ceiling is stated. ETS says the content is high-school maths and statistics at a level generally no higher than a second course in algebra, and that it does not include trigonometry, calculus or other higher-level mathematics. For candidates with a science or engineering background the content is familiar; the difficulty is in the formats and the clock.
Four question formats:
- Quantitative Comparison — compare Quantity A with Quantity B.
- Multiple choice, select one answer.
- Multiple choice, select one or more answers.
- Numeric Entry — you type the answer.
Some questions come as data interpretation sets, several questions on the same table, graph or other data presentation, using either multiple-choice type or Numeric Entry.
An on-screen calculator is provided for the Quant sections. ETS calls it basic and notes that most questions do not require difficult computation.
Analytical Writing
One task, Analyze an Issue, in 30 minutes. ETS describes it as presenting an opinion on an issue with instructions on how to respond; you evaluate the issue, consider its complexities and develop an argument with reasons and examples. The measure assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct arguments and sustain a focused, coherent discussion.
How it is scored
- Verbal Reasoning — 130 to 170, in 1-point steps.
- Quantitative Reasoning — 130 to 170, in 1-point steps.
- Analytical Writing — 0 to 6, in half-point steps.
There is no pass mark: programmes set their own expectations. Official scores reach your ETS account 8 to 10 days after the test, and scores are reportable for five years. The ETS Bulletin adds that at the end of the test you can view your unofficial Verbal and Quant scores if you choose to report them; Analytical Writing is not shown then because of the essay scoring process.
What the published syllabus does not tell you
- No weightage by Quant topic. ETS names the four areas but does not say how many questions come from each.
- No word list. Verbal is tested in context.
- Exactly which second section you get. That depends on your first-section performance.
For the study plan, see the GRE preparation guide. For what the test costs and the refund rule, see GRE fees and registration. For worked items in every question type, see GRE practice questions.
Quick answers
What is the GRE syllabus for Quant?
Four areas — arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis — at a level no higher than a second course in algebra. No trigonometry or calculus.
How many questions are on the GRE?
27 Verbal and 27 Quant, each measure split into sections of 12 and 15, plus one Analytical Writing task.
How long is the GRE?
About 1 hour 58 minutes, with no scheduled break: 30 minutes of writing, 41 of Verbal and 47 of Quant.
Is the GRE adaptive?
By section. The first Verbal and first Quant sections are of average difficulty; your performance on each sets the difficulty of the second.
Is a calculator allowed on the GRE?
Yes, a basic on-screen calculator in the Quant sections.
