When you plan to study in countries like the US and Canada, the first hurdle you must overcome is the GRE exam. This post aims to help students learn all about the GRE pattern and GRE exam syllabus to help students prepare well.
The first step to getting admission to any of the top universities is qualifying for a few standardized tests, one of which is the GRE. The test score of the Graduate Record Examination is accepted mainly by institutions in the US, Canada, and a few other countries.
The test was introduced back in 1936 as a collaboration project by graduate school deans of four Ivy League universities and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Studies suggest that the University of Wisconsin was the first university to ask students to sit for the GRE test in 1938, followed by Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, and Columbia University.
Initially, the test had only verbal reasoning and quantitative skills assessment. With time and various amendments, GRE now has six sections that examine various skills of students willing to study abroad. The ETS (Educational Testing Service), created in 1947, looks over GRE currently.
GRE is divided into two parts, GRE general test and GRE subject test. Let’s take a look at the test format of each:
GRE general test is the one most students are familiar with. Here’s an insight into the GRE general test structure:
|
Section |
Number of questions |
Time |
|
Analytical writing |
Analyze an issue task Analyze an argument task |
30 minutes for each task |
|
Verbal reasoning (two sections) |
20 questions per section |
30 minutes per section |
|
Quantitative reasoning (two sections) |
20 questions per section |
35 minutes per section |
|
Un-scored for the research section |
Varies |
Varies |
The test is based on four subjects, namely:
Learn all about GRE general tests and subject tests from the experts at AbroAdvice.com.
Here’s an insight into the types of questions for each section:
|
Section |
Total Questions |
Types of questions |
Score range |
Duration |
|
GRE verbal reasoning |
20+20=40 |
Reading comprehension Text completion Sentence equivalence |
130-170 |
60 minutes |
|
GRE quantitative reasoning |
20+20=40 |
Quantitative comparison questions Numeric entry questions |
130-170 |
70 minutes |
|
GRE analytical reasoning questions |
1+1=2 |
Analyze an issue Analyze an argument |
0-6 |
30 minutes for each task |
|
Total |
80 MCQs 2 Descriptive |
|
260-340 |
3 hours 10 minutes |
The GRE general test has all these sections, and there's only one way to nail the exam, practice. The more you sit for mock tests, the more you will get accustomed to the GRE exam syllabus and be able to sail through all these sections easily.
Yet, without detailed knowledge, you will be unable to crack the test. On that note, let's gain more insight into the various sections of the GRE general test:
Did you read the short story The Lady or the Tiger? If you have, you have already been introduced to verbal reasoning. The section evaluates your ability to analyze a situation and draw a conclusion based on your understanding of an author's assumptions and perspectives. In the short story mentioned above, the author leaves it up to the readers to draw a conclusion and understand the princess's decision. To do that, you have to read the entire story thoroughly and analyze each word, sentence, and sections to find the answer.
The GRE quantitative reasoning section examines your mathematical skills and your ability to understand, analyze and interpret quantitative information. Basic math skills and knowledge of concepts like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis will be enough to help you answer all the questions in this section.
If you have worked on assignments that involve analysis and interpretation of raw data, you might ace the section without much struggle. The analytical reasoning or analytical writing section evaluates a student's critical thinking and analytical writing skills, their ability to support complex ideas, evaluate arguments and present a focused and coherent discussion.
There’s no way to deny the significance of any of these sections. The best way to cope with the structure and prepare well for GRE is by signing up with AbroAdvice.com for proper assistance with the process.
As the GRE subject test is paper-based, students need to prepare well to answer all the questions. So, what are the chapters of each subject that you need to study if you are sitting for a GRE subject test? Let's explore one by one:
The GRE chemistry section consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. You have to be quick in answering each question. The test entails all four sections of chemistry, and you have to be well-versed in each to pass the exam. Here’s how the questions are divided:
Consider each section important to answer all the questions within the specified time.
Unlike quantitative reasoning, the GRE math test assesses your understanding of the subject and its various chapters. With 66 multiple-choice questions from undergraduate courses, the test can be tough if you don't prepare well. Here's an insight into the break-up of questions:
Calculus and its applications form the major part of the questions in this test. However, the other sections are equally important to pass the exam.
Physics is one of the subjects that have attracted many students. With interesting chapters like electromagnetism, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and atomic physics, the subject brings a lot to the table. However, when it comes to GRE, you have to study the ones that are most important. This is what a physics GRE paper consists of:
You have to attempt 205 multiple-choice questions, with each having five options. Students have to be well-versed in the following sections to ace the test:
The ETS discontinued the GRE biology test with effect from May 2021.
Like biology, ETS discontinued the English literature test in May 2021.
Please note the percentages mentioned along with each subject indicate the number of questions in the paper.
The GRE computer-delivered test can be taken from anywhere. Candidates can opt to take the test from home. The at-home tests are monitored by human proctors online using ProctorU and can be accessed at any time on any day.
The paper-delivered test is basically a GRE subject test. The test is used to evaluate a student's understanding of a particular field of study. The scores are used by universities as a way to understand your knowledge of the subject you are willing to pursue.
|
Section |
Duration |
No. of sections |
No. of questions |
|
Verbal reasoning |
30 minutes |
2 |
20 |
|
Analytical writing |
60 minutes |
1 |
2 |
|
Quantitative reasoning |
35 minutes |
2 |
20 |
|
Research |
Variable |
1 |
Variable |
|
Un-scored |
Variable |
1 |
Variable |
|
Total |
3 hours 45 minutes |
7 |
82 |
|
Sections |
Duration |
No. of sections |
No. of questions |
|
Verbal reasoning |
35 minutes |
2 |
25 |
|
Analytical writing |
40 minutes |
2 |
2 |
|
Quantitative reasoning |
30 minutes |
2 |
25 |
|
Total |
3 hours 30 minutes |
6 |
102 |
Students are always in search of books that can ease the overall process and help them get ready for the test. The following section will help you know about the best books for GRE preparation.
The GRE exam syllabus is not restricted to a few subjects or topics. Hence, to ace the test, you need to refer to various study materials. We know how difficult it is to find appropriate study materials and to help you with it, here's a list of the ten best books for GRE preparation:
Go through the various lessons in these books and prepare well for the GRE test.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is important for the admission process in many disciplines. While it is widely believed that GRE is the first step in the application process, you would be surprised to know that many schools have made the test optional. The GRE test score is mandatory for some subjects. However, if you look at the bigger picture and what GRE scores highlight, you might as well take the test to be ahead in the race.
Given the importance of GRE test scores in the application process, it is crucial to know the best ways to prepare and score well. Give us a call to learn more about GRE and prepare well to beat the competition.
AbroAdvice.com has made a name for itself for being the most trusted website to help students willing to study abroad. With personalized guidance from certified counselors, we have always made sure that students get the right assistance with the overall process. We cover all aspects of the GRE and can help you master the GRE syllabus. We share access to unlimited resources that can help students learn all about GRE and ace the tests.
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Of all the standardized exams for international students, GRE is a bit complicated. The major reason for GRE being more challenging than other exams is its difficult vocabulary and reading sections. In addition, candidates must have a high level of reasoning skills to ace GRE. The exam has been ranked as one of the toughest exams when compared with SAT and ACT. It is more logic-oriented than SAT and ACT.
GRE is divided into three sections. You have to score at least 130 in both verbal and quantitative sections. Hence, the qualification mark for GRE is 260, excluding the analytical section.
If you are planning to study MS in the USA, please be informed that most universities in the country grant admission or take the admission process forward based on the GRE exam score. The exam might be optional for other universities, but top universities in the US offering MS need a GRE score.
GRE is a crucial exam for students willing to study abroad. It goes without saying that you need to prepare well to crack the exam and confirm your seat in one of the top universities abroad. Here are a few tips to prepare for the GRE exam:
Following these tips religiously will help you crack the exam and get admission to one of the top universities abroad.
You must know the right time to take the GRE test so that there’s no delay in the process. Experts suggest students take the GRE test in their penultimate year. So, if you are planning to pursue your Master's abroad, sit for GRE in the second last year of college. You will have time to rectify the mistakes and work on them before it's too late. Also, you can sit for the test again if you fail to make it in the first attempt.
It is crucial to have the right study materials while preparing for the GRE. While there are many websites that can share access to study materials, here are five books that you must refer to while preparing for the GRE:
You will be able to understand the major sections of the GRE and prepare well for the test once you start going through the books mentioned above.
Like all other standardized tests, GRE also directs students to complete all sections within a specific time. The exam lasts for about 3 hours and 45 minutes, with a 10-minute break after the first three sections.
GRE tests your skills in all subjects. You have to prove yourself good with math to crack the exam. Here's a look at the chapters included in the GRE math test:
You need to be good with all these chapters to crack the GRE exam.
GRE is a bit tougher when compared to SAT. It includes a verbal reasoning section to assess a student's reading comprehension and reasoning skills, which is not there in SAT. Also, you will not come across a dedicated analytical writing section in GRE. The math section of the GRE is more complicated than SAT, and unlike SAT, there is a quantitative reasoning section in GRE. So, the syllabus is not similar to SAT.
You can sign up with AbroAdvice.com to know the complete GRE syllabus and pattern. AbroAdvice.com is one of the well-known websites for students planning to study abroad. We offer the best consultancy services and help students understand the various requirements and prepare well for all standardized tests.
You have to work on six sections in GRE. Analytical writing is always the first section, and there's a ten-minute break after three sections. You must work on your time management skills to ace the exam and score well to confirm admission to any of the top universities.
