The GRE General Test has three measures across five sections: one Analytical Writing essay, two Verbal Reasoning sections (27 questions) and two Quantitative Reasoning sections (27 questions), in about 1 hour 58 minutes.
This is a plain-English map of what the shorter GRE (in force since September 2023) covers. ETS’s official materials are authoritative.
Structure at a glance
| Measure | Sections | Questions | Time | Score scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 | 1 essay (Analyze an Issue) | 30 min | 0-6 (half-points) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 | 27 total (12 + 15) | 18 + 23 min | 130-170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | 27 total (12 + 15) | 21 + 26 min | 130-170 |
Analytical Writing is always first; the Verbal and Quantitative sections follow in some order. There is no unscored research section and no scheduled break.
Verbal Reasoning content
- Reading Comprehension - about half the measure; analyse, infer and draw conclusions from passages.
- Text Completion - fill one to three blanks in a short passage so it reads coherently.
- Sentence Equivalence - pick the two words that complete one sentence with the same meaning.
Quantitative Reasoning content
Four question types: Quantitative Comparison; multiple-choice (select one); multiple-choice (select one or more); Numeric Entry. An on-screen calculator is provided.
Four content areas:
- Arithmetic - integers, exponents and roots, estimation, percentages, ratios.
- Algebra - expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, coordinate geometry.
- Geometry - lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, area, perimeter, volume.
- Data analysis - statistics, probability, distributions, counting, reading graphs.
Analytical Writing content
A single Analyze an Issue task: take a clear position on a claim and develop it with reasons and specific examples in 30 minutes. No subject knowledge is required.
Key facts
Verbal and Quantitative are section-level adaptive (your first section sets the difficulty of the second). Scores are reportable for five years. The test is computer-delivered at a test centre or at home.