GRE is an acronym for Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in U.S. and Canada. The GRE aims to measure Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Critical Thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning. The content of GRE consists of certain specific Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic and Vocabulary sections the GRE General Test is offered as a computer based exam administered at Prometric testing centers.

The Computer based GRE General Test consists of six sections. The first section is always the Analytical writing section involving separately timed issue and argument tasks. The next five sections consist of two Verbal reasoning sections, two Quantitative reasoning sections and either an Experimental or Research section these 5 may occur in any order. The Experimental section does not count towards the final score but is not distinguished from the scored sections.

The entire testing procedure lasts about 3 hours 45 minutes.

Here is the detailed Paper Pattern:

Verbal Section

The Computer based Verbal Section assess Reading Comparison, Critical Reasoning and Vocabulary Usage. The Verbal Test is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. Each Verbal Section consists of about 6 text completion, 4 Sentence equivalence, and 10 Critical Reading questions.

Quantitative Section

The computer based quantitative section assess basic high school level Mathematical Knowledge and Reasoning skills. The Quantitative test is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increment. Each Quantitative section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 35 minutes with 8 Quantitative Comparison, 9 Problem solving items and 3 Data interpretation questions.

Analytical Writing Section

The analytical Writing section consists of 2 different essays and an “Issue task” and an “Argument task”. The Writing section is graded on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increment.

• Issue task - The test taker is given 30 minutes to write an essay about selected topic.
• Argument task – The test taker will be given an argument and asked to write an essay that critiques the argument.