What Is the GRE? 2026 Format, Sections, Scoring, and Prep Guide
What is the GRE? 2026 guide to the GRE General Test format, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing, scoring (130-170 per section), and prep strategies.
GRE General Test Format 2025
The 2025 GRE General Test is offered in two modes: a computer-delivered test at Prometric test centers (available year-round) and an at-home version (GRE at home) via ProctorU. The at-home option has the same format and scoring as the test center version.
Current GRE format (since September 2023):
- Total testing time: approximately 1 hour 58 minutes (down from ~3 hours 45 minutes)
- Two scored Verbal Reasoning sections
- Two scored Quantitative Reasoning sections
- One Analytical Writing section (one task, 30 minutes)
- No longer has an unscored research section — the test is shorter because ETS removed the experimental section
Registration:
- Register at ets.org/gre
- Cost: $220 in the United States (varies internationally)
- Available year-round at Prometric test centers and via GRE at home
- Scores are valid for 5 years from test date
GRE Sections
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections, 18 questions each, 18 minutes each = 36 minutes total)
- Question types: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion (fill in blank with vocabulary), Sentence Equivalence (choose two words that both create similar meanings)
- Skills tested: ability to analyze written material, understand relationships among words, recognize assumptions and reasoning in arguments
- Difficulty: adaptive at the section level — your score on Section 1 determines the difficulty of Section 2
Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections, 27 questions each, 21 minutes each = 42 minutes total)
- Question types: Quantitative Comparison, Multiple Choice (one or more answers), Numeric Entry (enter your own answer)
- Content: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis and Statistics
- On-screen calculator provided; math knowledge required through approximately 10th-grade level
Analytical Writing (1 task, 30 minutes)
- One 'Analyze an Issue' essay (previously had two essays — now only one)
- You choose a position on a given issue and support it with relevant reasoning and examples
- Scored by a combination of e-rater (automated) and a human reader
- Score is separate from the 130–170 scale — reported as a 0–6 score in half-point increments
GRE General Test at a Glance
- Total time: ~1 hour 58 minutes — shortened in 2023
- Sections: Verbal (2) + Quantitative (2) + Analytical Writing (1)
- Mode: Test center (Prometric) or at-home proctored
- Cost: $220 in the United States
- Verbal Reasoning: 130–170 (1-point increments)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170 (1-point increments)
- Analytical Writing: 0–6 score (half-point increments)
- Score validity: 5 years from test date
- Where: ets.org/gre — year-round availability
- Score sending: 4 free score reports at time of test
- Retake policy: Up to 5 times per year, once every 21 days
- At-home option: GRE at home available via ProctorU
- Graduate programs: Business, law, sciences, humanities, education
- MBA programs: Most top MBA programs accept GRE scores
- Average scores: Verbal ~152, Quant ~153 (all GRE test-takers)
- Score reporting: Can select which scores to send (ScoreSelect)
GRE Scoring — What You Need to Know
The GRE uses a scaled scoring system that is section-adaptive — your performance on the first Verbal and Quantitative sections determines the difficulty level of the second sections.
Score scales:
- Verbal Reasoning: 130–170 in 1-point increments (average ~152)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170 in 1-point increments (average ~153)
- Analytical Writing: 0–6 in half-point increments (average ~3.5)
ScoreSelect — choosing which scores to send: ETS offers a ScoreSelect feature that lets you choose which GRE score reports to send to programs. You can send scores from the most recent test, all tests in the past 5 years, or scores from any specific test date(s). This is a significant advantage for test-takers who want to retake and only send improved scores.
What programs look for:
- Most graduate programs list average GRE scores of admitted students — check the program's website for benchmark data
- Quant scores matter most for STEM, engineering, and business programs; Verbal scores matter most for humanities and social science programs
- Analytical Writing scores of 4.0+ are generally considered strong across disciplines
Who Needs the GRE — and Who Doesn't
Graduate programs that commonly require GRE scores:
- Master's and doctoral programs in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, mathematics
- Psychology PhD programs
- Public policy and public administration programs
- Education graduate programs
- Humanities PhD programs (literature, history, philosophy)
MBA programs: The GRE is now accepted at nearly all top MBA programs as an alternative to the GMAT. If you score stronger on the GRE, submit that — use ETS's GRE comparison tool to see how your GRE score compares to equivalent GMAT scores for specific programs.
GRE-optional programs: Many graduate programs have moved to test-optional admissions, particularly in education and social work fields. Check your specific target programs — submitting GRE scores at a test-optional program can strengthen an application if your scores are above program averages, but weak scores are better not submitted where optional.
Who should skip the GRE: If your target programs are all test-optional and you have strong alternative credentials (research, work experience, publications, relevant degrees), spending significant time on GRE prep may be less valuable than strengthening other parts of your application.
GRE Prep Strategies
Effective GRE preparation focuses on building skills in the actual areas tested — not just content memorization.
Free prep resources:
- PowerPrep: ETS offers two free full-length GRE practice tests at ets.org/gre — these are the gold standard for accurate score prediction
- ETS Verbal and Quant practice banks: Official practice questions by section
- Khan Academy: Useful for Quantitative Reasoning math concepts (GRE math covers up to about 10th-grade level)
Paid prep resources:
- Manhattan Prep GRE: Known for rigorous Quantitative Reasoning instruction; good for strong-math-background students targeting top STEM programs
- Magoosh GRE: More affordable ($150–$200); good video instruction and practice questions; works well for self-paced learners
- 5lb Book of GRE Practice Problems (Manhattan Prep): The most comprehensive GRE practice question resource for both Verbal and Quant
Vocabulary for Verbal Reasoning: GRE Verbal heavily tests academic vocabulary through Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence. Start vocabulary study 8–10 weeks before your test date — common GRE vocabulary lists (e.g., 'GRE 1000 word list') are available from multiple prep companies.
