The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test is the most widely known graduate admission test worldwide.
Based on the timing constraints in many examinations, there is a great concern about how long the GRE test is or should be.
This, as they say, will enable the exam candidates to prepare thoroughly and beat the exam pressure.
GRE test preparation can take much of your time because of the pressure to do well.
GRE TEST
The Graduate Record Examinations is a systemized test.
It is an admission requirement for many graduate schools in the United States, Canada and a few other countries.
The GRE is owned and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is administered under strict supervision and maintains a high-security policy.
With so much anxiety pulled off by the GRE, the duration of the test has been a significant concern among its candidates.
How Long Is the GRE Test
GRE comes with the need to study long hours and become familiar with the type of test questions.
Candidates for this examination are also more concerned about how they can make their studies worth it.
The GRE clocks in at 3 hours, 45 minutes. The examination consists of six sections with a 10-minute break after the third section.
Below is a breakdown of each section and how you should hope to spend your exam time on the test day.
Information Section
You will be given 10 minutes to fill out your biographical information in this section.
The authorities of GRE may sell the information you provide may be sold to certain entities.
The checkbox provided underneath allows you to check against selling out your information.
After completing the information section, you will have six sections total to complete.
GRE Examination Pattern
| Name of the Subject | Paper-Based | Computer-Based |
| Analytical Writing | 2 sections, two tasks | 1 section, two tasks |
| Verbal reasoning | 2 Sections, 50 questions | 2 Sections, 40 questions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 Sections 50 questions | 2 Sections 40 questions |
Analytical Writing
The examination starts with Analytical Writing, which combines two different writing tasks (the Issue Essay and Argument Essay).
Issue Essay requires that you write about your situation with a given topic as quickly as possible.
In the second task, the Argument Essay, you will be asked to discuss another author’s argument, analyzing their thoughts and ideas.
Check below to download sample GRE questions on Analytical Writing.
Verbal Reasoning
This section consists of two sections and a total time of 1 hour and 5 minutes in which to complete it.
There are 10 questions in each section. You will have 30 minutes to complete each of the two Verbal Reasoning sections.
Generally speaking, you should probably spend no more than 80-90 seconds on each question.
Check below to download sample GRE questions on Verbal Reasoning.
Quantitative Reasoning
This part of the exam also consists of two sections and a total time of 1 hour and 5 minutes in which to complete it.
There are 10 questions in each section. You will have 30 minutes to complete each of the two Quantitative Reasoning sections.
You should probably spend no more than 70-80 seconds on each question.
Check below to download sample GRE Quantitative Reasoning questions.
Points will not be subtracted from a score if you answer a question incorrectly. This means you can skip questions if you do not know them, however, it is best to answer every question (even if it is an educated guess) in order to earn the best possible score.
Experimental/Research Section
While this exam consists of six sections, this part, the Experimental Section, will not be graded, nor identified in most situations.
It normally appears as either a Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning section and is placed in random order.
Sometimes the unscored Experimental Section is identified as the Research Section.
This always appears at the end of the examination.
GRE General Test Order
The GRE general test can vary from time to time.
However, it mostly starts with the following;
- Biographical Information
- Analytical Writing Section
- Verbal and Quantitative Section.
These sections can appear in random order with the possibility of a Research or experimental section at the end.
GRE Eligibility & Requirements
All candidates for the exam can perform the test regardless of their qualifications.
Tests are performed primarily to gain admission to the graduate level, the postgraduate level and the doctoral programs.
Admission to various courses will depend on the marks and the relevant eligibility tests.
All citizens are welcome to write this test. There is no set age limit for conducting GRE general test.
Candidates who qualify in all other aspects can take this test without further restrictions.
Conclusion
With the struggle of preparing for the GRE, we hope this article has helped you in that aspect.
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