Chapter 1 of 4

🚀 Getting Started: Understanding the GRE

2 sections · read, flip the key terms, then check yourself.

1.1

GRE Exam Structure & Scoring

Understanding the GRE's structure and how it's scored is crucial for test day. Knowing what to expect helps you manage your time effectively and strategize your approach to each section. This knowledge directly impacts your study plan, ensuring you focus on areas that will yield the greatest score improvement.

Overview of the GRE General Test Sections

The GRE General Test is a computer-delivered exam designed to measure your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. It is not a test of subject-specific knowledge, but rather a measure of skills developed over time. The exam is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes long, including breaks. The test is divided into three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The Analytical Writing section always comes first. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections can appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section, and there will be an unscored experimental section and a research section, which can also appear in any order. These additional sections are not identified to you during the test. There is one 10-minute break after the third section and 1-minute breaks between the other sections. Pacing yourself and managing these breaks effectively is part of a strong test-day strategy.

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

The Analytical Writing section assesses your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, examine claims and accompanying evidence, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, and control the elements of standard written English. This section is always administered first. It consists of two timed tasks: 'Analyze an Issue' and 'Analyze an Argument.' For the 'Analyze an Issue' task, you will be presented with an issue and asked to discuss the complexities of that issue. For the 'Analyze an Argument' task, you will be presented with a short argument and asked to critique it. Each task is 30 minutes long, for a total of 60 minutes for the AWA section. Each essay is scored by at least two trained raters on a 0-6 scale, in half-point increments. One score is from a human rater and the other is from an automated essay-scoring system. If the two scores differ by more than one point, a third human rater is used. The final score is the average of the two (or three) scores. This score is reported separately from the Verbal and Quantitative scores.

Verbal Reasoning Section

The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences, and recognize relationships among words and concepts. This section is crucial for demonstrating your readiness for graduate-level coursework that involves extensive reading and critical analysis. This section consists of two 30-minute sections, each containing approximately 20 questions. The question types include Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension. Text Completion questions require you to fill in blanks in a passage. Sentence Equivalence questions ask you to choose two words that, when inserted into a sentence, produce two sentences that are similar in meaning. Reading Comprehension questions assess your ability to understand and interpret passages. The Verbal Reasoning score is reported on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. The GRE is a section-level adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of the second Verbal Reasoning section depends on your performance in the first Verbal Reasoning section. If you perform well in the first section, the second section will be more difficult, and vice versa. This adaptivity means that every question counts, but performing well early can lead to higher potential scores.

Quantitative Reasoning Section

The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information, solve problems using mathematical models, and apply basic mathematical skills and elementary mathematical concepts. This section covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, reflecting the mathematical skills typically acquired in high school. Similar to Verbal Reasoning, this section also consists of two 35-minute sections, each containing approximately 20 questions. Question types include Quantitative Comparison, Multiple-choice (select one answer), Multiple-choice (select one or more answers), and Numeric Entry. Quantitative Comparison questions ask you to compare two quantities. The other question types are more straightforward problem-solving. The Quantitative Reasoning score is also reported on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. Like Verbal Reasoning, this section is also section-level adaptive. Your performance on the first Quantitative Reasoning section determines the difficulty of the second Quantitative Reasoning section. This adaptivity means that consistent performance across both sections is key to achieving your target score.

Unscored and Research Sections

In addition to the scored sections, the GRE General Test includes an unscored section and a research section. The unscored section may be either a Verbal Reasoning or a Quantitative Reasoning section that does not count toward your score. It is included for ETS to test new questions for future exams. You will not know which section is unscored, so you must treat every section as if it counts. The research section is an identified section that may appear at the very end of the exam. It is also unscored and is used by ETS for research purposes. If you encounter a research section, it will be clearly labeled as such. The presence of these sections means the total number of Verbal and Quantitative sections you encounter will be higher than the two scored sections for each, but only two of each type will contribute to your score.

🖼️ GRE General Test Structure

1✍️ Analytical Writing2 essays, 30 mins each
2🗣️ Verbal Reasoning 120 questions, 30 mins
3🔢 Quantitative Reasoning 120 questions, 35 mins
4🧪 Verbal/Quant (Unscored)Experimental section
5🗣️ Verbal Reasoning 220 questions, 30 mins
6🔢 Quantitative Reasoning 220 questions, 35 mins
7🔬 Research SectionOptional, identified

📌 Worked example: Section-Level Adaptivity

During your GRE, you complete the first Verbal Reasoning section and feel confident about your performance. When you start the second Verbal Reasoning section, you notice the questions seem significantly harder than those in the first section.

What to do: This is a positive sign! The GRE is section-level adaptive, meaning if you perform well on the first section of a subject (Verbal or Quant), the second section of that subject will present more difficult questions. This indicates you are on track for a higher score within that section's range. Don't be discouraged by the increased difficulty; it means you're doing well.

Takeaway: Increased difficulty in the second section of Verbal or Quant means you performed well in the first.

📌 Worked example: Unscored Section Strategy

You are halfway through your GRE and encounter a Verbal Reasoning section. You complete it, and then immediately after, another Verbal Reasoning section appears. You're unsure which one counts towards your score.

What to do: Since the GRE does not identify the unscored experimental section, you must approach both Verbal Reasoning sections with the same level of effort and focus. Assume every section counts. If you slack off on a section thinking it might be unscored, you risk underperforming on a section that actually contributes to your final score.

Takeaway: Treat every Verbal and Quantitative section as if it's scored, as the experimental section is not identified.

Key terms — tap to check

Memory trick: Remember the GRE sections with 'A Very Quick Understanding' – AWA, Verbal, Quantitative, Unscored (and Research).

Common mistakes

Assuming the second section of Verbal or Quant will be easier if you found the first one hard; it will likely be of similar or slightly lower difficulty, but you still need to focus.
Spending too much time trying to identify the unscored section; all sections should be treated as if they count.
Not understanding the scoring scale, particularly that AWA is scored differently and separately from Verbal and Quant.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the scoring of the GRE Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)?

1.2

Strategic Study Planning & Resources

A well-structured study plan is your roadmap to success on the GRE. Without a clear strategy, you risk inefficient preparation and burnout, which can significantly impact your score. This lesson will equip you with the tools to build a personalized and effective study plan, ensuring you make the most of your time and resources.

Assessing Your Starting Point

Before you can plan your journey, you need to know where you're starting from. Begin by taking a full-length, timed practice test under realistic conditions. This diagnostic test will highlight your strengths and weaknesses across all sections of the GRE (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing). Analyze your results carefully. Pay attention not just to the number of correct answers, but also to the types of questions you struggled with, the time you spent on each, and any patterns in your errors. This initial assessment forms the foundation of your personalized study plan, allowing you to allocate your time and effort where it's most needed.

Crafting Your Study Schedule

Your study schedule should be realistic, consistent, and flexible. Determine how many hours per week you can realistically dedicate to GRE prep, considering your other commitments. Break down your overall study period into smaller, manageable blocks, focusing on specific topics or question types. Incorporate regular review sessions to reinforce learned material and prevent forgetting. Schedule practice tests at regular intervals throughout your preparation, not just at the beginning and end. Remember, consistency is more important than intensity; short, focused study sessions are often more effective than infrequent, marathon sessions.

Leveraging Official & Unofficial Resources

The best resources for GRE preparation are those published by ETS, the test maker. These include the Official Guide to the GRE General Test and the PowerPrep Online practice tests, which offer the most accurate representation of the actual exam experience. Prioritize these official materials as they provide authentic question types and difficulty levels. Supplement official resources with high-quality unofficial materials from reputable test prep companies. These can offer additional practice questions, different explanations, and alternative strategies. However, always cross-reference information with official sources and be wary of materials that deviate significantly from the GRE's format or content. Focus on resources that provide detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers.

Strategic Practice Test Integration

Practice tests are more than just a way to measure progress; they are critical learning tools. After each full-length practice test, dedicate significant time to reviewing every question, regardless of whether you answered it correctly. Understand why you got questions wrong and, equally important, why you got questions right. Analyze your pacing and time management. Did you rush through sections? Did you spend too much time on a single question? Use practice tests to simulate exam conditions, build stamina, and identify areas where your strategy needs adjustment. Don't just take tests; learn from them.

Avoiding Common Study Pitfalls

Many students fall into common traps that hinder their GRE preparation. One major pitfall is focusing solely on content review without sufficient practice. The GRE is as much about strategy and time management as it is about knowledge. Another mistake is neglecting the Analytical Writing section; while not scored like Verbal or Quant, a strong essay score can positively impact admissions. Avoid burnout by scheduling breaks and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Don't compare your progress to others; focus on your own improvement. Finally, don't save all your practice tests for the last week; spread them out to allow time for analysis and adjustment of your study plan.

🖼️ GRE Study Plan Cycle

1📊 Assess BaselineTake diagnostic practice test
2🗓️ Plan ScheduleSet goals, allocate time
3📚 Study ContentReview concepts, strategies
4✍️ Practice QuestionsApply knowledge, build skills
5⏱️ Take Practice TestSimulate exam conditions
6🔍 Analyze & ReviewIdentify errors, adjust plan
↻ …and the cycle repeats

📌 Worked example: Personalized Schedule

Sarah works full-time and can only dedicate 10 hours per week to GRE prep. She has 8 weeks until her exam and scored low on Quant in her diagnostic test.

What to do: Sarah should allocate 6-7 hours/week to Quant, focusing on specific weak areas identified in her diagnostic. The remaining 3-4 hours can be split between Verbal and AWA review. She should schedule a full practice test every two weeks to track progress and adjust her focus.

Takeaway: Prioritize weak areas and integrate regular practice tests into a realistic schedule.

📌 Worked example: Resource Selection

David is overwhelmed by the number of GRE prep books available and isn't sure which ones to use. He wants to ensure he's studying relevant material.

What to do: David should start with the official ETS materials, including the PowerPrep Online tests and the Official Guide. He can then supplement these with one highly-rated third-party book for additional practice and strategy, ensuring it aligns with the official test format and content.

Takeaway: Always prioritize official ETS resources, then selectively add high-quality unofficial materials.