The GRE full form is Graduate Record Examination is a 1 hour 58 minutes exam and has a maximum score of 340. The GRE exam syllabus is one of the most important aspects to know if you are preparing for this competitive exam. GRE exam syllabus 2025 comprises three sections: GRE Quantitative Reasoning, GRE Verbal Reasoning, and GRE Analytical Writing. The content of the examination is intended to test a student’s logical understanding of the three sections within a given time frame.
GRE General Test & GRE Exam Pattern
The three sections of the GRE exam syllabus are mentioned in the table below along with the time and score range of each section.
GRE Section
Total Questions
GRE Question Types
Duration
GRE Score Range
GRE Analytical Writing (AWA)
1
“Analyze an Issue” Task
30 min
0-6
GRE Verbal Reasoning
Section 1: 12 Questions
Section 2: 15 Questions
Reading Comprehension
Text Completion
Sentence Equivalence
Section 1: 18 min
Section 2: 23 min
130-170
GRE Quantitative Reasoning
Section 1: 12 Questions
Section 2: 15 Questions
Algebra
Geometry
Arithmetic
Data Analysis
Section 1: 21 min
Section 2: 26 min
130-170
Total
54 Questions + 1 AWA Task
-
1 hour 58 min
260-340
Aiming for a 320+ in GRE?
GRE Exam Syllabus
The GRE syllabus is divided into three sections:
Analytical Writing
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Each of these GRE sections are to be given equal importance and are to be prepared individually. Knowing the syllabus is one part of the entire GRE prep process. For an effective GRE exam preparation, each section is to be studied in detail.
GRE Exam Syllabus : Verbal Reasoning
The GRE tests the test taker’s cognitive ability for speed, precision and accuracy as well as strengths in holistic comprehension and language skills. For the Verbal Section, test takers need to:
Understand the dynamics between parts of a sentence, and analyze sentences, paragraphs and ultimately, passages.
Evaluate the relationships between words, and mentally summarize information before arriving at a particular answer choice.
Types of GRE Questions
Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion: These sections require a rapid comprehension of the given text and a thorough grasp of the vocabulary and grammar.
Reading Comprehension: The questions require students to tackle relatively difficult passages. The scale of difficulty varies depending on the sectional adaptivity. Here is an understanding of how GRE test questions are created.
Expertise Required for GRE Preparation
Vocabulary: The GRE requires students to have a repository of words embedded in their memory. For this, students must sequentially and systematically improve their command over ‘GRE jargon’. Jamboree’s Vocabulary lists are extensively planned and formulated in a manner that helps everyone understand how words can be logically organized and, therefore, how they can be learnt much faster.
Comprehension Speed: A key skill that contributes to an improved GRE score is the speed of comprehension. Consistent effort to increase comprehension speed, combined with the ability to comprehend passages from different fields such as science, art, history, is extremely critical.
Argument Analysis: The GRE also tests a student’s understanding of the structure and flow of passages and its main argument.
GRE Exam Syllabus : Quantitative Reasoning
The quant section of the GRE requires a methodical approach, but does not include advanced-level mathematical concepts such as integration, differentiation, or the Chi-Square Test. The GRE simply wants to test your quantitative reasoning through the application of basic math concepts. ETS GRE also allows students to use an on-screen calculator.
The following are concepts that are tested in the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE:
Algebra questions include operations with exponents; factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions; relations, functions, equations and inequalities; solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; solving simultaneous equations and inequalities; setting up equations to solve word problems; and coordinate geometry.
Arithmetic questions includes properties and types of integers, such as divisibility, factorization, prime numbers, reminders and odd and even integers; arithmetic operations, exponents and roots; and concepts such as estimation, percent, ratio, rate, absolute value, the number line, decimal representation and sequences of numbers.
Data Analysis questions include basic descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles and percentiles; interpretation of data in tables and graphs; elementary probability; conditional probability; random variables and probability distributions, in; and counting methods, such as combinations, permutations and Venn diagrams.
Geometry questions include parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, polygons, congruent and similar figures, three-dimensional figures, area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean theorem and angle measurement in degrees. The ability to construct proofs is not tested.
GRE Exam Syllabus : Analytical Writing (AWA)
The AWA issue task evaluates your ability to think critically about an issue of general interest and convincingly express your thoughts.
So, on a typical AWA Issue task, you are given a debatable claim, which is followed by a set of specific instructions. You are required to evaluate the claim, take a stand on the given claim, give persuasive reasons and examples for your stance, and write an essay that presents a compelling case for the position that you take.
You are allotted a total of 30 minutes to complete this task, and you must use this time prudently and productively.
Begin your GRE Prep with Jamboree!
Preparing for the GRE can be a daunting task, but more often than not students misconstrue the examination’s true difficulty level because they’ve faced a mental block. A stepwise GRE prep approach is critical in transforming how a student thinks about the exam.
The GRE exam is not difficult, however it can be slightly challenging. In order to make it to the best MS colleges in the US or in other countries one must prepare well and score good in GRE.
The GRE exam syllabus 2025 comprises three subjects including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.
Here we have a FREE GRE Sample Test that has been specifically designed for students who want to gauge their test preparedness for questions that regularly appear in the GRE. This GRE sample paper will give you an idea about what kinds of questions you will likely face in the actual exam.
There is no specific time or number of hours for GRE exam preparation. It completely depends upon your understanding of the exam pattern and preparation of the syllabus. However, those preparing for the GRE from scratch must prepare a study plan for at least 5 months.
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