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GRE is changing to accommodate the attention span of today’s test takers and so are other standardised tests such as GMAT, TOEFL and SAT. The testing time for the new GRE General Test will be reduced by half! That’s right, from nearly 4 hours to just under 2 hours starting September 22, this year. We bet you have a lot of questions and in this blog, we plan to tackle just that! Let’s go.

In this blog:

  1. What are the changes in the new GRE exam?
  2. How long will the current GRE be available?
  3. What is changing in the Analytical Writing section?
  4. Will the new GRE test include a 10-minute break?
  5. Is the new GRE exam also section-level adaptive?
  6. How many questions will be in each section?

What are the changes in the new GRE exam?

The GRE General Test is undergoing several changes. The testing time will be reduced by half, from almost 4 hours to just under 2 hours. While the test will still evaluate verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing abilities, each section will be shorter. The unscored section and scheduled break will be removed. Additionally, the delivery of official GRE scores will be expedited, with results expected within 8-10 calendar days instead of the current 10-15 calendar days.

Sections & Breaks Current GRE General Test

# tasks/questions

Current GRE General Test

total time

Shorter GRE General Test

# tasks/questions

Shorter GRE General Test

             total time

Analytical Writing 2 essay tasks 60 minutes 1 essay task 30 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning 40 questions 60 minutes 27 questions 47 minutes
Verbal Reasoning 40 questions 70 minutes 27 questions 41 minutes
Unscored section Varies Varies None None
Scheduled break* 10 minutes None
Total 3 hours, 45 mins 1 hour, 58 mins

Please Note: The current version of the GRE includes a scheduled break after the second hour, during which the test clock stops. However, the new shorter version of the test, which takes less than 2 hours, will not have a scheduled break. Test takers at a test centre, whether they are taking the current or shorter GRE, can choose to take unscheduled breaks, but the test clock will continue to run unless they have received approval for a test accommodation due to a disability or health-related requirement. It’s important to note that unscheduled breaks are not permitted for those taking the test at home.

Find out how GRE-ready are you!

How long will the current GRE be available?

Until September 20, 2023. Students who schedule a test appointment on or after September 22, 2023, will take the shorter GRE test.

What is changing in the Analytical Writing section of the new GRE exam?

The Analytical Writing section will continue to include the “Analyze an Issue” task, while the “Analyze an Argument” task will be removed.

Will the new GRE test include a 10-minute break?

No, the shorter test, which is under two hours, will not have a 10-minute scheduled break. However, if you are taking the test at a test centre, you can still choose to take a break. It’s important to note that the test clock will not stop unless you have received approval for a test accommodation due to a disability or health-related need. Please be aware that optional breaks are not allowed during the at-home test.

Is the new GRE exam also section-level adaptive?

Yes, the shorter test will still utilize section-level adaptation for the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. This feature allows you to navigate back and forth within each section, mark questions for later review, and change your answers as many times as you wish. You can learn more about section-level adaptation.

How many questions will be in each section of the new GRE exam?

The test will include two Quantitative Reasoning sections with a total of 27 questions, as well as two Verbal Reasoning sections with a total of 27 questions. The exact breakdown of questions in each section will be provided by the end of June.

We understand that change can be overwhelming to deal with, especially if you’ve already started preparing for the GRE. Regardless of where you are in your preparation journey, Jamboree can help!  Schedule a free call with our experts for personalised guidance, free resources or a demo class today!

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