GRE Exam Pattern 2025: Section-Wise Format & Sample Questions

Do you know India is among the top GRE test takers, with over 70,000 Indian citizens taking the test every year, making India the second-highest test-taking country in the world?

(P.S.: The above statistic should not startle you, but they do speak volumes about the rising competition for the limited number of seats at top global universities.)

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is conducted every year by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The exam is designed for students who plan to study in English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. If you are planning to join the “Indian GRE test takers club” this year or next, you should be familiar with the GRE paper pattern.

On a serious note, getting to know the GRE pattern is the most important step in beginning your GRE preparations. So, let’s cut to the chase and break down the GRE exam pattern as you keep on reading!

Key Highlights:

• The GRE exam pattern consists of 54 questions across three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
• The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections contain 27 questions each, while the Analytical Writing section consists of one task.
• The revised GRE format simplifies the test by reducing its overall duration to 1 hour and 58 minutes, with a total score range of 260 to 340.
• Select from the adaptive computer-based test, the standard paper-based test, or the flexible GRE at Home option, all of which are crafted to rigorously test your abilities under secure conditions.

GRE Exam Pattern 2025

According to the 2025 update by ETS, the GRE exam pattern consists of 3 sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.

The GRE General Test is primarily computer-based. You have a total of 55 questions (27 for verbal reasoning, 27 for quantitative reasoning, and 1 for analytical writing), and you get a total of 118 minutes to answer them.

There is no negative marking for GRE, so you don't need to worry about answering a question wrong.

The GRE 2025 is a section-adaptive test, which means that the difficulty of the section of verbal and quantitative reasoning depends on how you perform in the first section.

Here's a simplified version of the GRE exam structure for your reference:

Confused about the GRE exam pattern? Get expert guidance, prep tips, and a personalized strategy. Register for free today on Yocket Prep!

GRE Paper Pattern

The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, and you need to take it at an exam center. There are 2 kinds of GRE you can take - the subject test (2 hours 45 minutes for mathematics and 2 hours for physics and psychology tests) and the GRE general test, which spans 1 hour 58 minutes.

You will have to take the analytical writing exam first, and then the verbal and quant sections may appear in any order. Because it is section-adaptive, you can move forward and backward through the sections as you wish.

GRE Exam Pattern: Analytical Writing Section

The GRE analytical writing section measures your critical thinking and communication skills. In the new format, you are required to complete 1 essay, "Analyze an Issue," within 30 minutes. This task evaluates your ability to articulate a well-reasoned argument under time pressure.

GRE Sample Question for Analytical Writing: Analyze an Issue Task

The general welfare of a nation's people is a better indication of that nation's greatness than are the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

GRE Exam Pattern: Quantitative Reasoning Section

The GRE quantitative reasoning section assesses your mathematical problem-solving skills. Spread over two sections containing 27 questions, with a total time limit of 47 minutes.

Topics covered under GRE Quantitative Reasoning:

• Basic math skills
• Understanding of mathematical concepts
• Ability to solve problems using quantitative methods
• The GRE Quantitative Reasoning (or GRE Math) section covers the following subjects:
  1. Algebra
  2. Arithmetic
  3. Data Analysis
  4. Geometry

GRE Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions:

1. Which of the following numbers is farthest from the number 1 on the number line?
1. -10
2. -5
3. 0
4. 5
5. 10
2. A car got 33 miles per gallon using gasoline that cost USD 2.95 per gallon. What is the cost of gasoline for driving 350 miles?
1. USD 10
2. USD 20
3. USD 30
4. USD 40
5. USD 50

GRE Exam Pattern: Verbal Reasoning Section

Designed to test your reading comprehension and vocabulary skills, the GRE verbal reasoning section is divided into two sections. It consists of 27 questions in total, with 41 minutes allocated. This section challenges your ability to analyze and interpret written material. Text competition and sentence equivalence are the most common types of questions here.

For example, a sample question might ask you to identify the relationship between words in a context similar to “Hill is to mountains as stream is to ___,” where the answer would be “River.”

GRE Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions:

1. It is refreshing to read a book about our planet by an author who does not allow facts to be (i)__________ by politics: well aware of the political disputes about the effects of human activities on climate and biodiversity, this author does not permit them to (ii)__________ his comprehensive description of what we know about our biosphere. He emphasizes the enormous gaps in our knowledge, the sparseness of our observations, and the (iii)__________, calling attention to the many aspects of planetary evolution that must be better understood before we can accurately diagnose the condition of our planet.

2. Despite the ____ of the situation, the team persevered, ultimately achieving their goal.

   (A) Optimism

   (B) Adversity

   (C) Resilience

   (D) Difficulty

   (E) Challenge

Computer vs. Paper GRE Pattern

As per the new GRE structure, it is now exclusively a computer-based test, and the paper-based format is no longer available.

However, you can still check the differences between the GRE computer-based and paper-based tests below.

GRE Computer-Based Exam (Current Format)

GRE Paper-Based Exam (No Longer Available)

Suggested: How are GRE Scores Calculated?

GRE Subject Test Pattern for 2025

The GRE subject test enables you to demonstrate your advanced expertise in fields like Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Test duration is 2 hours and 50 minutes for the Mathematics Test and 2 hours for the Physics and Psychology Tests. Available only in paper form, they offer a concentrated test of your subject knowledge, allowing graduate programs to assess your depth of knowledge beyond overall aptitude.

Following is a brief summary of the format and major content areas for each GRE Subject Test, allowing you to tailor your study plan and prepare well for your area of interest:

These tests, lasting approximately 3 hours, allow you to demonstrate proficiency in your chosen subject area.

GRE Exam Pattern at Home

The GRE at home experience is identical to the computer-based test in all its aspects, giving you the convenience of sitting for a high-stakes test from a familiar place without sacrificing rigor or security.

The GRE at Home provides the same test-taking experience as the conventional computer-based GRE but with increased convenience. Some of the main advantages are:

• Consistent Structure & Content: Enjoy the same exam format, question types, and adaptive testing technology as the computer-based version.
• Strict Remote Proctoring: The exam is monitored under rigorous conditions, ensuring the same integrity and security as in an official test center.
• Flexible Scheduling & Environment: Choose a test time that fits your routine and take the exam from a controlled, comfortable environment that minimizes test-day stress.
• Seamless Integration: Maintain your study regimen and focus on performance without the need to adapt to different test venues.

GRE New Pattern vs. Old

ETS made some changes in the 2025 GRE format to minimize test fatigue and put more emphasis on the student's critical skills. These changes have shortened the overall test time and lowered the number of questions. This focused method guarantees that each minute you spend on the GRE matters, providing a more streamlined but equally challenging evaluation of your verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills.

Key differences between old and new GRE structures:

These updates ensure a more efficient and focused test-taking experience without compromising on the skills assessed.

How Much Has the GRE Format Changed?

With the duration of the test reduced from 3 hours 45 minutes to less than 2 hours and fewer questions making each response carry greater weight, the exam provides a more intense and effective assessment.

The condensed writing portion, with just one analytical exercise, and the removal of experimental sections make the test process less complicated, allowing you to focus solely on showcasing your skills.

While the core skills assessed remain the same, the new GRE format represents a significant shift:

• Shorter Test Duration: From 3 hours 45 minutes to just under 2 hours.
• Fewer Questions: A reduced number of questions increases the impact of each response.
• Simplified Writing Section: Only one analytical writing task is required.
• No Experimental Sections: Removing unscored components for a more straightforward testing experience.

These changes aim to streamline the test while ensuring it accurately measures the competencies required for graduate-level study.

Sample GRE Pattern

Now that a great deal of information has already been provided on the GRE Exam Pattern 2025, let us also give you a glimpse of some sample questions to demonstrate the GRE paper pattern more thoroughly.

Starting with Reading Comprehension:

Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following passage.

Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical compositions, an approach that had been in hibernation in the United States during the 1960s, composer Phillip Glass (born 1937) embraced the ethos of popular music in his compositions. Glassed based two symphonies on the music of rock musicians David Bowie and Brian Eno, but the symphonies’ sound is distinctively his. Popular elements do not appear out of place in Glass’s classical music, which from its early days has shared certain harmonies and rhythms with rock music. Yet this use of popular elements has not made Glass a composer of popular music. His music is not a version of popular music packaged to attract classical listeners; it is high art for listeners steeped in rock rather than the classics.

Select only one answer choice.

The passage addresses which of the following issues related to Glass’s use of popular elements in his classical compositions?

1. How it is regarded by listeners who prefer rock to the classic
2. How it has affected the commercial success of Glass’s music
3. Whether it has contributed to the revival of interest among other composers in using popular elements in their compositions
4. Whether it has had a detrimental effect on Glass’s representation as a composer of classical music
5. Whether it has caused certain of Glass’s works to be derivative in quality

Answer: (5) Whether it has caused certain of Glass’s works to be derivative in quality.

Select the sentence that distinguishes between two ways of integrating rock and classical music.

Answer: The last sentence of the passage.

Next, Text Completion

It was her view that the country’s problems had been __________ by foreign technocrats, so asking for such assistance again would be counterproductive.

1. Ameliorated 
2. Ascertained
3. Diagnosed
4. Exacerbated
5. Overlooked
6. Worsened

Answer: (4) Exacerbated or (6) Worsened

Sentence Equivalence:

The scientist was accused of __________ data to support her theory, raising concerns about the integrity of her research.

1. Fabricating
2. Distorting
3. Clarifying
4. Verifying
5. Compiling
6. Misrepresenting

Answer: (1) Fabricating and (6) Misrepresenting

Quantitative Reasoning MCQs might look something like this:

A car got 33 miles per gallon using gasoline that cost $2.95 per gallon. Approximately what was the cost, in dollars, of the gasoline used in driving the car 350 miles?

1. $10
2. $20
3. $30
4. $40
5. $50

Answer: (3) $30

Finally, here is a sample Analytical Writing question:

A nation should require all its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous, and explain how these examples shape your position.

Suggested: GRE Sample Papers

If you ever need guidance at any stage of your GRE preparation, our Yocket Prep Experts are here to help! And why keep the good things to yourself? Share this blog with your friends, classmates, or anyone planning to study abroad!

From the Desk of Yocket

At Yocket, we're convinced that GRE exam pattern mastery is your gateway to success. Whether it's the adaptive computer-based test or the conventional paper-based test, knowing each section allows you to tailor your study plan for optimal results.

With Yocket Prep, you have expert advice, adaptive materials, and realistic practice tests that replicate the real exam setting, so you're adequately equipped to ace the GRE and fulfill your aspirations.

Frequently Asked Questions about GRE Exam Pattern

Q1: What are the main sections of the GRE exam?

A1: The GRE exam comprises three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Q2: How does the computer-based GRE differ from the paper-based GRE?

A2: The computer-based GRE is section-adaptive and includes features like an on-screen calculator and the ability to skip and review questions, whereas the paper-based GRE is fixed and non-adaptive.

Q3: What changes are included in the new GRE format?

A3: The new format features a shorter test duration, fewer questions, a single writing task, no unscored sections, and faster score reporting.

Q4: Can I take the GRE at Home?

A4: Yes, the GRE at Home replicates the computer-based test format with the same structure, timing, and content, administered under remote proctoring.

Q5: How do the GRE Subject Tests differ from the GRE General Test?

A5: GRE Subject Tests focus on specific disciplines and are only offered in paper-based format, whereas the GRE General Test assesses overall aptitude across multiple skills.

Q6: Are there any optional sections in the GRE exam?

A6: The GRE may include an unscored section or a research section, but you will receive only one of these, not both.

Q7: Do test-takers get research questions along with the unscored Verbal or Quantitative section in the GRE?

A7: No, test-takers will either receive an unscored section (Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning) or a research section. The research section, if present, always appears at the end of the test and is optional.

Q8: Is the GRE available in a paper-based format?

A8: No, the GRE is now exclusively a computer-based test. The paper-based format is no longer offered.