- The GRE General Test now runs about one hour 58 minutes and is computer-delivered only
- Analytical writing has a single Analyze an Issue task, while verbal and quantitative reasoning each have 27 questions
- Only three Subject Tests remain: Mathematics, Physics and Psychology
- The General Test fee is US$220 and scores are valid for five years.
The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is one of the most widely accepted admission tests for graduate and business programmes abroad. Since September 2023 ETS has run a shorter version, so understanding the current syllabus and pattern is essential before you start preparing. This guide covers every section, the Subject Tests, fees and a preparation plan for 2026.
What Is the GRE and Who Should Take It?
The GRE General Test is a standardised exam by ETS accepted for graduate and business school admission worldwide. Since September 2023 it runs about one hour 58 minutes and measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. Anyone with an undergraduate degree, or nearing completion, can take it.
The GRE is owned and administered by ETS and is used mainly for admission to master's, MBA, MS and doctoral programmes. It comes in two forms: the GRE General Test, taken by most applicants, and the GRE Subject Tests for specific disciplines. It is delivered on computer, either at a test centre or at home, and can be taken once every 21 days, up to five times a year.
GRE vs GMAT - Which Test Should You Take?Read →What Is the GRE General Test Syllabus and Pattern in 2026?
The 2026 GRE General Test has three measures across five sections. Analytical writing is one 30-minute Analyze an Issue task. Verbal reasoning has two sections totalling 27 questions in 41 minutes. Quantitative reasoning has two sections totalling 27 questions in 47 minutes. The whole computer-delivered test lasts about one hour 58 minutes.
The current GRE General Test is shorter than the pre-2023 version, which lasted almost four hours. There is no unscored research section, and the analytical writing measure now has a single task. The table below summarises the 2026 structure.
| GRE Section 2026 | No. of Sections | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 | 1 Analyze an Issue task | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 | 27 questions | 41 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | 27 questions | 47 minutes |
How Is the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section Structured?
GRE verbal reasoning measures your ability to analyse written material, evaluate arguments and understand word meanings in context. It has two sections with 27 questions total, completed in 41 minutes. Question types include reading comprehension, text completion and sentence equivalence. Scores range from 130 to 170 in one-point increments.
Verbal reasoning questions come in three formats. Reading comprehension tests how well you understand and analyse passages. Text completion asks you to fill blanks with the best-fitting words, and sentence equivalence asks you to choose two words that give a sentence the same meaning. Strong vocabulary and careful reading are key.
- Reading comprehension
- Text completion
- Sentence equivalence
- Analysing arguments and drawing conclusions
- Understanding word meanings in context
What Does the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section Cover?
GRE quantitative reasoning tests problem-solving using basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. It has two sections with 27 questions total, completed in 47 minutes, and an on-screen calculator is provided. Questions include quantitative comparison, multiple-choice and numeric entry. Scores range from 130 to 170 in one-point increments.
Quantitative reasoning covers only content up to about high-school level, but the questions test reasoning rather than advanced maths. An on-screen calculator is available. The four content areas and their common topics are shown below.
| Content Area 2026 | Common Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Integers, divisibility, factoring, percentages, ratios, powers and roots |
| Algebra | Linear and quadratic equations, functions, inequalities, coordinate geometry |
| Geometry | Lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, area and volume |
| Data Analysis | Statistics, probability, distributions and interpreting graphs |
What Is Tested in the GRE Analytical Writing Section?
Since September 2023 the GRE analytical writing section contains a single 30-minute Analyze an Issue task. You must construct a reasoned argument on a general topic, supporting your position with relevant examples. The earlier Analyze an Argument task was removed. Essays are scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
For the Analyze an Issue task you are given a short statement on a topic of general interest and asked to respond with your own position. Graders look at how clearly you develop ideas, support them with reasons and examples, and control standard written English. The task lasts 30 minutes and is scored separately from verbal and quantitative reasoning.
Which GRE Subject Tests Are Offered in 2026?
In 2026 ETS offers only three GRE Subject Tests: Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. The Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry and Literature in English tests have all been discontinued. Each remaining test is computer-delivered, focuses on one undergraduate discipline, and is scored on a 130 to 170 scale. Some specialised programmes still require them.
Subject Tests are separate from the General Test and are required by only a few specialised or research-focused programmes. Each test is scored on a 130 to 170 scale in one-point increments. The Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry and Literature in English tests have been retired, so check whether your target programme still needs one before registering.
| GRE Subject Test 2026 | Approx. Questions | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 66 questions | 2 hours 50 minutes | US$175 |
| Physics | 70 questions | 2 hours | US$175 |
| Psychology | 144 questions | 2 hours | US$175 |
How Much Does the GRE Cost and How Long Are Scores Valid?
The GRE General Test fee is US$220 in India and most of the world, effective from 2024. Each GRE Subject Test costs US$175. Extra services like additional score reports or rescheduling carry separate charges. GRE scores stay valid for five years from your test date, giving you flexibility to apply later.
You register for the GRE through your ETS account. The General Test fee of US$220 applies in India and most countries, with higher fees in a few regions. Rescheduling, changing your test centre, or sending scores to more than the four free institutions incur extra charges. Because scores are valid for five years, you can take the test early and reuse the result across multiple application cycles.
How Should You Prepare for the GRE?
Start GRE preparation about three to six months before your test date. Diagnose your baseline with an official practice test, then build vocabulary, revise quantitative concepts and practise timed sections. Use the free ETS POWERPREP tests to simulate real conditions. Review mistakes regularly and take at least two full-length mocks before test day.
A realistic timetable helps you cover the whole syllabus without last-minute stress. Focus your revision on your weaker measure, but keep both verbal and quantitative practice going throughout. Official ETS material mirrors the real test most closely, so prioritise it over unofficial question banks.
- Take a diagnostic test to find your baseline score
- Build a study plan of three to six months
- Learn high-frequency GRE vocabulary in context
- Revise arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
- Practise the single Analyze an Issue essay under timed conditions
- Use the free ETS POWERPREP practice tests
- Sit at least two full-length mock tests before test day