What to Expect When You Take the GRE
Part of the GRE For Dummies Cheat Sheet
The GRE is a computerized test taken at a local GRE testing center. Other test-takers may be working at the same time, but you’ll be in a booth, immersed in your own test. At up to four hours, the GRE is a marathon, challenging your stamina as well as your skills. The following table outlines the sections on the GRE, including the number of questions and time limits of each.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Analyze an Issue | 1 essay | 30 minutes |
| Analyze an Argument | 1 essay | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 questions | 30 minutes |
| Break | -- | 10 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 20 questions | 35 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 questions | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 20 questions | 35 minutes |
| Unscored Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning | 20 questions | 30 or 35 minutes |
| Possible Unscored Research Section | 20 questions | 30 or 35 minutes |
| Total testing time | Up to 4 hours |
The essays are always first, but the other sections can be in any order.
