In this post, we will look at what is the GRE and why this exam is so important. We will also learn a little bit about the exam pattern, what kind of questions you can expect on the GRE, and other important GRE exam details.

GRE Full Form

The full form of GRE is the “Graduate Record Examination”. The GRE exam is designed and administered by Educational Testing Services or ETS. The GRE tests you on three different skills – verbal reasoning skills, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.

The overall test comes to around 3 hours and 45 minutes so that’s roughly four hours.

How long should you prepare for the GRE before you sit for the test?!. This question is actually quite student-specific and depends on each student’s potential and will vary from person to person. But nevertheless, a general roadmap can be drawn on the amount of time that any student will need to put in for getting good scores. Here at Galvanize, we emphasize certain aspects that will ensure your preparation time is worth it!!

Current Score to Dream Score

First, we advise all students to take a practice test to see where they stand. This will not only give you a taste of the test but will also show you possible areas where you need to pay more attention. If you feel you are not up to taking the practice test on Day 1. You can choose to take it after giving yourself 1-2 weeks of prep time. Then you can compare that to the university-required scores/your target score and see how you can reach it. 

Scores that certain universities ask as of 2023 (Keep in mind average GRE score requirements can change yearly and vary as per courses/majors).

Depending on the master’s course you are targeting and the shortlist of universities, you can get a very clear idea of the kind of GRE score margin that you would need to get a successful admission to the particular program you aspire to attend.

Consistency is Key

When it comes to exam preparation, any kind of test for that matter, consistency is the key. At Galvanize through our curated GRE test prep packages we ensure students spend adequate time daily on specially designed study material and keep enhancing their knowledge of GRE topics. 

Essentially, a minimum of 2 hours every day is required to keep oneself on top of the exam prep. For some students, it might take 4 weeks/ 1 month to reach their GRE score goal, while for some it might take 8 to 12 weeks, i.e. 60 to 90 days of focused preparation allotting a minimum of 2 hours each day. If you have a lot of time on your hands then test-takers can very well allocate 4 -5 hours each day for the GRE. 

The amount of time you wish to allocate to GRE prep will depend a great deal on your proficiency in the different sections of the GRE along with the availability of your time. If you are a working professional/student still in college, you can spread out your GRE prep time to even 6 months if that suits you. But in all the scenarios make sure you keep up with the consistency and continuity of the prep.

Planning & Productive Study

Irrespective of whether you are a university student or a working professional, it would be best if you could create a timetable of sorts mapping your GRE prep over the weeks that lead up to your test. Make sure you create a realistic plan so that you can follow it. Also, test takers are definitely encouraged to allot time for contingencies or emergencies that might take time away from your prep, or at times you might need to even postpone the test date based on the unforeseen event.

At Galvanize we encourage students to study in a conducive environment. We emphasize students undertake active learning where they are fully engaged with the study material even if it is for an hour, rather than passive distracted learning which is not productive. More importantly, test takers must allow adequate time for sleep/rest too, this will enable students to balance their health and keep stress at bay while prepping for a challenging test such as the GRE. 

At the end of the day, test takers must remember that each individual’s schedules and needs are different and hence GRE prep duration can vary widely. Instead of comparing and worrying, at Galvanize we encourage our students to focus inwards and compete with themselves. So take enough practice tests, keep with your prep plan, and attain your desired scores!!

What is GRE exam pattern like in 2023?

The GRE comprises 3 major sections: 

• Quantitative Reasoning 

• Verbal Reasoning 

• Analytical Writing Assessment 

The concepts tested in the Quant Section of the GRE comprise: 

• Arithmetic 

• Geometry 

• Data Interpretation 

• Algebra 

In fact, the Quant section of most standardized tests comprises these topics. GRE Quant is considered to be more straightforward, in terms of the concepts tested and the nature of the questions asked. An Onscreen calculator is available for the Quant Section as well. 

GRE Quant is relatively simpler in terms of the nature of its questions. Question types are mostly MCQs, along with some numeric entry questions, questions with multiple correct answers, and questions related to quantitative comparisons. 

Total Number of Questions: 40 questions.

Duration: 35 minutes per subsection. 

Score Range: 130-170.

GRE Verbal Section :

GRE Verbal places heavy emphasis on vocabulary. It has 2 sections within Verbal, and the question types vary from multiple-answer choices, MCQs, and filling in-the-blanks. The Topics tested are: 

• Reading Comprehension

• Sentence Equivalence – unique to the GRE, this involves choosing two answers to fill a blank, both of which should produce logical and meaningful sentences that mean the same thing.

• Text Completion 

• Critical Reasoning 

The number of question types in GRE verbal section is usually split this way: 4 Sentence Equivalence, 6 Text completion, and 10 Reading Comprehension. You can crack this section easily with good GRE vocabulary skills.

Total Number of Questions: 40 questions (20 in each section)

Duration: 60 minutes in total. 

Score Range: 130-170.

GRE Analytical Writing Section 

AWA, where you will be required to write an essay based on your analysis of a given prompt, reasoning, or argument presented. 

GRE AW – 2 tasks, 30 minutes each – 60 minutes in total.

Unidentified section : 

Now this section does not actually contribute to your score. It’s like a dummy section that ETS uses to gather data on the responses to the questions found within this section.

Your performance in this section does not actually contribute to your final score but the problem is that you will not know which section is this special un-scored section. 

So as far as you are concerned it could be any one of the sections, so you must treat this section as a part of the Test. This section could come either under Quant or Verbal, and it isn’t possible to identify which is which.

GRE Exam Overview: