What is the Length of the GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is taken by individuals who are planning to pursue higher education. Whether you’re looking to enter a graduate program or apply for business school, the GRE is commonly required as part of the admissions process. One of the questions that often arises among test takers is: What is the length of the GRE?

The GRE is a computer-based exam, and its duration depends on the specific sections you are taking. The exam consists of three main sections: the Verbal Reasoning section, the Quantitative Reasoning section, and the Analytical Writing section.

The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates your ability to analyze and understand written material. It consists of two sections, with each section containing 20 questions. You will have 30 minutes to complete each section. So, in total, the Verbal Reasoning section will take you approximately one hour.

Next is the Quantitative Reasoning section, which assesses your mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities. Like the Verbal Reasoning section, the Quantitative Reasoning section also consists of two sections. Each section has 20 questions, and you will have 35 minutes to complete each section. Hence, the total time for the Quantitative Reasoning section is approximately 70 minutes.

The final section of the GRE is the Analytical Writing section. It measures your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. This section consists of two tasks: an Issue task and an Argument task. You will have 30 minutes to complete each task. Therefore, the Analytical Writing section will consume approximately one hour of your testing time.

Apart from the three main sections, there might be an additional unscored/research section known as the Experimental section. This section is not revealed during the exam, and its purpose is to test new questions for future administrations of the GRE. Typically, it is randomly placed either at the beginning or the end of the test. The Experimental section does not contribute to your overall score, and its duration can vary.

To summarize, the length of the GRE varies depending on the specific sections you are taking and whether there is an additional Experimental section. In total, if you have both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, along with the Analytical Writing section, the exam will typically last around 3 hours and 45 minutes. However, it is essential to keep in mind that there might be slight variations depending on the number and length of experimental sections included in your particular test.

It is crucial to note that the duration mentioned here does not include any breaks that you might be entitled to during the exam. Depending on the testing center and local regulations, you may be given one or two optional breaks during the test. These breaks can vary in length, usually lasting a few minutes each.

In conclusion, the length of the GRE is determined by the sections you are required to take, with each section having its allotted time. It is vital to be aware of the duration to manage your time effectively during the exam and to be mentally prepared for the length of the test.