Exam guide · Graduate admissions

The GRE® General Test is the broadest graduate-admissions exam, accepted across master's, doctoral, MBA, and some law programs. Since the 2023 shortening it runs under two hours. Here's the current format, how the section-adaptive scoring works, and how to prepare the vocabulary and quantitative fluency it rewards.

What the GRE measures

The General Test is deliberately broad because it feeds so many fields. Verbal Reasoning tests reading comprehension plus text completion and sentence equivalence — the latter two heavily vocabulary-dependent. Quantitative Reasoning covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis at roughly a strong high-school level, but with tricky, reasoning-heavy question framing. Analytical Writing is now a single "Analyze an Issue" essay assessing argument construction.

Format and the adaptive design

The GRE is section-adaptive: how you do on the first Verbal section determines the difficulty of the second, and likewise for Quant. That makes the first scored section of each type especially important. An on-screen calculator is provided for Quant, so the challenge there is setup and reasoning, not arithmetic.

Scoring

Verbal and Quant are each reported 130–170 in one-point steps (combined 260–340); Analytical Writing is a separate 0–6 in half-point steps. Programs weight the sections differently — quantitative fields care most about Quant, humanities about Verbal — so set your target against the norms of your specific field and programs, not a universal "good score." Scores are valid for five years.

Registration and retakes

Register through your ETS account; the General Test costs $220 in most of the world, with regional variation, and is offered year-round at centers and at home. You can retake once every 21 days and up to five times in a rolling 12-month period. Many programs consider your best scores and some accept the ScoreSelect option to send only your strongest test — verify current fees and each program's policy when you register.

How to prepare efficiently

GRE prep has a clear division of labor. The reasoning skills — reading comprehension, quantitative problem setup, essay structure — are built by working problems and reviewing your errors at a desk. The knowledge layer — the GRE's famously large vocabulary and the math facts and relationships you need on instant recall — is pure memorization, and that's where audio review multiplies your available study time.

Most GRE candidates are simultaneously finishing a degree or working, so desk hours are scarce. Push vocabulary and quant fundamentals into commute and downtime with the GRE Vocabulary audio review and the GRE audio crash course, and spend your protected desk time entirely on timed practice sections and written essays. The official-style GRE prep program adds structured coverage. See our guides on sustainable spaced repetition (built for vocabulary at this scale) and studying around a full-time job.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the GRE?

About 1 hour 58 minutes since the 2023 shortening — roughly half its former length, with no unscored research section.

What's a good GRE score?

Field-dependent. Compare against the median scores your target programs report for admitted students; quantitative programs weight Quant, verbal-heavy fields weight Verbal.

How is it adaptive?

Section-adaptive: your first Verbal section sets the difficulty of your second, and the same for Quant. Individual questions within a section are not adaptive.

How often can I retake it?

Once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12-month period. Scores are valid for five years.

Is there a calculator?

Yes, an on-screen calculator is provided for the Quantitative sections, so accuracy in setup and reasoning matters more than mental arithmetic.

Can audio really help with the Quant section?

For the fundamentals, yes — formulas, properties, and common relationships benefit from repeated exposure. The problem-solving itself still needs worked practice at a desk.