GRE General Test: The Complete Guide 2026

It’s two in the morning, and you’re sitting in front of your laptop with twenty tabs open. One tab shows the MIT Department of Electrical Engineering – admission requirements. Another, the ranking of Ph.D. programs in Political Science at Yale. A third, a cost-of-living calculator for Boston. And on each of these pages, somewhere between “statement of purpose” and “letters of recommendation,” the same phrase appears: “GRE General Test scores required” or “GRE scores strongly recommended.” You type “GRE” into Google and are met with an avalanche of information: the old format lasting almost four hours, the new 2023 format, scoring scales, percentiles, sections, strategies. Half the articles are outdated, the other half written for an American reader who took the SAT in high school and is perfectly familiar with this testing ecosystem.

Let’s be specific. As of September 2023, a new, shorter GRE General Test format is in effect – the exam now lasts approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes instead of the previous 3 hours and 45 minutes. ETS (Educational Testing Service) removed the experimental section and one of the two essay tasks, retaining three key areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. If you’ve come across articles describing the GRE with an “unscored research section” and two essays, you can disregard them. This guide exclusively covers the current format.

In this article, I will guide you through everything you need to know about the GRE General Test: the structure of its three sections, the 130–170 scoring system, costs and registration, preparation strategies tailored for international students, a comparison with the GMAT exam, and most importantly – I will answer the question every student considering postgraduate studies abroad asks: is the GRE worth it, and how can you achieve your maximum score?

What is the GRE and who should take it?

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service), the same organization responsible for the TOEFL. The exam has existed since 1936 and has evolved over decades, but its purpose remains unchanged: to assess a candidate’s readiness for graduate studies by measuring critical thinking, analytical reasoning, English reading comprehension, and quantitative skills.

It’s crucial to understand that the GRE does not test specialized knowledge. You don’t need to know molecular biology, art history, or game theory. The GRE measures transferable skills – the ability to analyze arguments, solve logical problems, understand complex texts, and clearly articulate thoughts in writing. These are precisely the skills universities expect from applicants to Master’s and Ph.D. programs.

Who needs the GRE? Primarily individuals applying to:

• Master’s programs at universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and continental Europe
• Ph.D. programs, where the GRE is particularly often required, especially in STEM, social sciences, and humanities
• Certain MBA programs – an increasing number of business schools accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT, including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, and INSEAD
• Programs at European universities taught in English, e.g., in the UK, Netherlands, Scandinavia, or Germany
• Law programs (J.D.) in the USA – for several years, many law schools have accepted the GRE alongside the LSAT

It’s worth noting that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities introduced a “test-optional” policy, meaning the GRE is not mandatory. However, submitting a high score still significantly strengthens your application, especially for the most competitive programs, where admissions committees look for every way to distinguish strong candidates from even stronger ones.

The perspective is this: if you’re applying to a program that requires the GRE – you have no choice. If the program is “test-optional,” a high GRE score can be your secret weapon, especially if other application components (GPA, research experience) aren’t perfect. And if you’re applying to many different programs – the GRE offers you the greatest flexibility, as it’s accepted by a much wider range of disciplines than any other standardized test.

New GRE format since September 2023: What has changed?

In September 2023, ETS implemented the biggest GRE format overhaul in years. The exam duration was shortened from approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to about 1 hour and 58 minutes – a reduction of more than half. This change was a response to long-standing complaints from test-takers that the exam was exhausting, as well as competition from the GMAT Focus Edition, which also shortened its format.

What exactly has changed?

First, the experimental section (unscored research section) has been removed. In the old format, one of the Verbal or Quantitative sections was “experimental” – ETS used it to calibrate new questions, but test-takers didn’t know which section was unscored. This meant an additional 30-35 minutes of stress with no impact on the score. In the new format, every question counts.

Second, Analytical Writing has been reduced from two essays to one. The “Analyze an Argument” essay (analyzing someone else’s argument) is gone; only the “Analyze an Issue” essay (presenting your own stance on a given statement) remains. The writing time is still 30 minutes.

Third – the number of questions has been reduced. Verbal Reasoning now has 27 questions (instead of 40), and Quantitative Reasoning also has 27 questions (instead of 40). Fewer questions, less time, but the time-per-question ratio remains similar.

Fourth, faster scores. In the new format, official scores are available within 8-10 days from the exam date (previously 10-15 days). You see unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores immediately after completing the test – you can decide right away whether you want to send them to universities.

What has not changed? The scoring scales remain identical: 130-170 for Verbal and Quantitative, 0-6 for Analytical Writing. The question types are the same. The test is still section-level adaptive; the difficulty of the second Verbal (or Quantitative) section depends on how well you performed on the first section in the same category.

Verbal Reasoning Section – A Detailed Overview

The Verbal Reasoning section is an area that causes the most concern among non-native English speakers, and rightly so, as it demands language proficiency far beyond “everyday” English. GRE Verbal doesn’t test whether you can order coffee at Starbucks or write an email to a professor. It tests whether you can read an excerpt from an academic essay on epistemology, identify the author’s hidden assumption, and choose a word that precisely captures a nuanced meaning within the context of a sentence.

The section consists of 27 questions divided into two parts – each lasting approximately 20 minutes. The second part is adaptive: if you perform well on the first, you’ll receive more difficult questions (which offers a chance for a higher score).

Verbal Reasoning Question Types

Reading Comprehension, questions related to academic text passages from various fields: natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, philosophy. Passages vary in length – from a single paragraph to a full page. You must identify main ideas, recognize argument structure, identify implications, and draw conclusions. Some questions require selecting a specific sentence from the text that supports a given thesis.

Text Completion, filling in blanks in sentences or short text passages. Tasks may contain one to three blanks, and each blank has a separate set of options to choose from (typically 5 options for a single blank, 3 options for each of two or three blanks). To earn a point, you must correctly fill all blanks – there are no partial points. This question type most directly tests vocabulary.

Sentence Equivalence, choosing two words (from six options) that create sentences with similar meanings. The key is that both chosen words must be correct and result in sentences with similar semantics – it’s not enough to find a synonym; you must understand the context of the entire sentence.

GRE Vocabulary, the Key to the Verbal Section

There are no shortcuts: vocabulary is the foundation of success in Verbal Reasoning. The GRE tests advanced academic vocabulary – words like “obsequious,” “perfunctory,” “sanguine,” “recondite,” or “vituperate.” This is vocabulary that even many native speakers don’t use daily.

For students from non-English speaking backgrounds, this means systematically building your vocabulary. Experts recommend mastering 1000-1500 of the most frequently appearing GRE words; ready-made lists exist (e.g., “GRE Magoosh Vocabulary,” “Manhattan Prep 500 Essential Words,” “Gregmat Word Lists”). The most effective learning method is flashcards with a spaced repetition system – apps like Anki, Quizlet, or dedicated GRE Vocab apps allow you to learn 20-30 new words daily and review previously learned ones.

Equally important is regular reading of academic texts in English. Articles from The Economist, Scientific American, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Aeon use vocabulary similar to what appears on the GRE. Reading such texts not only builds vocabulary but also develops the ability to understand complex sentence structures and arguments.

Quantitative Reasoning Section – A Detailed Overview

The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses mathematical and logical skills. It includes 27 questions in two parts, for which you have a total of approximately 47 minutes. An on-screen calculator is available – this is a significant difference compared to the GMAT Focus Edition, where the calculator is only available in the Data Insights section.

Mathematical Content Scope

The mathematical content on the GRE roughly corresponds to a high school level, covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and basic statistics. There is no differential calculus, integral calculus, linear algebra, or advanced statistics. Specifically:

• Arithmetic – properties of integers, divisors, multiples, prime numbers, fractions, percentages, ratios, powers, roots
• Algebra – linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, systems of equations, functions, algebraic expressions, arithmetic and geometric sequences
• Geometry – plane figures (triangles, quadrilaterals, circles), solids, angles, areas, perimeters, volumes, Pythagorean theorem, coordinate geometry, slope of a line
• Data Analysis – descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, quartiles), probability, interpretation of graphs and tables, normal distributions

Quantitative Reasoning Question Types

Quantitative Comparison – you compare two quantities (Quantity A vs. Quantity B) and determine their relationship: A is greater, B is greater, they are equal, or the relationship cannot be determined from the information given. This question type is unique to the GRE and requires strategic thinking; often, you don’t need to calculate the exact value, just determine the relationship.

Multiple Choice (select one answer) – classic questions with five options and one correct answer.

Multiple Choice (select one or more answers) – questions where more than one answer may be correct. You must select all correct answers to earn a point.

Numeric Entry – you enter a numerical answer yourself (a fraction or a decimal). There are no options to choose from; you must calculate the exact value.

Good News for Students with Strong Quantitative Backgrounds

If you completed high school with an advanced mathematics curriculum – the material on GRE Quant should not surprise you. Many educational systems place a strong emphasis on mathematics, and many students achieve scores in the Quantitative section above 160, and even 165+. The main challenge is not the difficulty of the material, but solving problems formulated in English under time pressure. It’s worthwhile to learn English mathematical terminology; words such as “remainder,” “consecutive integers,” “median,” “standard deviation,” or “perpendicular” must be as familiar to you as their equivalents in your native language.

Analytical Writing Section – “Analyze an Issue” Essay

The Analytical Writing section is the only GRE component where you write, rather than select answers. In the new format, it consists of one task: the “Analyze an Issue” essay. You have 30 minutes to write a text in which you present your stance on a given statement and argue it logically and coherently.

An example prompt might be: “The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.” Your task is to: take a position (agree, disagree, or partially agree), formulate a thesis, support it with specific examples and counterexamples, consider counterarguments, and conclude.

How is the essay graded? Each essay is evaluated twice – by a human reader and by a computer program (e-rater). If their scores differ significantly, the text goes to a second human reviewer. The score is on a scale of 0-6 with increments of 0.5 points. Most test-takers achieve a score of 3.0-4.5.

What to pay attention to:

• A clear thesis in the first paragraph; the reviewer must immediately know your position.
• Logical structure – an introduction with a thesis, 2-3 paragraphs with arguments and examples, consideration of a counterargument, and a conclusion.
• Specific examples; abstract philosophizing is not enough; use examples from history, science, or everyday life.
• Correct grammar and academic style – you don’t need to write like Shakespeare, but grammatical errors will lower your score.
• Length; essays scoring 5.0-6.0 are usually 500-700 words; shorter texts (under 300 words) rarely receive more than 3.5.

The good news: the Analytical Writing section has the least weight in the admissions process. Most programs focus on Verbal and Quantitative scores, treating AW as an additional signal. Nevertheless, a score below 3.5 can raise concerns, especially for humanities programs.

Scoring System and Score Interpretation

How to read GRE scores?

Each Verbal and Quantitative section score has an associated percentile, which shows what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you. For example, a score of 160 in Verbal Reasoning is typically around the 85th percentile, meaning you performed better than 85% of test-takers worldwide.

It’s crucial to understand that percentiles are more significant than the raw score. A score of 160 in Verbal and 160 in Quantitative are not the same in terms of percentile – because the test-taker populations are different. In Verbal, the global average is around 151-152, while in Quantitative, it’s around 155-156 (higher, as many test-takers are STEM candidates with strong mathematical backgrounds). Therefore, 160 in Verbal represents a higher percentile than 160 in Quant.

What are “good” scores?

This depends on the program, discipline, and university. There is no universal “good score” – 155 in Quant might be excellent for a comparative literature program, but insufficient for computer science at MIT. Indicative score ranges expected for competitive programs:

• Top 10 STEM programs (MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Berkeley): Verbal 155-165+, Quant 165-170
• Top 10 Humanities programs (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia): Verbal 163-170, Quant 155-165
• Top Social Sciences programs (Chicago, Stanford, Harvard): Verbal 160-168, Quant 158-167
• Top MBA programs accepting GRE (HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton): Verbal 158-167, Quant 158-167
• Solid Master’s programs (top 30-60): Verbal 153-162, Quant 155-165

Important caveat: The above ranges are indicative intervals of admitted candidates’ scores, not official minimums. Many universities do not publish score thresholds. A GRE score is just one element of the application – GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and research experience also matter.

Registration, Costs, and Logistics

Registration for the GRE General Test takes place online on the official ETS website. The process is straightforward: create an ETS account, choose your exam date and format, pay, and you’re set. The exam is available year-round, but popular dates (September-November, the application season) can fill up quickly.

Exam Formats

You have two options:

At a Test Center – the exam is taken at an authorized Prometric center. In Poland, centers are located in Warsaw and Krakow, among other cities. Advantages: dedicated, quiet environment, no risk of technical issues, professional support. Disadvantages: you must travel to the location, less flexibility in scheduling.

At Home (GRE at Home) – you take the exam on your own computer, under the supervision of a remote proctor (via camera and microphone). Requirements: stable internet connection, camera, microphone, a quiet room with no other people, a clear desk. Advantages: convenience, more available dates. Disadvantages: technical stress (what if the internet fails?), the need to meet strict conditions – the proctor may interrupt the exam if irregularities are detected.

My recommendation: If you have the option to take the exam at a test center, choose that option. It eliminates technical variables and allows you to fully focus on the exam. GRE at Home is a good alternative if you don’t have easy access to a test center or prefer your own environment.

Identification Document

For international candidates, the best document is a passport. Ensure that the name on your passport exactly matches the information in the ETS registration system – even a minor discrepancy (e.g., diacritics or special characters vs. their absence) can cause problems on exam day.

Retake Limits

You can take the GRE up to 5 times within any 12-month period, with a minimum 21-day waiting period between attempts. ETS offers the ScoreSelect option, which allows you to choose which scores you want to send to universities; you can send scores from one specific attempt or from all attempts. This ensures that an unfavorable score from one attempt does not have to impact your application.

Financial tip: If costs are a barrier, ETS offers a Fee Reduction Program for candidates in financial need – the reduction is 50% and covers the exam fee and the cost of sending scores. You can find the conditions on the ETS website.

GRE vs. GMAT: Which exam to choose?

If you’re considering MBA or business programs, you might be wondering whether to take the GRE or the GMAT Focus Edition. This is one of the most frequently asked questions – and the answer is not straightforward.

When to choose GRE? When you’re applying to various types of programs, not just MBA, but also Master in Public Policy, Master in Economics, Ph.D. in Computer Science or Political Science. The GRE gives you the greatest flexibility because it’s accepted by a much wider range of programs than the GMAT. The GRE is also $55 cheaper and shorter. If your strength lies in English vocabulary and text analysis – GRE Verbal is statistically more challenging in terms of vocabulary, but if that’s your strong suit, you can achieve a high percentile.

When to choose GMAT? When you are certain that you want to pursue only an MBA and have strong analytical skills. The GMAT is perceived as the “native” exam for business schools; some admissions committees (though they won’t officially admit it) treat the GMAT as a stronger signal of commitment to a business path. The Data Insights section in the GMAT Focus Edition tests skills directly relevant to MBA programs.

For international candidates, my recommendation is this: if you’re not 100% certain that you want an MBA and nothing else – choose the GRE. It gives you more options, is cheaper, and shorter. You can use your GRE score to apply to MBA, Ph.D., Master in Finance programs, and much more. If, however, you are set on an MBA and have an excellent mathematical background, consider the GMAT.

GRE Preparation Strategies – A Plan for International Candidates

Preparing for the GRE is a marathon, not a sprint. Most experts recommend 2-4 months of intensive preparation, involving 10-20 hours of study per week, which translates to roughly 100-250 total study hours. But these hours must be spent wisely.

Step 1: Diagnostic Test

Before you plan anything, take an official practice test. ETS provides two full practice tests for free – PowerPrep Online. Your diagnostic score will show how far you are from your goal and in which sections you have the biggest gaps. This is the foundation of any preparation plan.

Step 2: Set a Target Score

Be realistic, but ambitious. Check the average scores of admitted candidates for the programs you’re interested in (many universities publish this data on their websites). Your target should be at or slightly above these averages, providing a safety margin.

Step 3: Materials and Resources

Step 4: Preparation Plan – Weekly Schedule

As an international candidate, you likely have a solid mathematical foundation. Leverage this, but don’t underestimate the Quantitative section (the specific question format requires getting used to). At the same time, dedicate more time to Verbal Reasoning, which is usually the biggest challenge.

Weeks 1-4: Foundation

• Diagnostic test (PowerPrep) in the first week
• Vocabulary building: learn 20-30 new words daily using flashcards (Anki, Quizlet, Gregmat word lists)
• Review mathematical concepts in English – familiarize yourself with the terminology
• Daily reading of one academic article (The Economist, Scientific American)
• Familiarize yourself with question types, solve 10-15 questions daily from each section

Weeks 5-8: Intensive Practice

• Practice individual question types under time pressure
• Verbal: focus on Reading Comprehension and Text Completion – solve a minimum of 20 questions daily
• Quant: work on more challenging topics (probability, combinatorics, properties of numbers)
• Regularly write essays under timed conditions (1-2 per week), using the official ETS pool of topics
• Take a practice test every 2 weeks – analyze errors after each test

Weeks 9-12: Polishing and Practice Tests

• Take full practice tests under exam-like conditions (1-2 per week)
• Detailed error analysis: maintain an “error log” and revisit it
• Address gaps: if you consistently make mistakes in Geometry or Sentence Equivalence, dedicate extra time to them
• Vocabulary review: repeat the most challenging words

Final Week: Rest

• Light review – go through notes and your error log
• Do not learn new material
• Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and relaxation
• Prepare your identification document and check logistics (test center address, equipment if taking GRE at Home)

If you are preparing for the GRE concurrently with a language certificate (IELTS or TOEFL, required by many programs), consider using prepclass.io for the language component – the platform offers full IELTS and TOEFL practice tests with AI feedback, saving time and allowing you to focus on specific GRE training.

GRE Scores and Prestigious Universities: An International Perspective

If you’re aiming for universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, or Princeton – the GRE is an important application component, but not the only one. Admissions committees for top programs employ a holistic approach, considering the entire candidate profile:

• GRE scores and their context (percentiles, patterns across sections)
• Grade Point Average (GPA) and the quality of the university attended
• Letters of recommendation from professors who know you well
• Statement of purpose / personal statement – your story, motivation, goals
• Research or professional experience, publications, projects, internships
• Extracurricular activities – volunteering, student organizations, leadership

As an international candidate, you possess unique strengths: a solid mathematical education from your high school system, a multicultural perspective, experience living in a country undergoing transformation, and, if you have research experience from your home country’s universities – valuable diversity in the applicant pool. Top universities in the USA actively seek international diversification, which works in your favor.

Also, remember that the cost of studying in the USA can be high, but numerous scholarship options exist. For Ph.D. programs, most universities offer full funding, covering tuition plus a living stipend. For Master’s programs, scholarships are rarer but still available, especially at top universities. A high GRE score is one factor that can help secure a scholarship. It’s also worth familiarizing yourself with our application timeline for studying abroad to plan the entire process effectively.

Practical Tips for Exam Day

Here are some practical tips that can save you valuable points:

The Day Before:

• Prepare your passport and confirm the test center address (or check your equipment if taking the exam at home).
• Go to bed at a reasonable hour – don’t study until two in the morning.
• Prepare comfortable, layered clothing (room temperatures can be unpredictable).

In the Morning:

• Eat a light breakfast with a low glycemic index (e.g., oatmeal with nuts, eggs on toast).
• Bring water and a snack for the break (only for test centers; there’s no food break for GRE at Home).
• Arrive at the center 30 minutes before the exam.

During the Exam:

• Manage your time – don’t spend more than 2 minutes on any single question. If you don’t know, mark the best option and move on.
• In the Verbal section, if you don’t know a word, use the context of the sentence. In Text Completion, read the entire sentence before looking at the options.
• In the Quantitative section – use the on-screen calculator for complex calculations, but perform simple operations mentally (it’s faster).
• For the essay, dedicate 2-3 minutes to planning (thesis + 3 arguments) before you start writing. It’s better to have a clear structure than to improvise.
• Break – if you’re taking the exam at a center, use the break between sections. Stand up, drink water, breathe deeply.

After the Exam:

• You’ll immediately see your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores; decide if you want to send them.
• If you’re satisfied with your scores, select up to 4 universities for free reports.
• If the score is below expectations – you can cancel your scores (you have 72 hours to decide) and try again.

College Council Support: How We Can Help

Preparing for the GRE is just one piece of the puzzle. Equally important are: choosing programs, writing a statement of purpose that makes you stand out, securing strong letters of recommendation, and planning the entire application process effectively.

At College Council, we help international students at every stage of this journey. Our mentors – graduates of top universities in the USA and Europe – offer:

• Assistance in planning your exam strategy: GRE, GMAT, or perhaps both? When to take it? What is a realistic score?
• Support in preparing applications for Master’s and Ph.D. programs – from university selection to the final editing of your statement of purpose.
• Preparation for language exams. IELTS and TOEFL on the prepclass.io platform with practice tests and AI feedback.
• Holistic advising – how to build a profile that distinguishes an international candidate amidst global competition.

If you are planning postgraduate studies abroad and would like to discuss your strategy, contact us. A first consultation will help you understand where you stand and what your next steps should be.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the GRE

Summary – Is the GRE for you?

The GRE General Test is an exam that opens doors to some of the best educational programs in the world – Master’s and Ph.D. programs that train future scientists, engineers, analysts, and leaders. The new, shorter format (since September 2023) is more user-friendly than ever before – under 2 hours instead of almost 4, faster scores, and no experimental section.

For an international candidate, the GRE is an exam where you can truly shine, especially in the Quantitative section, where your strong mathematical education gives you a real advantage. The Verbal section is a challenge, but with systematic vocabulary building over 2-3 months, you can achieve a score that will distinguish you among international competition.

Next steps:

1. Take a diagnostic test – the free PowerPrep Online on the ETS website. You’ll learn how far you are from your goal.
2. Set a target score – check the average scores for the programs you’re interested in.
3. Start preparing – ETS Official Guide + Gregmat or Magoosh. Plan for 2-4 months.
4. Concurrently prepare for a language certificate – IELTS or TOEFL is required by many programs. Practice on prepclass.io with practice tests and AI feedback.
5. Plan your entire application process – our application timeline for studying abroad will help you spread everything out over time.
6. If you’re considering an MBA, read our GMAT guide to make an informed choice between the GRE and GMAT.

Good luck with your exam – and with the studies that follow.

Read also

• GMAT Focus Edition Exam: The Complete Guide 2026
• SAT Exam – Everything You Need to Know About the SAT Test in 2026
• IELTS Exam: The Complete Guide
• Application Timeline for Studying Abroad