GRE
Offered by ETS
The GRE General Test is ETS's graduate-admissions exam, accepted by thousands of master's, MBA, and doctoral programs. The shorter GRE (introduced...
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GRE exam at a glance
Format
Analytical Writing (one Analyze an Issue task), Verbal Reasoning (27 questions across two sections), Quantitative Reasoning (27 questions across two sections)
Duration
1 hour 58 minutes
Delivery
Prometric test center or GRE at home (online proctored)
Passing score
No pass/fail cut score. Verbal and Quant each 130–170; Analytical Writing 0–6 in half-point increments.
Exam cost
$249 USD in most locations (fee increased August 1, 2026; confirm on ETS for your country)
Validity
Scores are reportable for 5 years
Prerequisites
None
About the GRE certification
The GRE General Test is ETS's graduate-admissions exam, accepted by thousands of master's, MBA, and doctoral programs. The shorter GRE (introduced September 2023) is under two hours and has three measures: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
Verbal and Quant are section-level adaptive: how you do on the first section of each measure sets the difficulty of the second.
Who it’s for: Applicants to graduate and professional programs that accept the GRE.
Official exam page· Details verified 2026-08
What the GRE exam covers
- Analytical Writing (Analyze an Issue)
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
How to study for the GRE
- 1Take an official ETS PowerPrep test to set a baseline.
- 2Build Verbal with vocabulary-in-context and dense reading; Quant with algebra, arithmetic, and data analysis.
- 3Practice the single Issue essay under a 30-minute clock.
- 4Learn the section-adaptive format so a tough second section doesn't rattle you.
- 5Send scores only after you have a sitting you're willing to report (ScoreSelect).
GRE — frequently asked questions
How long is the GRE now?
About 1 hour 58 minutes — roughly half the pre-2023 test — with one essay instead of two.
GRE or GMAT for business school?
Many MBA programs accept both. The GMAT Focus Edition is built for business-school skills (including Data Insights); the GRE is more widely accepted across graduate fields. Check each school's preference.