This article will examine the GRE general test with its different sections. Further, we will talk about how many questions you will find on the GRE in each section. In short, on the computer-based GRE, you will have 82 scored questions in total. You may find more than 82 questions on test day if you get an experimental or research section. Below, we will break down the points in detail by section.
Anyone who has studied for a standardized test will want to know how many questions they should anticipate being on the exam. Especially an exam that you pay for out of your pocket. Part of a good GRE test prep is doing your research for the test you will be taking. You will need to know what’s on the GRE to be fully prepared.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) website is your go-to place for signing up for the GRE test, finding GRE prep books, and finding out where the closest computer-based testing center is.
If you need more preparation for the GRE, you can find different GRE online prep courses such as Magoosh GRE or Kaplan. Reviewing and taking advantage of all that is on the ETS site will help you get a good GRE score.
What Are the Different GRE Subjects?
- Analytical Writing Section
- Verbal Reasoning Section
- Quantitative Reasoning Section
- Experimental Section/Research Section
Analytical Writing – 2 Questions
The analytical writing section on the GRE comprises two different parts that are separately timed, each being 30 minutes in length. The first section of this segment is to write an essay analyzing an issue, whereas the second section analyzes an argument based on the various points given.
Test takers must have sharp analytical thinking and reading comprehension skills to complete this portion of the GRE thoroughly. Further, ETS has a detailed rubric outline to ensure the best score.
Verbal Reasoning – 40 Questions
This verbal section of the GRE has two different parts. The test takers must complete two-section, each containing 20 questions. Each section is 30 minutes long. Within this section, each of the 20 questions will cover analyzing and drawing conclusions, summarizing text, and displaying an understanding of words and word relationships (to name a few).
This portion also includes sentence equivalence, which are questions that will involve you to fill in the blanks for sentences. Because this portion of the GRE verbal test requires solid reading comprehension, allow yourself the full 30 minutes to thoroughly answer all of these and get your desired score.
Quantitative Reasoning – 40 Questions
In this portion of the GRE general test, examinees will answer many mathematical questions. This portion of the test has two 35 minute sections with 20 questions each. Questions in this section include quantitative comparison and numeric entry. Examinees can expect data interpretation sets, which means you will have a series of questions based on one data set. Also, you will see various types of algebraic and geometry multiple-choice questions.
Research Section
It is important for those taking the GRE general test that the research section of this test does not count against the overall GRE. Questions in the research section of the exam will either be in Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning. Again, questions from this portion do not count against your score.
Right & Wrong: How Many Questions Do You Have to Get Right?
While ETS does not tell examinees how many questions they must get right or wrong to make a certain score on the exam, there is a method to the madness that will give you an idea of how you need to do. The GRE is scored on a scaled algorithm, and their home site does not disclose exactly what you should get wrong or not get wrong to pass.
According to the ETS scoring chart, the quantitative and the verbal scoring section takes your raw score percentage (amount correct right out of total amount) and translates that into a total score. Overall, on the quantitative portion, to receive a score between 165 & 170, you do not want to miss more than three questions in each section. In the verbal part, no more than 5 in each area.
