Paper-based GRE® revised General Test Content and Structure

The overall testing time for the paper-based GRE® revised General Test is about three hours and 30 minutes. There are six sections with a 10-minute break following the second section.

Structure of the Paper-based Test

Measure Number of Questions Allotted Time
Analytical Writing
(Two sections)		 One "Analyze an Issue" task and
one "Analyze an Argument" task		 30 minutes
30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning
(Two sections)		 Approximately 25 questions per section 35 minutes per section
Quantitative Reasoning
(Two sections)		 Approximately 25 questions per section 40 minutes per section

The Analytical Writing sections will always be first, while the other four sections may appear in any order.

Test Design Features

  • When taking a Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section, you are free, within that section, to skip questions and come back to them later or change the answer to a question.
  • There are paper-based equivalents for most of the new question types, including text completions and numeric entry.
  • Answers are entered into the test book, rather than a separate answer sheet.
  • You will be provided an ETS calculator to use during the Quantitative Reasoning section; you may not use your own calculator.

To familiarize yourself with the paper-based test, try the full-length practice test in the Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE® revised General Test.

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