Exam overview ยท GRE
The GRE, explained for 2026
The GRE General Test is the default admissions test for graduate school and is now accepted by nearly all business and many law schools. Since September 2023 it runs just under two hours: one essay, two Verbal sections, and two Quant sections. Here is the format, the scoring, and how to register.
This page is the GRE half of the foundation at GMAT GRE Prep. Read it first, then move to the section guides and a study plan.
The sections, in order
| Section | Questions | Time | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 essay task | 30 min | Analyze an Issue: take a position and defend it with reasons and examples. |
| Verbal Reasoning 1 | 12 | 18 min | Text completion, sentence equivalence, reading comprehension. |
| Quantitative Reasoning 1 | 12 | 21 min | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis. On-screen calculator. |
| Verbal Reasoning 2 | 15 | 23 min | Harder or easier depending on your first Verbal section. |
| Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 15 | 26 min | Harder or easier depending on your first Quant section. |
The essay always comes first; the Verbal and Quant sections then alternate in either order. Adaptivity is at the section level: your performance on the first section of a type sets the difficulty of the second. Doing well on section one routes you to a harder section two, which is where the top scores live.
Section-level adaptivity changes pacing strategy. You can skip around within a section, so mark hard questions, bank the easy points first, and return with leftover time. Every question in a section counts equally.
Scoring: 130 to 170
Verbal and Quant each score from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. The essay scores separately from 0 to 6 in half-point steps. There is no combined total score; programs look at the section scores they care about. Engineering programs weigh Quant heavily, humanities programs weigh Verbal, and business schools tend to look at both.
- 160+ on both sections is competitive at selective programs.
- 150 Verbal / 153 Quant is roughly the median test-taker.
- 4.5 on the essay clears the bar at most programs; 5.0 and above is strong.
Who takes the GRE
Applicants to master's and PhD programs across every field, plus a growing share of MBA and law school applicants. If you are applying only to business school, theGMAT vs GRE decision guide helps you choose. If your list mixes MBA and non-MBA programs, the GRE is usually the single test that covers everything.
Registration and logistics
- Where: register at ets.org. Test center or GRE at Home with a remote proctor.
- Fee: approximately $220 in the US, and it varies by country, so confirm on ets.org.
- Score reports: four free reports sent on test day; ScoreSelect lets you choose which test dates to send later.
- Retakes: every 21 days, up to five times in 12 months.
- Validity: scores are valid for five years.
Your first two weeks
- Take one free ETS POWERPREP test cold for a baseline.
- Read the Verbal and Quant section guides and note your weaker side.
- Learn the essay format in the AWA guide; it is 30 minutes of easy points if you prepare a structure.
- Start the 8-week study plan, or the 4-week plan if your test date is close.
FAQ
How long is the GRE?
Just under two hours. One 30-minute essay, two Verbal sections totaling 41 minutes, and two Quant sections totaling 47 minutes, with no scheduled break.
What is a good GRE score in 2026?
Scores run 130 to 170 per section. For selective programs, 160 or above on both Verbal and Quant is a common benchmark, and 4.5 or above on the essay. Quant expectations are higher for STEM programs; Verbal matters more in the humanities.
Is there a calculator on the GRE?
Yes. The Quant sections include a basic on-screen calculator. It is deliberately clunky, so strong mental arithmetic is still faster for most questions.
How often can I retake the GRE?
Once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12-month period. ETS ScoreSelect lets you send only the test dates you choose to schools.