GRE Syllabus Overview
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test commonly required for admission to graduate and business schools.
There are two main types:
i. The GRE General Test, which assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills,
and
ii. The GRE Subject Tests, which evaluate knowledge in specific fields like Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
Most students take the General Test, while Subject Tests are only required for certain specialized programs.
👉 In this blog, I am going to discuss the GRE General Test only.
The GRE General Test includes:
- Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)
- Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)
- Analytical Writing (2 tasks)
- Unscored or Research section (varies)
1. Verbal Reasoning Section
The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates your ability to analyze and understand written material, discern relationships between words and concepts, and reason with verbal content.
Topics and Skills Tested with Examples:
i. Reading Comprehension: Understanding main ideas, supporting details, and drawing conclusions.
Example: “According to the passage, the primary reason the author supports renewable energy is…?”
ii. Text Completion: Fill-in-the-blank with contextually appropriate words.
Example: Although the movie was widely praised, critics were ______ by its predictable plot and formulaic dialogue.
A. enamored
B. unimpressed
C. captivated
D. intrigued
E. distracted
F. discouraged
iii. Sentence Equivalence: Choose two words that complete the sentence with similar meaning.
Example: The professor’s lectures were so ______ that many students found themselves struggling to stay awake.
A. captivating
B. tedious ✅
C. dynamic
D. monotonous ✅
E. inspiring
F. energetic
iv. Vocabulary: Knowing high-frequency GRE words and using context to infer meaning.
Example: “The scientist was known for her laconic responses during interviews.”
Laconic means:
A. long-winded
B. witty
C. brief ✅
D. arrogant
v. Critical Reasoning: Identifying assumptions and evaluating argument strength.
Example: If all students in a university take online classes, and some students fail, then all failures must result from online learning. Which of the following weakens this argument?
A. Some students would have failed regardless of learning mode. ✅
2. Quantitative Reasoning Section
This section measures mathematical skills, understanding of elementary concepts, and quantitative problem-solving abilities.
i. Arithmetic:
Example: What is the least common multiple of 12 and 18?
A. 36
B. 6
C. 72
D. 12
ii. Algebra:
Example: Solve for x: 2x — 5 = 9
x = 7
iii. Geometry:
Example: What is the area of a triangle with base = 10 and height = 6?
Area = ½ × base × height = 30
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iv. Coordinate Geometry:
Example: What is the slope of the line passing through (2, 3) and (4, 7)?
Slope = (7–3) / (4–2) = 2
v. Data Analysis
Example: In a dataset: 4, 5, 7, 7, 9, what is the mean and median?
Mean = 6.4, Median = 7
vi. Probability
Example: A die is rolled once. What is the probability of getting an even number? 3 favorable outcomes: 2, 4, 6 ⇒ Probability = 3/6 = 0.5
vii. Counting Methods/Permutation & Combination
Example: How many ways can 3 books be arranged on a shelf?
3! = 6
viii. Quantitative Comparison
Example: Column A: 2⁵
Column B: 4³
A. Quantity A is greater
B. Quantity B is greater ✅
C. The two are equal
D. Cannot determine
3. Analytical Writing Section
This section tests your ability to clearly articulate complex ideas, analyze arguments, and support claims with evidence.
Tasks with Examples:
Issue Task
Prompt Example: “Governments should place few restrictions on scientific research and development.”
Your Task: Present your viewpoint, provide reasoning and examples, and organize your essay with clarity.
Argument Task
Prompt Example: “The following appeared in a memo: ‘Since our new ‘Herbal Bliss’ tea has increased sales in the test market, we should roll it out nationwide to boost profits.’”
Your Task: Evaluate the reasoning. Point out logical flaws (e.g., test market ≠ whole market), suggest counterarguments, and explain what evidence is missing.
Test Format and Timing:
- Analytical Writing: 1 tasks × 30 min
- Verbal Reasoning: 2 sections × ~30 min (20 questions each)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 2 sections × ~35 min (20 questions each)
- Unscored/Research Section: Varies
Scoring:
- Verbal and Quant: 130–170
- AWA: 0–6 (half-point increments)
This exhaustive GRE syllabus provides a roadmap to all topics and skills tested on the exam. Mastery of these areas, coupled with consistent practice, will prepare you for success on test.
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