How Long Is the GRE? Test Length, Section Breakdown, and Timing Tips

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is a standardized exam accepted by thousands of graduate programs, including many business and law schools. Understanding how long the GRE takes, how the exam sections are structured, and how long GRE scores are valid can help you build an effective prep plan and choose the best test date.

The GRE is an important component of your graduate school applications. A strong start always begins with knowing what you’re walking into; this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

GRE Test Length Overview (New Format)

ETS shortened the GRE in September 2023 to improve the experience and reduce fatigue for test takers. The older version took nearly four hours. The new format cuts that in half while keeping the same scoring system and test integrity.

The newest version of the exam includes fewer questions per section, only one essay instead of two, and no unscored sections. However, shorter doesn’t mean easier. The fewer the number of questions, the bigger the impact of each one on your score. Furthermore, because each section is much shorter than before, you also have little time to adjust if you fall behind and jumping around between questions is relatively riskier than before. It is important to note, however, that the average time given per question is unchanged.

Here’s a breakdown:

All GRE General Tests are computer-delivered. The paper version is only available in very limited locations where computer testing is not available.

Breakdown of Each GRE Section

Analytical Writing Section

• Time: 30 minutes
• Task: One issue essay
• Purpose: Tests critical thinking, logical structure, and clarity in written communication.

You will be given a short, polarizing issue and then you will be asked to choose a side of the issue, either in defence or opposition to the position presented. Remember, this section of the exam is not necessarily testing your ability to recall many interesting facts about the topic, or even to change the mind of the reader, but its primary purpose is to measure your ability to write a high-quality essay in a timed environment.

My tips:

• Spend the first 5 minutes reading and outlining your main points.
• Use the next 20 minutes to write and support your claims with evidence from the passage.
• Save 5 minutes at the end to proofread for grammar and structure.
• You do not need prior subject knowledge; the focus is on how you organize, analyze, and write.

Verbal Reasoning Sections

• Time: 41 minutes (total for both sections)
• Questions: 27 total
• Topics Covered: Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence

The verbal section tests how well you can understand written material, evaluate arguments, recall vocabulary, and recognize relationships between words and concepts. Each section includes a mix of short reading comprehension passages and standalone sentence-based questions.

Skills tested:

• Interpreting and concluding written material
• Understanding vocabulary in context
• Evaluating arguments and identifying main ideas

Question types:

• Reading comprehension
• Text completion (fill in blanks with appropriate words)
• Sentence equivalence (choose two words that complete a sentence with the same meaning)

Quantitative Reasoning Sections

• Time: 47 minutes total
• Questions: 27 total
• Topics Covered: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis

The quantitative section assesses your ability to understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information. You’ll need to apply basic mathematical concepts and formulas.

Skills tested:

• Quantitative reasoning
• Arithmetic operations
• Algebraic equations
• Geometry concepts
• Data interpretation and graphs

Question types:

• Quantitative comparisons
• Data interpretation
• Multiple choice
• Data entry

Adaptive Scoring System Explained

The GRE uses a section-level adaptive scoring system, which means the difficulty of your test adjusts based on your performance. Specifically, this applies to the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. Everyone begins with an initial section of average difficulty. Based on how well you do, the second section will adapt, becoming either more difficult or easier.

For example, if you perform well on the first Quant section, the second Quant section will include more challenging questions. This is actually a good thing: harder questions are worth more, so doing well on a tougher second section gives you the opportunity to earn a higher overall score. Conversely, if you struggle in the first section, the second will be easier, but it will limit your scoring potential.

Read: GRE Score Percentiles

GRE Scoring: What It Measures and How It’s Used

Scoring Scale

• Verbal Reasoning: 130–170 (1-point increments)
• Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170 (1-point increments)
• Analytical Writing: 0–6 (half-point increments)

Your raw score, which will be given to you immediately after finishing the exam, is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. That raw score is then adjusted based on question difficulty through ETS’s adaptive algorithm. Though it can happen, none of my students have ever informed me that their raw scores were any different than their official scores they received later. Score adjustments are rare and I assume that when they are adjusted, they are likely just adjusted by 1 point.

Score Validity and Usage

• GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date.
• Used by thousands of graduate programs, including grad schools, business schools, and law schools.
• You can send scores to up to four select schools for free on test day.
• You can purchase additional score reports later.

Your scores are just one part of your application. Programs also consider GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, and experience.

What to Expect on GRE Test Day

Before the Test

• Arrive at the test center early
• Bring a valid, government-issued ID that matches your GRE registration
• Leave personal items in the provided lockers
• You'll check in, take a photo, and be assigned a testing computer

During the Test

• Each section is timed separately
• You can skip questions and come back to them within each section
• There are no extended breaks, so make sure not to skip forward if you finish a section early. Relax and take all the time that you are given.
• All answers must be submitted before moving to the next section

After the Test

• You’ll see unofficial test scores for Verbal and Quant immediately
• Official scores are sent to schools 8–10 days after your test
• You can decide whether to send scores based on performance

Timing and Test Prep Strategies

Practice in Real Conditions

Take full-length practice tests using official materials or adaptive practive tests. Match the test time and conditions you’ll face on the actual test day.

Set Benchmarks by Section

• Verbal Reasoning: ~1.5 minutes per question
• Quantitative Reasoning: ~1.75 minutes per question
• Argument Essay: 5 minutes to plan, 20 minutes to write, 5 minutes to edit

Use these benchmarks during test preparation to develop a natural rhythm.

Build Mental Stamina

• The GRE is mentally demanding. Take back-to-back sections during practice tests to simulate fatigue and speed.

Use Smart Guessing

• If you're unsure, make an educated guess. There’s no penalty for wrong answers. In fact, it serves you no benefit to leave questions blank.
• Flag questions you’re unsure about and return later if time allows. But still make sure to guess if you cannot make an honest attempt.
• Even if you cannot solve for the exact answer, try to guess solutions that make logical sense and eliminate answers that are clearly wrong.

Get Expert Support From a GRE Test Prep Coach

I know how overwhelming GRE prep can feel – especially if you’re juggling work, school, or applying on a tight timeline. Over the past few years, I’ve helped students at every level build smarter study plans, strengthen their weaknesses, and walk into test day with real confidence.

Whether you’re aiming to boost your quant score, sharpen your verbal reasoning, or just need structure and accountability, I’ll help you use your time effectively and focus on what matters most. We’ll work together to create a plan that fits your goals, learning style, and schedule.

Let’s take the stress out of GRE prep and replace it with strategy.

Related Resources

• How Late Can You Take the GMAT/GRE for MBA Applications?
• Top 50+ Free Resources for GMAT & GRE Practice test
• The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make Preparing for the GRE
• GMAT vs. GRE for Business School, Which Should You Take (and How to Ace Both)
• Two Proven Techniques to Supercharge Your GMAT & GRE Study Sessions
• The 10 Best GRE Tutors

How Long is the GRE? – FAQs

Is getting a 300 on the GRE hard?

• A score of 300 on the GRE is slightly above average. It requires solid performance on both the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections. For most test takers who prepare with full-length practice tests and review key concepts, it is an achievable score. However, how hard it feels depends on your starting point and how much GRE prep you do.

Is the GRE only 2 hours now?

• As of September 2023, the GRE General Test is just under 2 hours long. The total test time is 1 hour and 58 minutes. This shortened GRE version includes three scored sections and one unscored section, and is only available as a computer-delivered test.

What is a 90% GRE score?

• A 90th percentile score on the GRE typically means scoring around 162 to 165 in verbal reasoning and 166 to 169 in quantitative reasoning. These scores are considered strong and are competitive for top graduate programs, including business schools and some law schools.

Is the GRE a hard exam?

• The GRE can be challenging, especially if you haven’t practiced the test format or reviewed the tested content. Its difficulty, however, drops off steeply with targeted studying. It assesses critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills. The difficulty level is adaptive. Your performance on the first section affects the difficulty of the second. With targeted preparation and consistent practice tests, most test takers can improve their performance. Since GRE scores are valid for five years, planning and preparing early can give you more flexibility in your graduate school applications.