The Graduate Record Examination commonly known as GRE is one of the popularly recognized standardized tests for students willing to enroll in any graduate program across the globe. If you are aiming for a master’s program or are willing to pursue a PhD, understanding the GRE and preparing for it effectively can make a great difference in getting good scores. In this article, we will break down some of the key sections of the GRE, talk about exam timing, and essential preparation tips, and explain how a GRE voucher can help reduce some of the financial burden of taking the test.
GRE Overview: Key Sections and Timing
The GRE exam has three major sections:
1). Verbal Reasoning
2). Quantitative Reasoning, and
3). Analytical Writing.
Each of these sections tests different set of skills required for getting a success in UG or PG programs.
Verbal Reasoning: This section evaluates your ability to analyse written material, understand relationships between words and concepts and synthesize information. Here you will get two types of questions:
a). Reading Comprehension: Passages followed with required questions, which measures your capability to comprehend and interpret the content or text.
b). Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence: All these questions measure your vocabulary and check the understanding of context with the help of demanding you to choose the best word to complete a sentence.
c). Each Verbal Reasoning section carries 20 questions, which are to be answered within half an hour. You will come across two Verbal Reasoning sections on test day.
- Quantitative Reasoning: This section focuses on your mathematical skills and problem-solving capabilities. It also covers the subjects including algebra, arithmetic, data analysis and geometry. You will face two main types of questions:
- Problem-Solving Questions: These can have multiple-choice, numeric entry, or need you to choose one or more answers.
- Quantitative Comparison Questions: You’ll be asked to compare two quantities and determine the relationship between them.
Each Quantitative Reasoning section also includes 20 questions to be answered in 35 minutes. You will encounter two of these sections on test day. GRE voucher is there to help you in slashing down the cost, and it has nothing to do with the other things.
Analytical Writing: This section measures your capability to articulate tough and complex ideas clearly and effectively. You’ll write two essays:
- Issue Task: You are asked to present your perspective on a given topic.
- Argument Task: You will evaluate a provided argument and critique its logic and reasoning.
The Analytical Writing section is 60 minutes long, with 30 minutes allotted for each essay.
Unscored and Research Sections
Besides the above three, scored sections are found in the GRE, which usually includes an unscored or research section, which does not count toward your final score. The purpose of these sections is to test new questions for future exams. You won’t know which section is unscored, so treating all sections equally important is best.
Timing of the GRE
Regarding the timing, the entire GRE exam takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, which also includes a 10-minute break. The following are the breakdown:
- Analytical Writing: 60 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: 60 minutes (two 30-minute sections)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 70 minutes (two 35-minute sections)
- Unscored/Research Section: 30-35 minutes (varies)
- Break: 10 minutes
The GRE is adaptive at the section level, meaning the difficulty of the second Verbal or Quantitative section depends on how well you perform in the first section. This makes consistent focus across the exam even more crucial.
Essential Preparation Tips
Preparation is key to doing well on the GRE. Here are some strategies to ensure you’re ready:
- Create a Study Plan: Jot down a crystal clear study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses. Allocate time for each section of the GRE, ensuring that you spend extra time on areas where you may need improvement. Many students spend two to three months preparing for the GRE, though this varies based on individual needs.
- Use Official Practice Tests: With the official GRE practice tests, you can get the best resource for preparing. These tests give you a realistic feel of the exam format, question types, and timing. By simulating the test environment, you can identify your pacing issues and areas where you need more practice.
Use a GRE Voucher: One of the challenges for many students preparing for the GRE is the cost associated with taking the exams. The test fee can be a significant financial burden, particularly for students on a budget. This is where a GRE voucher can come in handy. Sites like Eduvouchers can help you get these vouchers, you can use to slash down your financial burden. All the best!
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