ETS
GRE
GRE General Test
The most widely accepted graduate-school admissions test, used by master's, PhD, and many business and law programs worldwide. Shortened to under two hours in September 2023.
Blueprint-complete program: 4 decks, 6,738 cards.
What's on the exam
GRE General Test (shortened format, September 2023)
Verbal Reasoning
~41% (by section emphasis)Reading comprehension · Text completion · Sentence equivalence · Vocabulary in context · Argument analysis
Quantitative Reasoning
~41% (by section emphasis)Arithmetic and number properties · Algebra · Geometry · Data analysis and statistics · Quantitative comparison · Word problems
Analytical Writing
~18% (by section emphasis)Analyze an Issue essay · Thesis and argument construction · Evidence and reasoning · Clarity, organization, and style
Frequently asked questions
How much does the GRE cost?
The GRE costs $220. Standard fee in the US and most countries; higher in China (US$231.30).
How long is the GRE and how many questions does it have?
54 scored questions (27 Verbal, 27 Quantitative) plus 1 essay task — About 1 hour 58 minutes.
What do you need to pass the GRE?
No pass/fail — Verbal and Quantitative scored 130–170 each, Analytical Writing 0–6.
Can you retake the GRE?
Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period.
What is the best way to study for the GRE?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Verbal Reasoning ~41% (by section emphasis), Quantitative Reasoning ~41% (by section emphasis), Analytical Writing ~18% (by section emphasis)). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Ready to prepare?
Our GRE program follows this exact blueprint — every domain covered, scheduled by spaced repetition, with a journey from first card to test day.