Planning to study abroad? You must know the latest GRE Syllabus to get a high score. The testmaker, ETS, updated the GRE exam format to make it much shorter. The new version takes only 1 hour and 58 minutes. The GRE General Test syllabus checks your readiness for graduate school through three main sections:
- Analytical Writing: You write one essay to analyze an issue.
- Verbal Reasoning: Tests your reading skills, grammar, and vocabulary.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Focuses on basic math, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. GRE verbal reasoning syllabus focuses on Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension questions.
Knowing the exact GRE exam syllabus helps you plan your preparation. Use this complete guide to check the official section-wise topics and start your preparation today.
GRE Exam Syllabus covers multiple topics to assess. Majorly verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills of students.
- Written text
- English vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Basic arithmetic
- Algebra
These skills are some popular in exam. All these topics are directly related to English, Mathematics, Physics, and other traditional subjects.
Here are some important topics of GRE syllabus
| Verbal Reasoning |
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Quantitative Reasoning |
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Analytical Writing | Issue Task |
Check out preparation tips to cover GRE exam syllabus early
- Start preparation after your second year of graduation.
- Set a realistic goal to achieve.
- Build vocabulary and practice regularly.
- You can use official ETS materials.
These tips are tried and tested.
GRE Exam or GRE General Test duration is 1 hour 58 minutes. While the duration of GRE subject test is 2 hours to 2 hours and 50 minutes (Depending on subjects). Check the subject-wise duration:
- For Maths: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- For Physics and Psychology: 2 hours.
ETS recently reduced the duration of GRE General Test.
- GRE Syllabus for General Test in 2026
- GRE Subject Test Syllabus 2026
- Best Books for GRE Preparation
- GRE Syllabus FAQs
GRE Syllabus for General Test in 2026
The GRE General Test syllabus measures graduate-level academic reasoning across three core sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. The test features a shorter 1-hour 58-minute format designed to evaluate critical thinking and data interpretation rather than rote memorization.
| Section | Structure & Timing | Core Topics & Skills Tested | Question Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 Essay Task 30 Minutes Total |
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| Verbal Reasoning | 2 Sections / 27 Questions 41 Minutes Total
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| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 Sections / 27 Questions 47 Minutes Total
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Commonly asked questions
Yes, GRE General Test has same content everywhere in the world. Educational Testing Service (ETS) makes sure that everyone takes same kind of exam. This means parts about reading and understanding, math, and writing essays are same. This helps universities to compare scores of all students.
It is possible to cover the GRE syllabus in one month only if you have understood the basics information of Graduate Record Examination. Here is the 1-month GRE preparation plan.
- Join a class. It is really stressful to cover the syllabus in one month without guidance.
- Understand the GRE pattern and syllabus before you start the preparation.
- Create study plan and dedicate 10 hours daily for the preparation.
- Practice with different sets of GRE sample papers and identify your weakness.
- Create Flashcards to remember the lessons
This one month plan can help you to improve your score and not to become topper.
GRE General Test is a computer delivered exam. It assesses skills in Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. It consists of five total sections. Including one essay task. GRE test duration is 1 hour and 58 minutes. Less than 2 years.
| GRE Exam Sections | GRE Exam Pattern | Section-Wise Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (One Section) | One "Analyze an Issue" task (30 Minutes) | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two Sections) |
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| Verbal Reasoning (Two Sections) |
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| Total | 5 Sections: 55 Questions |
Note: Info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
GRE Subject Test Syllabus 2026
GRE Subject Test syllabus covers specialized knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Unlike General Test, which focuses on Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing skills. Each subject test details specific topics, like Classical Mechanics or Electromagnetism for Physics, or Biological/Cognitive for Psychology, available on the ETS website. Generally, Math focuses on Calculus, Algebra, and other topics. Physics on core physics principles, and Psychology on its major branches.
GRE exam syllabus 2026 for the Subject Test consists of the following subjects:
| GRE syllabus: Subject-wise Topics | |
|---|---|
| GRE General Test Syllabus for Maths |
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| GRE Syllabus Physics |
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| GRE Psychology Syllabus |
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Commonly asked questions
ETS has set up test centres in multiple Indian cities for GRE Subject Test. Students can select a center near their location during registration. Always check for slot availability first. Make a booking at their desired test center.
The GRE Subject Test evaluates the candidates' ability in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology subjects. It is a computer based test. INR 14,500 is registration fee for GRE subject test in India.
ETS conducts GRE Subject Test three times a year: in September, October, and April. These computer based test is available during specific two week windows within those months. You can take a GRE Subject Test once every 14 days.
Best Books for GRE Preparation
Getting a high score on the GRE requires the right study material. Good prep books help you cover the entire GRE syllabus, learn math tricks, build strong vocabulary, and practice real test questions.
Top GRE Preparation Books and Prices in India
| Book Title | Publisher | Price (INR) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Guide to the GRE General Test | ETS | 1,039 | Real test questions and official practice |
| Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice | ETS | 844 | Authentic math practice questions |
| 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems | Manhattan Prep | 1,932 | High-volume math and verbal practice |
| Kaplan GRE Prep Plus | Kaplan | 1,554 | Clear test strategies and mock tests |
| Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Kaplan | 1,741 | Memorizing high-frequency words |
Quick Book Guide
- Official ETS Guides: Must-have books to practice authentic questions directly from the exam makers.
- Manhattan 5 lb.: Best choice for students who need extra math practice and problem drills.
- Kaplan Prep Plus: Helpful guide for learning time management and test strategies.
- Vocabulary Cards: Simple tool for learning essential English words on the go.
Commonly asked questions
The GRE exam is section-adaptive. This means that the difficulty of the second portion of each subject area (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning) is decided by the performance in the first section.
For example,
- Scenario 1: If you properly answer several problems in the initial Verbal Reasoning segment, the computer will presume you are an excellent verbal reasoner. As a result, the second Verbal Reasoning portion will most likely be relatively more tough & more challenging.
- Scenario 2: If you struggled with the first Quantitative Reasoning section, the computer will make the second Quantitative Reasoning section relatively easier. This is done to ensure that you have an equal opportunity to demonstrate your ability.
In essence, the GRE adapts to your individual performance to provide a more accurate assessment of your skills.
There are three sections in GRE exam so you need to buy separate GRE books to prepare for these sections.
Best Books for GRE Analytical Writing:
- GRE Analytical Writing - Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1 and Book 2 by Vibrant Publishers.
Best Books for GRE Quantitative Reasoning:
- Kaplan GRE Maths Workbook
- Barron’s New GRE
Best Books for GRE Verbal Reasoning section
- Manhattan Prep Complete Verbal Set
- ETS Official GRE Guide
These GRE books are easily available in the market.
The quantitative section of GRE exam has two 35-minute sections with 20 questions each. The test is adaptive. It means the difficulty of next question depends on the previous answer of students. Here are some pro tips to prepare for GRE Quantitative Preparation. These tips will be helpful for all test takers who want to score good in quant section.
- Do not ignore Math fundamentals
- Give due importance to the math topics
- Refer to the Official Guide
- Time Management
- Practice GRE Quant Sample Papers
GRE Syllabus FAQs
Check out the common FAQs related to the GRE Syllabus:
Commonly asked questions
No, GRE syllabus is same for students across the globe. No matter whether you are taking test in India or in USA, syllabus will be same. ETS (the test maker) does not create country-specific versions. All test takers face questions from three sections of GRE Exam, which are Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and AWA section.
You need to register for the GRE subject test separately. Each GRE Subject Test requires a separate registration and fee. Your GRE General Test registration can not be used for subject test. If you are planning to take more than one subject, you must register individually for each test date and subject.
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