Demystifying the GRE: Insights into the Redesigned Test
When it comes to planning your path to a master’s or graduate degree abroad, one name stands out as the crucial first step – the Graduate Record Examinations, more commonly known as the “GRE” conducted by ETS. This standardized test is not merely a key to unlocking the doors of graduate education; it also acts as a bridge to opportunities in MBA and certain law courses abroad. As of September 22, 2023, the GRE landscape has undergone significant transformations with the introduction of a shorter format. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into this new format, comprehending the changes, and what remains the same, conducting an in-depth analysis of question types within this format, and demystifying how the GRE is scored. Whether you are a determined future graduate student or an ambitious MBA or law school applicant, join us as we explore the GRE’s paramount significance in planning your academic journey and equip you with the knowledge and strategies to ensure your success. Part 1 : Changes in New Format In the inaugural segment of this blog, let us dive headfirst into the all-new GRE format introduced on September 22, 2023. The GRE has undergone a remarkable transformation, and understanding these changes is pivotal for test-takers. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what’s different: 1. Test Duration: The GRE General Test has undergone a dramatic makeover, shedding its former 3-hour and 45-minute runtime. It now briskly clocks in at just 1 hour and 58 minutes, nearly halving the time compared to its predecessor. 2. Number of Questions: The changes in test duration are mirrored by a significant reduction in the total number of questions. While you will still encounter the familiar Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections, the total questions have been trimmed down from 80 to 54 in this shorter GRE. For Quantitative wizards, prepare to tackle 27 questions instead of the previous 40. You now have 47 minutes (down from 70 minutes) to crack this section. Verbal aficionados, you will also face 27 questions compared to the previous 40, with a time limit of 41 minutes, down from 60 minutes in the older format. 3. Farewell to Argument Essay: One major change is that the older format had two writing tasks – Issue and Argument and you were given an hour to tackle these two tasks. The Argument essay bid farewell in the revamped GRE, leaving you with one 30-minute essay to tackle. 4. Experiment No More: The perplexing experimental section that had 20 questions, notorious for adding complexity and time, has been erased from the GRE canvas in the newer version. 5. Swift Score Delivery: In the older format, your score was delivered after taking the GRE after 10-15 calendar days. But in the newer version, the official score will be delivered faster, within 8 to 10 calendar days. 6. Each Question Counts More: With fewer questions in each section, every single one carries more weight in your final score. Precision and mastery of concepts are your new best friends to help you get a good score in the new format. 7. Break Time, No More: Bid farewell to the scheduled 10-minute break in this new format, which means the GRE now demands unwavering focus for 2 hours at one go. OLD FORMAT OF GRE NEW FORMAT OF GRE No. of Tasks/Questions Total Time No. of Tasks/Questions Total Time Analytical Writing 2 Essay 60 minutes 1 Essay 30 minutes Quantitative Reasoning 40 Questions 70 minutes 27 Questions 47 minutes Verbal Reasoning 40 Questions 60 minutes 27 Questions 41 minutes Experimental Section 20 Questions Varies X X Scheduled Break 10 minutes X X Total Time 3 hours 45 mins 1 hour 58 minutes Part 2 : What has stayed constant? As the GRE undergoes a transformation, some essential aspects remain unaltered. These steadfast elements are crucial to your preparation and approach: 1. Core Content: The new GRE format will continue to assess your quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical reasoning, and analytical writing skills. These fundamental areas remain the bedrock of GRE evaluation. 2. Curriculum: In terms of curriculum, the newer GRE version introduces no changes. The quantitative section will continue to encompass all major aspects of Quantitative Reasoning, including Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis. Likewise, the Verbal Reasoning section will test the same topics, including sentence equivalence, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and text completion. 3. Average Time per Question: The average time spent on each question will remain consistent. On average, you can allocate 1.7 minutes for Math questions and 1.5 minutes for verbal questions, ensuring a balanced approach to tackling the test. 4. Section-Adaptive Nature: GRE is inherently a section-adaptive test, featuring two sections for quant and verbal. The performance in the first section still dictates the difficulty level of the second section in the shorter version. This adaptive nature remains a fundamental aspect of the GRE experience. Part 3 : Navigating the New Shorter GRE: Section by Section With the GRE test undergoing a seismic transformation, ushering in the era of the shorter GRE, it is crucial to grasp the changes in question types, section analysis, and curriculum. In this section, we will take a comprehensive dive into the recent alterations in the GRE landscape. Verbal Reasoning The Verbal Reasoning section in the shorter GRE is an intricate web of 27 questions divided into two sub-sections. Section 1 contains 12 questions, while Section 2 escalates the challenge with 15 more, allowing a total of 27 verbal questions. You will have a limited window of 41 minutes to navigate this section, covering four primary question types as explained below: Section 1: Text Completion (3 Questions): This has three types of questions Sentence Equivalence (4 Questions): This has four variations Critical Reasoning (2 Questions): This typically consists of either weakening an argument or strengthening an argument-type question. Reading Comprehension (3 Questions): This part will have short passages in the new format and followed by questions regarding the main ideas, details, and
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