The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test required for admission into many graduate schools, particularly in the United States and Canada. In 2025, the GRE follows a streamlined and adaptive format designed to evaluate verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Here’s a concise breakdown of the GRE exam pattern for 2025:
New Changes in GRE 2025
The GRE exam pattern was significantly revised in September 2023, and the same format is followed in 2025. The changes make the test more time-efficient and student-friendly. Here is a comparative table showcasing the differences between the Old GRE and New GRE.
Comparative Table: old GRE vs new GRE Pattern
| Feature | Old GRE Pattern | New GRE Pattern |
| Total Duration | Around 3 hours 45 minutes | 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Analytical Writing Tasks | 2 tasks: Issue & Argument | 1 task: Analyze an Issue |
| Verbal Reasoning Questions | 40 questions (2 sections) | 27 questions (2 sections) |
| Quantitative Reasoning Questions | 40 questions (2 sections) | 27 questions (2 sections) |
| Unscored/Experimental Section | Included (hidden/unscored) | Removed |
| Test Adaptiveness | Section-level adaptive | Section- level adaptive |
| Score Reporting | 10–15 days | Faster due to shorter test |
New GRE Exam Pattern 2025
According to ETS, the GRE conducting body, the new GRE Exam pattern/ Format will have three sections- Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. These three major sections will be divided into sub- sections. he new format now takes just under 2 hours to complete, which is a significant cut from the previous 4- hour version. Key changes include only one essay task in the Analytical Writing section, and 27 questions each in Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, split into two adaptive sections per skill. While the question types remain the same, there are now no scheduled breaks and the test flows faster with smarter navigation. Despite being shorter, the test still evaluates your core academic and reasoning skills just as thoroughly. Want a deeper look at the structure and question types?
GRE Syllabus 2025
| Sections | Test contents | Questions | Time |
| Analytical Writing | Write well-structured essays that clearly express complex ideas, support them with examples, while using proper English- all based on given prompts. | One task | 13 mins |
| Verbal Reasoning | Read carefully, understand meanings, spot key points, and answer questions that test your ability to analyze, interpret, and summarize written content — even when info is incomplete or layered. | 12+ 15 questions | Sec 1: 18 mins- Sec 2: 23 mins |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Solve math problems by understanding data, applying formulas, and using basic concepts from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. | 12+ 15 questions | Sec 1: 21 mins- Sec 2: 26 mins |
What is new in the GRE 2025?
The GRE General Test is designed to be super flexible, making it easier for you to navigate through the questions. The biggest update is that the GRE is now section adaptive, meaning if you do well in the first section, the difficulty will increase for the next one. Here’s more features makes it student-friendly:
- You can move forward and backward within a section, so no pressure to answer everything in order.
- There’s a preview and review option, so you can easily check what’s coming or revisit any question.
- You can mark questions and come back to them later if you’re unsure — perfect for managing your time wisely.
- You can edit your responses as long as you’re still in the same section.
- There’s an on-screen calculator for the Quant section, so no need to bring your own.
What is the GRE total score in 2025?
As of 2025, the GRE General Test has a total score range of 260 to 340, calculated by adding the Verbal Reasoning (130–170) and Quantitative Reasoning (130–170) sections. The Analytical Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 0 to 6 and doesn’t contribute to the total score. On average, test-takers score around 151 in Verbal, 157 in Quant, and 3.5 in AWA.
Conclusion
The 2025 GRE format is more concise, reducing test fatigue while maintaining rigorous assessment standards. Familiarity with the new structure is crucial for efficient preparation and better performance.
FAQS
No, there is no negative marking system for the GRE.
GRE test scores are valid for five years from the test date.
A score above 320 is considered competitive for most top-tier universities, while 330+ is seen as excellent. The ideal score, however, depends on the program you’re applying to