How long is the GRE Exam?
Many students who are not familiar with the GRE test ask this question a lot: how long is the GRE test? Based on the student’s feedback, we have created a complete rundown of the entire test along with Sections, the number of questions, and the time allotted for each.
The overall duration for the Computer-based GRE test is 3 hours and 45 minutes. The test contains six sections, with a 10-minute break following the third section. However, you must spend more than that time in the test center.
Following is the breakdown of each and every section.
Biographical Information
So, how long does the GRE take? At the beginning of the test, you are to fill out a form that collects your biographical information.
This is a brief activity and will hardly take you 10 minutes to get over with.
Total Time = 10 minutes
After you finish the biographical information, let’s analyze the duration of the entire test.
Analytical Writing (One Section)
This is the first section of the GRE Test. This section comprises two tasks. You get 30 minutes to attempt each one of them. The two tasks are as follows:
- Analyze an Issue – 30 minutes.
- Analyze an Argument – 30 minutes.
Total Time = 60 minutes
Verbal Reasoning (Two Sections)
The portion of Verbal Reasoning consists of two sections. You get 30 minutes to attempt each one of them. Each section contains 20 multiple-choice questions to answer in the given time.
- Section 1 – 30 minutes.
- Section 2 – 30 minutes.
Total Time = 60 minutes
To experience GRE Verbal Questions, visit ScholarDen.
Quantitative Reasoning (Two Sections)
So, how long is the GRE test’s Quantitative Reasoning section? The portion of Quantitative Reasoning consists of two sections. You get 35 minutes to attempt each one of them. Each section contains 20 multiple-choice questions to solve in the given time.
- Section 1 – 35 minutes.
- Section 2 – 35 minutes.
Total Time = 70 minutes
To experience GRE Quant Questions, visit ScholarDen.
Unscored Experimental Section (One Section)
The GRE test includes an unidentified and unscored section. It does so for experimental purposes. Moreover, the questions in this portion are tried out as an experiment for future GRE tests or for validity.
This section comprises 20 multiple-choice questions. This section of the test doesn’t count toward your score. While solving the test, you would not know which section is unscored. Therefore, you must solve the entire test as if it counts towards your score. The unscored section can be verbal or quantitative. Depending on that, it will take you 30 or 35 minutes to solve it.
Total Time = 30 or 35 minutes
OR
Identified Research Section
Sometimes, an Identified Research section replaces the Unscored Experimental Section. This section consists of research-based questions. It does not count toward your score and exists only for ETS research purposes.
The Analytical Writing section is always the first one on the GRE test. The remaining 5 sections (2 sections of Verbal Reasoning, 2 sections of Quantitative Reasoning, and 1 Unscored Experimental section) may appear in any order. This makes the unscored experimental section indistinguishable. At the end of the test, you can tell if this section was Verbal or Quantitative (based on the number of each type of question you answered). However, even in that case, it is impossible to tell exactly which 20 multiple-choice questions were experimental. You should solve every section as if it is counting towards your score. The Identified Research section (if part of the GRE test) will always come at the end. This makes it distinguishable from the rest.
Total Time = 30 or 35 minutes
Break:
There is a one-minute break after every section except the third one. Similarly, after the third section, there is a break of 10 minutes.
Break after every section = 1 min
Total Time = 4+10 = 14 minutes
Accept/Reject Your GRE Score
Before you know your score, you get a chance to cancel it. In addition, If you decide to cancel it, you will never know how much you scored. This will cancel your entire test experience, and you will have to go through the entire process again. Moreover, after taking the test, many people underestimate themselves and think they performed worse than they actually did. This feeling often pushes people to go for this option. However, as per the GRE experts, it is not advisable to cancel your GRE score.
Total Time = 1 minute
Selection of Schools
This allows you to select the GRE scores you want to send to specific schools/universities.
You can choose 4 universities to which you can send your scores.
You can either send your recent score (from the Current Test Administration) to the schools of choice or your score from all Subject Test Administrations for which you have registered in the last five years.
Selection of Schools = 5 minutes
Receive score
At the end of the process, you receive your unofficial GRE test score.
Total Time: 1 minute
How long does the GRE take?
So, how long is the GRE Exam? The test itself is 3 hours and 45 minutes. However, your total time at the test center is around 4 hours and 11-16 minutes.
Total Time for the GRE Test = 3 hours & 45 minutes
Total time at the test center = 4 hours & 11 OR 4 hours & 16 minutes
While studying for the GRE, keep the time in mind and perform practice tests within the time constraints to better simulate the real GRE. Ensure that the prep books you use also account for the timing. Good luck!
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