The GRE Test, a nightmare for many test takers, will become a shorter version with fewer questions and one essay. Instead of a 3-hour and 45-minute test, the GRE will be shortened to 1 hour and 58 minutes.

The shorter GRE test is effective from 22 September 2023.

What has changed?

Summary of all the changes made to the GRE test.

Change # 1: Duration

The GRE® General Test has been shortened by approximately half the time from 3 hours 45 minutes to 1 hour and 58 minutes, effective 22 September 2023.

Change # 2: Number of Questions

The older GRE had 80 questions for both quantitative and verbal sections. However, the new, shorter version has reduced the number to 54.

• The older version of the quantitative section has 40 questions, excluding the experimental section. Whereas the new short version will have only 27 questions.
• In the Verbal section, the number of questions has also been reduced from 40 to 27.

Change # 3: Section Time

The time to solve all questions within the quantitative section has also been reduced from 70 to 47 minutes. In the verbal section, the time to solve all questions has also been reduced from 60 to 41 minutes.

Change # 4: Analytical Writing Assessment (Essays)

You must write two essays in the current version: Issue and Argument. The argument essay has been eliminated from the test in the revised newer GRE. As a result, the essay duration has also been reduced from 60 minutes for two essays to 30 minutes for one essay.

Change # 5: Experimental Section Removed

The unscored experimental section also appears in the test in the current version. The experimental section will have an additional 20 questions. The test takers will not know which section is experimental. This section makes the GRE difficult and more time-consuming. There will be no experimental section in the shorter GRE.

Change # 6: Faster Score Report

The older GRE will deliver the official score after 10-15 calendar days. But, the newer GRE publishes official scores faster, within 8 to 10 calendar days.

Change # 7: Score Weightage of Each Question

With the reduced number of questions in each section, each question will have more weightage on the scoring scale, increasing its importance toward the final score. With a low margin of error, a good score on the GRE will depend on your clear concepts and skill set.

Change # 8: Scheduled Break Removed

In the current version, there is a 10-minute scheduled break. However, the break has been eliminated in the shorter GRE as the test’s overall duration has also been reduced.

What has not changed?

Style of Questions:

The shortened GRE style of questions will not change. In recent years, the GRE has become trickier and more time-consuming. GRE experts recommend official material such as ETS and www.scholarden.com. GRE test maker provides the licensed content to scholarden.com. This latest content is not available anywhere else.

Course:

The new GRE will continue to measure your quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical reasoning, and analytical writing skills.

Curriculum:

The newer version of the GRE has no changes in terms of curriculum. The quantitative section covers all four chapters of Scholar Den, such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis. Similarly, the verbal section will test the same topics, such as sentence equivalence, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and text completion. However, the shorter GRE no longer has long reading comprehension passages.

Data Integration (DI) questions have been removed from the second section of GRE Math. The questions are more tricky and time-consuming. The passages are short and filled with complex sentences.

Vocabulary:

Vocabulary is easier, and you can use the GRE high-frequency wordlist for the newer test version.

Average Time on Each Question:

The average time spent on each question will remain the same. The average time to solve a Math question is 1.7 minutes, whereas the average time to solve a verbal question is 1.5 minutes.

Section-Adaptive:

GRE is a section-adaptive test. There are two sections: quantitative and verbal. The performance of the first section will decide the second section’s difficulty level. In the shorter version, it will remain the same section-adaptive test.

Read on: How long should you study for the GRE?

Shortened GRE FAQ:

Where can I find the official material for the new, shorter version?

The official curriculum and content are the same for the current and shorter versions; you can subscribe to scholarden.com and access the official content.

What is the breakdown of 27 questions in each quant and verbal section?

You can check all the details here.

What the test will measure?

The test will continue to measure Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing.

Is the shorter GRE still valid for admissions and scholarships?

Yes, the GRE curriculum has slightly changed and analyzes the same skills; the test duration has changed, too. Moreover, it will still be a valid and reliable test for scholarships and graduate programs worldwide.

Which version of the test should I take?

After 22 September 2023, for the GRE general, you need to take the shorter GRE.

Can I take the shortened GRE test at home?

Yes, you have the option to take it at home or at the center.

Will universities or scholarship programs use the shortened GRE any differently?

No, the short GRE will continue to assess all the skills required for the graduate programs.

When will the registration for the short GRE open?

Registration for the new shorter GRE is open now. To register, go to its website and register for a test date on 22 September or onwards.

What is the GRE test fee?

The fee remains the same.

If I have registered for the current GRE version before 22 September, can I reschedule it for the shortened GRE?

You will have to pay the reschedule fee if you want to change from the current GRE version to the shorter GRE.

I have registered for the shorter GRE. Can I reschedule it for the shorter GRE?

Yes, you can do a FREE reschedule via the ETS website.

How many times can I register for the GRE in a year?

Only 5 times in a calendar year, but the minimum days between the two GRE tests should be 21 days.

Are there any changes in the official scoring?

No. The total scoring remains 340 for quant and verbal sections and 6 for AWA.

How long are GRE scores valid?

A shorter test will be valid for 5 years as well.

How will the university compare the performance of the two versions?

The curriculum and score scales are not changing, and it won’t matter which version you take. As a result, a score of 165 in Quant will be the same in the shorter version.

Changes in the GRE scoring?

Yes, as there are fewer questions, but the total score is the same. The weightage is more on the individual questions. Similarly, the analytical writing section will have one essay instead of two.

Read Next: Shorter GRE Questions Types and Sections Analysis