Official ETS GRE Format Guide

Master the GRE: Complete Preparation Guide for Indian Students

Everything you need to know about the GRE test structure, quantitative & verbal syllabus, MS/MBA university cut-offs, prep roadmap, and scoring an elite 325+.

What is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is conducted globally by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is the premier standardized assessment used for admission into Master's (MS/MSc), STEM, MBA, PhD, and Law (JD) programs across the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Singapore, and India.

Test Structure

Duration: 1 Hour 58 Minutes (Shorter Format)

Total Questions: 54 Questions + 1 Essay

Format: Section-Level Adaptive Computer Test

Scoring & Validity

Total Score Range: 260 – 340

Quant & Verbal: 130 – 170 each (1-pt steps)

AWA (Essay): 0.0 – 6.0 (0.5 increments)

Score Validity: 5 Years

Registration & Testing

Test Mode: Test Center or At-Home Online

Exam Fee in India: ₹22,550 (approx. incl. taxes)

Free Score Sends: 4 Universities on Test Day

Exam Structure & Syllabus Breakdown

The GRE is streamlined to under 2 hours with no unscored/experimental sections:

Section	No. of Questions / Tasks	Time Allotted	Question Types & Core Focus
Analytical Writing (AWA)	1 Task ("Analyze an Issue")	30 Minutes	• Formulate a compelling argument with reasoned evidence and examples on an issue prompt. (Note: The "Analyze an Argument" essay task is removed).
Quantitative Reasoning (2 Sections)	27 Questions Total (Sec 1: 12 Qs \| Sec 2: 15 Qs)	47 Minutes Total (Sec 1: 21m \| Sec 2: 26m)	• Quantitative Comparison, Single-Choice MCQ, Multi-Select MCQ, Numeric Entry. • Topics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis (Probability, Statistics). (On-screen digital calculator IS permitted in Quant).
Verbal Reasoning (2 Sections)	27 Questions Total (Sec 1: 12 Qs \| Sec 2: 15 Qs)	41 Minutes Total (Sec 1: 18m \| Sec 2: 23m)	• Text Completion (1, 2, and 3 blanks). • Sentence Equivalence (Selecting 2 synonyms). • Reading Comprehension (Short & Long passages; Critical Reasoning).

Understanding Section-Level Adaptivity

The GRE is adaptive between sections, not between individual questions. Your performance on Section 1 of Quant and Verbal determines whether Section 2 will be Easy, Medium, or Hard. Hitting the Hard second section is critical to unlocking scores of 160+ in each section.

Top MS & MBA Programs Accepting GRE

Top Global MS & STEM Programs

United States: MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon (CMU), UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, Columbia, UT Austin (Target: 320–332+)
Europe / Germany: TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, ETH Zurich, TU Delft
Canada: University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, Waterloo
Singapore: NUS, NTU

Top Business Schools (MBA & MiM)

Indian B-Schools: ISB (Hyderabad/Mohali), BITS School of Management (BITSoM)
US M7 & Top 20: Harvard, Stanford GSB, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Yale SOM, NYU Stern
European B-Schools: INSEAD, London Business School, HEC Paris, St. Gallen

Step-by-Step GRE Preparation Plan

A typical Indian candidate (student or working professional) requires 2 to 3 months (120 – 160 hours) of disciplined prep to cross the 320+ milestone.

Diagnostic Test & Vocabulary Foundation (Weeks 1–2)

Take an official ETS POWERPREP practice test to benchmark your baseline. Start memorizing high-frequency GRE words (1,000–1,200 words) using contextual flashcards and root-word techniques.

Core Concept Mastery: Quant & Verbal Logic (Weeks 3–6)

Solidify foundational arithmetic, algebra, coordinate geometry, and data interpretation. Master Text Completion sentence structures, signal words (contrast/support), and AWA issue essay templates.

Timed Sectional Drills & Pacing Traps (Weeks 7–9)

Practice timed sectional tests strictly following 1.5 minutes per Quant question and 1.2 minutes per Verbal question. Maintain an error log to eradicate silly calculations and reading traps.

Full-Length Adaptive Mocks & Exam Simulation (Weeks 10–12)

Take official ETS POWERPREP PLUS timed mock exams in actual test-day conditions. Build endurance, calibrate section skipping strategies, and finalize test slot booking.

Why Prepare with Our Institute?

330+ Scorer Mentors

Learn advanced Quantitative shortcuts and proven Verbal logic strategies from instructors with top 1% GRE scores.

Adaptive Mock Test Series

Practice on an exam simulator that mirrors ETS's exact scoring algorithm, section adaptivity, and question bank.

End-to-End MS & MBA Admissions

Get profile evaluation, university shortlisting, SOP/LOR reviews, and scholarship guidance for top global universities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is considered a "good" GRE score for MS and MBA?

For top Tier-1 US universities (like CMU, Stanford, Georgia Tech) in Computer Science or Data Science, aim for 325+ (with Quant 167–170). For top 20 global MBA programs, a balanced score of 322–328+ (Quant 162+, Verbal 160+) is competitive.

What ID proof is mandatory for Indian students taking the GRE?

An original, valid Indian Passport is the primary required identification document for taking the GRE at both test centers and at home in India. (Ensure your name on the ETS registration matches your passport exactly).

Can I skip questions and return to them later?

Yes! Within the same section, you can freely skip questions, mark them for review, and change your answers as long as time remains in that particular section.

How many times can I retake the GRE?

You can take the GRE test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous 12-month period (365 days). With ETS ScoreSelect, you can choose which test scores to report to universities.

Master the GRE Exam