GRE Exam Guide: Format, Sections, and What to Know

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is a standardized test used by many graduate school programs as one factor in admissions decisions. It is owned and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The exam is designed to assess verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills that are broadly relevant across many fields of graduate study.

People who take the GRE are typically adults who have completed or are completing an undergraduate degree and are applying to a master's or doctoral program. Some graduate programs require GRE scores, while others make them optional or do not consider them at all, so requirements vary by program.

The GRE is generally organized around three areas: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Verbal reasoning sections evaluate reading comprehension and the ability to analyze written material, quantitative reasoning sections evaluate problem-solving using mathematical concepts, and the analytical writing section evaluates a person's ability to construct and support a written argument.

ETS has changed the GRE's length, question count, and delivery format at various points. Because of this, this guide intentionally avoids stating exact timing, question counts, or scoring ranges. Applicants should check ETS's official GRE website for the current format before planning a testing timeline.

ZExamAcers's GRE course is self-paced and organized into lessons covering verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Each lesson is paired with topic-based practice activities so a learner can apply new skills immediately.

The course includes timed mock examinations designed to reflect the GRE's general pacing and question style at a high level. These are original ZExamAcers practice materials and are not official GRE content, and are not created, reviewed, or endorsed by ETS.

Learners can join weekly live webinars led by an instructor, who presents material and answers questions aloud; participants are not shown on camera. A learner with a specific question can submit it in writing through the platform's private messaging feature and receive a direct response.

Parent-managed accounts are available for learners under a family plan, allowing a parent or guardian to review lesson progress, practice activity, and mock exam history.

Section format, timing, registration, fees, and score reporting are set by ETS and can change. ETS's official GRE website is the authoritative source for current, accurate details.

• Current GRE format and section details
• Registration deadlines and test center or at-home options
• Fee information
• Score reporting timelines and how programs use GRE scores

ZExamAcers is an independent test-preparation provider. ZExamAcers is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ETS (Educational Testing Service). GRE is a trademark registered by ETS, which is not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, ZExamAcers's courses or materials.