The GRE in 2026: Format, Sections, Timing, Adaptive Scoring, and What to Study

As of January 2026, the GRE General Test is the shorter version introduced in late 2023: about 1 hour 58 minutes, with the same score scales as before (Verbal 130–170, Quant 130–170, Analytical Writing 0–6). The test still measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, but it now has fewer questions, no unscored/experimental section, and faster official score reporting. You can take it at a test center or at home.

Order: Analytical Writing always comes first. The two Verbal and two Quant sections follow in any order.

• Analytical Writing: 1 “Analyze an Issue” essay — 30 minutes
• Verbal Reasoning: Section 1 = 12 questions in 18 minutes; Section 2 = 15 questions in 23 minutes
• Quantitative Reasoning: Section 1 = 12 questions in 21 minutes; Section 2 = 15 questions in 26 minutes Average time per question is tight: roughly 1.5 minutes in Verbal and 1.75 minutes in Quant. You can skip within a section, mark questions to return to, and change answers before the section ends. A basic on‑screen calculator is available for Quant.

There are no scheduled breaks on the shorter GRE. At test centers, you may take an unscheduled break, but the clock continues to run; at home, unscheduled breaks aren’t permitted. At the end of the test, if you choose to report your scores, you’ll see unofficial Verbal and Quant results on screen. Official scores, including your essay score, post to your ETS account in about 8–10 days and remain valid for five years.

GRE adaptivity is section‑level. The first section of each measure (Verbal and Quant) is of moderate difficulty. Your performance there determines the difficulty of the second section. Your final scaled score reflects two things: how many questions you answered correctly across both sections and the difficulty level of the sections you received. Within a section, all questions count equally, so it’s better to make an educated guess than to leave an item unanswered. Practical takeaway: protect accuracy early so you earn a tougher second section, then manage time to convert that opportunity into a higher scaled score.

Question mix is unchanged: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. What to study

• Reading Comprehension: main idea, author attitude, structure, and inference; practice line‑reference speed and eliminating extreme/unsupported choices.
• Text Completion: predict first, then match tone and logic; learn common clause signals and high‑yield connectors.
• Sentence Equivalence: focus on meaning equivalence, not synonyms in isolation; verify both choices produce the same coherent sentence.
• Vocab in context: build a working set of high‑frequency academic words, but always test them in sentences. Timing tip: On 12‑question sections, limit yourself to about 90 seconds per item; on 15‑question sections, average about 92 seconds. Flag one time‑sink passage and come back if needed.

Content areas remain Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis, with familiar formats: Quantitative Comparison, single‑answer Multiple Choice, multiple‑answer “select all,” and Numeric Entry. What to study

• Algebra and word translations: equations/inequalities, ratios, proportions, and systems; translate words into algebra consistently.
• Number properties and arithmetic: divisibility, primes, remainders, exponents/roots, percent/change; develop mental‑math shortcuts.
• Geometry and coordinate basics: triangles, circles, polygons, slopes, and distances; know common Pythagorean triples.
• Data analysis: tables/graphs, averages, weighted averages, probability, and counting; practice multi‑step “Data Interpretation” sets. Calculator strategy: use it for messy arithmetic only; estimate first to avoid traps. Timing: target about 1:45 per item; triage long computations and revisit after quicker wins.

You’ll write a single “Analyze an Issue” essay. A clear, defensible position with logical reasons, specific examples, and clean paragraphing matters more than ornate prose. A reliable 30‑minute plan: 5 minutes to outline your thesis and 2–3 supports; ~20 minutes to draft with explicit topic sentences and signposting; final 3–5 minutes to proof transitions, pronouns, and common grammar slips.

Step 1: Identify target programs’ typical score ranges and set a personal target for both sections. Step 2: Take a diagnostic to get a Verbal and Quant baseline. Step 3: Compute your gap. As a rule of thumb per section: a 0–2 point gap often needs 2–4 focused weeks; 3–5 points may need 4–8 weeks; 6–10 points can require 8–12+ weeks. Timelines vary by background and study intensity. Step 4: Convert the gap to weekly hours, then to daily actions that mirror the real test (timed 12‑ and 15‑question sets, adaptive practice, and short review sessions).

If you have 6 hours/week:

• Three weeknights: 35–45 minutes each, alternating Verbal and Quant 12‑question sets with review.
• Weekend: one 60–75 minute block for a 15‑question set plus error log and flashcards. If you have 10 hours/week:
• Four weeknights: 45–60 minutes each (mix 12‑ and 15‑question sets), plus 10–15 minutes of vocab or formula refresh.
• Weekend: one 2‑hour rehearsal that strings together AWA (optional practice) + Verbal 12 + Quant 12 + Verbal 15 + Quant 15 to simulate the full 1:58 flow. If you have 15 hours/week or more: add targeted lessons for weak topics, a second full rehearsal every other week, and a standing review block for your error patterns.

Match the new pacing exactly: run timed 12‑ and 15‑question sets, not just generic problem drills. Alternate Verbal and Quant to mimic the mixed order. Rehearse without breaks to build two‑hour stamina. For test centers, practice signing back into focus after brief pauses; for at‑home testing, practice uninterrupted sessions with a cleared desk, scratch paper protocol, and a strict timer.

Start with Exambank’s diagnostic to pin down your baseline by section and topic. Then follow the Learn → Solve Together → Test Yourself flow: concise lessons teach core ideas and traps, guided step‑throughs coach you on real GRE‑style items, and short quizzes lock retention. Exambank’s adaptive practice serves effectively unlimited GRE‑format questions at your current level and adjusts difficulty as you improve—honing tricky bits and auto‑building review sets from your errors. Analytics track accuracy by topic, lesson completion, and predicted score trajectories for Verbal and Quant, while streak tracking helps you stay consistent. Each session can be planned around your time budget with 12‑ and 15‑question timed sets that mirror the new sections.

Within any section, every question is worth the same, so don’t let a single hard item tax three minutes of your clock. Use a two‑pass approach: quick scan for do‑ables, mark one or two time‑sinks, move on, then return. Always submit an answer choice rather than leaving an item blank. Early‑section accuracy is valuable because it influences the difficulty of your second section, but your score ultimately depends on total correct across both sections, adjusted for section difficulty—so keep converting points steadily to the end.

Unofficial Verbal and Quant scores appear immediately if you choose to report; official scores post in about 8–10 days and are valid for five years. With ScoreSelect, you can decide which test administrations to send. You may retake the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12‑month period. Work backward from application deadlines, leaving time for a retake if needed.

• Know the flow: AWA first, then two Verbal and two Quant sections with tight pacing.
• No scheduled breaks—train for a continuous 1:58.
• Adaptivity is section‑level: protect accuracy early and finish strong.
• Practice in test‑length chunks using 12‑ and 15‑question sets.
• Review relentlessly: build an error log and revisit weak topics weekly.
• Confirm logistics early: ID requirements, scratch paper rules, and test‑day setup.