How to Study for the GRE General Test: Complete Guide and Study Plan
Plan to prepare for the GRE General Test over 8 to 10 weeks at 8 to 10 hours per week. Take a timed baseline, build vocabulary and Quant fundamentals, then move to timed sections and full practice tests in the current format of about 1 hour 58 minutes.
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What is the GRE?
The GRE General Test is an admission test administered by ETS and used by graduate, business and law programs. It takes about 1 hour 58 minutes across five sections: one 30-minute Analytical Writing task (Analyze an Issue, always first), two Verbal Reasoning sections and two Quantitative Reasoning sections. Verbal and Quant are each scored 130 to 170, and Analytical Writing is scored 0 to 6 in half-point increments. Verbal and Quant are section-level adaptive, so your second section's difficulty depends on your first. You can test at home with live human proctoring or at a test center.
Who it is for
The GRE General Test is for applicants to graduate, business and law programs. It suits candidates applying across several program types who want one score to send to all of them, and those whose strengths lean toward vocabulary and reading as well as math. Always confirm on each program's admissions page which tests it accepts.
GRE General Test at a glance
| Administered by | ETS |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | Applicants to graduate, business and law programs. |
| Delivery | At home with live human proctoring, or at 1,000+ test centers worldwide; same scoring and acceptance either way. |
| Total time | About 1 hour 58 minutes, five sections. |
| Sections | Analytical Writing: one 'Analyze an Issue' task, 30 min (always first). Verbal Reasoning: 12 questions/18 min and 15 questions/23 min. Quantitative Reasoning: 12 questions/21 min and 15 questions/26 min. Verbal and Quant may appear in any order. |
| Question types | Verbal: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence. Quant: Quantitative Comparison, multiple-choice (select one or more), Numeric Entry, plus data interpretation sets. On-screen calculator in Quant. |
| Scoring | Verbal and Quant: 130-170 in 1-point increments. Analytical Writing: 0-6 in half-point increments. Verbal and Quant are section-level adaptive (second section difficulty depends on the first). |
| Fee | US$249 worldwide except China (US$237.86), effective August 1, 2026; includes score reports to 4 programs. |
| When offered | Year-round, 365 days a year. |
| Retakes | Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period (applies even if scores were canceled). |
| Score validity | 5 years. ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores to send. |
| Recent changes | Shorter test since September 22, 2023 (was about 3 hours 45 minutes; Argument essay and unscored section removed). Fee rose to $249 on August 1, 2026. |
Source: ETS, checked October 21, 2026. Fees and policies change: confirm with the official site before you register.
What is tested
- Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Comparison, multiple-choice (select one or more), Numeric Entry and data interpretation sets, with an on-screen calculator. The key skill is recognizing when to compare, estimate or plug in numbers rather than compute every value.
- Verbal Reasoning: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence. The key skills are reading for an author's purpose and argument, and using context clues plus a strong vocabulary to fill blanks precisely.
GRE study plan: 10 weeks, 8 to 10 hours a week
1. Baseline and diagnosis (week 1)
- Take one timed practice test in the current shorter format.
- Sort every miss by question type: Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence or Reading Comprehension.
- Set a daily vocabulary habit using flashcards.
2. Fundamentals (weeks 2 to 5)
- Review core Quant concepts, then drill untimed sets until accuracy is steady.
- Learn Quantitative Comparison strategies such as simplifying both quantities and testing extreme values.
- Practice Text Completion by predicting a word for each blank before reading the choices.
- Draft one Analyze an Issue essay per week under the 30-minute limit.
3. Timed sections (weeks 6 to 8)
- Practice timed Verbal sets of 12 and 15 questions at the real time limits of 18 and 23 minutes.
- Practice timed Quant sets of 12 and 15 questions at 21 and 26 minutes.
- Review every set and add new words and formulas to your flashcard deck.
4. Full tests and polish (weeks 9 to 10)
- Take a full-length timed practice test each week and review it fully.
- Rehearse the full sequence, starting with the essay, to build stamina and pacing.
- Taper in the final days with vocabulary review and your error log only.
How to practice
- Learn vocabulary in context with daily flashcard reviews instead of memorizing long word lists in one sitting.
- Use the on-screen calculator only when it is faster; many Quant questions reward estimation and number sense.
- Vary which measure you practice first after the essay, since Verbal and Quant may appear in any order on test day.
- Read the full explanation for every question to learn why each wrong choice fails.
- Treat the first Verbal and Quant sections as important, because they set the difficulty of the second.
- Write timed Issue essays and check that each has a clear position and specific examples.
Common mistakes
- Preparing with older materials built for the longer pre-2023 test, which included an Argument essay and an unscored section.
- Memorizing vocabulary lists without practicing how the words work in sentences.
- Calculating exact values on Quantitative Comparison when a comparison is enough.
- Choosing a Sentence Equivalence answer pair that does not produce sentences with the same meaning.
- Overusing the calculator on simple arithmetic and losing time.
- Skipping essay practice because Analytical Writing feels less important.
Free GRE practice by topic
- Quantitative Reasoning: 538 free questions
- Verbal Reasoning: 391 free questions
How long should I study for the GRE?
A realistic plan is 8 to 10 weeks at about 8 to 10 hours per week. If your baseline is near your target score, 4 to 6 weeks can be enough. Plan longer if you need to build vocabulary or Quant fundamentals from scratch.
How long is the GRE General Test?
The GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes. It has five sections: one 30-minute Analytical Writing task, two Verbal Reasoning sections and two Quantitative Reasoning sections. It was shortened on September 22, 2023, from about 3 hours 45 minutes.
How is the GRE scored?
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored from 130 to 170 in 1-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. Verbal and Quant are section-level adaptive, so the difficulty of your second section depends on how you did on the first.
How much does the GRE cost?
The GRE General Test costs US$249 worldwide, except in China, where it is US$237.86, effective August 1, 2026. The fee includes score reports to 4 programs. India pricing is published separately by ETS.
How often can I retake the GRE?
You can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period. This limit applies even if you canceled your scores. With ScoreSelect, you choose which scores to send to programs.
How long are GRE scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for 5 years. The test is offered year-round, 365 days a year, at home with live human proctoring or at test centers, with the same scoring and acceptance either way.
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Sources: ETS: GRE General Test, ETS: GRE test structure, ETS: Understanding GRE scores, ETS: GRE fees.