Score Higher on the GRE

Verbal Reasoning Section of the GRE

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE test last 30 minutes and has two sections, each containing 20 multiple-choice questions. There are three types of questions in this section.

i. Reading Comprehension

The Reading Comprehension questions are designed to test a wide range of abilities that are required to read and understand the kinds of prose commonly encountered in graduate school.

ii. Text Completion

The Text Completion questions omit crucial words from short passages and ask the test taker to use the remaining information in the passage as a basis for selecting words or short phrases to fill the blanks and create a coherent, meaningful whole.

iii. Sentence Equivalence

The Sentence Equivalence questions consist of a single sentence with just one blank, and they ask you to find two choices that lead to a complete, coherent sentence while producing sentences that mean the same thing.

Qualitative Reasoning Section of the GRE

The Qualitative Reasoning section of the GRE has two sections, each lasting 35 minutes per section and containing 20 multiple-choice questions per section. Each question appears independently as a discrete question or part of a set of questions called a Data Interpretation set. All the questions in a Data Interpretation set are based on the same data presented in tables, graphs, or other data displays.

You can use a basic calculator on the Quantitative Reasoning measure. For the computer-based test, the calculator is provided on-screen. A handheld calculator is provided at the test center for the paper-based test.

There are four types of questions:

1. Quantitative Comparison

The Quantitative Comparison questions ask you to compare two quantities -Quantity A and Quantity B - and then determine which of the following statements describes the comparison:

i. Quantity A is greater.

ii. Quantity B is greater.

iii. The two quantities are equal.

iv. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

2. Multiple-choice Questions - Select One Answer Choice

These types of Multiple-choice Questions ask you to select only one answer choice from a list of five choices.

3. Multiple-choice Questions - Select One or More Answer Choices

These types of Multiple-choice Questions ask you to select one or more answer choices from a list of choices. A question may or may not specify the number of choices to select

4. Numeric Entry Questions

The Numeric Entry Questions ask you either to enter your answer as an integer or a decimal in a single answer box or to enter it as a fraction in two separate boxes - one for the numerator and one for the denominator.

Analytical Writing Section of the GRE

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE contains two separately timed essays, each 30 minutes in duration:

i. Analysis of an Issue

This task assesses your ability to think critically about a topic of general interest and clearly express your thoughts in writing. Each issue statement makes a claim you can discuss from various perspectives and apply to many situations or conditions.

ii. Analysis of an Argument

You are presented with a brief passage in which the author makes a case for some course of action or interpretation of events by presenting claims backed by reasons and evidence. Your task is to discuss the logical soundness of the author's case according to the specific instructions by critically examining the line of reasoning and the use of evidence.

Skills Tested include:

i. Concise, effective communication of ideas

ii. Evaluation of claims and evidence

iii. Use of logical reasoning to support ideas

iv. Standard written English