GRE Syllabus

What is GRE Exam Syllabus?

The GRE exam syllabus 2024 is composed of three sections – GRE Analytical Writing, GRE Verbal Reasoning, and GRE Quantitative Reasoning. The syllabus of GRE measures the candidate’s quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking skills that are necessary for success in higher education. ETS, which conducts the GRE, gives an overview of the syllabus covered in these three sections which helps us to understand the content and skills required for the GRE exam. For those preparing for an MS, understanding the GRE exam syllabus for MS is crucial to tailor their study plan effectively.

GRE Test Format

The GRE exam is divided into two sections: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test.

GRE General Test: The GRE General Test is a standard examination that assesses students’ verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing abilities.

GRE Subject Test: A GRE Subject Test may be required by the college for more specialized courses, as the GRE Subject Test concentrates on judging the candidate’s proficiency in specific disciplines.

GRE General Test Pattern

Even if you are aware of the GRE exam syllabus and have memorized all of the answers, failing to manage time can result in an incomplete exam. This is where the importance of being familiar with the GRE test pattern is of the utmost significance. Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning are the three primary elements of the GRE exam syllabus. The GRE computer-based test has a total time limit of 1 hour 58 minutes

GRE General Test Syllabus And Question Types

The general test is broken into three components under the revised GRE exam pattern and syllabus. These are the following:

• Writing Analytically
• Quantitative Analysis
• Reasoning with words

The first two components of the GRE test syllabus, GRE Quantitative Reasoning, and GRE Analytical Writing are well-defined, while the GRE quantitative reasoning syllabus is confusing. Let’s have a look at what each segment is made up of to get a better idea of the material that will be covered, along with the overall GRE exam pattern total marks.

Geometry is likely the most difficult subject in the GRE Quants syllabus. It covers line properties, isosceles, equilateral, and other polygons, circles, and their numerous characteristics, Pythagorean theorems, and the concepts of area, perimeter, and volume. For your GRE preparation, you must download some GRE exam syllabus PDFs and even try to take a GRE sample paper for a better understanding of the syllabus for GRE exam.

GRE Verbal Syllabus

The GRE Verbal section or GRE Verbal Reasoning measures test takers’ ability to:

• analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify author’s assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author’s intent.
• select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
• understand the meaning of individual words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and among concepts, as assessed in the GRE exam 2024. 

List of Topics Covered Under the GRE Verbal Syllabus

• Basic Sentence structure: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives
• Verb Tense
• Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
• Pronoun Agreement
• Subject-Verb Agreement
• Modifiers
• Parallelism

Concepts and Skills Required for the GRE Verbal Section

Vocabulary

Test takers are expected to have an extensive stock of words. Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions require students to choose the best word/words for the blank/blanks in a given sentence or paragraph. Learning an entire dictionary is definitely not recommended, students need access to a reliable list of frequently tested words on the GRE, and at the same time work on strategies required for these vocabulary-based questions. A command vocabulary is indispensable if a student wants to do well in the GRE Verbal section but is not confident about the GRE vocabulary then Manya GRE WordsApp is the ideal and best-suited app for you.

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Reading Ability

There are no prescribed books that a student can read to prepare for this test. While passages from different genres are given in this section, what matters is how carefully you read the passages and answer the questions based on what you have read. Understanding the GRE paper pattern is crucial, as it helps you become familiar with the types of questions you will encounter. Consistent timed practice using reliable material and taking full-length tests are ways in which you can improve your scores. Just reading and comprehending do not get your points. Thus, the section actually turns out to test your ability to answer the questions rather than just your ability to read and comprehend.

GRE Quantitative Syllabus

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning measures the GRE mathematics syllabus, assesses High school mathematics and statistics – basic mathematical skills, and understanding of elementary mathematical concepts. It does not include trigonometry, calculus, or other higher-level mathematics. The GRE allows using a calculator in the Math section, however, not all questions require you to use the calculator.

Some of the quant questions are based on real-life scenarios while other questions are based on pure mathematical settings.

Topics That are Tested on the GRE Quant Section Are:

• Arithmetic topics include properties and types of integers, such as divisibility, factorization, prime numbers, remainders, and odd and even integers; arithmetic operations, exponents, and roots; and concepts such as estimation, percent, ratio, rate, absolute value, the number line, decimal representation and sequences of numbers.

• Algebra topics include operations with exponents; factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions; relations, functions, equations, and inequalities; solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; solving simultaneous equations and inequalities; setting up equations to solve word problems;  and coordinate geometry, including graphs of functions, equations, and inequalities, intercepts, and slopes of lines.

• Geometry topics include parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, other polygons, congruent and similar figures, three-dimensional figures, area, and perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean Theorem and angle measurement in degrees.

• Data analysis topics include descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, inter-quartile range, quartiles, and percentiles; interpretation of data in tables and graphs, such as line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, box plots, scatter-plots, and frequency distributions; elementary probability of compound events and independent events; random variables and probability distributions, including normal distributions; and counting methods such as combinations, permutations, and Venn diagram.

Understanding the basic math concepts of the topics mentioned above is the required skill for the GRE Quant section.

GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus

The GRE Analytical Writing measures test takers’ ability:

• articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
• support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
• sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
• control the elements of standard written English

There is one task in this section:

• Analyze an Issue

The tasks come from a wide range of subjects – from the fine arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences – but no task requires specific content knowledge.

The GRE Tests the Ability Via the Following Question Types

Reading Comprehension

About half of the questions on the test are Reading comprehension which is based on passages and the number of questions based on a given passage can range from one to six. Passages are taken from the physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, and everyday topics, based on material found in books and periodicals, both academic and non-academic.

Sentence Equivalence

These questions test the ability to reach a conclusion about how a passage should be completed on the basis of partial information. Sentence Equivalence questions consist of a single sentence with just one blank, and they ask to find two choices that both lead to a complete, coherent sentence and that produce sentences with the same meaning.

Text Completion

Skilled reader maintains a constant attitude of interpretation and evaluation, reasoning from what they have read so far to create a picture of the whole and revise that picture as they go. Text completion questions test this ability by omitting crucial words from short passages and asking the test taker to use the remaining information in the passage as a basis for selecting words or short phrases to fill in the blanks and create a coherent and meaningful one.
Vocabulary is a highly required skill for answering Sentence Equivalence and Text completion questions. Additionally, GRE syllabus PDF can be a helpful resource to understand the topics covered and practice effectively.

GRE Subject Test Syllabus and Question Types 

The GRE Subject Test lasts for 2 hours 50 minutes and the only question type is Multiple Choice Questions. Here is the list of topics in each subject along with the question numbers.

GRE Math Syllabus (66 Questions)

• Algebra
• Calculus
• Additional Topics

GRE Physics Syllabus (100 Questions)

• Classical Mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Optics and Wave Phenomena
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Atomic Physics
• Special Relativity
• Laboratory Methods
• Specialized Topics

GRE Psychology Syllabus (205 Questions)

• Biological
• Cognitive
• Developmental
• Social
• Clinical
• Measurement/Methodology/Other

GRE Computer Science Syllabus (70 Questions)

• Software Systems and Methodology
• Computer Organization and Architecture
• Theory in Mathematical Background
• Numerical Analysis/Artificial Intelligence/Computer Graphics/Others

Additionally, GRE exam syllabus for CSE may contain other topics like security and social issues.

How to Prepare for the GRE?

The suggested timeline for preparing for your GRE is at least four to twelve weeks depending on your speed and the daily commitment to your studies. You can follow the tips below and plan your preparations accordingly:

1. Know Your Base Score: Before beginning, take a full-length practice test available online and see where you stand if you were to take the actual test today. This will help you determine the topics you need to work on.
2. Set Your Target Score: Mark out your prospective universities and note the score you need to apply with them. This way, you will know your goal and be able to work towards it.
3. Plan Your Ascend: It’s going to take some research to arrive at the perfect plan that will help you rise from your base score to the target score. Look at online testimonials of successful students and follow what suits you best.
4. Focus on Technique: Besides having a result-oriented approach, you should certainly pay attention to how you approach each question. Find out the techniques you use to solve the problems and work on bettering them.
5. Review Your Performance: Always analyze how you did in the practice tests, search for the patterns in your mistakes, and the questions you consistently have problems with. You will see how useful that is.
6. Vocabulary is Key: One way to enrich your vocabulary is by reading reputed academic journals and publications. The Internet will help you do this easily. Having a strong vocabulary takes you a long way in your GRE journey.
7. Know the GRE Exam Pattern: It’s helpful to refer to the GRE exam pattern PDF to understand the structure and types of questions you will encounter. This will guide your preparation and ensure you are familiar with the test format.

How is the GRE Exam Scored?

After completing the GRE, you will receive three scores: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Both Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning have a score scale of 130-170, with one-point increments. Your unofficial scores for both of these sections will appear on your computer screen immediately after you finish the test.

The Analytical Writing section has a score range of 0-6, with half-point increments. This score, along with your official scores for the other two sections, will be available online about 10-15 days after you complete the GRE. When they become available, you will receive an email informing you to check your My GRE account. Remember, understanding the GRE exam marks pattern is crucial for interpreting your results accurately.

GRE General Test Score Range

What Should One Do After Attempting GRE?

GRE is generally taken by students who are willing to study abroad. After taking the GRE the score you obtain is valid for 5 years from the date of the test. Having a GRE score in hand is a vital part of getting admission into top institutes abroad. While applying to a university abroad there are certain documents that an applicant has to submit which are a letter of recommendation, statement of purpose, academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, and many more. After giving the GRE and getting the results, if the results are what you wanted and you are happy with them you should not waste any more time and start refining your resume as it plays a vital part in your study abroad admission process. Another major and important step of the study abroad process is to make a list of the universities you wish to apply to and gather information about what documents the university requires while applying as each university can have different requirements.

Contact our counselors to know more about the GRE and take a free diagnostic test to get started on your GRE preparation.