Are you planning on taking the GRE soon? If so, you’ll be happy to know that the test is getting shorter. Starting on September 22, 2023, the GRE will be shortened from nearly 4 hours to just under 2 hours. This is excellent news for test-takers who are looking for a more efficient and less stressful experience.
The shorter GRE will still measure the same skills as the current GRE, including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. However, the test will be shorter and more focused, with fewer questions in each section. This will give test-takers more time to focus on each question and less stress overall.
The Shorter GRE: Major Changes
- The exam will be shortened from 3 hours 45 minutes to 1 hour 58 minutes.
- The unscored section will be removed.
- The 10-minute scheduled break will be removed.
- The “Analyze an Argument” task in the Analytical Writing section will be removed. Only the “Analyze an Issue” task will remain.
- The number of questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections will be reduced from 40 to 27 questions each.
- Scores will be delivered within 8-10 days instead of 10-15 days.
The Shorter GRE: Structure and Content Changes
The main change in the shorter GRE is the reduction of question numbers. The shorter GRE will have fewer questions and less time per section. The unscored section and scheduled break will also be removed. These changes are designed to make the GRE a more efficient and less stressful experience for test-takers.
| Section | Current GRE Questions | Current GRE Time | Shorter GRE Questions | Shorter GRE Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Reasoning | 40 questions | 70 minutes | 27 questions | 47 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 questions | 60 minutes | 27 questions | 41 minutes |
| Analytical Writing | 2 essay tasks | 60 minutes | 1 essay task | 30 minutes |
| Unscored Section | Varies | Varies | None | None |
| Scheduled Break | 10 minutes | None | ||
| Total | 3h 45m | 1h 58m |
The Shorter GRE: What is Staying The Same?
Scoring
The GRE scoring scale is not changing. The scores will still be reported on a scale of 130 to 170 for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, and 0 to 6 for the Analytical Writing section.
Prep Material
The Official Practice Exams and the Official Guide for the shorter GRE will be available in September 2023. If you are already preparing for the GRE, You can still use the same materials and study methods. However, you will need to adjust your preparation slightly to account for the fact that the shorter GRE will not include the “Analyze an Argument” essay task.
Test Fees
Test fees won’t change on the shorter GRE. You can find the fee for your country here.
If you need help preparing for the shorter GRE, our instructors can help you develop a personalized study plan and provide one-on-one tutoring sessions. Book a 30-minute free consultation with our senior instructors to understand how we can help you navigate the shorter GRE.
Contributor: Cynthia Addoumieh