GRE format and scoring: under two hours, 260 to 340
Since September 2023 the GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes instead of nearly four hours. It has one writing task, two Verbal sections and two Quantitative sections, with Verbal and Quant each scored 130 to 170 and Analytical Writing scored 0 to 6.
Last checked October 2026. Based on test-prep and study-abroad guides citing ETS. Confirm details at ets.org/gre.
The sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (Analyze an Issue) | 1 task | 30 minutes | 0-6 |
| Verbal Reasoning (two sections) | 27 in total | 41 minutes | 130-170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (two sections) | 27 in total | 47 minutes | 130-170 |
As reported by guides citing ETS. The order of Verbal and Quant sections can vary.
Verbal covers reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence and critical reasoning. Quant includes quantitative comparison, multiple-choice questions with one or more answers, and numeric entry. The test is section-adaptive, so your performance on the first section of Verbal or Quant influences the difficulty of the second.
What the 2023 change did
In the old format, one Verbal or Quant section was experimental and unscored, and test takers could not tell which. A guide says that in the new format every question counts.
Common questions
When do I get my score?
A guide reports that unofficial Verbal and Quant scores appear at the end of the test, and official scores arrive in about 8 to 10 business days.
How many times can I take it?
ETS lets you take the General Test up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, according to guides.