The GRE test is divided into 3 sections. The Analytical Writing section is always preferred first. The other two sections are the Verbal and Quantitative sections and they may appear in any order and it may include unscored and research sections with questions that are being considered for use in the future tests. You can take the GRE exam on paper or on computer. GRE testing time will vary depending on which version of the test you take first and the potential presence of unscored research sections, but plan to set aside at least three hours aside. If you end up taking the paper-based version of the GRE first, you should plan on spending a bit more time in the test centre. The paper version has 2 verbal and 2 quantitative sections. Similar to the computer version of the test, the paper-based GRE exam may also include an unscored section. Most students take computer-adaptive version of the test, meaning that for verbal and quantitative portions, the test adapts difficulty level of its questions each time you submit an answer. Each student starts out withthe questions of average difficulty. Each time you enter the answer, the computer scores immediately and compares it with your responses, and then presents a question suited to a  level. If you answer correctly, the questions becomesmore difficult. Incorrect answers result in next question being less difficult.
Analytical writing section of the GRE test
In first part of the Analytical Writing section, you must read a paragraph on general issue and then address the topic as fit for the next 45 minutes. Your ability to support your view with sound reasoning and examples are key to completing this section well.
If you take GRE exam on a computer, this portion is completed via simple word processing software. In areas where computer-based testing is not available, this segment is handwritten. Similar to first essay question, the second essay of the GRE writing section asks you to read and critique an argument. Youâll have 30 minutes to complete this essay. You will need to consider the reasoning present in the argument and then discuss whether you believe the argument is a good one or no. You donât have to agree or disagree with the statement. You just have to analyze and convey your reasoning clearly through your written response. The writing section is not computer-adaptive like rest of the GRE exam. You may use computer to complete it, but it wonât react to your writing or attempt to score your essays. For this section, your scores are determined by real people, and not computers.
Verbal section of the GRE test
Similar to portions of other exams you have probably taken, the Verbal section of the GRE test includes things like sentence completions, analogies, antonyms, and reading comprehension questions. Itâs purpose is to test your ability to form conclusions from written materials, recognize relationships between concepts and words, and to determine relationships between different parts of sentences. If you take the GRE on computer, expect to answer 30 questions within 30 minutes. On the paper version o, there are 2 segments, each 30 minutes long and each with 38 questions.
Math section of the GRE test
The Quantitative section of GRE tests high-school-level math. If you are a bit rusty, start honing your skills in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. This portion of the exam aims to test your skill at solving variety of different math problems, as well as to analyze your ability to use quantitative reasoning. For the computer version, you will need to answer 28 questions in 45 minutes, but on the paper version you will have two 30-minute segments, each with 30 questions.