GRE Test Pattern

GRE Test pattern 2016: The GRE General Test measures an aspirant's verbal, quantitative, critical thinking and analytical writing skills which are covered in three sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. However, as per the GRE test pattern 2016, the GRE Subject Test evaluates a candidate’s knowledge in specific fields. They are: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

The GRE test is available in two formats. They are: Computer-based test and Paper-based test. You can choose the format you wish to sit for the time of registration. The GRE Test pattern 2016 of both the formats are quite similar. GRE is available in the computer-based format in India. According to ETS, candidates can take the online GRE revised General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. The test pattern of GRE 2016 in both the formats vary along with the syllabus.

 

General GRE Test pattern 2016

As per the GRE test pattern 2016, the total duration of the Computer-based General test is 3 hours 45 minutes.   

There are six sections with a 10-minute break following the third section.

According to the GRE Test pattern 2016, the Unscored and the Research section do not count toward the actual GRE score. Research section may be included in place of the Unscored section. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on 130–170 scales.

 

The three sections of the GRE Test pattern 2016 are discussed below:

 

Verbal Reasoning

This section tests your comfort level with text and grammar. The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE Test Pattern 2016 contains three types of questions:

  a. Reading Comprehension

  b. Text Completion

  c. Sentence Equivalence

You can check the sample questions of the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE Test Pattern 2016 here:

 

Click here for Verbal Reasoning Sample paper

 

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to understand quantitative information and apply mathematical skills and elementary mathematical concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation.

 

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE Test contains four types of questions:

a. Quantitative Comparison Questions

b. Multiple-choice Questions — Select One Answer Choice

c. Multiple-choice Questions — Select One or More Answer Choices

d. Numeric Entry Questions.

 

You can check the sample questions of the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE Test Pattern 2016 here.

 

Click here for Quantitative Reasoning Sample paper

 

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively.

According to the GRE test pattern 2016, the Analytical Writing section of the GRE Test consists of two separately timed analytical writing tasks:

 

a. Analyse an Issue task: This task assesses your ability to think critically about a topic and express your thoughts in writing.

b. Analyse an Argument task: This task assesses your ability to understand, analyse and evaluate arguments and convey your evaluation in writing.

You can check the sample questions of the Analytical Writing section of the GRE Test Pattern 2016 here

 

Click here for Analytical Writing Sample paper

 

GRE Subject Test - GRE test pattern 2016

 

Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test: As per the GRE test pattern 2016, this test consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, which are based on descriptions of laboratory situations, diagrams or experimental results. The content of the test is organized into three major areas: biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology and genetics.

 

Biology Test: This test consists of 194 five-choice questions, based on descriptions of laboratory and field situations, diagrams or experimental results. The content is organised into three areas: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology and ecology and evolution. Equal weight is given to each of these three areas. In addition to the total score, a subscore in each of these subfield areas is reported.

 

Chemistry Test: The test consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. A periodic table is printed in the test booklet as well as a table of information presenting various physical constants and a few conversion factors among SI units.

 

Literature in English Test: This test consists of 230 questions on poetry, drama, biography, the essay, the short story, the novel, criticism, literary theory and the history of the language. Some questions are based on short works reprinted in their entirety, others on excerpts from longer works. The test draws on literature in English from the British Isles, the United States and other parts of the world.

 

Mathematics Test: As per the GRE test pattern 2016, this test consists of 66 multiple-choice questions drawn from courses commonly offered at the undergraduate level. Approximately 50 percent of the questions involve calculus and its applications. About 25 percent of the questions in the test are in elementary algebra, linear algebra, abstract.

 

Physics Test: This test consists of 100 five-choice questions, based on diagrams, graphs, experimental data and descriptions of physical situations. The aim of the test is to determine the extent of the examinees' grasp of fundamental principles and their ability to apply these principles in the solution of problems.

 

Psychology Test: The test consists of approximately 205 multiple-choice questions asper the GRE test pattern 2016. Each question has five options from which the examinee has to select the one option that is correct or best answer to the question. Stimulus materials, such as a description of an experiment or a graph, may serve as the basis for several questions.

 

Click here to download free sample papers of GRE

 

GRE is available at about 700 test centers in more than 160 countries. It is used in the selection procedure of many graduate schools worldwide. You can take the test once every 21 days and dates are available all around the year. What makes the exam so convenient is that there is no specific eligibility criterion for taking GRE Test. Aspirants can apply for the test irrespective of age and qualification. However, since the test is taken for admission to postgraduate programmes it is generally taken by students who have completed or will be completing their under graduation at the time of admission.