New Changes in GRE
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a widely recognized standardized test used by aspiring graduate and professional school applicants. In an ongoing effort to enhance the testing experience, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) has introduced exciting changes to the GRE format. These modifications aim to create a more efficient and streamlined test, while maintaining its ability to accurately assess the skills and abilities of test takers.
The GRE Exam is a great option for students who wish to study either their postgraduate or doctorate studies in the US, UK, Singapore and Australia etc.
In this article, we will explore these changes in detail.
A Shorter and More Manageable Test
One of the most significant changes in the GRE format is the reduction in test duration, making it the shortest among general skills tests for admission to graduate and professional programs. The new format will take less than 2 hours to complete, providing test takers with a more focused and streamlined experience. This change not only enhances efficiency but also helps alleviate test-taking fatigue, allowing individuals to perform at their best throughout the exam.
Revised Section Structure
The revamped GRE format features a restructured section sequence and question distribution, ensuring a balanced assessment of various skills. Here's an overview of the new section structure and estimated timing:
Analytical Writing: The Analytical Writing section remains unchanged, consisting of one section with a single essay task. Test takers will have 30 minutes to analyze an issue and construct a well-reasoned response. This section evaluates a candidate's ability to critically analyze arguments and effectively communicate their thoughts in writing.
Quantitative Reasoning: The Quantitative Reasoning section now comprises two sections with a total of 27 questions each. This change reduces the number of questions compared to the previous format, allowing individuals more time to tackle each question thoroughly. Test takers will have 47 minutes to demonstrate their quantitative reasoning abilities and problem-solving skills.
Verbal Reasoning: Similar to the Quantitative Reasoning section, the Verbal Reasoning section includes two sections with 27 questions each. This section assesses a test taker's reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary skills. Candidates will have approximately 41 minutes to answer the Verbal Reasoning questions.
Enhanced Test-taking Experience
The new GRE format not only aims to assess skills effectively but also prioritizes a positive test-taking experience. The changes introduced provide test takers with a greater sense of control and improved functionality during the exam.
Reduced test-taking time: By shortening the overall duration, ETS acknowledges the importance of minimizing mental fatigue and maintaining optimal focus throughout the test. The shorter time frame allows candidates to showcase their abilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Streamlined question distribution: The revised format features a more balanced distribution of questions across the sections, providing a fairer assessment of a candidate's abilities. This change ensures that individuals have ample opportunity to demonstrate their skills in each section of the GRE.
Continued skill measurement: Despite the format changes, the GRE continues to assess the same skills and features the same question types. This means that individuals who have already started preparing for the exam can confidently continue their studies, knowing that their efforts will still be relevant and effective.
The forthcoming changes to the GRE format reflect ETS's commitment to adapting and improving the test-taking experience for aspiring graduate and professional program applicants. The introduction of a shorter and more streamlined format aims to reduce test-taking fatigue and enhance efficiency. By maintaining the integrity of the skills being assessed and offering a more balanced question distribution, the revised GRE format ensures a fair and comprehensive evaluation of candidates' abilities. As the September 2023 implementation approaches, test takers can confidently prepare for the GRE knowing that they are on track to excel in their pursuit of higher education.