GRE Syllabus 2026: Complete Section-Wise Syllabus and PDF Download

What is the GRE General Test? It is a computerized test conducted by ETS. The skills tested include verbal, quantitative, critical, and analytical skills.

Who can take it?

There is no criterion of eligibility for taking this test. You cannot be stopped from taking the test due to age, citizenship, or educational reasons. ETS allows you to take the test after 21 days of your previous attempt. However, you cannot retake the test more than five times within a year.

Format at a glance:

• Computer-delivered, at a test centre or at home
• Five sections, about 1 hour 58 minutes
• You can skip questions and go back within a section
• An on-screen calculator is provided for Quantitative Reasoning

Grades: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are both graded on a range from 130 to 170 in one point increments. Analytical Writing is graded on a range of 0 to 6 with half-point increments.

Reading Comprehension

Passages are drawn from sciences, humanities, social sciences and business. Expect questions on:

• Main idea and supporting details
• Inference and implied meaning
• Author’s purpose and tone
• Structure of the passage and how arguments are built

Text Completion

One, two or three blanks in the passage had to be filled in. I think the most important thing is to comprehend the sentence structure and choose the suitable words to fill in the blanks. It doesn't matter whether you know the words or not.

Sentence Equivalence

One sentence, one blank, and six options. Two choices that will fill in the blank in the sentence and give it the same meaning are to be chosen by you.

Preparation for Vocabulary

GRE tests you on academic vocabulary usage in context. Some good

• practices include: Learn words from reading, not only lists
• Group words by meaning (synonym clusters)
• Review with spaced repetition
• Write your own sentences for new words

The Math will be of high school standard. The test lies in how fast one can reason.

Arithmetic

Integers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio/proportion, exponents, roots, absolute value, and number properties (factors, multiples, primes, odds/evens).

Algebra

Algebraic expressions, linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, sequences and word problems.

Geometry

Straight lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, coordinate geometry, area, perimeter, surface area, and volume.

Data Analysis

Graphs, charts, tables; mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation; basics of probability; permutations and combinations.

Quantitative Comparison

A comparison is made between Quantity A and Quantity B. The choices are that A is greater than B, B is greater than A, A equals B, or the relationship cannot be determined. Explore other possibilities before picking “cannot be determined.”

Problem Solving

It includes multiple-choice questions (multiple right answers), numerical answers, and practical applications like interest, rates, work, and mixtures.

The following is a statement from which you have to form an opinion. The statement should be evaluated, and other people’s opinions about it should be judged. Structure and Writing Style

• Introduction: restate the problem and present your thesis
• Body Paragraphs: each with one idea and supporting examples
• Counter-Argument: discuss some limitations or an opposing opinion
• Conclusion: Provide an overview of your stance in your own words

Grammar, Clarity, and Persuasion The graders will evaluate your skill to think and write coherently. You need to emphasize on coherent sentences, smooth transitions, and writing style.

ETS doesn’t produce any document under the name “GRE syllabus.” Therefore, no links to any PDF file can be provided. The only official source is the website of ETS GRE: https://www.ets.org/gre.html.There you can find:

• Test structure and content descriptions for each section
• Sample questions (including downloadable sample PDFs)
• Official practice tests and Official Guide to the GRE General Test.

Suggestion: make a personal list out of the list of topics presented here and check off each topic once you've learned it.

• Analytical Writing comes first. Verbal and Quantitative sections follow in any order.
• Within each measure, the first section is of average difficulty and the second adapts to your performance.
• Your Verbal and Quantitative scores reflect your total correct answers across both sections plus the section difficulty.

With fewer questions, each one counts for more

Verbal: Read long-form articles daily (science, economics, philosophy)—practice summarizing each paragraph in one line. Learn vocabulary in context.

Quant: Revise the basics first, then practice timed sets. Keep an error log of every mistake and its cause.

Analytical Writing: Write one timed 30-minute essay a week. Compare it with official scoring guidance and sample responses.

Mocks matter: Take full-length tests under timed conditions. Use official ETS practice material first, because it reflects the current format.

Common mistakes:

• Using pre-2023 material (two essays, 20-question sections)
• Memorizing word lists without context
• Skipping review of mistakes
• Ignoring Analytical Writing until the last week
• Taking the test before your target score is realistic

The syllabus for the GRE is not as daunting as it seems initially: only three sections, certain topics to focus on, and one essay. Go through the above list of topics and make a schedule that will suit you best by using official Ooshas prep material. Consistent practice will go a long way.