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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Academic Testing
Exam Format
41 min
27
N/A - Graduate programs set their own minimum scores
Graduate School Admission
Registration
$220 USD
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Once every 21 days, up to 5 times per 12-month period
Validity
5 years from test date
Retake the GRE General Test
GRE-VERBAL Exam Topics and Domains
GRE-VERBAL is organized into 3 weighted domains.
1
Reading Comprehension
50%
Understanding Text Meaning and Structure
Understanding Words and SentencesUnderstanding Paragraphs and Larger Text BodiesText Structure and Organization
- Understand the meaning of individual words and sentences
- Understand the meaning of paragraphs and larger bodies of text
- Understand the structure of a text in terms of how the parts relate to one another
Analyzing and Evaluating Written Material
Distinguishing Major and Minor PointsSummarization and SynthesisDrawing Conclusions and Making InferencesReasoning from Incomplete Data
- Distinguish between minor and major points
- Summarize a passage
- Draw conclusions from the information provided
- Reason from incomplete data to infer missing information
Understanding Author's Perspective and Intent
Identifying Author's Assumptions and PerspectiveUnderstanding Multiple Levels of MeaningDistinguishing Author's Position
- Identify the author's assumptions and/or perspective
- Understand multiple levels of meaning such as literal, figurative and author's intent
- Distinguish ideas that the author is advancing from those they are merely reporting
- Distinguish ideas that the author is strongly committed to from those they advance as hypothetical or speculative
Critical Analysis and Evaluation
Analyzing Text and Reaching ConclusionsIdentifying Strengths and WeaknessesDeveloping and Evaluating Alternative Explanations
- Analyze a text and reach conclusions about it
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of a position
- Develop and consider alternative explanations
Reading Comprehension Question Types
Multiple-Choice Select One AnswerMultiple-Choice Select One or More AnswersSelect-in-Passage Questions
- Master different question formats and their requirements
- Apply appropriate strategies for each question type
- Understand scoring differences between question types
Reading Comprehension Content Areas
Physical SciencesBiological SciencesSocial SciencesBusinessArts and HumanitiesEveryday Topics
- Read and comprehend passages from diverse subject areas
- Apply reading skills across disciplines
- Handle unfamiliar content using passage information
2
Text Completion
25%
Text Completion Fundamentals
Single-Blank Text CompletionDouble-Blank Text CompletionTriple-Blank Text Completion
- Use remaining passage information to fill blanks logically
- Create coherent and meaningful completed passages
- Select words/phrases that produce grammatically correct sentences
Text Completion Skills
Context AnalysisLogical CoherenceStrategic Blank-Filling
- Identify significant words and phrases in passages
- Use structural and contextual clues effectively
- Apply strategic approaches to multi-blank questions
3
Sentence Equivalence
25%
Sentence Equivalence Fundamentals
Sentence Equivalence StructureMeaning-Based Completion
- Identify two answer choices that lead to coherent sentences
- Ensure the two resultant sentences mean the same thing
- Complete sentences based on partial information
Sentence Equivalence Strategies
Avoiding Synonym TrapsPrediction and TestingVerification of Equivalence
- Understand the limitations of synonym-based approaches
- Apply effective prediction strategies
- Verify both coherence and equivalence
How do I earn this certification?
Passing GRE-VERBAL earns the GRE General Test Score certification. It sits in the Graduate School Admissions track.
Next Level Options
- Master's Degree Programs Use GRE scores to apply to Master's programs across disciplines
- Doctoral (Ph.D.) Programs Use GRE scores to apply to Ph.D. programs
- Business School (MBA) Some business schools accept GRE scores in lieu of GMAT
- Law School (J.D.) Some law schools accept GRE scores in lieu of LSAT
Alternative Paths
- GRE-SUBJECT - GRE Subject Tests Some programs require/recommend subject tests in addition to General Test
- GMAT - Graduate Management Admission TestTraditional business school admissions test; some programs accept either GRE or GMAT
- LSAT - Law School Admission Test Traditional law school admissions test; most programs still prefer LSAT over GRE
- MCAT - Medical College Admission TestRequired for medical school; GRE not accepted as substitute
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for GRE-VERBAL is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2023-09-22
- Announcement date: 2023-05-01
Updates
- At-Home Testing Platform Current At-home testing now standard option; same test content as test centers • Release date: 2020-03-20
- Section-Level Adaptive Testing Current (since 2011) Second Verbal section difficulty adapts based on first section performance
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Undergraduate students planning graduate studies and Recent graduates seeking advanced degrees.
- Undergraduate education (typically taken during final year or after completion)
- Strong reading comprehension skills
- Advanced English vocabulary
- Critical thinking and analytical skills