GRE, Graduate Record Examination is a standardised global level test for admission to various disciplines at many Graduate and Business Schools. GRE has three major sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Here in this article, we are focussing on Exam pattern, Strategy, books to prepare to improve GRE Verbal Score.
The GRE score is used by aspirants to pursue a higher degree, especially a Master’s degree, Specialised Master’s course, MBA or a PhD degree etc. A US-based organization, Educational Testing Service (ETS) conducts GRE. There are different scales of marks for the sections. On a scale of 130 – 170, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are scored. Analytical writing is scored differently,i.e, it is scored on a scale of 0-6.
In this article, candidates are suggested to know all about GRE such as dates, eligibility for the test, registration, test pattern, syllabus, GRE fee structure, GRE Exam pattern, preparation strategy for the verbal section, and Books to prepare well.
Quick Facts
- Test type: The tests are of two types: GRE General (Aptitude) and GRE Subject (Subjective).
- Eligibility criteria for GRE: No specific eligibility criteria to pursue postgraduate programmes. However, the criteria are subjective to different colleges which the aspirants must fulfil for that particular institution.
- GRE Test sections: In total, there are three sections, namely, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing
- Test duration: 3 hours 45 minutes
- GRE Dates: Aspirants can take the exam once every 21 days, up to a time period of 12 months for a total of five attempts. It also depends on the choice of the exam center. If the seats at the specific test centre are filled on that date, the aspirant has to either select a new date or to choose a different test location. However, the candidate has to first make a ‘My GRE Account’ in order to register for a specific date.
- Score Range: Verbal Reasoning score ranges from 130-170, Quantitative Reasoning score ranges from 130-170, Analytical Writing score ranges from 0-6.
- Validity of the GRE scores: The scores obtained in GRE are valid for 5 years.
READ Too: GRE Vs GMAT, Top Business Schools Accepting GRE Scores
GRE Pattern
GRE exam pattern has three sections, namely, Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Along with the difference in time duration, the pattern also differs for the paper-based and online exam.
| Paper-Based Test | GRE Sections type |
Computer-Based Test |
||
| Time Duration in minutes | No. of Sections along with no.of questions or tasks | No. of Sections along with no.of tasks or questions | Time Duration in minutes | |
| 60 minutes | 2 Sections with tasks | Analytical Writing | 1 Section with 2 tasks | 60 minutes |
| 70 minutes | 2 Sections with 50 questions | Verbal Reasoning | 2 Sections with 40 questions | 60 minutes |
| 80 minutes | 2 Sections with 50 questions | Quantitative Reasoning | 2 Sections with 40 questions | 70 minutes |
| Unscored | Varies | Varies | ||
| Research | Varies | Varies | ||
GRE Verbal Reasoning Section
The section of verbal reasoning is to measure the test taker’s ability to analyze and make conclusions from discourse, reason from the provided data. It also aims to identify author’s assumptions and/or perspective, select important points, summarize text, understand the structure of a text, understand the meanings of words, sentences and entire texts and understand relationships among words and concepts. GRE verbal reasoning can further be divided into three subparts, namely :
- Text Completion: The given data in the passage is used as a basis for selecting words to complete the blanks and create a meaningful answer.
- Sentence Equivalence: The Sentence Equivalence questions include a single sentence, a blank, and a total of six possible answer choices among which one is correct.
- Reading Comprehension: Reading comprehension section is used to test the ability to understand the context of a passage and answer regarding the information provided in the passage.
All verbal section has twenty questions each. Half of the section consists of text completion and sentence equivalence questions while the other half consists of reading comprehension questions. Some important topics for the GRE Verbal section are :
- Basic Sentence structure: Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives
- Verb Tense
- Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions
- Pronoun Agreement
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Modifiers
- Parallelism
READ ALSO: Graduate Record Examinations (GRE): Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Fees And Other Information
Strategy to Improve GRE Verbal Score
To crack any section of any exam, one needs to imply good strategy. Though the GRE Verbal section seems to be vast in its nature, one can ace it with an effective strategy. Some of the helpful tips to expand the wholesome knowledge about GRE is provided below :
- Have the habit of reading good books, magazines, and newspapers. It helps to add new words and context to the vocabulary.
- Try to read classic books which have an exceptional use of language.
- It is also important to understand the flow and comprehensive reasoning behind the context.
- There are some questions which are very commonly asked. Read about them.
- Practice as many words and context as you can by reading them loud, by using them in daily life etc.
GRE Preparation Books and Materials
Books and preparation material play an important role in preparation in any examination. They act like a tool for knowledge collection. There are several books available to better the vocabulary section as well as the common contextual section. Some of the books are as follows :
- The Official Guide to verbal reasoning (by ETS GRE)
- 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems (by Manhattan Prep)
- Manhattan Prep’s 500 Essential Words: GRE Vocabulary Flash Cards
- Manhattan Prep’s Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides
- GRE Vocabulary Flashcards (by Kaplan)
- NORMAN LEWIS ‘s Word Power Made Easy
- Barron’s word list.
Apart from the books mentioned above, newspapers are also a great source for verbal section preparation. Newspapers like The Hindu follow a classic use of vocabulary and the context. Make sure to grab words from such sources as well.
ALSO READ: When Applying To Business School, What Needs To Be Considered?
Here you got the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Test Pattern, Strategy and Books to improve GRE verbal Score And Other Information. Please post your comments and queries on our AfterGraduation Forum or in the below comment box.
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