GRE Syllabus 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to General and Subject Tests Syllabus

GRE expanded as Graduate Record examination is a standardized English language and aptitude test to get admission into graduate and business school programs in universities worldwide.

The exam evaluates a candidate’s skills in various areas and understanding the GRE syllabus is crucial for achieving a high score. GRE general test syllabus is divided into three components as follows; 1. verbal Reasoning, 2. Analytical Reasoning, 3. Analytical Writing ability. GRE subject test is administered in subjects like Mathematics, physics, Psychology which measures undergraduate achievement in a particular field of study. If you are looking for a detailed overview of GRE exam syllabus 2024 then you are on the right page. Look no further but continue to read on.

Here's a lucid chart of the GRE General Test syllabus 2024 in a clear tabular format:

 You can also download gre exam syllabus pdf on Ets.org website.

The GRE General Test assesses your verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills, crucial for any graduate program. As detailed above the three components which play a vital role in scoring are GRE Verbal reasoning (English), GRE Quantitative reasoning (Math) and GRE Analytical Writing (Essay).

GRE General Test Syllabus

The GRE English syllabus is broadly divided into 2 divisions: Analytical writing section and Verbal reasoning section. These sections help in evaluating a candidate's ability to think critically, analyze arguments, and communicate effectively in English. Let us take a closer look at both these sections.

GRE Analytical Writing

The GRE Analytical Writing section tests your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively. It assesses how well you can construct a coherent argument, support your ideas with evidence, and present your views logically. The test taker has to write only one essay in 30 minutes.

Task Type:

• Issue Task: Requires you to present a perspective on a topic.

Task Structure:

• Prompt: You'll be given a statement or claim that you need to take a stance on. The prompt will often involve a general assertion about a societal issue, policy, or philosophical statement.

• Response: You are required to write an essay that articulates your position on the issue, supported by reasons and examples.

• Example: The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.
  Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Topics can range from societal issues to educational or technological trends, and your task is to provide a well-structured argument supported by examples.

GRE Verbal Reasoning

The GRE Verbal Reasoning syllabus assesses your ability to understand and analyze written material, evaluate arguments, and apply your reasoning skills. The Verbal Reasoning measure contains three types of questions:

1. Reading Comprehension,
2. Text Completion and
3. Sentence Equivalence.

1. Reading Comprehension: GRE Reading Comprehension is designed to check your ability to read, understand, and analyze written material, which is essential for success in graduate school. You will encounter passages that can range from 100 to 500 words. Typically, the GRE includes 10-12 reading comprehension questions per section. These may include Literary texts such as excerpts from fiction or literary criticism, Scientific articles from fields like biology, physics, or psychology and social sciences’ texts that discuss historical events, sociology, or economics.

GRE English Reading comprehension Question Types:
Questions can be categorized as:

• Detail questions
• Inference questions
• Main idea questions
• Vocabulary in context
• Author's attitude or tone

Passage Example: "In recent years, research in the field of cognitive psychology has revealed significant insights into how humans process information. Understanding the cognitive load during learning is crucial, as it affects retention and comprehension. Studies indicate that when the cognitive load is high, learners tend to struggle with integrating new knowledge."

Sample Questions:
Detail Question: What does research in cognitive psychology focus on?

• The impact of technology on learning.
• The effects of cognitive load on retention.
• The history of psychology.
• The methods of teaching.

Inference Question: What can be inferred about the relationship between cognitive load and learning?

• Higher cognitive load always improves learning outcomes.
• Low cognitive load is essential for effective learning.
• Cognitive load has no impact on retention.
• Cognitive load is irrelevant to learning strategies.

Main Idea Question: What is the primary focus of the passage?

• The evolution of cognitive psychology.
• The importance of cognitive load in learning.
• Techniques for effective teaching.
• The challenges of modern education.

2. GRE Text Completion is a key component of the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE. This section tests your ability to understand the context of a passage and select the appropriate words to fill in the blanks. Text Completion questions assess several critical skills such as vocabulary Knowledge, contextual understanding, logical reasoning and sentence structure. The questions consist of a passage with one to three blanks. The blanks are accompanied by a list of answer choices for each blank. The passages can range from a few words to several sentences long. The complexity of the passages varies, with some being more straightforward and others requiring a deeper understanding. Each blank will have five answer choices, and you may encounter:

• Single blank questions (one word to fill).
• Double blank questions (two words to fill, requiring you to choose one word for each blank).
• Triple blank questions (three words to fill, following the same pattern as double blanks).

Text Completion example

"The artist’s latest exhibition was met with _________; critics praised the innovative techniques and emotional depth of the pieces, while some felt the work was too __________ for the general public."

Answer Choices:

• indifference
• enthusiasm
• derision
• trivial
• abstract
• dull

3.GRE Sentence Equivalence is a significant part of the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE, designed to evaluate your ability to understand the meaning of a sentence as a whole and to recognize how specific words can impact that meaning. In a Sentence Equivalence question, you are presented with a single sentence that contains one blank. The sentence is followed by six answer choices, from which you must select two words that, when inserted into the blank, create a sentence with equivalent meanings. The two selected words must not only fit grammatically but also convey a similar meaning in the context of the sentence. These questions access a variety of skills such as vocabulary Knowledge, contextual understanding, logical reasoning and critical thinking.

Practice Sentence Equivalence Question:

The prize competition was ____ as a showcase for new technology, but instead the competition was marred by disqualifications and disputes.

• disappointing
• conceived
• touted
• heralded
• promising
• required

GRE Quantitative Reasoning

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section measures your mathematical skills, understanding of quantitative concepts, and ability to analyze and interpret quantitative information. This section is designed to assess your readiness for graduate-level studies in fields that require quantitative reasoning, such as science, engineering, economics, and social sciences. The Quantitative Reasoning section consists of two separate sections, each containing 20 questions. There are 3 types of questions in this section ; Quantitative Comparison, problem solving and data interpretation. The gre quantitative reasoning syllabus is broadly divided into 4 parts:

A. Arithmetic

• Number Properties:

• Integers, rational numbers, and real numbers
• Prime numbers and divisibility
• Factors and multiples, including least common multiple (LCM) and greatest common divisor (GCD)
• Odd and even numbers
• Operations with Numbers:
• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Properties of operations (associative, commutative, distributive)
• Exponents and roots
• Percentages:
• Calculating percentages and percent change
• Applications of percentages in real-world contexts
• Ratios and Proportions:
• Understanding and calculating ratios
• Solving problems involving proportions
• Estimation:
• Rounding numbers and estimating calculations
• Using estimation to check the reasonableness of answers

B. Algebra

• Expressions and Equations:

• Simplifying algebraic expressions
• Solving linear equations and inequalities
• Solving quadratic equations
• Functions:

• Understanding functions and their notation
• Evaluating and interpreting functions
• Word Problems:

• Translating verbal descriptions into algebraic equations
• Solving problems involving rates, work, mixture, and distance
• Graphs and Functions:

• Understanding linear and nonlinear functions
• Interpreting graphs of functions

C. Geometry

• Basic Geometric Concepts:

• Points, lines, angles, and planes
• Polygons, including triangles, quadrilaterals, and other shapes
• Circles: circumference, area, and properties
• Measurement:

• Area and perimeter of various shapes
• Surface area and volume of three-dimensional figures (cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones)
• Coordinate Geometry:

• Understanding the Cartesian coordinate system
• Graphing equations and interpreting coordinates
• Distance and midpoint formulas
• Triangles and Their Properties:

• Types of triangles (isosceles, equilateral, right)
• Pythagorean theorem and properties of triangle angles
• Triangle inequality theorem

D. Data Analysis

• Statistics:

• Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
• Range, variance, and standard deviation
• Understanding and interpreting data sets

• Probability:

• Basic probability concepts and rules
• Independent and dependent events
• Combinations and permutations
• Data Interpretation:

• Analyzing data presented in tables, graphs, and charts
• Drawing conclusions and making inferences from data
• Understanding trends and patterns in data
• Surveys and Sampling:

• Understanding sampling techniques
• Analyzing survey data

GRE Subject Test Syllabus

The GRE Subject Tests assess knowledge in specific disciplines and are designed for those who have an undergraduate degree in that area.The number of questions varies by subject but includes multiple choice questions.

Here’s a breakdown of the GRE Subject Test syllabus for 2024, covering the main subjects:

GRE Psychology syllabus

The GRE psychology test includes 205 Multiple choice questions with 5 options to each. The test taker has to choose one correct answer for each question.

• Biological Psychology: Neuroanatomy, hormones, and behavior, sensory processes.
• Cognitive Psychology: Memory, perception, problem-solving, decision-making.
• Developmental Psychology: Lifespan development, theories of development.
• Social Psychology: Group dynamics, social perception, attitudes.
• Clinical Psychology: Abnormal psychology, treatment methods, assessment.
• Measurement and Methodology: Research methods, statistics, ethical issues.

GRE English syllabus

The GRE Subject Test in Literature in English typically consists of approximately 230 multiple-choice questions. These questions cover a range of topics, including literary analysis, historical context, genres, and theoretical approaches. The test is designed to assess your understanding of literature and your ability to analyze and interpret texts.

• Literary Analysis: Close reading, interpretation of texts, critical thinking.
• Genres: Poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction.
• Historical Context: Literary movements and periods, major authors and works.
• Theoretical Approaches: Different schools of literary theory.

GRE Mathematics syllabus

There are 66 Multiple choice questions in the GRE Maths section.

• Algebra: Elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, advanced algebra.
• Calculus: Limits, derivatives, integrals, series.
• Geometry: Plane and solid geometry, coordinate geometry.
• Data Analysis: Statistics, probability, and discrete mathematics.

GRE Physics syllabus

The test includes around 100 multiple-choice questions with five answer options each. Some questions are organized into sets that rely on materials such as diagrams, graphs, experimental data, and descriptions of physical scenarios.

• Classical Mechanics: Newtonian mechanics, energy, and momentum.
• Electromagnetism: Electric fields, circuits, magnetic fields.
• Optics: Wave optics, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction.
• Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory.
• Modern Physics: Quantum mechanics, atomic structure, nuclear physics.

GRE chemistry syllabus

The number of questions in GRE Chemistry are approximately 130 multiple choice type. The GRE Chemistry syllabus is as follows;

• Analytical Chemistry: Chemical analysis, laboratory techniques.
• Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic table, bonding, coordination compounds.
• Organic Chemistry: Structure, reactions, mechanisms, functional groups.
• Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry.

GRE Biology Syllabus

• Cell Biology: Cell structure, metabolism, and signaling.
• Molecular Biology: Genetics, DNA replication, transcription, translation.
• Organismal Biology: Evolution, ecology, and behavior.
• Ecology and Evolution: Population dynamics, ecosystems, evolutionary theory.

Further reading on: GRE Results

Conclusion

In conclusion, the GRE syllabus for both the General and Subject Tests is designed to evaluate a wide range of skills, from analytical writing and critical thinking to subject-specific knowledge. Understanding the structure and content of the test is crucial for effective GRE preparation. Whether you are taking the General Test, which focuses on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, or a Subject Test that delves into areas like Biology, Chemistry, or Literature, a well-rounded study plan is essential. With thorough practice and familiarity with the test format, candidates can optimize their performance and achieve their target scores.

If you’re preparing for other exams, you can find resources and discount vouchers for them too on EduVouchers.