Most GRE prep goes wrong in week one, not because students do not work hard, but because they study the wrong topics. Many students spend time on trigonometry, calculus, long grammar rules or random word lists when the GRE General Test has a much more defined syllabus.
The GRE syllabus is narrower than most people think. It covers Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. Verbal checks how well you read, understand vocabulary in context and follow ideas. Quant checks basic maths, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. Analytical Writing checks how clearly you can build and support an argument.
This guide explains the full GRE test syllabus topic by topic, including what to study and what you can safely skip. The syllabus details are verified from ETS, the official body that conducts the GRE.
The GRE syllabus 2026 includes three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. Verbal covers Reading Comprehension, Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, while Quant includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. Analytical Writing has one Analyze an Issue essay. The GRE General Test does not include trigonometry, calculus, higher-level maths, mathematical proofs or inferential statistics. Separate GRE Subject Tests are available in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.
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GRE Syllabus Overview
The GRE General Test measures skills needed for graduate, business and law school. It measures verbal Reasoning, quantitative Reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. These skills are not linked to one specific subject or degree.
The syllabus is divided into three main parts:
| GRE Section | What It Tests |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Reading, vocabulary in context, sentence logic and relationships between words and ideas |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis and basic mathematical reasoning |
| Analytical Writing | Critical thinking, argument development, structure, clarity and examples |
GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus
The GRE Verbal Reasoning section checks whether you can understand written material, evaluate information, complete sentences logically and recognize relationships between words and ideas. ETS lists three Verbal question types: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence.
1. Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension questions are based on passages. Nearly half of the GRE Verbal Reasoning section requires students to read passages and answer questions based on them.
Most passages are one paragraph long, while one or two passages may be several paragraphs long. These passages may come from physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, business, arts and humanities, and everyday topics. You do not need outside subject knowledge because the answer must come from the passage itself.
What to study:
| Reading Comprehension Skills |
|---|
| Finding the main idea |
| Understanding supporting details |
| Drawing conclusions from the given information |
| Identifying the author’s assumptions or perspective |
| Understanding the structure of a passage |
| Separating major points from minor or irrelevant points |
| Understanding words and sentences in context |
| Evaluating evidence and arguments |
| Selecting a single correct answer |
| Selecting multiple correct answers |
| Selecting a sentence from the passage |
2. Text Completion
Text Completion questions test whether you can understand the logic of a short passage and fill in missing words. Each Text Completion passage has one to five sentences and one to three blanks. If there is one blank, there are five answer choices. If there are two or three blanks, each blank has three answer choices. There is no partial credit.
What to study:
| Text Completion Skills |
|---|
| Understanding sentence logic |
| Identifying contrast and support words |
| Choosing words that fit the full passage |
| Understanding tone and context |
| Using vocabulary with meaning, not just memorised definitions |
| Checking whether the completed sentence is logical and coherent |
3. Sentence Equivalence
Sentence Equivalence questions have one sentence, one blank and six answer choices. You must choose two words that complete the sentence and create the same overall meaning. ETS clearly states that there is no partial credit.
What to study:
| Sentence Equivalence Skills |
|---|
| Understanding the sentence as a whole |
| Predicting the missing meaning before checking options |
| Choosing two words that create similar sentence meanings |
| Avoiding synonym traps |
| Understanding secondary meanings of words |
| Checking sentence logic after selecting both answers |
What to Study for the GRE Verbal
For Verbal, do not only memorize word lists. Focus on vocabulary in context. Read dense, argument-based Writing and practise how ideas connect. Good reading practice includes academic articles, editorials, essays, science writing, business writing and humanities-based passages.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section checks basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary concepts and the ability to solve problems using quantitative methods. Quant syllabus is divided into four content areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. The level is generally no higher than a second course in algebra, with some introductory statistics.
GRE Quant Arithmetic Syllabus
| Arithmetic Topics |
|---|
| Properties and types of integers |
| Divisibility |
| Factorisation |
| Prime numbers |
| Remainders |
| Odd and even integers |
| Arithmetic operations |
| Exponents and roots |
| Estimation |
| Percent |
| Ratio |
| Rate |
| Absolute value |
| Number line |
| Decimal representation |
| Sequences of numbers |
GRE Quant Algebra Syllabus
| Algebra Topics |
|---|
| Operations with exponents |
| Factoring algebraic expressions |
| Simplifying algebraic expressions |
| Relations |
| Functions |
| Equations |
| Inequalities |
| Solving linear equations and inequalities |
| Solving quadratic equations and inequalities |
| Solving simultaneous equations and inequalities |
| Setting up equations for word problems |
| Coordinate geometry |
| Graphs of functions, equations and inequalities |
| Intercepts |
| Slopes of lines |
GRE Quant Geometry Syllabus
| Geometry Topics |
|---|
| Parallel lines |
| Perpendicular lines |
| Circles |
| Triangles |
| Isosceles triangles |
| Equilateral triangles |
| 30°-60°-90° triangles |
| Quadrilaterals |
| Other polygons |
| Congruent figures |
| Similar figures |
| Three-dimensional figures |
| Area |
| Perimeter |
| Volume |
| Pythagorean theorem |
| Angle measurement in degrees |
GRE Quant Data Analysis Syllabus
| Data Analysis Topics |
|---|
| Mean |
| Median |
| Mode |
| Range |
| Standard deviation |
| Interquartile range |
| Quartiles |
| Percentiles |
| Interpreting data in tables and graphs |
| Line graphs |
| Bar graphs |
| Circle graphs |
| Boxplots |
| Scatterplots |
| Frequency distributions |
| Elementary probability |
| Compound events |
| Independent events |
| Conditional probability |
| Random variables |
| Probability distributions, including normal distributions |
| Counting methods |
| Combinations |
| Permutations |
| Venn diagrams |
Note: This section is important because many students only prepare basic averages and graphs, but this section also includes conditional probability, random variables, probability distributions and counting methods in the official Quant content areas.
GRE Quant Question Types
GRE Quant topics can appear in four question formats:
| Question Type | What You Do |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Comparison | Compare Quantity A and Quantity B |
| Multiple-choice: Select One | Choose one correct answer |
| Multiple-choice: Select One or More | Choose all correct answers |
| Numeric Entry | Type the answer without options |
Note: Data Interpretation questions are based on the same table, graph or data display. They may appear as multiple-choice or numeric-entry questions.
Knowing the four GRE Quant question formats is only part of the challenge. Our GRE exam pattern guide explains how many questions each section includes and how much time you get to complete them.
GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus
The GRE Analytical Writing section has one task: Analyze an Issue. This task gives you an opinion on an issue and asks you to evaluate it, consider its complexities and develop an argument with reasons and examples.
This section does not test specific GRE exam subject knowledge. It tests how clearly you can think, structure your ideas and write under time pressure.
What to study:
| Analytical Writing Skills |
|---|
| Understanding the issue prompt |
| Taking a clear position |
| Building a focused argument |
| Supporting ideas with reasons and examples |
| Considering complexity |
| Organising paragraphs logically |
| Using clear standard English |
| Reviewing the essay for obvious errors |
Note: You do not need to study the old “Analyse an Argument” task for the current GRE General Test. The current Analytical Writing measure has only the “Analyse an Issue” task.
GRE Subject Test Syllabus
It is different from the GRE General Test. These tests are available for Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. The Mathematics test is 2 hours and 50 minutes long, while the Physics and Psychology tests are 2 hours each. These tests do not have separately timed sections.
You only need a Subject Test if your target programme asks for it. Most students applying to graduate programmes focus on the GRE General Test unless a university or department specifically requires a Subject Test.
GRE Mathematics Syllabus
| Mathematics Subject Test Areas |
|---|
| Calculus |
| Algebra |
| Additional topics such as real analysis, discrete mathematics and other undergraduate-level mathematics topics |
Note: 50% of the Mathematics Subject Test is based on calculus and its applications, around 25% on algebra, and the remaining 25% on additional topics.
GRE Physics Syllabus
| Physics Subject Test Area | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|
| Classical Mechanics | 20% |
| Electromagnetism | 18% |
| Optics and Wave Phenomena | 8% |
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 10% |
| Quantum Mechanics | 13% |
| Atomic Physics | 10% |
| Special Relativity | 6% |
| Laboratory Methods | 6% |
| Specialized Topics | 9% |
GRE Psychology Syllabus
| Psychology Subject Test Areas |
|---|
| Biological |
| Cognitive |
| Social |
| Developmental |
| Clinical |
| Measurement, Methodology and Other |
Note: The Psychology test includes questions from the core knowledge usually covered in undergraduate psychology courses.
What Is Not in the GRE Exam Syllabus?
This is where students can save a lot of prep time. The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section does not include trigonometry, calculus or other higher-level mathematics. It also does not test inferential statistics or the ability to construct mathematical proofs.
| Not Tested in GRE General Test | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Trigonometry | No sine, cosine, tangent or trigonometric identities |
| Calculus | No differentiation or integration |
| Higher-level mathematics | No advanced college-level maths in GRE General Quant |
| Mathematical proofs | You solve problems; you are not asked to prove theorems |
| Inferential statistics | Focus is on descriptive statistics and basic probability |
| Subject-specific knowledge | General Test passages give enough information to answer |
Note: Do not waste time on topics that ETS does not test in the GRE General Test.
GRE Syllabus Checklist
| Section | Topics to Master |
|---|---|
| Verbal: Reading Comprehension | Main idea, details, inference, author’s perspective, structure, evidence, Select-in-Passage |
| Verbal: Text Completion | Sentence logic, transitions, tone, vocabulary in context, one to three blanks |
| Verbal: Sentence Equivalence | One blank, six options, two correct answers, same overall meaning |
| Quant: Arithmetic | Integers, factors, primes, remainders, exponents, roots, percent, ratio, rate, absolute value, sequences |
| Quant: Algebra | Expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, quadratics, simultaneous equations, word problems, coordinate geometry |
| Quant: Geometry | Lines, circles, triangles, polygons, 3D figures, area, perimeter, volume, Pythagorean theorem |
| Quant: Data Analysis | Descriptive statistics, graphs, probability, conditional probability, distributions, counting methods |
| Analytical Writing | Analyze an Issue essay, argument, structure, reasons, examples and clarity |
How to Prioritize the GRE Syllabus
A topic list only helps if you study it in the right order. Start with the areas that affect the most questions.
First, revise arithmetic and algebra because they support many Quant topics. Then move to geometry and data analysis. For Verbal, build vocabulary daily, but always learn words with example sentences. For Reading Comprehension, practise dense and argument-based passages instead of light reading. For Analytical Writing, write at least one timed “Analyze an Issue” essay every week and compare it with the official scoring guide.
A simple order can look like this:
- Arithmetic and algebra
- GRE vocabulary in context
- Reading Comprehension Practice
- Geometry basics
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence
- Weekly Analytical Writing Practice
- Mixed timed practice
Conclusion
The GRE syllabus becomes much easier to manage when you know exactly what ETS tests and what they do not. Focus your preparation on the three core areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. For Verbal, build vocabulary in context and practise reading dense passages. For Quant, revise arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis instead of wasting time on calculus or trigonometry. For Analytical Writing, practise building clear, well-supported arguments.
The best approach is simple: start with the official syllabus, study topic by topic, practise under timed conditions and keep checking your weak areas. Once you know what to prepare and what to skip, GRE preparation becomes less confusing and far more strategic.
