The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a crucial part of many test takers’ graduate school application process. With the Educational Testing Service (ETS) announcing significant changes to the GRE in 2024, it’s essential for test takers to stay updated and adapt their GRE study plan accordingly, learning how to study for the GRE effectively.
In this article, we’ll delve into the key alterations introduced in the 2024 GRE, understand their implications, and discuss how they might affect prospective test-takers.
Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or revisiting the GRE, this comprehensive guide will offer insights into the new format and equip you with the information needed to navigate the changes successfully.
The “New GRE” At a Glance
- Shorter length: a reduction in the number of questions in both Quantitative and Verbal sections and complete elimination of the argument essay and unscored sections.
- Faster delivery of GRE scores: 8-10 days instead of the previous 10-15 days.
- Same assessment areas, same content.
- Same scoring scale.
- Still accepted at business schools for MBA programs.
An In-Depth Examination of the 2024 GRE Test Changes
In an effort to streamline the examination process and increase its efficiency, ETS has introduced several noteworthy modifications to the GRE general test. We’ll be delving into these changes with a focus on the shortened test length, the altered structure, and the faster delivery of test scores. Understanding these alterations is central to ensuring optimal test preparation, allowing aspirants to better adapt to the new examination landscape and achieve their academic goals.
Shorter Length
The ETS (Educational Testing Service) introduced a new, abbreviated version of the GRE for all test takers. The current GRE general test is 3 hours and 45 minutes long, but the shorter GRE, which launched in September 2023, will be 1 hour and 58 minutes long. Once this change takes effect, the option to take the longer version of the GRE will no longer be available.
Changed Structure
To achieve a more concise format, ETS has made certain adjustments and consolidations to the GRE exam sections. Here are the specific changes to the GRE’s structure:
- Elimination of the argument essay section.
- Removal of the experimental (unscored) section.
- Omission of the 10-minute break.
- Reduction in the number of questions across the Quantitative sections from 40 to 27.
- Reduction in the number of questions across the Verbal sections from 40 to 27.
| Section Type | Structure | Number of Questions | Estimated Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 section | 1 essay | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 sections | 27 total questions | 47 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 sections | 27 total questions | 41 minutes |
| Total: 1-hour, 58-minutes |
Faster Delivery of Test Scores
ETS will now send GRE general test scores to institutions within 8-10 days instead of the previous 10-15 day time frame. This improvement aims to enable applicants to submit their applications promptly, effectively meeting tight deadlines.
What is Staying the Same?
Same Assessment Areas and Content
Despite being shorter, the new GRE maintains the same content and assessment areas as the current test. It will continue to evaluate your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills to determine your readiness for graduate and professional programs. Your GRE scores will still be accepted by numerous graduate, business, and law schools for their master’s, MBA, JD, and PhD programs. Additionally, the GRE test-taking experience, fees, and exam preparation will remain unchanged between the current GRE and the shorter version.
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Same Scoring Scale
Despite the significant reduction in exam length, the GRE’s score scale will not undergo any changes for the shorter GRE. The ETS has taken great care to keep the score scale consistent so that schools can evaluate what’s a good GRE score in the same manner, whether taken before or after the change. As a result, taking the shorter GRE will not lead to any scoring penalties, ensuring fairness for test takers.
Reasons Behind the Changes
The aim is to enhance the test-taking experience and streamline score reporting to schools. ETS’s CEO, Amit Sevak, emphasized their customer-centric approach in these changes, balancing the need for rigor and validity while improving the overall experience. This new version of the GRE will be the quickest general skills test for graduate and professional program admissions, making it more accessible and less demanding for test takers.
Consultation with an Expert Instructor: A Crucial Step
Navigating the landscape of graduate admission tests can be overwhelming, particularly with the recent introduction of the shorter GRE. It’s essential to understand your strengths and weaknesses in standardized testing before deciding which path to take. An expert instructor can provide the guidance you need, offering insight into the intricacies between the GMAT and the new GRE, and helping you evaluate your capabilities against the requirements of each test.
Schedule a free consultation with a Menlo Coaching GRE tutor and embark on your journey to graduate school with clarity and confidence. The right guidance can make all the difference in your test-taking experience and eventual success.
Stay ahead of the curve with our GRE prep resources, curated by seasoned GRE tutors who understand what it takes to excel.
Remember, the path to graduate school begins with a single, decisive step. Take that step with Menlo Coaching today.
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