Editing Graduate Record Examinations (section)

==Structure==
The computer-based GRE General Test consists of six sections. The first section is always the analytical writing section involving separately timed issue and argument tasks. The next five sections consist of two [[English language|verbal reasoning]] sections, two [[quantitative property|quantitative reasoning]] sections, and either an experimental or research section. These five sections may occur in any order. The experimental section does not count towards the final score but is not distinguished from the scored sections. Unlike the computer adaptive test before August 2011, the GRE General Test is a [[Multistage testing|multistage test]], where the examinee's performance on earlier sections determines the difficulty of subsequent sections, using a technique known as [[computer-adaptive testing]]. This format allows the examined person to freely move back and forth between questions within each section, and the testing software allows the user to "mark" questions within each section for later review if time remains. The entire testing procedure lasts about 3 hours 45 minutes.<ref name="GRE Test Content">{{cite web|url=http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=0a51d2b54c0c5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=6236e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD#Computer_Based_General_Test_Content_and_Structure|title=ETS Home|website=Ets.org|access-date=September 19, 2007|archive-date=May 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514074815/http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc3921509/?vgnextoid=0a51d2b54c0c5010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD&vgnextchannel=6236e3b5f64f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD#Computer_Based_General_Test_Content_and_Structure|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=GRE-scoring>{{cite web|url=http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/scores/how/|title=GRE Revised General Test: How the Test is Scored|website=Ets.org}}</ref> One-minute breaks are offered after each section and a 10-minute break after the third section.

The paper-based GRE General Test also consists of six sections. The analytical writing is split up into two sections, one section for each issue and argument task. The next four sections consist of two verbal and two quantitative sections in varying order. There is no experimental section on the paper-based test.

===Verbal section===
The computer-based [[English language|verbal]] sections assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage. The verbal test is scored on a scale of 130–170, in 1-point increments. (Before August 2011, the scale was 200–800, in 10-point increments.) In a typical examination, each verbal section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 30 minutes.<ref name="GRE Test Content"/> Each verbal section consists of about 6 text completion, 4 sentence equivalence, and 10 critical reading questions. The changes in 2011 include a reduced emphasis on rote vocabulary knowledge and the elimination of antonyms and analogies. Text completion items have replaced sentence completions and new reading question types allowing for the selection of multiple answers were added.

===Quantitative section===
The computer-based [[mathematics|quantitative]] sections assess knowledge and reasoning skills taught in most [[Mathematics]] and [[Statistics]] courses in [[secondary school]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/content/quantitative-reasoning.html|title=Overview of the Quantitative Reasoning Measure|access-date=2024-08-23}}</ref> The quantitative test is scored on a scale of 130–170, in 1-point increments (Before August 2011 the scale was 200–800, in 10-point increments). In a typical examination, each quantitative section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 35 minutes.<ref name="GRE Test Content"/> Each quantitative section consists of about 8 quantitative comparisons, 9 problem solving items, and 3 data interpretation questions. The changes in 2011 include the addition of numeric entry items requiring the examinee to fill in the blank and multiple-choice items requiring the examinee to select multiple correct responses.<ref>{{citationm .,m /./.,|last=Weiner-Green|first=Sharon|last2=Wolf|first2=Ira K|title=Barron's How to Prepare for the GRE|edition= 17|year=2009|page=9|publisher=Barron's Educational Series|isbn=0-7641-7471-1}}</ref>
* [[Arithmetic]]:
** [[Integer]], [[Divisibility rule]], [[Integer factorization]], [[Prime number]], [[Remainder]], [[Parity (mathematics)|Parity]]
** [[Exponentiation]], [[nth root]]
** [[Estimation]], [[Percentage]], [[Ratio]], [[Rate (mathematics)|Rate]], [[Absolute value]], [[Number line]], [[Decimal representation]], [[Sequence]]
* [[Algebra]]:
** [[Operation (mathematics)|Operation]]
** [[Factorization]], [[Expression (mathematics)|Expression]]
** [[Relation (mathematics)|Relation]], [[Function (mathematics)|Function]], [[Equation]], [[Inequality (mathematics)|Inequality]]
** [[Equation solving]], [[Linear equation]], [[Quadratic equation]]
** [[System of linear equations]]
** [[Analytic geometry]], [[Graph of a function]], [[Zero of a function]], [[Y-intercept]], [[Slope]]
* [[Geometry]]:
** [[Parallel (geometry)|Parallel]], [[Perpendicular]]
** [[Circle]]
** [[Triangle]], [[Isosceles triangle]], [[Equilateral triangle]], [[Special right triangle]]
** [[Quadrilateral]], [[Polygon]]
** [[Congruence (geometry)|Congruence]], [[Similarity (geometry)|Similarity]]
** [[Polyhedron]]
** [[Area]], [[Perimeter]], [[Volume]]
** [[Pythagorean theorem]]
** [[Angle]], [[Degree (angle)|Degree]]
* [[Data analysis]]:
** [[Statistics]], [[Mean]], [[Median]], [[Mode (statistics)|Mode]], [[Range (statistics)|Range]], [[Standard deviation]], [[Interquartile range]], [[Quartile]], [[Percentile]]
** [[Line chart]], [[Bar chart]], [[Pie chart]], [[Box plot]], [[Scatter plot]], [[Frequency (statistics)|Frequency]]
** [[Probability]], [[Independence (probability theory)|Independence]]
** [[Conditional probability]]
** [[Random variable]], [[Probability distribution]], [[Normal distribution]]
** [[Counting method]], [[Combination]], [[Permutation]], [[Venn diagram]]

===Analytical writing section===
The analytical writing section consists of two different essays, an "issue task" and an "argument task".  The writing section is graded on a scale of 0–6, in half-point increments. The essays are written on a computer using a word processing program specifically designed by ETS. The program allows only basic computer functions and does not contain a spell-checker or other advanced features. Each essay is scored by at least two readers on a six-point [[Holistic grading|holist scale]].  If the two scores are within one point, the average of the scores is taken.  If the two scores differ by more than a point, a third reader examines the response.

====Issue Task====
The test taker is given 30 minutes to write an essay about a selected topic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing|title=GRE Revised General Test: Analytical Writing|website=Ets.org}}</ref> Issue topics are selected from a pool of questions, which the GRE Program has published in its entirety.  Individuals preparing for the GRE may access the pool of tasks on the ETS website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/content/analytical-writing.html|title=GRE General Test: Analytical Writing "Issue" Task Topics|website=Ets.org}}</ref>

====Argument Task====
The test taker will be given an argument (i.e. a series of facts and considerations leading to a conclusion) and asked to write an essay that critiques the argument.  Test takers are asked to consider the argument's logic and to make suggestions about how to improve the logic of the argument.  Test takers are expected to address the logical flaws of the argument and not provide a personal opinion on the subject. The time allotted for this essay is 30 minutes.<ref name="GRE Test Content"/> The Arguments are selected from a pool of topics, which the GRE Program has published in its entirety.  Individuals preparing for the GRE may access the pool of tasks on the ETS website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/content/analytical-writing.html|title=GRE General Test: Analytical Writing "Argument" Task Topics|website=Ets.org}}</ref>

===Experimental section===
The experimental section, which can be either verbal or quantitative, contains new questions ETS is considering for future use. Although the experimental section does not count towards the test-taker's score, it is unidentified and appears identical to the scored sections. Because test takers have no definite way of knowing which section is experimental, it is typically advised that test takers try their best and be focused on every section. Sometimes an identified research section at the end of the test is given instead of the experimental section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ets.org/gre/general/about/content/|title=GRE General Test: Test Content and Structure|website=Ets.org|access-date=October 30, 2010|archive-date=May 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529204024/http://www.ets.org/gre/general/about/content/|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is no experimental section on the paper-based GRE.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The official guide to the GRE general test|publisher=McGraw-Hill Education|others=Educational Testing Service|year=2016|isbn=9781259862410|edition= 3rd|location=New York|oclc=966680085}}</ref>