GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test that is usually required for admission to graduate and PhD programs in the United States. ETS, the organization that administers the GRE exam, recently announced significant changes that will take effect on September 22, 2023.
Reducing exam time and reducing waiting time for results:
Testing time has been reduced: Total testing time will be reduced from four hours to approximately two.
Test results will be available faster: the official waiting time for results will be reduced from 10-15 days to 8-10 days.
The goal of these changes is to improve the test-taking experience for students, reduce stress and fatigue, and make the application process easier and faster.
What remains unchanged?
The grading scale will remain the same, making it easier to compare test results between test takers before and after September 2023.
The test format will remain the same: the sections will remain the same – Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing.
However, the following changes have been made:
- Fewer Questions: The number of questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections will be reduced.
Changes in the “Analytical Writing” section: the number of essays will be reduced from two to one, eliminating the “Analyze an Argument” task. - The shortened version of the GRE will replace the current version on September 22, 2023, and there will be no period when both tests will be available at the same time. Registration for the new version of GRE is now open.
These changes are based on student feedback and extensive discussions with the ETS assessment and psychometrics teams. We are confident that the new testing rules will improve the student experience and ease the decision-making process for educational institutions.
For more information about the exam and changes, please visit: www.ets.org/gre/changes
