The GRE is continuously undergoing significant changes to meet the changing expectations and needs of candidates. In recent years, it has done away with various subject-specific tests and has modified the question patterns to assess student's skills better.
If you go through the GRE syllabus and exam pattern on AbroAdvice.com and compare it to the syllabus a few decades ago, you'll notice a stark difference. In this blog, you’ll cover the major changes that have happened in recent times. This should give you a better idea of how to prepare for the exam.
- Shorter exam time
In May 2023, ETS announced that the GRE General Test will be streamlined, and its total duration will be just under 2 hours. Shorter exams make it easier to get results faster and reduce the stress and fatigue test-takers are burdened with due to longer tests.
Since almost every country accepts GRE results and has its own admissions period, it's best to receive the scores ASAP so you can meet application deadlines. If you're still wondering, "GRE is for which country?" then visit AbroAdvice.com. Consult an expert to see if you need to appear for this exam to boost your admission chances.
- Modifications in the exam pattern
ETS has modified the exam pattern to shorten its duration. Here are the major changes you have to take note of
- Exclusion of Antonyms and Analogies in Verbal Reasoning section
- Exclusion of Argument Task in Analytical Writing section
- Increased emphasis on data interpretation and real-world problem-solving in Quantitative Reasoning
- Reduced number of questions in Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning
- Removal of the unscored section
These modifications are meant to streamline the exam and increase its efficiency.
- Removal of Chemistry subject test
As more and more institutes stop making GRE Chemistry scores compulsory for graduate admissions, the test has permanently departed from the syllabus. Now, you won't find any Chemistry subject test or Chemistry-related questions in the General Test. The final exam was conducted on April 2023, and its scores will remain valid for 5 years.
In summary,
The GRE is always adapting to new changes to provide a seamless experience for students. The new changes are meant to improve the overall quality of the test and hasten the process of obtaining results. Before appearing for the test, go through the updated format and prepare for the exam, keeping it in mind.
