Lesson 1.1: Test Structure and Timing

Introduction

In this lesson, students will learn about the structure and timing of the GRE General Test. Understanding the layout of the test is crucial for developing effective strategies for preparation and success. This lesson will cover the number of sections, types of questions, duration of the test, and the scoring system. By the end of this lesson, students will have a clear mental model of how points are achieved in this test.

Learning Objectives

Describe the five-section format of the GRE: one Analytical Writing essay, two Verbal sections, and two Quantitative sections, and the specific number of questions in each.
Understand the total testing time of 1 hour and 58 minutes, including the breakdown of scored and unscored items.
Distinguish the availability of the on-screen calculator in Quant and Verbal sections.
State the number, type, and length of each section on the GRE.
Recognize that one of the sections may be unscored and the implications of this for test-takers.

The Structure of the GRE General Test

The GRE General Test is structured in five sections. Let's break down each part to understand its significance and what to expect.

Section Breakdown

Analytical Writing

Type: 1 Essay
Duration: 30 minutes
Purpose: This section assesses critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Test-takers are required to analyze an argument and construct a coherent essay.

Example: An analytical writing task may present a statement such as, "The rise in online communication reduces the quality of personal relationships." students must write an essay evaluating the argument, providing examples, and discussing potential flaws in reasoning.

Verbal Reasoning

Type: 2 Sections (12 and 15 questions)
Duration: 30 minutes for the first section and 35 minutes for the second.
Purpose: This part assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage.

Example: A reading comprehension question might involve reading a passage about environmental science and answering questions about its main ideas or details.

Quantitative Reasoning

Type: 2 Sections (12 and 15 questions)
Duration: 35 minutes for each section.
Purpose: This section evaluates basic mathematics, quantitative problem-solving skills, and understanding of data interpretation.

Example: A quantitative reasoning question might ask students to solve a problem like finding the area of a triangle given the length of its base and height, using the formula $ Area = \frac{1}{2} \times base \times height $.

Timing and Total Test Duration

The GRE is designed to be completed in roughly 1 hour and 58 minutes, which breaks down as follows:

Analytical Writing: 30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning: 65 minutes (30 + 35)
Quantitative Reasoning: 70 minutes (35 + 35)
Total: 1 hour 58 minutes

Scored and Unscored Items

In total, the GRE includes 55 scored items. It is essential to note that one of the sections may be unscored or serve as a research section. This unscored section can appear in either the Verbal or Quantitative parts, and test-takers should not assume which one it is.

Calculator Usage

An important aspect of the GRE is the use of the on-screen calculator, which is available only in the Quantitative Reasoning sections. This calculator is meant to facilitate computations for complex problems, but it is advised that students should still practice mental math and estimation strategies as doing calculations by hand can sometimes be more efficient.

Example Situation

If students encounters a question in the Quantitative Reasoning section requiring calculations involving percentages, using the calculator may help find the solution:

Problem: If $ x = 20 $ is $ 25\% $ of a number, what is that number?
Solution: First, express the problem mathematically: $ 0.25n = 20 $, where $ n $ is the number we need to find.
Using the calculator, students can compute $ n = \frac{20}{0.25} = 80 $.

The calculator provides convenience and reduces the risk of arithmetic errors, but understanding the underlying concepts is paramount.

Conclusion

Understanding the structure, timing, and scoring of the GRE General Test is essential for students's preparation. By familiarizing themselves with the test sections, types of problems, and timing constraints, students can develop effective strategies to manage their time during the actual test. Recognizing the potential presence of an unscored section will also keep students grounded in their approach without assuming any section is experimental. Armed with this knowledge, students is ready to move on to more content-specific study as they prepare for the GRE.

Study Notes

The GRE consists of five sections: 1 Analytical Writing, 2 Verbal Reasoning, and 2 Quantitative Reasoning.
Total time is approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes with 55 scored items.
The on-screen calculator is available only for Quantitative Reasoning sections.
One GRE section may be unscored; do not assume which section is experimental.
Practice mental math skills along with calculator usage for efficiency.