Are you planning on taking the GRE and worried about timing?
You’re not alone.
The GRE now uses a shorter format but pacing is still critical, and from my experience reviewing GRE prep resources, knowing each section’s timing can change how you prepare.
Research shows that factors beyond ability, such as fatigue, anxiety, motivation, test format, and test length, can all influence performance on cognitive exams. This is why understanding the time limits for each section of the GRE test is so important.
In this guide, I will break down the GRE exam pattern and timing for the entire test so you can pace yourself and finish strong on test day.
Key Takeaways
- Shorter GRE Timing: The computer-delivered GRE General Test lasts about 1 hour and 58 minutes.
- Five Scored Sections: Analytical Writing, two Verbal Reasoning sections, two Quantitative Reasoning sections.
- Possible Extra Section: Some test takers receive an unscored research or experimental section.
- Full Test Day Is Longer: Expect 2.5 to 3 hours at the test center.
- Practice Tests Improve Pacing: Full-length timed practice is key to higher GRE scores.
Questions and Timing by Section
Analytical Writing
- 1 task total
- 30 minutes total
- About 30 minutes per task
You will write an “Analyze an Issue” essay. This section always appears first on test day.
Verbal Reasoning
- 27 total questions
- 41 minutes total (Section 1: 12 questions in 18 minutes; Section 2: 15 questions in 23 minutes)
- Approx. 1.52 minutes per question overall
You will see reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. You can move within each section, flag questions, and return before time expires.
Quantitative Reasoning
- 27 total questions
- 47 minutes total (Section 1: 12 questions in 21 minutes; Section 2: 15 questions in 26 minutes)
- Approx. 1.74 minutes per question overall
You will solve problem-solving and quantitative comparison items, including data interpretation.
Total Testing Time
- 55 scored questions plus one writing task
- 1 hour and 58 minutes total testing time
- No scheduled long break; brief transitions only
- An on-screen calculator is allowed for all Quantitative questions
Test Center Process
Even with the shorter GRE, the full test day takes longer than the official timed sections. The GRE General Test is typically offered at two start times: 8:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
- Check-in Process: ID verification, seating, and computer setup.
- Instructions: On-screen guidance before starting.
- Section Flow: Analytical Writing always comes first, followed by mixed verbal and quantitative reasoning sections.
- End of Test: Optional surveys, preview of unofficial scores, and score report selection.
💡 Pro Tip: Plan for up to three hours from arrival to exit at the test center.
GRE Subject Tests
GRE Subject Tests are different from the General Test. They measure in-depth knowledge in specific fields like Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology—and each one has its own timing and structure.
- Test Length: 2 hours and 50 minutes, no separately timed sections.
- Format: All multiple-choice questions, computer-delivered at test centers worldwide.
- Purpose: Certain graduate programs—often in STEM or psychology—use these scores to assess subject mastery alongside the GRE General Test.
Why Timing Still Matters: Even without separate sections, you’ll need to pace yourself over nearly three hours of continuous testing. Practicing full-length timed tests helps you maintain focus and accuracy all the way through.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re taking both the General Test and a Subject Test in the same admissions cycle, schedule them weeks apart so you can focus your prep on one at a time.
GRE General vs Subject Test Timing
| Feature | GRE General Test | GRE Subject Test |
|---|---|---|
| Total Time | 1 hr 58 min | 2 hr 50 min |
| Sections | 5 scored sections + writing | No separately timed sections |
| Breaks | Short transitions only | No official breaks |
| Question Types | Writing, verbal, quantitative | Multiple-choice only |
| Pacing Focus | Per-section timing | Overall test pacing |
4 Ways to Manage GRE Timing
From reviewing GRE prep courses and hearing from test takers, I’ve found these are the pacing strategies that actually hold up under real test day pressure.
- The 5-Question Warm-Up: Start each section by answering five easy questions to build momentum and set the pace.
- Mini Sprints: Work in small batches of five questions, then take a quick breath before starting the next set.
- Last 90-Second Rule: Use the final 90 seconds to review marked questions instead of starting new ones.
- The 2-Pass System: First pass for easy points, second pass for moderate ones, hardest questions last.
The GRE test moves fast. If you want to finish strong, you need to train for both speed and accuracy under the exact section limits you’ll face on test day.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing GRE prep resources and analyzing the test day process, I’ve found that timing feels tighter than most test takers expect. From check-in at the test center to completing the final section, the 1 hour and 58 minutes pass quickly.
If you are preparing for the GRE exam, do more than memorize section lengths. Practice with the exact GRE exam pattern so pacing feels natural. On test day, you will need to move confidently from start to finish without wasting a second.
Step into the GRE test day with timing on your side and the confidence to finish strong.
FAQs
About 1 hour and 58 minutes, plus extra time for check-in and instructions.
There are five scored sections.
Yes. Official scores are valid for five years from your test date.
Yes, you can skip within a section and return before time runs out.
Absolutely. Timed practice builds confidence and improves pacing for the real exam.
