Shorter GRE: How the New Format Impacts Prep

On September 22, 2023, the Educational Testing Service ETS introduced a shorter version of the GRE. The GRE general test is now under two hours long; the longer version was over four hours. The shortened GRE test makes the testing process less tiring. There is significant reduction in the number of questions, and the unscored section is gone. The shortened test requires prioritizing accuracy over endurance, so try to focus your test prep on understanding key concepts and pacing. To understand why the GRE is important, click here: What is the GRE and Why It Matters for Grad School.

I. What Is the Shorter GRE?

The shorter test is a streamlined version of the GRE test introduced by the Education Testing Service ETS in 2024. It is meant to provide test takers with a more efficient test. Your testing requires less stamina but better accuracy; with a fewer number of questions contributing to your score, you have less room for mistakes! 

II. Key Changes in the Shorter GRE Format

Test takers will notice the shortened version of the GRE has undergone changes compared with the previous version. The current GRE is around 1:58; the old GRE test was about 3:45. There is no unscored portion. Test takers encounter one essay, not two, in the analytical writing section, with the argument essay gone. The verbal and quantitative reasoning sections now have 27 questions each; there are two verbal sections and two quantitative reasoning sections on the present GRE test. You’ll be glad to hear your scores from the shortened test arrive faster and are now available within 8-10 days instead of 10-15. To find out when to take the GRE test, click here: GRE Test Dates 2025.

Test Length and Timing

The present test is nearly half the length of the previous GRE general test. Below is a comparison:

Section Structure

The structure of the present GRE general test differs from the old test. Below is a comparison:

The section-level adaptive format is unchanged. The computer will analyze test takers’ performance on the first part of the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections to determine the difficulty level of the second portions of each. 

Faster Score Reporting

You will find an advantage of the updated test is faster delivery of your GRE scores. Previously, test takers received their scores in 10-15 days, but scores are now available within 8-10 days. This means that you will receive your scores up to a week sooner, which means graduate schools will receive them faster.

III. What Stayed the Same in the Shorter GRE

You will notice some changes, but the updated test maintains the same scoring scale and core design as the previous graduate record examination:

IV. Why Was the GRE Shortened?

ETS shortened test time to make the GRE test taking experience better for test takers; by reducing test time, the test is less tiring. The shortened test can be scored faster, meaning test takers scores can be delivered in 8-10 days and meet tight deadlines. ETS indicated the updated test is more appealing for business schools, PhD programs, law schools and graduate and professional programs because it is the shortest, most efficient standardized test for admission to graduate programs and law schools available.

V. How the Shorter GRE Impacts Prep Strategies

The new GRE test changes how to prepare during test prep. The test is completed faster, and the number of questions reduced, meaning test takers' goal when studying should be accuracy and speed. You should use simulated tests updated to reflect the 1:58 minute length of the new test. To determine how much GRE studying to do, click here: How Long Should You Study for the GRE.

Time Management for the Shorter GRE

Although you’ll be relieved to see fewer questions on it, the shorter exam gives you less time; therefore, a time management plan matters. The following plan fits within the 1:58 allotted for the new exam:

Study Resources and Practice Adjustments

The new exam has undergone significant changes, with a reduced number of questions, and removal of one analytical writing section essay. The resources you use should be updated to reflect this. Make sure any practice test you take fits into the new exam’s 1:58 timeframe, and that resources you use state they are applicable for the 2024/2025 exam. A good resource is the “Official Guide to the GRE,” created by ETS. To learn about an important GRE question type, click here: How to Approach GRE Text Completion Questions. 

VI. Should You Be Happy About the Shorter GRE?

There are pros and cons about the current test. One pro of the shorter GRE test is that it is quicker to take than the old version, so you will experience less fatigue. You will also receive scores faster, as the exam is marked more quickly. Some cons are that it isn’t easier than before - the difficulty level remains unchanged, but with fewer questions, you have less room for mistakes, so accuracy matters more. To decide where to take the GRE, click here: GRE at Home vs Test Center Pros and Cons.

VII. Conclusion – Adapting to the New GRE

It’s normal to feel nervous about the GRE shorter version. It’s much briefer with fewer questions, but the difficulty and question types are the same. If you use practice materials that reflect this and ensure your study approach prioritizes accuracy and pacing over endurance, you can feel confident when you take the exam and will have a positive test taker experience.

VIII. FAQ

Q: When did the GRE become shorter?

A: The GRE became shorter in 2024; the old exam has been phased out, with all students now taking the new version.

Q: How long is the shorter GRE now?

A: The GRE is now 1:58 minutes.

Q: Did the GRE scoring scale change with the new format?

A: No, the scoring scale remains the same with the updated format.

Q: Does a shorter GRE mean an easier GRE?

A: The difficulty of the exam is the same. Although the GRE is now shorter, with fewer questions, each individual question holds a greater weight in terms of your final score, so critical thinking and faster problem solving when answering questions on test day is more important.

Q: How should I adjust my GRE prep for the shorter format?

A: Focus on accuracy and timing in your study plan so you are able to answer as many questions correctly as possible within the reduced time limit on the shortened GRE. Ensure you use study materials updated to reflect the shorter GRE. Use practice tests designed to mimic the new exam’s format.