Updated on Jun 06, 2025
Amrita Das
GRE 2025 Syllabus consists of three major parts: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. It tests candidates' skills in verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing. Students seeking higher education abroad must clear Graduate Record Examinations or GRE with good grades. For this purpose, it is very important for the candidates to know the latest syllabus of GRE 2025. Recently, ETS updated the GRE 2025 syllabus, reducing the test time by eliminating some sections.
GRE Syllabus 2025
Here a brief overview of the GRE 2025 Syllabus will be presented below in tabular format:
Section | Topics | Focus Areas |
Analytical Writing | "Analyze an Issue" | - Articulate ideas clearly
- Support ideas with reasons/examples
- Evaluate claims/evidence |
Quantitative Reasoning | Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Analysis, Geometry | - Analyze quantitative data
- Solve problems with mathematical models
- Apply arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis concepts |
Verbal Reasoning | Sentence Equivalence, Text Completion, Reading Comprehension | - Draw conclusions
- Identify assumptions/perspectives
- Understand multiple levels of meaning
- Identify key points, major ideas, text structure
- Grasp relationships between words and concepts |
GRE Syllabus 2025: General Test
The GRE 2025 General syllabus is designed to test candidates' verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. The GRE 2025 syllabus is broadly categorised into three sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
GRE 2025 Syllabus: Analytical Reasoning
The GRE Analytical Writing section assesses a candidate's ability to clearly and effectively express complex ideas, support arguments with relevant reasons and examples, analyse claims and the evidence provided, maintain a well-structured and coherent discussion, and demonstrate control over standard written English. The syllabus includes two separate analytical writing tasks, each lasting 30 minutes:
- Analyse an Issue: This question focuses on your presentation of your view on an issue of public concern, under specific guidelines about how to treat the issue.
GRE Syllabus 2025: Verbal
The verbal reasoning section of GRE Syllabus 2025 determines whether the candidates can read written material, make inferences about it, or grasp word-to-word relations. It deals with the ability of a candidate to summarise a text passage, identify salient points and sentence structure, etc.
Section | Topics |
Basic Sentence Structure | Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives |
Verb Tense | Understanding and using different verb tenses |
Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions | Familiarity with common idiomatic expressions |
Pronoun Agreement | Ensuring pronouns agree with their antecedents |
Subject-Verb Agreement | Matching subjects with the correct verb forms |
Modifiers | Correct placement and use of modifiers |
Parallelism | Maintaining consistency in grammatical structures |
Apart from these, there are other sections that candidates need to focus on. Here are the details:
Other Parts of GRE Verbal Syllabus | Description |
Text Completion | Fill in the blanks within a passage to form a coherent and complete text. Emphasis on vocabulary and comprehension. |
Reading Comprehension | Analyse passages from humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Focus on understanding and answering questions based on provided information. |
Sentence Equivalence | Complete sentences using two choices that maintain the same meaning and are grammatically correct. |
Check GRE 2025 Exam Pattern
GRE 2025 Syllabus: Subject Test
The 2025 GRE Subject Test syllabus deals with Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. There are 66 multiple-choice questions in the Mathematics test, spread over three sections: Algebra, Calculus and Additional Topics. Among these calculus holds the most weightage. There are about 100 questions in the Physics test, which focus on areas such as Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Quantum Mechanics, among others. The Psychology test contains approximately 205 multiple-choice questions, examining knowledge in various domains, including Biological, Cognitive, and Clinical Psychology.
GRE 2025 Mathematics Syllabus
Here is the detailed breakdown of the GRE Mathematics Syllabus:
GRE Mathematics Topic-Wise Weightage
For GRE Mathematics Topic-WIse Weightage candidates can refer to the table below:
Section | Percentage |
Algebra | 25% |
Calculus | 50% |
Additional Topics | 25% |
GRE 2025 Physics Syllabus
The GRE Physics Subject Test syllabus covers most of the important topics in classical mechanics, electromagnetism etc. Nearly 100 questions will be asked from this section in the GRE 2025 exam.
Section | Topics Covered |
Classical Mechanics | Mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, conservation laws, oscillations, Lagrangian mechanics |
Electromagnetism | Electric fields, magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic waves, Maxwell’s equations |
Optics and Wave Phenomena | Geometrical optics, wave optics, interference, diffraction, polarisation, optics of matter |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | Laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, statistical mechanics, entropy, free energy |
Quantum Mechanics | Wave functions, Schrödinger equation, operators, angular momentum, atomic structure |
Atomic Physics | Atomic models, nuclear structure, quantum states, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions |
Special Relativity | Postulates of relativity, Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction |
Laboratory Methods | Experimental techniques, measurements, error analysis, instrumentation |
Specialised Topics | Plasma physics, condensed matter, nuclear physics, astrophysics, cosmology |
GRE Physics Topic-Wise Weightage
Here is the detailed breakdown of GRE Physics Topic Wise Weightage:
Topic | Percentage |
Classical Mechanics | 20% |
Electromagnetism | 18% |
Optics and Wave Phenomena | 9% |
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 10% |
Quantum Mechanics | 12% |
Atomic Physics | 10% |
Special Relativity | 6% |
Laboratory Methods | 6% |
Specialised Topics | 9% |
GRE 2025 Psychology Syllabus
The GRE Psychology Subject Test contains approximately 205 multiple-choice questions. All of the questions have five options for answers. GRE Psychology Subject Test involves a wide range of subjects that range from biological and cognitive to developmental, social, and clinical psychology. Here are the details:
Section | Topics Covered |
Biological | Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurotransmitters, sensory and motor systems, biological rhythms |
Cognitive | Perception, memory, learning, thinking, problem-solving, language, intelligence, cognitive development |
Developmental | Lifespan development, prenatal and postnatal development, theories of cognitive and social development |
Social | Social perception, attitudes, group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, aggression, prejudice |
Clinical | Psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, clinical assessment, mental health, psychopathology |
GRE Physiology Topic-Wise Weightage
Physiology Topic-Wise Weightage is presented below in tabular format:
Topic | Percentage |
Biological | 17-21% |
Cognitive | 17-24% |
Developmental | 12-14% |
Social | 12-14% |
Clinical | 15-19 % |
GRE 2025 Exam Pattern: Computer Driven Test
In the computer-based GRE format, there are two sub-sections for each main section, and there are forty questions in both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. The Analytical Writing section is a single part with two tasks, and the total time for this section is one hour. Apart from the core sections, there are two variable sections in the computer-based exam. After the completion of the Quantitative Reasoning section, there is a ten-minute break.
Sections | Exam Pattern | General Test Duration |
Analytical Writing | One "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions
Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes
Section 2: 23 minutes |
Verbal Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions
Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes
Section 2: 26 minutes |
Total | 5 Sections: 55 Questions | 1 hour 58 minutes |
GRE Exam Pattern 2025: Paper-Delivered Test
Section | Duration | Details |
Analytical Writing | 30 mins | One Task: ‘Analyse an Issue’ |
Verbal Reasoning | 59 minutes | Tests reading comprehension, sentence equivalence, and text completion |
Quantitative Reasoning | 56 minutes | Tests problem-solving abilities in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis |
Unscored Section | N/A | Not included in paper-based exam |
Research Section | N/A | Not included in paper-based exam |
GRE 2025 Best Book Recommendations
This list of important books for GRE 2025 will help candidates to prepare better.
Book Title | Author/Publisher |
Barron's GRE | Barron's Educational Series |
GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Kaplan Test Prep |
GRE Prep by Magoosh | Magoosh |
5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems | Manhattan Prep |
The Official Guide to the GRE General Test | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep | The Princeton Review |
GRE Complete 2024-2025 | Kaplan Test Prep |
Official GRE Super Power Pack | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
GRE Prep Plus 2024-2025 | Kaplan Test Prep |
500 Essential Words: GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Manhattan Prep |
GRE 2025 Sample Papers
For better preparation, it’s important for the candidates to start preparing for GRE 2025 Sample Papers:
GRE 2025 Preparation Tips
Here are some preparation tips that candidate should follow:
- Early Preparation is the Key: The sooner one starts his preparation, the better it is to crack the GRE.
- Rely on Trusted Sources: Don't waste your time on some unknown websites and focus on authentic study material from a trusted source.
- Use the Official GRE Website: The official GRE website is your best friend when it comes to your preparation.
- Develop a Personalised Study Plan: Do not rely on some general plan; make a strategy for your GRE prep that is customized according to your needs. Self-study works best when you have a plan that matches your strengths and weaknesses.
- Consistency In Practice: Consistent practice is a vital part of learning to master the concepts and strategies one needs for the GRE.
GRE 2025 Syllabus FAQs
Ques. How many hours a candidate should invest to cover the GRE 2025 Syllabus?
Ans. It depends on the candidate’s preparation method. Assuming one begins at the ground level, the suggested time would be 2 to 3 hours of study a day over 5 to 6 months.
Ques. What are the sections that are included in the GRE 2025 Syllabus?
Ans. The GRE exam has 3 main sections: Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. Each of these sections includes various topics that are assessed throughout the exam. It’s important to note that this syllabus differs from that of the GRE Subject Test.
Ques. Can you suggest the best ways to cover the GRE 2025 Syllabus?
Ans. The most effective approach to GRE preparation is to begin with an appropriate strategy. To cover the Graduate Record Examination, it is important to:
- Familiarise oneself with the GRE syllabus
- Use reliable study materials
- Consistently practice questions
- Strengthen vocabulary
- Master key quantitative concepts
- Enhance analytical writing abilities
Ques. What are the changes in the GRE Exam Pattern 2025?
Ans. According to the latest GRE 2025 Exam Pattern introduced by ETS, there are a few changes that one needs to be aware of:
- The GRE Exam is now less than 2 hours long, which is 1 hour and 58 minutes, whereas it was 3 hours and 45 minutes long.
- The exam also has five sections instead of six, which are meant to assess Analytical Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
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