Shorter GRE Test Coming September 2023; Know Details

Now in half the time, GRE remains the most widely used measure of graduate readiness. 

ETS announced that beginning this September, the GRE General Test will take less than two hours to complete – roughly half the time of the current test. This makes the GRE General Test the shortest and most efficient test among top graduate, business, and law school admissions. The shorter GRE test will continue to provide test takers and institutions with the same valid and reliable scores they have always counted on from ETS. Registration for the shorter test is now open for test dates beginning September 22, 2023. 

Changes to the test include - removal of the “Analyze an Argument” task in the Analytical Writing section, reduced number of questions in the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections, and removal of the unscored section.

“The changes we’re announcing today underscore the emphasis we place on keeping our customers at the center of all that we do,” said ETS CEO Amit Sevak. “As we continue to introduce product innovations, we’re committed to balancing two things – maintaining rigor and validity, while improving the test-taker experience," he added. 

“At IIM Bangalore, GRE is one of the assessments for consideration. Look forward to the new version, which proposes a reduced test duration that reflect ETS's commitment to prioritizing the needs of test takers,” said Prof. Kunal Dasgupta, Admissions & Financial Aid, IIM Bangalore. “We congratulate ETS for adapting the GRE General Test to the current times while ensuring that it remains as reliable as ever for institutions and test takers alike," added Professor Kunal.

In addition to test changes, test takers can expect to receive their official scores much faster, in just 8-10 days. These changes mark the first of several planned future updates to the GRE General Test, all of which are intended to provide test takers with a better experience that values their time and reduces anxiety and fatigue. 

Beginning in September, test takers can access official GRE test prep resources and practice tests designed for the newer streamlined test. Since the shorter test has the same question types (except for the removal of the Analytical Writing “Analyze an Argument” essay), test takers can continue to use the existing Official GRE Prep materials. 

The GRE will continue to be the most valid, reliable, and secure assessment of graduate readiness in the world, just in less time. The score scales will also remain the same, allowing graduate programs to easily compare performance across individuals who test before and after September 2023. 

To learn more about these changes, visit www.ets.org/gre/shorter. To create an account, register for a test, access test prep resources and more, visit www.ets.org/mygre.  

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