The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is a computer-adaptive test used to evaluate your verbal and mathematical skills. Test results are used by many graduate school admissions officers in their student selection process.
The Verbal Ability section of the GRE generally consists of 30 questions of four different types: analogy (6-8 questions), antonym (8-10 questions), sentence completion (5-7 questions), and reading comprehension (2-4 passages with a total of 6-10 questions). The questions are not grouped by type; rather, the questions are presented in a mixed order.
The test is "adaptive" in that the computer generates questions at a level of difficulty determined by the answers to previous questions. The first question on the test will be at a medium level of difficulty. If the answer to this question is correct, the next question will be harder. If the answer is incorrect, the next question will be easier.
You cannot skip a question. The computer will not allow you to proceed until you answer the current question. You cannot return to a question once you have submitted your answer.
How we can help:
Your ability to answer the analogy and antonym questions depends on the extent of your vocabulary. Sentence completion questions test both your vocabulary and logic skills.
- Review challenging words in the Vocabulary Examples section of Celebrity English. Each entry contains multiple words in context as well as the definition of each word.
- Read tips for answering the sentence completion questions.
The reading comprehension questions test your ability to analyze passages for factual details and abstract concepts such as the theme or tone of the text.
- Read tips for answering the reading comprehension questions.