GRE in 2026: New Shorter Format, Scoring and a Free Study Plan
Everything about the shorter GRE — sections, timing, scoring, and a free study plan to hit a competitive score.
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The GRE is now a shorter test of about 1 hour 58 minutes with fewer questions and no separate unscored/research section. It still scores Verbal and Quant on 130–170 each (260–340 total) plus one Analytical Writing task on 0–6. Many programs now list it as optional, so check before you commit.
The shorter format
The current GRE dropped the long unscored sections, so plan about two hours including check-in. You get one Analytical Writing 'Analyze an Issue' task, two Verbal sections and two Quant sections, with on-screen calculator and a section-level adaptive design.
What's a good score?
Competitive STEM applicants often target 160+ Quant; humanities value high Verbal. Top programs look for 320+ combined, but always check your specific program's averages — and whether the GRE is required at all.
Study plan
Spend the first week on fundamentals and a baseline mock, the middle weeks drilling your weakest of Verbal/Quant with daily error logs, and the final week on full timed mocks. Learn 25 high-frequency words a day for Verbal.
Analytical Writing
Outline first, take a clear position, support it with two or three specific examples, and use clean transitions. Study high-scoring samples and write one essay under time every few days.
Practise free
Take free GRE mock tests on LandingPrep with Verbal, Quant and Analytical Writing, and build a personalised plan with the free Study Planner.