GRE is an entrance exam that evaluates the candidate’s aptitude for intellectual thinking in the areas of mathematics, analytical writing, and vocabulary. If you are applying to a Master's or a Ph.D. program in other countries, especially in the USA, GRE scores are almost mandatory entrance tests.
GRE Syllabus
The GRE constitutes two formats known as GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test. Details about both formats are given below:
GRE General Test
It includes standards of the candidate evaluation process such as verbal reasoning, analytical writing skills, and quantitative reasoning
GRE Subject Test
It focuses on a particular subject based on the student’s profile and as per the requirement of the college.
Each unit of the GRE syllabus for both general and subject tests is elaborated below:
GRE Syllabus for Analytical Writing
The analytical writing section of the GRE measures the student’s skills and ability to deal with logic and clarity of complex ideas. This section also evaluates whether the student is capable enough to write a logical and evidence-based argument, keep the idea active and take control of the writing flow.
There are 2 tasks in this section:
Analyze an Issue
Analyze an Argument
The questions come from a broad range of subjects, from the fine arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences.
GRE Syllabus for Verbal Reasoning
The GRE Verbal section or GRE Verbal Reasoning measures test taker's ability to:
analyze & evaluate written content in the form of sentences, paragraphs, and passages
synthesize information obtained from this material
analyze relationships among parts of sentences, and
recognize relationships among words and concepts
Topics That are Tested in the GRE Verbal Section Are:
The Quantitative Reasoning measure of the GRE General Test evaluates your:
basic mathematical skills
understanding of elementary mathematical concepts
ability to reason quantitatively
to model and solve problems with quantitative methods
Topics That are Tested in the GRE Quant Section Are:
Arithmetic topics include properties and types of integers, such as factorization, divisibility, prime numbers, remainders, and odd & even integers; arithmetic operations, exponents, and roots; and concepts such as estimation, ratio, rate, percent absolute value, decimal representation, the number line, and sequences of numbers.
Algebra topics comprise operations with exponents; functions, equations, and inequalities; factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions; relations, solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities; setting up equations to solve word problems; solving simultaneous equations and inequalities; and coordinate geometry, including graphs of functions, equations, and inequalities, intercepts, and slopes of lines.
Geometry topics include parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, other polygons, congruent and similar figures, 3-dimensional figures, perimeter and area and volume, the Pythagorean Theorem, and angle measurement in degrees.
Data analysis topics include descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles, and percentiles; interpretation of data in tables and graphs, such as line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, box-plots, scatter-plots, and frequency distributions; elementary probability of compound events and independent events; random variables and probability distributions, including normal distributions; and counting methods such as combinations, permutations, and Venn diagram.
Understanding the basic math concepts of the topics mentioned above is the required skill for the GRE Quant section.
GRE Syllabus for Subject Test
GRE syllabus for Subject Test includes the following subjects
GRE Syllabus for Biology
The test consists of roughly 190 five-choice questions related to Biology. The topics consist of:
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Ecology and Evolution
Organismal Biology
GRE Syllabus for Chemistry
The test consists of around 130 multiple-choice questions related to the 4 fields into which chemistry has been divided
Analytical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
GRE Syllabus for Literature in English
Each edition of the test on this subject includes about 230 questions on, poetry, essays, the short story, the drama, biography, the novel, criticism, literary theory, and the history of the language.
Literary Analysis
Identification
Cultural and Historical Contexts
History and Theory of Literary Criticism
GRE Syllabus for Mathematics
The GRE mathematics consists of 66 multiple-choice questions, taken from courses generally studied at the bachelor's level.
Algebra
Additional Topics
Calculus
GRE Syllabus for Physics
The test of this subject contains roughly 100 five-choice questions. It is based on materials like diagrams, graphs, experimental data, and descriptions of physical situations. It includes:
Laboratory Methods
Quantum Mechanics
Optics and Wave Phenomena
Electromagnetism
Classical Mechanics
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Special Relativity
Atomic Physics
Specialized Topics
GRE Syllabus for Psychology
The exam of the Psychology subject contains approximately 205 MCQs. Each question has 5 choices from which the candidate has to choose 1 option which he thinks is correct. This includes the following Topics :
Lifespan Development
Biological
Cognitive
Social
Clinical and abnormal
Measurement and Methodology
Usually, the questions in the GRE are tricky rather than hard. Therefore, careful reading and a systematic method with techniques and strategies can help you achieve a great score.
