I have a question about the General GRE test as it is offerred on computer-based systems. In the portions that remain multiple choice, rather than analytical writing, I’m having trouble determining how many quesitons there are in each section. For instance, on the math section the official booklet I was sent and most guide books seem to say that there are still exactly thirty questions. however, one of the GRE’s online preparation documents says that on computer-based tests the number of questions is actually variable.
Any help or clarification would be appreciated. Thanks.
Well I’m not sure if this will help, but I heard that the computer will keep feeding you harder and harder questions until you miss one, and then put you on an easier path. So possibly this could explain why the number of questions is variable? It shouldn’t matter much though, you’ve got plenty of time to finish up the math sections.
It’s been a couple of years since I took the GRE, but I’m fairly certain the number of questions isn’t variable. The computer needs to tell you how many questions you have remaining so you can pace yourself!
The computerized GRE, unlike the older written one, doesn’t have a defined number of questions. It really does vary - people who consistently get everything right (even as the questions get harder and harder) or everything wrong (as they get easier and easier) are done pretty quickly, or at least that’s what I’m assuming based on my own experience and on what I’ve read. (Standardized tests are my great talent in life, and my sections seemed pretty short, although I didn’t keep count, and I got out a couple of hours earlier than I was told I would.) Those in the middle of the range presumably get somewhat lengthier exams, as the programs try to figure out exactly what degree of difficulty is exactly right for them.
Its been quite some time since I gave my GRE but if I remember right, the Math section has 28 questions and a time limit of 45 minutes and the verbal section has 30 questions with a time limit of 30 minutes.
Although the questions get harder and harder with every right answer, the number of questions remain the same.
This is the new format which is implemented for all tests after October 1, 2002.