The Graduate Record Examination (GRE®) is a standardized test used for admissions to many graduate and professional programs, including some health professions programs. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE® measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. While the MCAT® is the primary exam for medical school, several PA programs, public health programs, research-track graduate programs, and a small number of medical schools accept or require the GRE®. This page covers the exam format, registration, scoring, study timelines, and the best free resources.
Exam Format and Structure
The GRE® General Test is a computer-based exam lasting approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. The current format, updated in September 2023, consists of three sections.
Analytical Writing (AW): 1 task in 30 minutes. You write an essay analyzing an argument. This section tests your ability to identify logical flaws, evaluate evidence, and articulate a coherent critique. Scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
Verbal Reasoning (VR): 2 sections with approximately 12 questions each, totaling 41 minutes. Tests reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Scored on a scale of 130 to 170.
Quantitative Reasoning (QR): 2 sections with approximately 14 questions each, totaling 47 minutes. Tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Scored on a scale of 130 to 170. An on-screen calculator is available.
Registration and Scheduling
The GRE® is offered year-round at Prometric testing centers and as a GRE® General Test at Home option (taken on your own computer with a remote proctor). Register through the ETS website. The test fee is approximately $220 in the United States. ETS offers a fee reduction program for students demonstrating financial need.
You may take the GRE® once every 21 days and up to five times within any continuous 12-month period. Scores are valid for five years. ETS allows you to use the ScoreSelect option, which lets you choose which scores to send to programs. This means you can retake the exam without worrying about programs seeing a lower score, as long as you select only your best results when sending reports.
Scoring
Verbal and Quantitative sections are each scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments. The Analytical Writing section is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The mean Verbal score is approximately 151 and the mean Quantitative score is approximately 153, though these averages vary by test-taker population.
Score expectations depend entirely on the program you are applying to. PA programs that accept the GRE® generally look for scores above the 50th percentile in both Verbal and Quantitative sections. Public health programs (MPH, DrPH) often have similar expectations. Research-intensive graduate programs may expect higher Quantitative scores. Always check the specific requirements and average scores for your target programs.
Who Needs the GRE for Health Professions
The GRE® is not required for most MD or DO programs (those require the MCAT®). However, several categories of health professions applicants may need it. Many physician assistant programs accept or require the GRE®, though some have moved to optional or have dropped the requirement entirely. Check with your specific target PA programs through the CASPA® application system or directly through program websites. Some public health programs (MPH, DrPH) require the GRE®. Research-focused graduate programs in biomedical sciences, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related fields frequently require it. A small number of medical schools have experimented with accepting the GRE® in place of the MCAT®, though this remains uncommon.
How Long to Study
Most test-takers study for 4 to 12 weeks, dedicating 5 to 15 hours per week. The study timeline is shorter than for the MCAT® because the GRE® tests general reasoning skills rather than extensive science content. Begin by taking a full practice test to identify your baseline scores and areas that need improvement. If your Verbal score needs the most work, focus on vocabulary building and passage analysis. If Quantitative is your weaker area, review foundational math concepts and practice problem-solving strategies.
Recommended Study Resources (Free First)
ETS Official GRE® Preparation (Free and Paid): ETS offers two free practice tests (PowerPrep Online) that replicate the actual test interface and include real questions from past exams. These are the single most valuable preparation resources available. Start with one as a diagnostic and save the other for a final practice run. ETS also sells additional practice tests and the Official GRE® Guide book, which contains hundreds of practice questions with explanations.
Khan Academy® (Free): Khan Academy® offers free math content covering all the quantitative concepts tested on the GRE®, including algebra, geometry, data analysis, and number properties. Use Khan Academy® for targeted review of any math topics where your diagnostic reveals weaknesses. See our Khan Academy® guide.
ETS GRE® Math Review (Free): ETS publishes a free GRE® Math Review document that covers all quantitative concepts tested on the exam. Download it from the ETS website as a structured study companion for the Quantitative section.
Vocabulary Building (Free): For the Verbal section, vocabulary knowledge directly impacts your performance on text completion and sentence equivalence questions. Several free flashcard resources and word-list apps exist for GRE® vocabulary. Community-created Anki decks are a solid free option. See our spaced repetition guide for best practices.
Paid Resources (Consider After Free Options): If you need additional practice beyond the free ETS materials, several test-prep companies offer GRE®-specific question banks and courses. Evaluate them based on how closely they match official ETS material in question style and difficulty. We do not recommend specific paid providers and do not place affiliate links.
Study Strategies by Section
Analytical Writing: Practice writing timed essays that critique arguments. Focus on identifying logical flaws (correlation vs. causation, unsupported assumptions, overgeneralizations) and structuring your response clearly. Read sample scored essays on the ETS website to understand what evaluators expect at each score level.
Verbal Reasoning: Build vocabulary systematically using spaced-repetition flashcards. Practice reading complex passages and identifying the author’s main point, supporting evidence, and rhetorical strategies. For text completion and sentence equivalence questions, pay close attention to contextual clues and logical connectors in the sentence. Our reading scientific literature guide develops overlapping skills.
Quantitative Reasoning: Review foundational concepts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The math on the GRE® does not go beyond what you would have encountered in high school and introductory college courses, but the questions are designed to test reasoning and problem-solving rather than straightforward computation. Practice interpreting graphs, tables, and data sets. Our test-taking strategies guide covers approaches for quantitative problem types.
GRE vs. MCAT: Which Do You Need
If you are applying to MD or DO medical schools, you almost certainly need the MCAT®, not the GRE®. See our MCAT® preparation guide. If you are applying to PA programs, check whether your target programs require, accept, or have dropped the GRE®. If you are applying to graduate or public health programs, the GRE® is likely required. Some students take both exams if they are applying to multiple types of programs (for example, both medical school and a research PhD program).
Next Steps After the GRE
After taking the GRE®, you will see your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores immediately. Official scores, including the Analytical Writing score, are available approximately 8 to 10 days later through your ETS account. Use the ScoreSelect feature to send only your strongest scores to programs. For application guidance, see our CASPA® application guide (PA programs) or explore relevant career profiles for your target profession.
References
Educational Testing Service (ETS). “GRE General Test.” ETS, 2025. https://www.ets.org/gre. Accessed March 2026.
Educational Testing Service (ETS). “GRE Math Review.” ETS, 2025. https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/quantitative_reasoning/review. Accessed March 2026.
Khan Academy. “Math.” Khan Academy, 2025. https://www.khanacademy.org/math. Accessed March 2026.