The GRE does not assign a fixed time per question, but you can estimate how long per question GRE sections allow based on the number of questions and total time. Managing this time effectively is essential for maximizing your score.
Verbal Reasoning: About 1.5 Minutes Long Per Question GRE
Each Verbal section contains 20 questions to be completed in 30 minutes. This gives an average of 1.5 minutes long per question GRE. However, reading comprehension may take longer, while sentence equivalence could take less. You must balance speed with accuracy across text completion, sentence equivalence, and passage-based questions.
Quantitative Reasoning: Roughly 1.75 Minutes Long Per Question GRE
Each Quant section has 20 questions in 35 minutes—about 1.75 minutes long per question GRE. Problem-solving and data interpretation items often require more time than straightforward algebra or arithmetic. Since a calculator is provided, use it wisely to avoid wasting time on simple calculations.
Analytical Writing: 30 Minutes Per Essay
This section is different. You have 30 minutes per essay, not per question. The first task asks you to analyze an issue; the second requires analyzing an argument. Each demands clear structure, logical development, and well-supported reasoning within the strict time limit.
Strategies for Managing Long Per Question GRE
- Skip difficult questions and return if time allows.
- Flag questions for review within the same section.
- Practice full-length tests to build pacing awareness.
- Don’t spend more than 2–3 minutes on any single question.
Remember: the GRE is section-adaptive, meaning your performance on the first section affects the difficulty of the next. Every question counts toward that adjustment.
Also note: experimental or unscored questions may appear in one Verbal or Quant section. They look real but don’t count toward your score. You cannot identify them, so treat every question as important when deciding how long per question effort to invest.
Aim for approximately 1.5 minutes long per question in Verbal and 1.75 minutes long per question in Quant. These averages guide efficient pacing without rushing. Success comes not from answering every question perfectly, but from making smart decisions under time constraints. Mastering how long per question should take improves both accuracy and confidence on test day.