The GRE General Test is an exam taken by students planning to apply to graduate school, business school, or law school. While most people are familiar with the computer-based GRE (online or in-person), many are unaware of the paper-delivered GRE. This is most likely because the paper GRE can be taken only in locations where the computer-based GRE at a test center or the at-home GRE cannot be taken, or if you have received approval for specific accommodations.

This article will discuss everything you need to know about the GRE paper-based test. We will also point out the similarities and differences between the computer-delivered GRE and the paper-delivered GRE. Note that, because of recent significant changes in ETS policy concerning the paper-delivered GRE, the information contained herein may be subject to change. So, you should contact ETS directly concerning your unique situation.


The paper-delivered GRE is just as it sounds. It is a paper test, and it’s offered at specific test centers that do not provide the computer-based GRE or at test center locations where certain student accommodations can be met.

As we will discuss shortly, you will be well aware of which version of the test you are taking far in advance of test day. With that said, let’s discuss some similarities and differences between the two GRE tests.


The format, equipment, and scoring of the paper-based GRE differ slightly from those of the computer-delivered GRE. In this section, we will cover these characteristics, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two exams.


The format of the paper-delivered GRE differs slightly from that of the computer-delivered GRE. The computer-delivered test includes one Analytical Writing (AW) section, two verbal sections, two quant sections, and either an experimental or a research section. The paper version does not include an experimental or research section.

On the paper-based GRE, the AW section contains two essays, each verbal section contains 20 questions, and each quant section contains 20 questions. The computer-delivered GRE also contains 20 verbal questions in each section and 20 quant questions in each section. The types of questions asked are essentially identical. The only difference in the total time allowed for the two exam types will reflect the fact that there is no experimental or research section on the paper-based exam.

Note: The free downloadable paper GRE practice exams from ETS, discussed in more detail later in this article, are formatted differently from what is described above. Each verbal section contains 25 questions, each quant section contains 25 questions, and the time allowed for each section is increased. However, ETS representatives contacted via phone indicated that the information we provided in the previous paragraph is correct.


There are some important equipment differences to note regarding what you are provided while taking the GRE. For example, on the computer-delivered GRE you are provided with scratch paper, while on the paper-delivered GRE, you are not. However, because your test is taken in a booklet, you can make notes or computations directly in the booklet.

Also, for the computer-delivered GRE, an onscreen calculator is provided, while on the paper exam, you’re provided with a handheld 4-function calculator. Additionally, for the two Analytical Writing tasks, the computer-based GRE provides a basic word processor for writing and editing. The paper-based exam’s test booklet simply provides space for handwriting the two essays.