You are probably already aware that to have the best possible chance in your GRE test you should take a few practice tests before the big day.
But you also may be struggling to find GRE study material that is comprehensive enough to really prepare you for the exam. Or, you may be struggling to find practice tests that fit within your budget.
Or, you may be having trouble with even knowing where to start.
Well, that’s where we come in!
Below, we have 7 of the most recommended GRE practice tests available at the moment, so you can be assured you’re getting value for money.
While we’ve tried to stick to budget-friendly practice tests, we also have some higher-end options if budget isn’t too much of a concern.
We also have a guide to finding the best GRE practice tests, as well as how to make the most of them ahead of your exam.
But let’s begin by answering what a GRE practice is and how they can help you.
What Is A GRE Practice Test?
An official practice test is one of the best ways to measure your performance and see where you’re at before your exam.
They are normally set up to resemble an actual GRE exam, helping you to pinpoint any weak areas prior to your test.
They usually have the same number of questions as the official GRE test, and they are normally timed to replicate the exam experience even further.
Why Are Practice Tests Beneficial?
One benefit of GRE practice tests is that they give you an understanding of problem-solving strategies that you can take into the actual exam.
The GRE is very different from other standardized tests, so it’s crucial to understand how the test will work before you take it.
Another advantage of a free GRE practice test (How Long Should You Study For The GRE) is that they can help you focus on a particular area of study.
For example, you may do well on the verbal reasoning section but not so well on the quantitative reasoning section.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to prioritize quantitative reasoning in your study time.
GRE practice tests can also help you get an idea of how to tackle the computer-based test.
You can skip the questions and use a calculator, but if you hadn’t had practice with this before your exam, you’ll end up wasting time trying to find these resources.
PowerPrep II
PowerPrep II has too many positive reviews to count, and we can see why! It’s simple to get started too. You just need to download the software to get access to these affordable tests.
PowerPrep II tests are created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which is the same organization that creates the actual GRE test.
How’s that for legitimate? Seriously, these tests are as close to the real thing as you’re going to get!
You’ll get two free full-length exams with the PowerPrep package, that were designed to have the same content, format, timing, and difficulty level as the actual GRE exam, so you’ll be well-prepared for test day.
Pros
- Created by ETS.
- Has sections on quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning.
- The computer-based exam has an identical format to the actual GRE exam.
- Has real GRE practice questions.
Cons
- There is no analytical writing practice available.
Also Available At: ets.org
Manhattan Prep GRE Practice Test
Although Manhattan Prep GRE is one of the more expensive GRE practice materials, the quality of their practice tests makes it worth the price.
Plus, if you set up an account on their website you’ll get one GRE official practice test for free.
lot of GRE test takers recommend Manhattan Prep because of the detailed answer explanations, which really help you to understand where you went wrong with certain questions.
An important aspect of practicing for your GRE is reviewing every mistake, so these detailed explanations really help.
Plus, the online GRE practice test is similar to the official GRE as it is timed and you take it online.
Pros
- Detailed answer explanations.
- Access to one one free test when you sign up for an account.
- One of the most recommended test prep providers.
- Has multiple-choice test questions.
Cons
- Unlike PowerPrep II, it is an unofficial GRE test.
Also Available At: Manhattanprep.com
Kaplan GRE Practice Tests
Kaplan is a big name in the GRE prep market, and if you’ve done any research into GRE prep materials you’ve probably seen their name pop up!
They have a few different free options available for students if you sign up for an account.
Their offerings include one full-length practice GRE test, a quick 12-questions teaser, and GRE questions likely to appear on the test.
We really appreciated how you’ve got the option between 3 practice times, depending on your needs and time constraints.
We personally recommend the full-length practice tests if you’re looking to really replicate the GRE experience.
While they provide explanations for every question, these explanations are not as detailed as the Manhattan Prep explanations. We also liked that their interface was simple to use.
Pros
- Their GRE practice question of the day feature.
- Their 12-question quick test feature.
- Simple interface.
- Full-length GRE practice test.
Cons
- Isn’t adaptable to certain sections.
- The answer explanations could be more in-depth.
Also Available At: Kaptest.com
Princeton Review GRE Test Prep Exam
Princeton Review is a game changer in the world of high-quality GRE practice resources.
Not only do they have full-length practice tests that will help you measure your performance, but also free GRE practice tests when you sign up for an account.
You get given access to one free test that is only accessible for 14 days.
We appreciate the fact that Princeton Review designed this GRE test to be nearly identical to the actual GRE. But while the format and the timing are nearly identical, they don’t provide answer explanations.
This makes reviewing your mistakes extremely difficult, which is a big problem as reviewing your mistakes is critical to your success.
Therefore, we recommend this resource for those who are just trying to establish a foundation for where they’re at a few days before they take the GRE.
Pros
- Nearly identical to the actual GRE.
- Timed practice tests.
- You receive a basic score report following your practice test.
- Suitable for those who want to do a trial run ahead of test day.
Cons
- Does not provide answer explanations.
- Free tests are only accessible for a limited time (14 days).
Also Available At Princetonreview.com
McGraw Hill GRE Practice Tests
The GRE practice tests provided by McGraw-Hill are ideal for those students who would like a little extra practice.
Their offerings include one free practice exam, practice specific to certain sections, practice questions for both quantitative and verbal reasoning, and video tutorials going into detail about all the sections, even analytical writing.
You don’t need to create an account to take the McGraw-Hill practice test, which we appreciated.
The format of the practice test is different to the official GRE practice exam, which is important to keep in mind. We would recommend these practice tests for those wanting to practice certain sections of the exam.
Pros
- No need to create an account to make use of the practice materials.
- You have the option to just take certain sections.
- Video tutorials.
Cons
- Format is not similar to the actual GRE.
- Not as long as the other practice tests.
Barron’s GRE Practice Tests
Barron’s GRE practice tests give you a chance to take an online test with multiple choice questions, as well as a graded analytical writing section.
The latter is particularly impressive as most practice tests do not have this section.
The test also has an excellent analysis and score report once you’ve finished the exam.
Although it’s not that similar to the GRE, it still has enough similarities to prepare you well for the actual test.
Pros
- Has AWA grading.
- Great analysis and score report when you’ve completed the practice test.
- It has an analytical writing section that gives it an edge over its rivals.
Cons
- Not that similar to the GRE.
- The questions are actually harder than the actual GRE.
Also Available At: Barronbooks.com
Magoosh GRE Prep
When it comes to value for money, you can’t go wrong with Magoosh.
But while it may be one of the cheapest GRE prep materials out there, the content of the resources wouldn’t be amiss in higher-end GRE practice tests.
With over 1,400 practice problems, over a hundred short video tutorials, and 3 full-length practice tests, Magoosh has plenty of high-quality study material to help you prepare for the GRE.
Although Magoosh doesn’t provide the most comprehensive curriculum, their aim is to provide valuable and flexible study materials on a sleek digital platform.
If you’re on a budget then we highly recommend Magoosh.
Pros
- A massive library of useful video tutorials that teach you test-taking strategies you can put into action on test day.
- The answer explanations are detailed.
- Budget-friendly and value for money.
Cons
- The flexible library means studying with Magoosh lacks structure.
- Some have found the production value in the video tutorials lackluster.
Also Available At: gre.magoosh.com
So Which GRE Practice Test Is The Best?
After doing some extensive research, we believe the best GRE practice test package to be PowerPrep II. The 2 free practice tests designed by the ETS gave it the edge over other packages on this list.
After all, this is the organization that created the GRE test!
Before you begin studying for the GRE we highly recommend taking the test so you can get an idea of how to structure your studying schedule and what areas you need to work on.
This is sure to give you a higher chance of passing the GRE!
Buyer’s Guide: What To Look For In A GRE Practice Test
High-Quality Practice Questions
This is undoubtedly the most important feature of any practice exam.
Any free GRE practice test should come with actual GRE questions so you have a good understanding of what you can expect when you actually sit the exam.
Most GRE practice exams have questions similar if not identical questions to the real GRE test. However, we recommend taking a test with questions that were on previous GRE tests.
This is why PowerPrep II is so useful, as it uses past exam questions on their practice tests.
Format
Many free practice tests are not full-length exams, but instead short quizzes. These quizzes can be useful additions to your study schedule.
However, we recommend taking a few practice tests ahead of the real exam.
The GRE is a 3.5 hour exam, which seems like a lot but there are a few sections to cover and they are purposefully fast-paced to see how you cope under pressure.
It tests your analytical writing skills, quantitative reasoning, and your verbal reasoning. Therefore, it’s important to be familiar with the environment of the test before you sit it.
The GRE is also section-adaptive, meaning the latter sections will be made more difficult depending on how you scored on the first few sections.
However taking practice GRE tests will prepare you with appropriate testing techniques.
Answer Explanations
A high-quality free GRE practice test will provide you with detailed answer explanations, and some will even provide these explanations in video form.
These answer explanations are a great tool, as it helps you understand where you went wrong and how to tackle these questions, and helps you tailor your study plan to your weak spots.
Simple To Use
The format of the actual GRE exam is uncomplicated. It is purposefully designed this way to keep you focused, and save you time.
We’ve mentioned a few times that the test is timed, so the last thing you want is to be worrying about navigating the test while you’re trying to answer a question.
Therefore, the practice tests you take should be simple to navigate and mimic the actual exam.
The navigational panel should also include a calculator and simple arrow buttons so you can easily move through the questions.
Not only does this keep you focused, but it gives you a good idea of how to navigate the system when you sit the actual test.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Take Mock Tests?
There isn’t a concrete answer for this question, as it all depends on your study plan.
GRE mentors suggest taking the practice test several times while you prepare for the exam, so you have plenty of practice and experience before test day.
You should take diagnostic tests before you begin studying.
What test you take next will depend on your study schedule and the score gap between the score you want and the score you achieved on your diagnostic test.
If you plan to study for 3-6 months ahead of your GRE test, then you should take a practice test after 4-6 weeks of study.
We also recommend sitting a full-length practice test every 3 weeks and smaller tests in the last month on alternate days.
How Accurate Are GRE Practice Tests?
This is something that is highly debatable among students and GRE mentors.
However, it is undeniable that doing some GRE practice tests is extremely beneficial. Four of the biggest benefits include:
- Practice tests can help you to consolidate your learning.
- They improve your speed ahead of the actual GRE test.
- They also improve your time-management and planning skills.
- Practice tests give you insight on areas you can improve on, which you can then apply to your study. If you plan well and come up with an effective strategy you can turn your weaknesses into strengths by the time the GRE test comes around.
How Can You Make The Most Out Of GRE Practice Tests?
Review your mistakes: We cannot stress enough how important it is to review mistakes you make on your practice tests.
You should review every wrong answer for the multiple-choice questions by taking in the explanations given as this will give you a more detailed understanding of the material.
If you guessed a question but still got it right, then you should still review the material to ensure you have a true understanding of every concept you’ll be tested on.
Take practice tests regularly at different intervals: As well as taking a diagnostic test before you even begin preparation so you can gain a foundational score to improve on, we also recommend taking a practice test at least once a week.
This gives you a clear idea of your strengths, weaknesses, and overall progress. Plus, it helps you improve your time management. This brings us to our next point…
Time yourself taking practice tests: As the GRE is timed, we recommend creating these conditions when you take practice tests too.
After all, the GRE is about more than just being able to memorize information, it tests you on your time management skills and how well you work under pressure too.
Timing yourself is truly one of the most beneficial things you can do to smash the GRE!
