Are you preparing to take the GRE? If so, it is important that you are familiar with the questions asked on the exam. One way to do this is by practicing GRE test sample questions.
Our GRE preparation material includes actual GRE test past questions and answer explanations. Start practicing the GRE sample questions now to see how you do.
Benefits of Practicing GRE Test Sample Questions
Using GRE sample questions to prepare for your GRE is a fantastic idea. The advantages of practicing GRE sample questions include the following:
- You will get an idea of the types of questions typically asked on the GRE.
- You will become familiar with the format and layout of the actual GRE test.
- You will be able to time yourself to see how well you can complete the test in a given amount of time.
- You may find that some of the questions on the GRE test are similar to the questions you have been practicing.
What Does the GRE Assess?
The GRE is a standardized test used by admissions committees for graduate schools. It measures critical thinking, analytical writing, and verbal and quantitative skills. The GRE is not just for business or law school applicants; it is also used by students applying to humanities and social sciences programs.
A. GRE Test Verbal Reasoning Section
The verbal reasoning section of the GRE is designed to measure your ability to understand and analyze written material. This section includes both reading comprehension questions and critical reasoning questions.
You will be asked to read passages from various sources, including magazine articles, newspapers, and scientific journals. Then you will be asked to answer questions about the passages.
The verbal reasoning section contains questions in these formats:
- Reading comprehension: In these questions, you will be asked to read a passage and answer questions about it. There are three varieties of reading comprehension questions: multiple choice with one answer, multiple-choice with one or more answers, and “select-in-passage” (which asks you to choose a sentence that meets a certain description).
- Text completion: In these questions, you will be given a paragraph with one or more blanks and asked to choose the best word or phrase to fill in the blanks.
- Sentence Equivalence: The following questions are made up of just one sentence with a blank and six options. To correctly respond, you must choose two answers that: 1) match the meaning of the entire sentence and 2) produce equivalent sentences.
B. GRE Test Quantitative Reasoning
The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE is designed to measure your ability to solve problems and analyze data. This section includes both problem-solving questions and data interpretation questions.
You will be asked to solve problems that test your arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills. The computer-based test-takers will be given an on-screen calculator. A calculator will be available for paper-based test-takers onsite.
Quantitative reasoning contains these four types of questions:
- Quantitative comparison: Tou will be given two quantities in these questions and asked to compare them.
- Problem-solving: You will be given a problem to solve in these questions.
- Data interpretation: In these questions, you will be given data in a graph, table, or equation and asked to answer questions.
- Multiple choice: In these questions, you will be given a problem and asked to choose the best answer(s) from the options.
C. GRE Test Analytical Reasoning Section
The analytical reasoning section of the GRE is designed to measure your ability to think critically and logically. This section includes both questions about arguments and questions about data sufficiency.
You will be asked to analyze arguments and find the flaw in them or to identify the information that is missing from a data set.
To do well in the analytical writing section, you must present your thoughts organized and coherently. You’ll also need to exhibit proof of your competence with good English grammar and structure.
The Analytical Writing section consists of two types of tasks that you must complete in a specified amount of time:
- Analyze an Issue – This task requires you to think critically about a broad interest topic. In writing, you must coherently express your views on the subject. You’re usually expected to address why you believe or disagree with an assertion and provide evidence for your viewpoint.
- Argument Analysis – You’ll see a passage with claims backed by evidence and reasons. You will be asked to comprehend, evaluate, and critique the provided arguments as well as to explain your reasoning in writing.
How is the GRE Test Graded?
The GRE verbal and quantitative reasoning section is scored on a 130-170 point scale in increments of 1. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a 0-6 scale, in half-point increments.
Your GRE score will be based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it’s to your advantage to answer every question.
The verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning parts of the computer-based test are based on a computer-adaptive approach. This method means that the test algorithm picks the second section of the assessment measure depending on the first section’s result.
For a paper-delivered test, a raw score (i.e., the total number of questions answered correctly) is obtained and then converted to a scaled score using instructions that account for variation among test versions.
Students taking the computer-based test can see their preliminary results for the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections if they choose to report them (instead of canceling their scores). Approximately 10 to 15 days after the test date, official scores become available.
GRE ScoreSelect is a feature offered by the GRE that allows you to send only the scores from any of the test dates to your selected institutions. The capability to score select lasts up to five years.
The following are some of the different choices available through ScoreSelect:
On the test date, you may select one of three alternatives (for your four free score reports):
- Send the most recent scores
- Do not send scores at this time
- Send all the scores from the last five years
After the test, you may send additional score reports (for a charge) with the following choices:
- Send the most recent scores
- Send all the scores from the past five years
- Send any of your scores from one (or as many as you wish) of the tests you’ve taken within the past five years
Who Takes the GRE?
The GRE is taken by individuals who want to attend a graduate or business school. The test is also taken by students who wish to pursue a career in research. The GRE may also be taken by individuals who want to study abroad.
Where Can You Take the GRE?
You can take the GRE at home or at a testing center. Students can take the GRE once every 21 days. If students wish, they may register for and take the exam in less than 24 hours at their house. To take the test at home, you must fulfill certain equipment and eligibility conditions.
Additional GRE Preparation Materials
In addition to the GRE test sample questions and explanations on our website, here are other GRE preparation materials from ETS to give you more insight into the test.
Resource | Source |
---|---|
Official GRE Practice Test | ETS |
GRE Math Review | ETS |
GRE Test Sample- Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GRE test hard?
The GRE is considered more challenging than the ACT and SAT because, while the math tested on the GRE is at a lower level than that tested on the SAT and ACT, it has more difficult vocabularies and reading passages, as well as more complex math questions with trickier wording or higher-level requirements.
Can you fail the GRE test?
It is possible to get GRE scores that are below the minimum required by the university to which you’re applying. However, you can’t “pass” or “fail” the GRE in the same manner as a university exam or professional certification test.
Can you take the GRE online?
You may now sit for the GRE General Test from the comfort of your own home. It’s the same GRE General Test you take at a test center. The only variations are that you use your equipment and are supervised online by a human proctor.
To take the test online, you’ll need:
- A desktop or laptop computer (could be a PC or a Mac).
- A movable camera that can show the proctor the entire room.
- A microphone.
- And a speaker.
How long should I study for the GRE?
Typically, students are advised to spend two and four months studying for the GRE general test. “Give yourself some time to breathe if you must take a subject exam and then prepare for the subject examination with the help of GRE sample questions. Keep in mind the application deadlines while choosing when to take each test.”
How can I practice GRE?
There are a few ways to practice for the GRE. The first is by taking using GRE test sample questions. This will help you become familiar with the types of questions asked on the test and the exam format. Additionally, studying with practice questions can help improve your score.
Best of Luck with Your GRE!
The GRE is a challenging test. Still, you can increase your chances of scoring well with enough preparation. With our GRE test sample questions and explanations resource, you can better understand how the test works and what to expect on the exam. Continue practicing and studying for the GRE, and you will be well prepared for test day.
Good luck