GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. Graduate and business schools in the USA, Canada, and other countries use this test to check whether students are prepared for advanced study programs.
This test evaluates students’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing abilities. The GRE test score is significant factor universities, and colleges consider for admission into their graduate and business programs.
Students need a solid understanding of the exam format and ample practice to succeed in the GRE test. This is where GRE practice tests come into play. GRE practice tests help students become familiar with the exam structure. It also helps them identify their strengths, weaknesses, and readiness for the test.
This article will review some of the best GRE practice tests available in the market. We will also learn about a few add-on strategies that can help you prepare for the test and achieve success. Also, these practice tests can help you build your confidence and improve your scores.
Understanding the GRE and How to Prepare for Success
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) measures a student’s readiness for graduate school. The GRE test is created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
It includes three main sections: analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The analytical writing section evaluates a student’s ability to articulate complex ideas.
The verbal reasoning section tests your understanding and analysis of written material. It also measures your ability to recognize relationships between words and concepts. The quantitative reasoning section assesses your ability to reason and solve complex problems.
The purpose of the GRE tests is to provide graduate and business schools with a standardized way to test the potential success of applicants. High GRE scores denote higher chances of being accepted into your desired graduate program.
To succeed in the GRE, you must familiarize yourself with the exam’s format and content. You should also develop effective study strategies and practice with GRE practice tests. These practice tests help you identify the areas where you need improvement.
They also help develop test-taking skills that will be essential on test day. With the help of these tests, you can achieve the score needed to pursue your career goals.
How GRE Practice Tests Help Prepare for the Actual Exam
GRE practice tests help students prepare for the actual GRE. These practice tests simulate the actual GRE as closely as possible. They allow you to experience the types of questions you will encounter on the actual GRE test.
In addition, practicing with GRE practice tests can help you familiarize yourself with the exam’s format, pacing, and types of questions. This reduces the anxiety and uncertainty associated with the test-taking experience. Practice tests can help you identify areas where you need improvement.
While choosing the most efficient GRE practice tests, selecting those that align with the current GRE format is important. The ones you choose should also be created by reputable test prep companies.
Some of the GRE practice tests available include those from ETS, Kaplan, and Manhattan Prep. Incorporating these practice tests into your study plans can increase your chances of success on the GRE.
Best GRE Practice Test You Can Take
There are many GRE practice tests available online. But the best ones provide a realistic experience of the actual GRE.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers free official practice tests that are the most reliable and accurate. Besides the ETS tests, several test prep companies like Manhattan Prep, Kaplan, etc., offer high-quality practice tests that provide the actual GRE test-taking experience.
Choosing the best GRE practice test depends on your specific needs and study goals. But, any of these recommended practice tests can provide valuable insights and help you achieve your desired scores. So, let’s check them out!
Kaplan Test Prep
The free GRE practice test offered by Kaplan is an excellent resource for students to prepare for the actual GRE.
Kaplan is a reputable test prep company helping students achieve their academic goals for many years. Its tests are adaptive, which means they adjust each question’s difficulty level based on your previous answers.
This feature ensures that you are tested on your current level of knowledge and skill. This makes the practice test more effective in identifying areas that need improvement. The test also gives you an estimated GRE score, allowing you to gauge your readiness for the exam.
Varsity Tutors GRE
Varsity Tutors offers a comprehensive and free GRE practice test designed by expert tutors and educators. This test is an effective tool for students to assess their current knowledge and skill level to prepare for the actual GRE.
The test is computer adaptive, meaning that each question’s difficulty level depends on the previous answers. Varsity Tutors’ GRE practice test is a useful resource for students who want to:
- Simulate the test-taking experience.
- Improve their time management skills, and
- Gain confidence in the GRE.
The practice test also provides a score report with detailed explanations for each question. This enables you to identify areas that need improvement and focus your study efforts.
The ETS GRE
The GRE practice test by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) is an official and free practice test designed to simulate the actual GRE. ETS, the organization responsible for creating and administering the GRE, makes this practice test a reliable and accurate representation of the actual test.
The practice test is available in two versions: PowerPrep Online and PowerPrep Plus. PowerPrep Online offers two free practice tests that mimic the actual GRE test. Furthermore, these adaptive tests provide a score report that includes your strengths and weaknesses.
PowerPrep Plus offers three extra practice tests for a fee, with features like score review and explanations. ETS’ GRE practice test is an excellent resource to familiarize yourself with the GRE test format and types of questions. It helps you with pacing and assesses your readiness for the actual exam.
Manhattan Review
The free GRE practice test by Manhattan Review provides you with a realistic and comprehensive simulation of the actual GRE. Manhattan Review is a reputable test prep company helping students achieve their academic goals for over a decade.
The designers of the practice test have created it to imitate the format and substance of the real GRE. The test is computer adaptive. This means it adjusts each question’s difficulty level based on your previous responses.
The practice test also provides a score report that includes your strengths and weaknesses. This enables you to identify areas that need improvement and helps you focus your study efforts effectively.
McGraw-Hill
The Expert educators and test prep professionals at McGraw Hill Education have designed this GRE practice test to help you prepare for the actual GRE. McGraw-Hill Education is a well-respected educational publisher that offers various test preparation materials and resources to help students as they succeed.
The practice test is available on their MHPractice+ platform and features a comprehensive simulation of the actual GRE. The test includes sections on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
The platform also offers detailed score reports, explanations for each question, and personalized study plans to help you identify areas of strength and weakness.
Mometrix Test Preparation
Mometrix Academy has created the GRE practice test to aid students in getting ready for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). It aims to familiarize you with the types of questions and format of the actual GRE, allowing you to practice and improve your test-taking skills.
The Mometrix Academy GRE practice test is plagiarism-free, meaning the questions are unique and not taken from any other source. This ensures that you practice with authentic GRE-style questions, which can increase your confidence and effectiveness when taking the actual GRE.
Peterson’s GRE Practice Tests
Peterson has designed the GRE practice test to assist students in preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The practice test includes questions covering the GRE’s verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing sections.
Peterson’s is a reputable test preparation company providing educational services for over 50 years. Experienced instructors and exam experts have created their GRE practice test to offer you a practical test-taking experience.
It is important to note that Peterson’s GRE practice test is also plagiarism-free.
Union Test Prep
Union Test Prep has created the GRE practice test to aid students in preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Union Test Prep is a leading provider of free test preparation materials and study resources for various standardized tests.
A team of experienced instructors and exam experts has designed their GRE practice test to offer you a practical test-taking experience. The Union Test Prep GRE practice test is plagiarism-free, meaning the questions are original and not copied from any other source.
Union Test Prep uses advanced software and rigorous review processes to ensure their practice test questions are unique and free of plagiarized content.
Effective Strategies to Get the Most of GRE Practice Tests
To get the most out of GRE practice tests, you should consider adopting some of the most effective strategies mentioned below:
- You can start by taking a diagnostic practice test to assess your strengths and weaknesses and identify which areas need more attention.
- You can also time your practice tests to ensure you can answer all questions within the given time frame.
- Make sure to review the answers and explanations provided after each practice test to learn from your mistakes and improve your overall performance.
- You may create a balanced pace of study by being aware of your areas of weakness and how to work on them. Make every effort to organize your study schedule to focus more on your areas of weakness.
- You should track your success on a weekly or even daily basis and use a metric for improvement with consistent criteria.
Final Words
The GRE test is a standardized test designed to measure a student’s readiness for graduate school. The test is used by universities and colleges to check you for advanced study programs.
To succeed in the GRE, you need to have a solid understanding of the exam format and content and practice with reliable study materials, including GRE practice tests. Practice tests can help you identify areas of improvement and develop effective study strategies.
By dedicating enough time and effort to preparing for the GRE, you can increase your chances of achieving the desired scores to pursue your career goals.
Next, check out the best GRE preparation courses to improve your test scores.
