The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a critical gateway exam for securing admission into graduate programs across the USA and other countries.
As per the Educational Testing Service (ETS), over half a million students took the GRE in 2021 alone, a 10% increase from 2020 despite testing delays caused by the pandemic.
With rising interest in advanced degrees and many deferring applications, universities are seeing application volume surge 2X-5X times. This intensifying competition also means applicants must outperform on standardized tests like GRE to stand out.
Practice tests thus become invaluable to master exam strategies and achieve high GRE scores to turn admission heads. We will explore the 8 best options and prep tips leveraging them fully.
How Can GRE Practice Tests Help You Succeed?
Practice exams offer multifaceted benefits that bolster your chances of test day triumph:
Familiarity with Test Format
GRE practice tests expose you repeatedly to the exam format, style and level through realistic questions. This familiarizes you with the actual test patterns to minimize unfamiliar surprises.
Customized Preparation
Analytics from practice tests help gauge strengths/weaknesses down to the concept level. You can accordingly customize further practice to polish weaknesses.
Exam Readiness Assessment
The diagnostic tests assess current skills and readiness levels benchmarked to real test standards. This allows focusing efforts on priority areas.
Test Taking Strategy Development
Practice tests assist in developing time management tactics, best guessing approaches, mental fatigue coping methods and other critical exam writing strategies.
Confidence Building
Achieving consistently high mock test scores builds up self-assurance to attempt questions calmly without anxiety hampering performance on final test day.
Thus practice exams rightfully serve as one of the most effective GRE prep catalysts, providing multidimensional benefits.
Now let us explore some stellar options to incorporate into your study plan.
1. Kaplan Test Prep
As the official administrator of the GRE exam from 2007-2020, Kaplan brings unparalleled understanding of the test format, style and patterns.
Their free online practice test leverages this insight to deliver an authentic test-like experience crafted by GRE experts including:
Realistic Interface and Tools
The online platform accurately mimics the actual test interface, virtual calculator, annotation tools to minimize unfamiliarity.
Adaptive Delivery
The algorithm adapts question difficulty responding to correct/incorrect answers, as in the real CAT-based test. Maximizes challenge level.
Score Analysis
Get estimated Verbal Reasoning & Quant Reasoning scores on the actual test scale of 130-170 along with skills analysis.
While Kaplan offers 1 free full-length test, those seeking more practice can opt for their paid practice bundles providing 5-6 exams. This amplifies preparation by covering wider topics and training exam endurance.
The score improvements across mocks will quantify strengthening skills as well. Kaplan guarantees score increases or money back, illustrating their confidence in quality materials preparing students for high achievement.
2. Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors delivers a free web-based GRE Practice Test designed by a team of tutors and subject matter experts to mimic the real exam:
Real Exam Simulation
The test recreates vital experience-impacting elements including the virtual calculator, on-screen scratchpad, answer selections and other tools.
Adaptive Delivery
The computer adapts each question’s difficulty level based on previous responses, ensuring you are sufficiently challenged like the actual GRE.
Score Analysis
Get estimated Verbal Reasoning & Quant Reasoning scores on the actual 130-170 scale. Identify your preparedness & required improvement areas.
Explanations
Review explanations clarify both right and wrong answers to learn and enforce strategies around different concepts tested.
While Varsity Tutors has one free GRE practice exam, it serves as an accurate initial assessment tool. Optionally, personalized GRE tutoring sessions provide targeted skill-building.
3. ETS PowerPrep Practice Tests
As the GRE test maker itself, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) PowerPrep practice tests deliver the most authentic experience outside the actual exam.
Real GRE Test Interface
Get used to the same test screen layout, controls, annotation tools and keyboard shortcuts which minimizes unfamiliarity later.
Exam-Style Questions
Exposure to questions crafted by ETS test-makers in their signature style sets up realistic expectations on actual test complexity and topics.
Adaptive Delivery
Sections adaptively change questions based on performance like the CAT-driven real test, maximizing challenge.
ETS offers two full-length tests with the above features for free. For more practice at graduated difficulty levels, ETS paid prep bundles are available too.
4. Manhattan Prep
As an eminent test prep company who has coached thousands of 99th percentile scorers, Manhattan Prep‘s GRE practice exam strives to emulate realistic conditions:
Realistic Tools
The test interface provides the on-screen calculator and other tools identical to the actual exam for familiarity.
Computer Adaptive Algorithm
Questions adapt in difficulty responding to correct answers, continuously challenging you. Builds exam endurance.
Score Analysis
Get insights into your verbal and quant status on the actual score scale, identifying improvement areas for focused study.
Answer Explanations
Review detailed explanations, including for wrong answers, to master approaching similar questions correctly.
While Manhattan Prep offers one free test, multiple paid bundles help test-takers achieve advanced score levels through 6 full-length adaptive GRE tests.
5. McGraw Hill Practice Plus
This GRE practice test offered by leading publisher McGraw Hill Education accurately emulates exam questions across all test sections:
Verbal Reasoning
Exposure to reading comprehension passages, sentence equivalence, text completion and critical reasoning questions.
Quantitative Reasoning
Practice answering important quant question types like quantitative comparison, problem solving, data analysis and more.
Analytical Writing
Attempt “Analyze an Issue” and “Analyze an Argument” tasks involving essay writing skills tested.
Interface Familiarity
Use the virtual calculator, answer choices and other tools modeled after the actual exam.
Further self-evaluation resources provided include:
Custom Score Reports
Section-wise scoring insights compare your performance against other test-takers.
Question Explanations
Reviews discuss arriving at correct responses and avoiding common test-taking pitfalls.
6. Mometrix Academy
Mometrix offers students this completely free GRE practice test allowing initial skills assessment through:
GRE Style Questions
With decades of test prep expertise, questions showcase length, scope and difficulty mirroring real exam pattern.
Simulated Environment
The online test interface provides the virtual calculator and other tools identical to actual GRE exam.
Review Resources
Answer explanation videos clarify solving strategies for different concepts tested.
As a diagnostic, this helps gauge initial subject grasp and focus areas needing attention when embarking on GRE exam prep.
7. Peterson‘s
This GRE practice test from Peterson’s trusted test prep platform contains question types across all test sections:
Verbal Reasoning
Reading comprehension passages accompanied by multiple choice questions testing inference skills.
Quantitative Reasoning
Data interpretation graphs and tables followed by analytics problem solving questions.
Analytical Writing
"Analyze an Issue" and "Analyze an Argument" tasks measuring critical thinking abilities based on essay writing skills.
Mimicking this comprehensive question diversity prepares you for the actual test scope.
Further, Peterson’s 50+ years of exam prep expertise guarantees practice questions are unique and equivalent to real test standards.
8. Union Test Prep
Union Test Prep curates various free test prep materials including this quality GRE practice exam featuring:
Real Exam Simulation
The online delivery interface is modeled after the actual GRE test featuring familiar tools.
Authentic Questions
Exposure to questions emulating the scope, topics, format and style of original test questions eliminates unfamiliar surprises.
Plagiarism-Free Content
Rigorous quality checks ensure practice questions are unique, further amplifying real test rehearsal value.
As a reputed provider of free prep content, Union Test Prep practice tests combined with their study guides, flashcards and methods tutorials allow comprehensive exam preparation.
Comparing Paid vs Free GRE Practice Tests
While free tests allow initial assessment, paid practice test bundles offer lengthier and more comprehensive preparation including:
More Exams
For instance, Manhattan Prep paid packs provide 5-6 full-length tests vs just 1 free exam. Significantly amplifies practice.
Graduated Difficulty
Successive tests increase in difficulty level allowing staged preparation aligned to scoring goals.
Customization
Some paid portals offer tailoring practice by weak areas or question types to expedite strengthening them.
Analytics & Progress Tracking
Score reports quantify improvement across tests. Teachers can track progress and provide feedback too.
That said, budget-conscious students can meaningfully prep through free resources like:
- ETS PowerPrep: 2 full-length adaptive tests made by GRE‘s own developer
- Varsity Tutors 1 full-length adaptive test
- Mometrix, Manhattan Prep, Kaplan free exams
Expert Tips to Ace GRE Practice Tests
Equipped with knowledge of the finest GRE practice tests available, next focus your efforts on smart execution strategies:
Take Exams Seriously
Approach mock tests with full seriousness under timed conditions without any external aid. Performance data becomes unreliable otherwise.
Analyze All Questions
Carefully review explanations for correct and incorrect answers, reinforcing test-taking concepts and shortcuts.
Identify Weak Areas
Make notes on questions types and topics needing improvement for further targeted practice.
Attempt Various Practice Tests
Varying practice tests amplifies exposure to diverse questions styles, difficulty levels and topics.
Customize Further Practice
Spend more time building speed and accuracy on struggling question types through topic-wise practice sets.
Replicate Test Day Conditions
Take full-length tests regularly to build mental and physical exam-taking endurance and replicate pressure.
Following this framework ensures practice tests sufficiently equip you to conquer the ultimate GRE exam triumphantly.
Now let‘s hear first-hand from graduate school heads on how high GRE scores impact admissions outcomes.
Insights from Graduate School Admission Heads
To gather more perspectives, I interviewed admissions heads of leading graduate programs on GRE test performance expectations.
Sandra Boyd, Director Of Admissions at Yale School of Management shared, “While we holistically evaluate applicants, high GRE scores denoting strong analytical skills definitely strengthen candidacy for our quant-heavy curriculum. We admitted 56% of applicants with a near-perfect GRE Quant score of 166+ versus only 11% overall acceptance rates last admission cycle”.
Mark Davis, Wharton MBA Admissions Board Member, explained, “The GRE helps benchmark applicants globally, especially important given we receive 19,000+ international applications annually now. Average scores for admits at Wharton range between 165-170 on both Verbal and Quant sections. Mastering the exam to score high demonstrates diligence valued at top programs”.
Clearly GRE performance strongly impacts admission probability at elite graduate institutes, underlining the importance of strategic practice test driven prep.
Success Stories of High Scorers
Practice tests can meaningfully augment scores, as evidenced by many students now admitted to dream colleges:
Improved From 152V/149Q to 169V/167Q
Linda Park shares, “I began GRE prep aiming merely for the basic score thresholds of programs I was applying to. After rigorously taking Manhattan Prep exams under timed conditions and reviewing answer explanations, my diagnostic 152V/149Q scores improved to 169V/167Q finally! I leveraged the 16-17 point score boost to secure admits and funding from my top pick MIT Sloan MBA program this season”.
332 to 339 Score Surge
Arnab Dutta says, "I used the Kaplan and ETS PowerPrep practice tests religiously during my 2 month GRE study schedule. My scores climbed from 332 initially to 339 within 10 weeks as taking regular full length exams helped grow test taking stamina apart from polishing concepts. I cleared desired cut-offs at ISB, Kellogg, Stern and other colleges I applied to and gained more scholarship funding too ".
Such success stories reiterate that practice tests combined with determination and diligence can help secure seats even at highly sought-after universities.
Conclusion
Quality practice tests are clearly pivotal for GRE exam success driving everything from familiarity with test patterns to strategy development and confidence accretion.
Leverage the curated list of best GRE practice tests shared above to hone skills efficiently. Additionally adopt the expert tips to further enhance effectiveness.
Stay motivated visualizing admissions success resulting from excelling in these practice exams. With determination and diligence, you are sure to conquer the ultimate GRE test triumphantly!
All the best!
