if you’re thinking about taking the gre, remember that the gre cost includes more than just the exam registration fee. depending on your specific individual situation, costs can quickly add up with additional fees. so asking “how much does the gre cost?” (or more likely, “why is the gre so expensive?!”) requires a little more context. in light of that, we’ll take a look at all of the following:

• gre exam fees
• different costs in india and china
• total cost of the gre in different example situations
• prepping for the gre – cost of studying
• how to save money on gre fees

how much does the gre cost?

the cost to register for the gre is $220, whether you take the exam at home or at a test center. be aware that other services—rescheduling, cancellation, additional score reports—incur additional fees.

here’s a look at the most common gre exam fees in most parts of the world—except for china and india—in 2025:

if you cancel your registration at least 4 days prior to your exam, you’ll be refunded half the registration fee ($110). otherwise, you will receive no refund at all.

different costs in india and china

india

if you’re taking the exam in india in 2025, this table lists the costs of the gre in indian rupees:

if you cancel your registration at least 4 days prior to your exam, you’ll be refunded half the registration fee (₹ 11,275). otherwise, you will receive no refund at all.

china

several of the gre fees are higher if you are taking the test in china in 2025:

note also that the refund policy is more strict in china. you need to cancel your registration at least 10 days in advance in order to be refunded half the registration fee ($115.75). beyond that window, you’ll receive no refund.

total cost of the gre in different example situations

though the cost of the gre itself is $220 in most countries, that’s often not the full price. let’s take a look at 3 different students in hypothetical situations to see how expensive the gre might be for you.

sam – everything goes smoothly

sam is fortunate that everything goes according to schedule and that she is only applying to 3 main schools. plus, since she’s allowed to send her gre score to 4 schools for free, she includes a backup school. therefore, her costs are:

• registration fee: $220
• 0 additional score reports beyond the allowed 4: $0
• total: $220

mikel – life happens and adds some costs

in mikel’s case, he’s already planning on applying to 5 universities, so he’s going to pay more for an additional score report. additionally, he ends up needing to reschedule his exam date so that he can attend his cousin’s wedding. all of this means that he’ll end up spending about 40% more on gre fees:

• registration fee: $220
• rescheduling fee: $50
• 1 additional score report: $35
• total: $305

odette – a sudden illness ups the price

odette unfortunately gets the flu the week of her gre exam date. knowing that she’s not going to feel well enough later, she cancels her registration 5 days ahead of time to save some money. additionally, she’s applying to 6 different universities, so she needs to order additional score reports. thus, her total costs are nearly double the original registration fee alone:

• original registration fee: $220
• refund for cancelling at least 4 days prior: –$110
• new registration fee: $220
• 2 additional score reports: $70
• total: $400

here’s a look at those 3 different examples of total gre costs side by side:

prepping for the gre – cost of studying

so far, we’ve only taken a look at the costs related to taking the test itself. however, most likely you’re going to need to prepare for the exam as well, so it’s important to factor that in.

gre cost for the lean self-studier (cost: <$20)

you can buy one book and learn quite a bit for less than $20–a good plan if you are a book learner without much money to spend. if you go this route, don’t pick up just any gre book. take a look at our gre book reviews to see which one is worth your study time.

gre cost for the ambitious self-studier (cost: $140 – $200)

there is a wide range of self-study options out there for you to explore, all varying in price and quality. we feel that a magoosh gre premium plan is a great option, both in terms of affordability and comprehensiveness.

gre cost for the classroom plan: free – $2,300

you can lower the cost of gre prep considerably with the free classes offered by some colleges, so be sure to check what’s available at your current school. however, from what i’ve heard, the classes have a bare-bones approach at best. alternatively, there are manhattan, kaplan, and princeton review classes, which will add to your gre costs.

gre cost for a private tutor: $500 – $5,000

if you think the classroom format sounds like a mixed bag, that can be the case with tutors as well. on the one hand, you might find bob off of craigslist for $20/hr. he’s never taken the gre but once took the sat. he tells you he is really good at math and shows you all his “tricks.”

on the other hand, there’s a tutor with 15 years’ experience, who lives and breathes the gre, has hundreds of glowing 足球世界杯举办地2022, and writes his/her own test questions. of course, this tutor may cost you as much as $150/hr. (and private tuition offered through other test prep companies can be even more expensive.)

the first kind of tutor is likely not worth your time, but the second very well could be. it depends how much you’re willing to spend, what your needs and goals are, and how you learn best. we ultimately recommend the self-study route first. but if you’re not seeing the improvement you desire, then look into a class or a tutor. at that point, though, do expect to pay a lot more.

the time cost of studying for the gre

lastly, don’t forget about the time cost of studying for the gre! see how long should i study for the gre? for an idea of how much time you should spend prepping.

how to save money on gre fees

as discussed, the total costs of the gre exam can quickly add up! there are a few important things to keep in mind to help keep your expenses down.

know your schedule to avoid needing to reschedule

sometimes needing to reschedule is just unavoidable, and there’s nothing you can to do. however, taking the gre at home does offer you a lot more flexibility. so, if your schedule is highly variable, you may be able to wait much closer to your desired test date before registering. doing so greatly reduces the chances of unexpected interruptions.

however, if you want to take the gre at a test center, you’ll likely need to schedule more ahead of time (thinks months instead of days). check out this guide on when to take the gre.

decide on your schools and applications early

ets lets you send your gre scores to 4 schools for free. but for each additional school beyond that, it’ll cost you $35 each. thus, if you haven’t already narrowed down the schools on your wishlist, that’s worth spending some time on. that doesn’t mean that you need to narrow it down to exactly 4, but applying to a small handful of schools will cost you a lot less than applying to a ton of different schools.

apply for gre fee waivers

ets does offer a fee reduction program for those that meet certain conditions related to financial need, unemployment, and/or underrepresented groups. learn how to apply for gre fee waivers to reduce some of the costs associated with the gre.

if you’re ready to take the plunge, start a self-study plan today by signing up for an affordable, premium magoosh gre prep subscription.

good luck and happy studying!

the post how much does the gre cost? (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

with at-home testing as a valid option, taking the gre is more flexible than ever before! the gre is also frequently offered at various test centers throughout the world during many different time slots. but with all these choices, we understand that it can be overwhelming to select the best gre test date.

never fear, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to choosing the right gre test date for you!

table of contents

• where are you taking the gre? at home or at a test center?
• test dates for taking the gre at home
• test dates for taking the gre at a test center
• when should i take the gre in 2025?
• when to take the gre for fall application deadlines
• when to take the gre for spring application deadlines
• gre sign up: how do i register for the gre?
• gre registration checklist
• how do i register for taking the gre at home?
• how do i register for taking the gre at a test center?
• a final word: other factors to consider when choosing gre test dates
• how much does it cost to register for the gre?
• can i take a paper version of the gre?
• can i reschedule my gre exam date?
• can i cancel my gre registration?
• final things to consider

where are you taking the gre? at home or at a test center?

before choosing your gre exam date, it’s important to understand your gre testing options. you can either take the exam at home or at a test center.

most importantly, no matter where you take it, the gre test is exactly the same. either way, you’ll see the same test content, in the same computer-based format. (note: there is no longer a paper-based gre option). even the cost is the same. so, this choice is all about your personal preferences.

the main benefit of taking the gre at home is convenience. you don’t have to commute anywhere, and you’ll be in a familiar environment. if that’s helpful or important to you, then this is the way to go. however, do make sure that both your equipment and environment meet all the requirements.

on the other hand, you might prefer a test center’s controlled setting. this is best if your home internet connection could be unstable or if you’re worried that your neighbor might decide that your test day is the best day to start a new rock band. just remember to budget extra time both for traveling and for arriving early to the test center. and don’t forget to bring your id!

test dates for taking the gre at home

the great news here is that test dates and times for taking the gre at home are available pretty much 24/7. though you can’t sign up at the last minute, you’ll likely be able to register for a time of your choosing for the day after next. there are times available in the early morning all the way up to after midnight.

with that said, we recommend signing up sooner than just a day or two ahead of time. this way, you’re guaranteed a spot at your most ideal time. if you register a couple to a few weeks ahead of time, you’ll have your pick of almost any time slot.

note that if you’re taking the gre at home in mainland china, please see this link for additional information and procedures. additionally, depending on which country you live in, you’ll want to create an account at ets (the makers of the gre) to confirm that at-home testing is available in your area.

test dates for taking the gre at a test center

there are many ets-approved test centers (1000+ over 160+ countries). however, you may find your choices to be quite limited. if you live in a major city or near a university, there’s a higher chance of a test center being nearby. but it’s highly variable. you’ll need to search on the ets website to see what your closest options are.

when taking the gre at a test center, it’s essential to search well ahead of your desired test date. you may find that the “closest” option isn’t close at all (50+ miles away!). likewise, available test dates are highly dependent upon your location. some test centers offer the gre almost daily, particularly in the summer. others may only be open on saturdays or sporadically throughout a given month.

you can generally find a test center with an open slot at least one month in advanced. but we highly recommend that you schedule your test date 3 or even 4 months in advance to ensure that you get a location and date that’s right for you. because your options at test centers are more limited, this is not something you want left to chance!

also, note that in china and korea, the gre is only available at test centers up to 3 times per month.

when should i take the gre in 2025?

as a general rule, if you’re testing at a test center, you’ll want to register at least three to four months ahead. this is the best way to secure your preferred test center, date, and time. (six months is even better if you’re aiming for a popular time.) if you’re testing from home, you have more flexibility—you can even take it asap if you need to!

when to take the gre for fall application deadlines

for fall 2025 deadlines, the summer is a great time to both prep for and take the gre. you have a ton of flexibility and enough time for 3 months of prep. and if you can start studying in the spring, then you have even more time to prepare.

when to take the gre for spring application deadlines

for spring 2026 deadlines, aim to take the gre towards the end of 2025. that allows you a good amount of time to prep and (most likely) time for at least one retake before your programs’ deadlines.

gre sign up: how do i register for the gre?

now that you have a sense of when the gre will be offered in 2025 and beyond, let’s take a closer, step-by-step look at how to register for the gre. registration steps will vary based on which form of the test you’re taking.

gre registration checklist

• an ets account (if you don’t have one yet, you can create one on ets’s website. also take a look at the detailed videos there that walk you through all the steps.)
• a method of payment for gre fees
• decide if you need to request gre accommodations
• a passport or other form of accepted id—we recommend passports as the most universally accepted gre id (and sometimes the only accepted gre id, depending on where you are)
• an idea of when grad school applications are due, to help determine your test date and prep plan. varies by program and start date.

how do i register for taking the gre at home?

if you opt to take the gre at home, the registration process is pretty straightforward.

1. first, this page from ets outlines what you need to know about at-home testing. and for all the fine print and everything in great detail, you can check out the gre information bulletin from ets
2. next, you’ll need to confirm the equipment and environment requirements for taking the test online at home. this page covers everything you need to know from which operating systems and browsers are permissible to what your tabletop area should look like on testing day. before you register you will want to test to make sure that your computer and testing room meet the requirements.
3. also, before you start, you’ll need your id documents ready (ideally a passport, but you can read more about gre id requirements here). you will need to make sure you have an ets account for the gre, so if you don’t, you’ll need to create an account. the name on your account must match the name on your primary id.
1. if you need accommodations for a disability or a health-related need, you must request them before you register for a test.
4. then, after you’ve created an account, you’ll need to log in and on your my gre home page, select register/find test centers. on the “find test centers and dates” page, select the option for the test at home. if you’re eligible to take the test at home based on your address, you’ll be prompted to a “test at home” option where you can begin your registration.
5. after that, you’ll be prompted to verify your email address, select a test appointment, confirm your time zone, etc. choose the 2-month window in which you’d like to test, then select an available time and date. click “register for this test” and then follow the directions as prompted.
6. when you’re finished, you’ll receive a confirmation email from ets with your test appointment information and the test link to launch your test at the time and date you selected. keep this email for test day!

how do i register for taking the gre at a test center?

1. first, this page from ets outlines what you need to know about taking the gre at a test center. and for all the fine print and everything in great detail, you can check out the gre information bulletin from ets
2. next, it’s good to have your id documents at hand. we recommend a passport, but you can read more about gre id requirements here. note that the name on your account must match the name on your primary id.
3. if you already have an ets account, go ahead and log in. otherwise, you’ll need to create an account first. once you’re logged in, on the first page you see, under the heading “my tests,” you can click the link that reads: “register/find test centers, dates.”
4. next, enter your search criteria. first, you’ll want to select which test to take (gre general test). then, enter your location.
5. beneath that, scroll through to the two-month window you’ve selected for testing. (if you haven’t narrowed it down that far yet, you’ll need to do multiple searches).
6. from there, you should see a screen that shows two months’ worth of dates. the test dates with a circle are the ones where testing is available in or near the city you’ve selected.
1. once again, the issue here is the gre website’s definition of “near.” a site that is “near” you by gre standards may be a fairly long commute from your actual location. and sometimes only one inconveniently distant test site is available on a given date. even if you live in a fairly big city, you may find a very limited number of truly workable testing dates. ideally, you should book the gre at a test center well in advance so that the testing dates and locations that work best for you are more likely to be open.
7. once you’ve selected your test date and location, you’ll arrive at the “before you register for a test” screen. there, you need to accept the terms to move forward. this is also the last point at which you can request accommodations before registering, so make sure you click through there if you need to.

a final word: other factors to consider when choosing gre test dates

now that you know which gre exam dates are available and how to register for the gre, keep in mind these additional factors.

how much does it cost to register for the gre?

taking the gre can be pricey! it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the cost of taking the gre as you prepare to choose your testing date.

can i take a paper version of the gre?

no. though the gre used to be delivered in a paper format in the past, that’s no longer the case. nowadays, you can only take the gre on a computer (learn more about computer-adaptive testing). this is true whether you take the gre at home or at a test center.

can i reschedule my gre exam date?

yes, you can reschedule your gre test date to another time. to avoid losing the fees you’ve already paid, you’ll need to reschedule at least four full days before your testing date. (note: if you’re in mainland china, the requirement is at least 10 days.) it’s easiest to reschedule directly through your ets account. see the gre information bulletin for alternative options and more information.

can i cancel my gre registration?

yes, you can cancel the gre exam that you’ve registered for, but you’ll likely only get a partial refund at best. to receive back half the fee that you paid, you’ll need to cancel at least four full days before your testing date. (note: if you’re in mainland china, the requirement is at least 10 days.) for ets’s refund policy as well as specific details based on your location, see the gre information bulletin.

final things to consider

• how does your personal life fit in with your prep and possible test date? what work, family, stress levels, and other considerations are you dealing with?
• is the gre absolutely needed for my application? a growing list of graduate schools that waived the gre.
• if you need to retake the test, when could you do that and still have your scores ready in time for your application deadlines? (remember that after your gre test date, it takes 8-10 days for ets to send out score reports. if you decide to retake it, you’ll need to wait 21 days to do so.)
• have you started to prep? are you happy with the general direction the prep is going? as you start to prepare for your gre exam date, here are a few resources that can support you:
• gre study schedules
• this complete guide to the gre
• to start a self-study plan today, sign up for an affordable, premium magoosh gre prep subscription.

happy studying and good luck!

the post 2025-2026 gre test dates | when should you take the gre? appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

thus, vocabulary memorization will be an essential part of most test-taker’s gre preparation. but, where does one even begin!?!?

fortunately, there are hundreds of gre word lists floating around the internet. unfortunately, most of these lists are…wanting (a gre word that means lacking).

to help you focus your search on quality versus quantity, the mission of this post is to guide you to the best of what’s available and to help you get cracking on your gre vocabulary journey. first, here’s a quick overview of the way vocabulary is tested on the gre.

when and how vocab is tested on the gre

gre words are tested—surprise!—only in the gre verbal reasoning sections. there are three types of questions in the verbal section, all multiple choice:

• reading comprehension, in which you read a passage and answer a series of questions about it
• sentence equivalence, in which you read a sentence with a blank and select two answer choices that will give the sentence the same meaning.
• text completions, in which you read a sentence with one, two, or even three blanks and provide the choice or choices that best fit the context.

yes, you will even encounter vocabulary-based questions on reading comprehension passages, but they are more about using context clues to determine “less-common meanings of commonly used vocabulary words” than directly testing your knowledge of definitions.

the other two types, sentence equivalence and text completion, are where your knowledge of gre words will have the biggest payoff. the importance of having a solid gre vocabulary to attack these questions cannot be overstated.

table of contents

gre word lists: the best and the worst in 2025

although knowing the most heavily tested gre words will certainly give you a leg up on test day, to achieve a top-notch score you’ll need to make sure you have hundreds of gre words in your arsenal. to that aim, here are the lists to use and the one, in particular, to avoid.

we recommend:

• magoosh gre vocabulary word lists (pdf)
• magoosh gre vocabulary flashcards app
• magoosh gre vocabulary builder app
• kaplan’s 900 words
• barron’s 1100 words
• princeton review’s word smart

we do not recommend:

• barron’s 3500 and 4,759 word lists
• nova’s 4500
• random word lists you find online

more of the best gre word lists

magoosh gre vocabulary word lists pdf

magoosh’s gre vocabulary pdf is probably one of the most interesting gre word lists you will come across. filled with 300+ of the most common gre words, this pdf is essentially a collection of mini-lists organized around certain themes (e.g. most common words that students get wrong, words to do with money), which can help you memorize new vocab faster. plus, all of these words are tested in our vocab apps. click the button below to download it!

magoosh gre vocabulary flashcards app

magoosh’s vocabulary flashcards help you learn the definitions of over 1,000 high-frequency words. there are 20 decks of about 50 words each, sorted into categories of common, basic, or advanced. as you come across a word, think of the definition before looking at it; once you verify whether or not you know the meaning of the word, you can mark the card accordingly and the app will keep track of your progress.
 

magoosh gre vocab builder app

a great complement to our flashcards, magoosh’s vocabulary builder uses multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge of word meanings, providing another way to master over 1,000 words. like our flashcards, our vocabulary builder organizes words by level of difficulty and tracks the words you need to review the most. this allows you to truly customize your gre vocab memorization, saving you valuable time and making sure you truly remember what you have studied.
 

other great gre word lists

if you’ve already been studying with the lists mentioned below, then you’re in good hands. all these gre word lists contain high-frequency gre words:

• kaplan’s 900 words
• barron’s 1100 words
• princeton review’s word smart

the worst gre word lists

barron’s 3500 and 4,759 word lists

if you happen to come across these old lists by barron, toss them aside. hundreds of words are crammed on one page, definitions are vague, and words are not adequately shown in context. if you slog through them, you won’t know the difference between high-frequency and low-frequency words.

nova’s 4500

this list is in nova’s verbal book. like anything nova releases for verbal, avoid it. this list really is a travesty to gre word lists. words are vaguely—and often mistakenly—defined. words you’ll never see are lumped together with high-frequency words. there is no better way to waste one’s precious gre prep time than studying this list.

random internet word lists

these are a dime a dozen and often they poach barron’s word lists. others are just random word lists filled with archaic words or “analogy words” that appeared on the old gre. avoid these lists at all costs.

how to approach gre word lists

how to memorize gre word lists

the key to memorizing new vocabulary—well, anything really—is to take an active, rather than passive, approach. do not simply read through a gre word list of unknown words.

why? well, our brains learn from being challenged. when you’re just reading each word and then the definition, you’re not actually challenging your brain.

for example, if you quiz someone 30 minutes after they’ve read a vocab list, they might remember the placement of words (“oh yes, ‘stymie’ was next to ‘esoter…i…’ something, uh…”). but remembering the definition is much more of a struggle.

so here are a few tips to help you most effectively memorize new gre words:

1. focus on high-frequency words. as you do your gre practice, make sure to note which words come up more frequently and which come up less frequently; focus on fully memorizing high-frequency words first before conquering low-frequency words.
2. make a game out of gre vocab memorization. take advantage of flashcards and quizzes (much more on this below) and come up with mnemonics to remember more difficult words.
3. seek out the words in your everyday life! look for them when you’re reading (and make sure you’re reading a lot!). mentally describe experiences you have or concepts you encounter with your newly learned words. or find ways to use them in your day-to-day writing or conversations—if you’ve figured out how to do this without seeming pompous

making the most of gre word lists

to make the most of these gre word lists, you have to make them fun and dynamic. luckily for you, the internet is replete with free websites and apps that offer hundreds of vocab lists in the form of quizzes, flashcards, vocab-to-definition matching games, and more. in fact, every one of the following word lists has been gamified on quizlet.com, vocabulary.com, and/or come in their own app form.

given these resources, here are some good rules to follow:

1. practice mastering the words through gre flashcards and games first.
2. read through the static gre word lists in order to reinforce the words that you’re practicing and to also fill in information that may not be available in their game form (e.g. seeing how a word is used in an example sentence).
3. finally, look for these words in their natural habitat in order to truly understand how they’re used organically. a great resource to help you do so is wordnik.com. wordnik will not only define any word for you, but it will also link to blogs and articles where the word appears.

help! i’m still struggling with learning vocabulary

for more vocab tips and resources, check out our post on how to study gre vocabulary!

top 20 most tested gre words

now that we’ve covered some memorization basics, here’s an opportunity to learn the top 20 most tested words on the gre. check out the list below and try to memorize all the definitions! then, test yourself to see if you can get it right.

1. ambivalent (adj.)
click here for the definition

having contradictory feelings.

erin was ambivalent about her freshman year in college; her classes were fascinating but she missed her high school friends.

2. auspicious (adj.)
click here for the definition

favorable.

the team’s run for the pennant started auspiciously with 24 wins. two starting pitchers snapped their elbows mid-season, clearly an inauspicious sign.

3. belligerent (adj.)
click here for the definition

inclined to fight.

after a few drinks stevie was convivial; after two six-packs he became belligerent, challenging anyone around him to a head-butting contest.

4. capricious (adj.)
click here for the definition

unpredictable, whimsical.

because mario was so capricious his friends felt they could not rely on him.

test yourself: click here to try a question using capricious.

5. corroborate (v.)
click here for the definition

to confirm, make stronger.

three witnesses were able to corroborate lucy’s alibi that she had been at the bowling alley at the time of the murder.

6. enervate (v.)
click here for the definition

to weaken; drain the energy from.

sitting in the windowless room, the tropical humidity soaking through the walls, i was enervated before noon.

7. ephemeral (adj).
click here for the definition

short-lived.

youtube has made fame truly ephemeral. just ask rebecca black.

test yourself: click here to try a question using ephemeral from our gre product.

8. erudite (adj.)
click here for the definition

scholarly.

a rhodes scholar, maxine was a true erudite, and a formidable opponent on jeopardy.

test yourself: click here to try a practice question using erudite from our gre product.

9. esoteric (adj)
click here for the definition

known to a select few.

many jazz artists once deemed esoteric have emerged due to the greater access users have to avant-garde music on-line.

test yourself: click here to try a practice question using esoteric.

10. extant (adj.)
click here for the definition

in existence (most commonly referring to texts).

few documents antedating the advent of papyrus are extant today.


11. fastidious (adj.)
click here for the definition

nitpicky.

a fastidious eater, herman would only eat the center of anything he touched. as a result, his plate was strewn with the remnants of his dinner, an eyesore for the hapless dinner guest.

12. inculpate (v.)
click here for the definition

to charge with wrong-doing; accuse.

to inculpate eddy with the murder was absurd; he’d been bowling with lucy.

13. loquacious (adj.)
click here for the definition

talkative.

carl was so loquacious his friends usually didn’t like to watch a movie with him.

14. magnanimous (adj.)
click here for the definition

big-hearted; generous.

upon receiving his first wall street paycheck, jerry was so magnanimous he not only bought his mom a car, he bought his dad one too.

15. mercurial (adj.)
click here for the definition

1. changing one’s personality often and unpredictably.
2. animated, sprightly.

one never knew exactly what the professor’s class would be like; he was so mercurial that many of his students thought of him as two different people.

16. pragmatic (adj.)
click here for the definition

practical.

edna never cared for abstract thinking and preferred the pragmatic world of business, in which every action, ideally, has an intended consequence.

test yourself: click here to try a practice question using pragmatic.

17. prolific (adj.)
click here for the definition

producing or creating abundantly.

irving berlin had one of the most prolific careers in song-writing history; dozens of his hundreds of tunes are familiar to us. anyone dreaming of a “white christmas?”

18. reticent (adj.)
click here for the definition

tightlipped, not prone to saying much, reluctant.

paul was reticent and preferred observing others mannerisms.

19. sanguine (adj.)
click here for the definition

cheerful; optimistic.

a yale graduate with a 4.0, she was sanguine about finding a job right out of college.

20. soporific (adj.)
click here for the definition

inducing sleep.

professor moore’s lectures were soporific to the point that students, before they nodded off in class, would usually quip, “it’s time for professor bore.”

conclusion

with the resources provided in this post, you’re well on your way to becoming a gre vocabulary master! just remember to make your memorization a dynamic and fun exercise. before you know it, you’ll not only be in great shape for the gre, but you’ll also have a whole new vocabulary with which you can improve your writing and general communications!

to put your vocab skills to the test, here is a full-length, free practice test from magoosh that includes a detailed score report with a topic-by-topic breakdown of your performance. you can choose to do just the verbal section or a full length exam. happy studying!

the post the best and worst gre word lists (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

taking the gre test is an important decision that can greatly impact your future. understandably, you may have many questions about the exam, so we’ve put together this complete guide to answer them all. let’s dive right in!

table of contents

• what is the gre test?
• why is the “examinations” in gre plural? that scares me
• do i have to take the gre? is it optional nowadays?
• gre as a choice for business schools and law schools
• what is on the gre test?
• verbal reasoning
• quantitative reasoning
• analytical writing
• complete guide to the gre test ebook pdf
• what score do i need?
• how hard is the gre test?
• how do i best study for the exam?
• when and how do i take the gre test?
• wrapping up: that’s all there is to know
• wait, i have more questions about the gre! (an faq)

what is the gre test?

the gre—which stands for graduate record examinations—is a computer-based standardized test that many graduate schools require as part of their admissions process. furthermore, as the exam has grown in popularity, many business schools and law schools that require test scores now accept the gre in place of other exams (such as the gmat and lsat).

though these schools all use the gre as a factor in evaluating candidates, they are not the ones offering it as an entrance exam. instead, the educational testing service (ets)—an independent organization—creates and administers the exam.

why is the “examinations” in gre plural? that scares me

for the most part, whenever you see the acronym gre, it’s actually referring to a single examination: the gre general test. so, if a school merely says that they require the “gre,” they mean the gre general test. thus, there’s no need to be afraid! you most likely only need to take one exam, not multiple. phew!

however, some programs may also require a gre subject test, which is indeed a separate exam. gre subject tests, as the name implies, focus on how well you know a specific subject. as of 2025, there are tests for math, physics, and psychology.

if a program also requires a gre subject test, they will explicitly state which one. many programs also clarify that they do not require any subject tests. for schools that are silent on the matter, some candidates may choose to take a gre subject test to supplement their applications.

do i have to take the gre? is it optional nowadays?

it depends! it really comes down to the particular programs at the specific schools that you’re applying to. in some cases, the answer is indeed “no.” in other cases, the gre is a definite requirement. there are also many programs where the gre is optional.

case in point, consider duke university. their computer science, economics, and public policy programs all require the gre. however, many of their other programs—such as psychology and neuroscience, humanities, and electrical and computer engineering—list the gre as optional.

additionally, the requirements even vary by the type of degree that you’re pursuing. for example, a master’s in computer science at yale requires the gre, but their phd program does not (they won’t even accept gre scores).

requirements also change from year to year. in the early 2020s, there was a trend towards test optionality. more recently, some schools have started requiring standardized test scores again.

therefore, it’s essential that you research each individual program that you’re applying to as they all have different policies.

gre as a choice for business schools and law schools

for most graduate programs, either you have to take the gre or you don’t. but for business schools and law schools, often there’s an additional factor at play: deciding between two different standardized tests.

for business school—if a test score is required—you’ll need to decide between the gre and the gmat. the vast majority of mba programs accept either test and view them equally. thus, it comes down to your personal preferences—and your strengths and weaknesses—as far as which to take.

for law school, it’s a similar story. though not as widespread, more than half of us law schools accept the gre. depending on which ones you’re applying to, it may be more efficient to just take the lsat. however, if all your schools accept either exam, then you may want to consider taking the gre instead of the lsat.

what is on the gre test?

the gre measures your skills in three main areas: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

• verbal reasoning assesses how well you analyze written material, evaluate arguments, and understand the relationships between words and concepts.
• quantitative reasoning tests your ability to comprehend, evaluate, and solve problems using numerical data, basic math principles, and critical thinking.
• analytical writing measures your capacity to express complex ideas effectively, construct well-reasoned arguments, and present them in a clear and structured manner.

here’s a quick look at what comprises the gre and its sections:

we dive into all the details in our complete guide to the gre ebook pdf, but here are some key highlights about the exam:

• the verbal and quant portions are both split into two sections (12 questions, then 15)
• adapts by section: your performance on the 1st section dictates the difficulty of the 2nd
• no breaks between sections
• no penalties for guessing, so always answer every question!
• only about half of the gre questions are standard multiple choice

now, let’s take a brief look at each of the sections.

verbal reasoning

the verbal reasoning section ultimately tests how you read. you’ll need to parse dense passages to identify main ideas, inferences, and arguments. you’ll also need to pay attention to context clues while navigating tricky grammatical structures to determine which vocabulary words (or phrases) best fill in the blanks. and many of those vocabulary words are quite advanced!

check out our verbal review for more information.

quantitative reasoning

the quantitative reasoning section is exactly that: a reasoning test. this means you don’t have to worry about advanced calculus, trigonometry, proofs, or really anything that you studied past the third year of high school. the test primarily focuses on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

see our math review for more details.

analytical writing

the analytical writing section tasks you with writing a single essay. given a specific issue, you’ll need to stake a position and then support your argument. you’ll want to write an essay that’s well structured (with a clearly defined thesis), well reasoned (with examples that convincingly show your position), and well expressed.

read tips to approaching the gre analytical writing section for more on how to best craft your essay.

complete guide to the gre test ebook pdf

giving each of these sections a full discussion is more than we can do in this article. so, we’ve put together a comprehensive resource here:

that ebook goes into great detail about each of the sections and all their question types. we discuss recommended strategies and walk through several practice questions for commonly tested concepts and question types. also included are suggested resources to get the most out of your studies.

we hope you find this pdf helpful! print it out, or download it to your phone. use it as an introduction to the gre as you’re starting out, or reference it throughout your gre journey.

what score do i need?

in large part, your choice of program and school dictates what score to aim for. remember how all these programs have different requirements for even taking the gre or not? well, they all have different minimums and averages for the test results, too.

some schools will specify a certain total (or “composite”) gre score that’s needed. others will break that down by section, into separate verbal and quant requirements. some programs also place much more emphasis on one section over another. no surprise, humanities programs will typically be much more interested in your verbal score, whereas engineering programs will be looking at your quant score.

one thing is for certain: you don’t have to get the highest possible score on the gre, a 340. if you achieve that, that’s absolutely fantastic! however, acing the exam is by no means necessary.

target scores to aim for

very generally, in terms of percentiles, getting above the 50th percentile (approximately a 310 score) is a nice minimum target to aim for. that means you’re a little above average and meet the requirements or recommendations for a lot of schools. and for a rather competitive score, getting above the 75th percentile (around a 323 score) is a good target.

again, you’re going to want to research each of your schools’ requirements to find the best and most accurate answer. you can get some ballpark figures by looking at the gre score ranges for top universities.

you can also look at the averages for various types of programs: what’s a good gre score?

most importantly, examine your programs’ admissions pages for the target scores that will be most applicable to you.

how hard is the gre test?

this is another question where the answer depends a lot on you! there are all kinds of factors to consider, such as:

• what did you study in college?
• how long ago did you attend?
• is math a weakness or a strength of yours?
• how much gre prep have you done so far?

we look at these factors and more in our article how hard is the gre? we also compare sample questions from other tests you may be considering (like the gmat or lsat) or may have already taken (like the sat or act).

how do i best study for the exam?

it really boils down to a steady diet of:

1. studying content and strategies (such as through lessons)
2. doing practice questions and taking practice tests
3. learning from your mistakes

now, those are just the broad strokes. for greater detail, more nuance, and advice on how to stay on track in your studies, be sure to look at:

• how to study for the gre
• how long to study for the gre
• gre study schedules

gre test prep options

as for how to go about all of the above, you have a few options:

gre books

good if you’re a self-starter with lots of energy and motivation! while these are an inexpensive, self-paced option, they may not be the best if you need special guidance. read our reviews of the best gre books for recommendations.

in-person gre prep classes

these are good if you need motivation or if you have a compressed time frame. these are also helpful if you want to have an expert explain the test to you in person. on the other hand, they can be expensive and may not fit your schedule or be easily accessible from your location. additionally, you’ll need to do some research to find reputable classes.

gre tutors

tutors are an excellent option for those who need extra motivation or want personalized study plans and support. tutors can also be especially helpful if you are looking to address particular problem areas. however, tutoring will normally be more expensive than classes because you’re paying for one-on-one time.

the biggest issue here is finding someone qualified. a good tutor isn’t just someone that scored high on the gre. they also need strong 1-on-1 teaching skills (which are different from the teaching skills needed for a large group).

online gre test prep

while we’re obviously a little biased, online test prep offers the best of all worlds. you have lots of material (often more than any book can provide!) in a format that matches the actual gre test. it gives you a clear path forward with the ability to go at your own pace, along with some level of personalization.

good online gre prep will also be transparent. they’ll let you know what you can expect from the program and will have the data (and 足球世界杯举办地2022) to back their claims up. whichever program you opt for, look for ones that offer lots of practice similar to what you’ll see on test day. detailed answers and explanations are a must as well, and it’s even better if they offer access to experts. furthermore, a score guarantee can instill some confidence and peace of mind.

when and how do i take the gre test?

as for when to take the gre in your overall timeline, aim to take the exam the season before your applications are due. for example, if you need to submit your applications by winter, take the gre in the fall. this approach gives you ample time to adapt if, for example, you choose to retake the gre.

as for the exact date and the necessary registration steps, take a look at our article on test dates. ultimately, there’s a fair amount of flexibility. you do have more options if you’re taking the gre online at home. however, as long as you sign up months in advance, there should be plenty of opportunities to take the gre in person at a test center as well.

lastly, to read about what the experience of taking the gre test is like, please see:

• gre test day: what to expect and how to prepare
• gre test day anxiety: how to beat it and get a great score!

wrapping up: that’s all there is to know

now you know what the gre exam is all about! give yourself a pat on the back for learning all the gre basics. we hope this resource helps you in making an informed decision about the gre.

if you decide to take the gre, now is a great time to start prepping. for lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know, as well as ample practice questions and practice tests, consider a magoosh gre premium plan.

wait, i have more questions about the gre! (an faq)

and we have more answers!

first, an essential resource about the exam is ets’s gre information bulletin. that has all the fine and tiny print for everything related to the gre.

however, it’s not a very exciting doc to read through. so, we’ve distilled some of the most important information from that bulletin into many of the answers below.

• gre procedures
• are there accommodations for disabilities or health-related needs?
• can i reschedule or cancel my exam?
• how exactly do i send gre scores to my schools?
• can my gre scores expire?
• could you tell me more about canceling my scores?
• can i use scratch paper during the test?
• can i use my own calculator?
• more about the gre
• how much can i expect to spend on the gre?
• i’ve taken the gre before. should i take it again?
• where can i find more gre resources?

are there accommodations for disabilities or health-related needs?

yes, ets does provide various accommodations for those who demonstrate need. it can be a lengthy process to be approved, so start early.

for more information, see:

• gre and disability accommodations: ensuring a fair testing experience
• gre accommodations for adhd: strategies and resources

can i reschedule or cancel my exam?

you can reschedule your exam appointment (or location) for a fee (generally around $50).

alternatively, you can completely cancel your appointment, but this is more costly. if you cancel several days in advance, you’ll only be refunded half of your test fee. but if you cancel at the last minute, you’ll receive no refund.

as for how to reschedule or cancel, you can do so online within your ets account. depending on your location, you can also do so via phone (make sure you have your appointment confirmation number handy).

how exactly do i send gre scores to my schools?

it depends whether you’re doing this on test day right after your exam concludes or further down the road. however, either way, you’ll first want to find the code that ets assigns to a particular school or program.

on test day at the end of your exam, you can select up to 4 programs to send your official scores to for free. as for what “scores” means here, you have a couple options:

• most recent: send only the scores of the test you just took
• all: send the scores of the test you just took and any other gre test in the past 5 years

additionally, for whichever option you choose, you send all the scores related to a given test. in other words, the school will see your overall total gre score, your quant score, your verbal score, and your analytical writing score from a specific test. you cannot pick and choose different scores from different tests to bundle them together.

after test day, you have to pay a fee for each program you send a score to. you also gain an additional option:

• any: send the scores of any gre test that you’ve taken in the past 5 years

can my gre scores expire?

yes. gre scores are only valid for 5 years from your test date. if you’re beyond that window, you’ll need to take the exam again.

could you tell me more about canceling my scores?

on test day at the end of your exam, you’ll be given the option to cancel your scores before seeing your unofficial test results. you may be tempted to do this if you feel you didn’t perform well. however, given the many options you have around sending (or not sending) certain scores, there is most likely no reason to ever cancel your scores. (and you may have actually done better than you were expecting!)

you should also be aware that ets in rare cases can cancel your scores. see the end of the gre information bulletin for full details, but broadly this can happen due to testing irregularities, failed identification, misconduct, plagiarism, or ets’s discretion. if any of these happen, you’ll be notified in writing and given a chance to respond (and it can be a lengthy process).

can i use scratch paper during the test?

it depends if you’re taking the exam at a test center or at home. at a test center, they will provide you with scratch paper to write on. at home, you cannot write on paper. instead, you have to write with an erasable marker on a whiteboard or on a transparent sheet protector covering a piece of paper.

can i use my own calculator?

no. regardless of whether you take the test at home or at a test center, you are not allowed to bring your own calculator. the gre provides an onscreen calculator during the quant sections.

how much can i expect to spend on the gre?

at a minimum, just taking the gre test itself will cost you $220 (in most countries). however, various fees can quickly increase that number. see how much does the gre cost? for all the details.

and, per the earlier section on how to best study for the gre, your choice of prep is an important factor in your overall costs as well.

lastly, you may be able to save some money by applying for a gre fee waiver.

i’ve taken the gre before. should i take it again?

in some cases, yes. you’ll want to reflect on your previous experience with the gre and weigh various factors such as how much time you have left before your deadlines and how much of a score increase you’re likely to achieve.

but in other cases, retaking the gre may not be the best use of your time and funds. instead, it may be more impactful to focus on other aspects of your application.

we’ve put together some general advice—along with a detailed, handy flowchart—in our article should i take the gre again?

where can i find more gre resources?

explore the magoosh gre blog for more advice, practice questions, and tips.

ets offers two free practice tests called powerprep online. since these are official tests, we recommend saving them until later in your studies so that you can get the most accurate score estimate for how you’ll do on your upcoming test.

and for even more resources, take a look at our top 5 free gre resources and study materials.

happy studying!

the post what is the gre test? all you need to know (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

gre math—also known as gre quantitative reasoning—is not a test of advanced math. in fact, you don’t need to remember all the geometry proofs, calculus, and trigonometry that you learned back in high school. (phew! that certainly makes gre math prep easier.)

the difficulty of gre math comes from the need to logically reason your way through each problem. once you figure out what the question is asking (often easier said than done), the math involved in solving the problem is actually fairly basic. let’s take a look at how to study for gre math and the tools you’ll need to do for an efficient gre math review.

table of contents

• gre math section structure
• gre math section topics
• gre math question types
• pacing on the quantitative reasoning section
• free gre math prep resources
• gre math assumptions
• calculator
• how to study for gre math
• check your answers to the gre math practice problems!

gre math section structure

there are two separate sections of gre math on the exam. the exact number of each question type varies, so these are approximations:

note that at least 3 of the questions on the exam will belong to the same data interpretation set (for example, they all ask about a given line graph).

gre math section topics

most of gre math appears in word-problem format. the rest appears in purely mathematical form. in most cases, the mathematical concepts and abilities tested fall into three main categories:

• arithmetic
• algebra
• geometry

in short, the type of math that shows up on the gre is the stuff you most likely learned as a high school sophomore or junior. sure, you may have forgotten much—if not all—of this information. to give you a little refresher: basic properties of shapes (circles, quadrilaterals, etc.), integer properties, exponents, word problems (this includes rate questions and probability). really, not much beyond that.

for a full list of what comprises each of these categories, check out ets’s article entitled overview of the quantitative reasoning section.

gre math question types

the gre quantitative reasoning sections have four main question types (with data interpretation getting a special mention). for sample practice problems of all these types, check out the math section of our free gre practice questions.

quantitative comparison

presented with different quantities in separate columns, you need to determine the unstated relationship between the two. are the two quantities equal? is one larger than the other? is it impossible to say?

put another way, given something like

x ??? y

you need to decide whether the missing symbol is an = sign, a < sign, or a > sign. the correct answer may also be that there’s not enough information to determine a single relationship.

multiple choice and multiple answer

whether it’s a word problem or a math equation, you’ll then need to pick the correct answer from a provided set of answers. the twist with “multiple answer” is that you may need to select more than 1 answer to get the question correct.

numeric entry

in this question type, no answers are provided for you. instead, you’ll have to solve the question entirely on your own and then fill in the blank with your answer.

data interpretation

we mention data interpretation as a separate type because it is a bit unique. given some visual information (often a graph or a table), you then need to answer a set of questions. those questions will either be multiple choice, multiple answer, or numeric entry, so there’s nothing new about that format. however, reading the graphs and charts will be essential in answering the questions correctly.

pacing on the quantitative reasoning section

in total, the gre asks you to do 27 questions in 47 minutes. that works out to a pace of about 1.75 minutes per question. some questions will take less than that and others more, but that’s a good target to aim for as you’re working through them.

keep in mind that there’s no penalty for guessing on gre math. so, if you’re spending too much time on a given question, guess and move on. you can always return to the question later on to tackle it again.

free gre math prep resources

more gre math practice

• 15 gre math practice questions with explanations (all question types)
• quantitative comparison practice
• problem solving question types
• gre math diagnostic quiz
• full-length gre practice test

math-focused study schedules

• 90-day (math focused)
• 6-month (math beginners)
• 6-month (advanced math)

gre math formulas

• gre math formula ebook
• gre math formulas cheat sheet

gre math assumptions

math on the gre follows the basic number conventions that you learned in high school. for example:

• the positive direction of a number line is to the right and the negative direction is to the left.
• distances are nonnegative.
• prime numbers are greater than 1.

if you’re curious about all the math assumptions used on the gre, see ets’s math conventions for the gre quantitative reasoning section pdf. this isn’t essential for your gre math prep, but it can give you some insights into how the exam works.

calculator

can you use a calculator on the gre? yes, but it looks something like this:

the calculator has its uses, but don’t neglect estimation and quick mental math since those may save you some time (and are good practices to include in your gre math prep!). also, you do get scratch paper to work on during the exam.

how to study for gre math

so you’ve bought a few of the major gre prep books, and you’re ready to rip into the quantitative part. you’ll read through each book, page by page, and by the end, gre math mastery will be yours. if only!

studying for gre quant is actually much more complicated than the above. indeed many become quickly stymied by such an approach, feeling that after hundreds of pages and tens of hours they’ve learned very little, and asking themselves, “how can i ever learn math?”

to avoid such a thing befalling you, keep in mind the following important points on how to study for the gre quantitative reasoning section.

be careful using formulas

how can formulas be bad, you may ask? aren’t they the lifeblood of gre math? actually, formulas are only helpful to a point. and they definitely aren’t the lifeblood of the quantitative reasoning section. that would be problem-solving skills.

many students feel that all they have to do is use the formulas and they can solve a question. the reality is you must first decipher what the question is asking. only at the very end, once you know how the different parts come together, can you “set up” the question for a formula.

all too often many students let the formulas do the thinking. by that i mean they see a word problem—say a distance/rate question, and instead of deconstructing the problem, they instantly come up with distance = rate x time and start plugging in parts of the question. in other words, they expect the question to fall neatly into the formula.

if you find yourself stuck in a problem with only a formula or two in hand, remember that the essence of problem solving is just that: solving the problem using logic, so you can use the formula when appropriate.

start slowly with gre math, then build from there

many students learn some basic concepts and feel that they have the hang of it. as soon as they are thrown into a random fray of questions, they become discombobulated, uncertain of exactly what problem type they are dealing with.

basic problems are an excellent way to begin studying. this phase, however, represents the “training wheels.”

actually riding a bike, much like successfully answering a potpourri of questions, hinges on doing gre math practice sessions that take you out of your comfort zone. in other words, you should try a few practice questions chosen at random in your math review. even if you haven’t seen the concept before, you’ll get a feel for working through a question will limited information.

oftentimes students balk at this advice, saying, “but i haven’t learned how to x, y, or z yet.” the reality is that students can actually solve many problems based on what they already know. however, because the gre “cloaks” its questions, many familiar concepts are disguised in a welter of verbiage or other such obfuscation.

study all concept areas

some students become obsessed with a certain question type, at the expense of ignoring equally important concepts. for instance, some students begin to focus only on algebra, forgetting geometry, rates, counting, and many of the other important concepts.

this “tunnel vision” is dangerous; much as the “training wheels” phase lulls you into a false sense of complacency, only doing a certain problem type atrophies the part of your math brain responsible for being able to identify the type of question and the steps necessary to solve it.

focus on the most commonly tested areas

this is a subset of “tunnel vision.” ultimately, it is a more acute case. to illustrate, some students will spend an inordinate amount of time learning permutations and combinations, which might show up once or twice (or not at all!). study time is always better spent on more heavily-tested content areas, such as number properties and geometry.

closing thoughts

in a nutshell, that’s everything you need to know about how to study for the gre quantitative reasoning section! keep in mind that you’ll want the strongest gre math prep materials possible. we recommend taking a look at a magoosh gre premium plan. as you prepare for the exam, remember to take practice tests, focus on the most commonly tested areas (but study all areas), pace yourself, start slow and build from there. this will help get you where you want to be on test day to get the gre scores you want and get into the graduate schools of your dreams. good luck and happy studying!

the post gre math review (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

gre verbal (also known as gre verbal reasoning) is a challenging test of reading comprehension, passage analysis, and—perhaps most difficult of all—vocabulary. and though grammar isn’t directly tested, you’ll need to navigate your way through complex sentence structures. so, there’s quite a bit involved with gre verbal prep!

in fact, getting started sooner rather than later is one of the best things you can do to prepare for gre verbal. if you’re not already consistently reading in your daily life, that’s a good habit to develop. likewise, there are lots of vocabulary words to learn, so it’s best to space out that acquisition over time.

let’s take a closer look at how to study for the gre verbal section as well as what free resources are available to you.

table of contents

• gre verbal section structure
• gre verbal section topics
• gre verbal question types
• pacing on the gre verbal reasoning section
• free gre verbal prep resources
• how to study for gre verbal
• check your answers to the gre verbal practice problems!

gre verbal section structure

there are two separate sections of gre verbal on the exam. the exact number of each question type varies, so these are approximations:

gre verbal section topics

unlike math, gre verbal doesn’t test specific subjects that you’ve studied in school. no matter which question type you’re dealing with, all the information you need to answer the question correctly exists in the provided text. so, if you didn’t pay attention in biology class or never took an art history course, you are not at a disadvantage.

even though you don’t need to be familiar with the subject matter ahead of time, it’s still helpful to know what to expect. if you find reading about geology to be really boring, well, be prepared to slog through some enervating passages! the good news is that reading actively can stave off some of that boredom.

in addition to science topics, there will also be passages covering humanities, social science, business, and more. so, be sure to read from a wide variety of topics in your gre verbal prep.

gre verbal question types

there are four main question types that show up on the gre verbal section. for sample practice problems of all these types, take a look at the verbal section of our free gre practice questions.

text completion and sentence equivalence

these two question types focus on your knowledge of vocabulary and your ability to understand context. given a sentence (or a couple) in which some words have been removed, you must select the most appropriate word(s) to fill in the blanks.

text completion questions have anywhere from 1 to 3 blanks. sentence equivalence questions always have 1 blank, and you have to select 2 answers for that same blank in order to create two sentences with similar meanings.

reading comprehension and critical reasoning

these other two question types focus on your ability to analyze passages and arguments. for reading comprehension, you’ll first read a passage (generally between one and several hundred words in length) and then answer a set of questions (2 to 4). most often you’ll answer multiple choice questions, but sometimes you may need to select a particular sentence in the passage as the answer.

critical reasoning—also known as paragraph argument—requires you to assess a short argument. a multiple choice question will follow, most often asking you to strengthen or weaken the argument.

pacing on the gre verbal reasoning section

in total, the gre asks you to do 27 verbal questions in 41 minutes. that works out to a pace of about 1.50 minutes per question. however, in reality, you’re not going to spend the same amount of time on every question, especially since the variety of question types is so unique in verbal.

what specifically you should prioritize greatly depends on you. you definitely want to do the easy-for-you questions first. so, some students will move more quickly through sentence equivalence questions, thereby leaving themselves more time for reading comprehension. on the other hand, if someone excels at reading, they may be thrilled to tackle a long passage first, save some time, and then take a closer look at a triple-blank text completion with several unknown vocabulary words.

regardless, if you’re spending too much time on a given question, guess and move on. you can always return to the question later on to tackle it again. and also make sure to guess since there’s no penalty for guessing on the gre! get used to doing this during your gre verbal practice now so that it becomes second nature by test time.

free gre verbal prep resources

more gre verbal practice

• 22 gre verbal practice questions with explanations (all question types)
• text completion practice
• reading comprehension practice
• critical reasoning practice
• gre verbal diagnostic quiz
• full-length gre practice test

verbal-focused study schedules

• 90-day (verbal focused)
• see all our study schedules here

gre vocabulary resources

• online flashcards and flashcard apps
• vocabulary builder apps
• gre vocabulary ebook
• gre vocabulary wednesday youtube series

how to study for gre verbal

again, start your gre verbal prep early! if you do not have a large vocabulary, then there are a lot of words to learn. additionally, if you’re not used to reading articles on dry topics, it’s good to get used to doing so now in order to build up speed and stamina for the gre.

build your vocabulary

there are all kinds of ways to study vocabulary: flashcards, reading, mnemonics, word lists, word games, etc. check out our article how to study gre vocabulary for details and advice on all of those. not everyone learns best in the same way, so experiment, and see which works best for you!

the most important thing is to be consistent and to build up your vocabulary over time. the more you encounter these words in the wild—articles, books, movies, games—the better you’ll understand them in context and the better you’ll remember them (especially compared to rote memorization).

develop a habit of reading

gre verbal is ultimately a test of how you read. thus, developing a daily habit of reading goes a long way towards improving your gre verbal score.

when you are not used to reading dense, dry and difficult passages, your brain balks at having to read a gre passage—in timed conditions, no less. by reading long articles from the new york times, the new yorker, or just about anything you find on aldaily.com, your “reading brain” gets a good and healthy workout.

and most importantly, you’ll want to read those articles in the same way that you would a gre passage. you’ll want to practice active reading and form mini summaries in your head as you read. think of it as creating a quick mental snapshot of the structure of the passage as you work through it. by the end of the passage, you should understand the main points of the passage and how those ideas are connected.

for a more in-depth look at reading strategies for gre verbal prep, check out gre reading comprehension: tips and strategies.

context, context, context

it’s very easy on text completion and sentence equivalence questions to start plugging vocabulary words into a blank and seeing how the word sounds. however, the test writers haven’t chosen random words as the wrong answers; the words are chosen for maximum temptation. therefore, it’s essential to pick up on the context clues in the text before choosing an answer.

the more support you can find from context—and, yes, even grammar can be a helpful clue!—the more unappealing those wrong answer choices become. and then you can narrow in on the word that best fits into the context that you discerned.

for more specific advice about each question type, take a look at tackling text completion gre questions: tips and techniques and mastering sentence equivalence on the gre. then, be sure to implement those strategies in your gre verbal practice sessions.

closing thoughts

getting ready to take the gre verbal section can seem intimidating. after all, there’s a lot of gre verbal prep to do, between learning vocabulary and developing a consistent habit of reading actively. however, these are all skills that can be learned and improved upon through practice. for all the strategies and practice problems you need, take a look at a magoosh gre premium plan. good luck and happy studying!

the post gre verbal review (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

both the gre and the gmat are exams used in the admissions process for business schools. though the format of these two standardized tests stayed the same for many years, huge changes happened in 2023. both tests became much shorter and even eliminated question types.

so, now more than ever before, you may be pondering whether you should take the gmat vs the gre, as well as which test is the right one for you. let’s take a look at the key differences between the gmat and gre so that you can decide which exam best showcases your skills.

table of contents

• gmat vs gre: high-level overview
• is the gmat focus enough for business school?
• is the gre enough for business school?
• gmat vs gre: exam structure differences
• gmat vs gre: content differences
• how does it feel to take the gre vs gmat?
• gmat or gre: which is easier? – take a practice test!
• gre or gmat: which score helps you stand out more?
• gmat to gre score conversion

gmat vs gre: high-level overview

gre

the gre, which stands for graduate record examinations, is an exam produced by the educational testing service (ets). for a long time, it has been the test of choice for most graduate schools. and it continues to become more and more popular. the gre is also now a valid option for law schools as well as a large number of business schools. in fact, over 1,300 mba programs accept the gre.

gmat

the gmat, on the other hand, is an entrance exam only for business schools. the graduate management admission test is designed by the graduate management admission council (gmac) specially for mba programs.

is the gmat focus enough for business school?

yes… except for harvard (and possibly other schools in the future).

first of all, around the world, there are over 7,700 business programs at 2,400 universities that accept the gmat focus as is. however, harvard recently added a new requirement of a separate written assessment since the gmat focus doesn’t include an essay. ultimately, harvard wants to see how well you—and not chatgpt or some other ai—write and communicate.

so, to attend harvard, you have to take the new gmac business writing assessment exam, too. though hbs is the only business school with this requirement right now, there’s a possibility that other universities will adopt this same requirement in the future.

is the gre enough for business school?

yes, for the business schools that already accept the gre. while many business schools (over 1,300 of them) accept the gre, not all of them do. therefore, it’s essential for you to confirm the requirements of the specific schools that you’re considering.

for the ones that do accept the gre, you do not have to take any additional test. the gre’s issue essay is a way to demonstrate your writing skills unassisted by ai. since harvard deems the issue essay acceptable for that purpose, other universities will likely continue to do so as well.

gmat vs gre: exam structure differences

quick comparison

sections, number of questions, and length

gre

the gre has 5 sections:

• issue essay – 30 minutes for 1 essay
• 1st quantitative reasoning – 21 minutes for 12 questions
• 2nd quantitative reasoning – 26 minutes for 15 questions
• 1st verbal reasoning – 18 minutes for 12 questions
• 2nd verbal reasoning – 23 minutes for 15 questions

after the essay section, the order of the remaining sections is random.

gmat

the gmat has 3 sections:

• data insights – 45 minutes for 20 questions
• quantitative reasoning – 45 minutes for 21 questions
• verbal reasoning – 45 minutes for 23 questions

at the start of the test, you choose the order of the sections that you’ll see.

cost

gre

within the united states and its territories, the gre costs $220 for the exam itself. there may be additional fees for various services, such as sending out additional score reports. for more information, see how much does the gre cost?

gmat

the gmat costs $275 if you take the exam in a test center or $300 if you take the test online.

gmat vs gre: content differences

quant section

both exams test math topics that you covered in high school. it’s primarily a lot of algebra and statistics. the main difference is that the gre tests geometry, but the gmat doesn’t.

as for question types, half of the gre and all of the gmat quant questions are standard multiple choice. the gre introduces a little more complexity with numeric entry (you have to write in your answer) and multiple answer (select 1 or more answers that are correct).

key differences

additionally, the gre has a unique question type: quantitative comparison. it comes with its own strategies that can be learned, but it definitely adds another layer of reasoning that can be tricky.

lastly, the gre math section allows you to use an on-screen calculator whereas the gmat does not (gmat only lets you on the data insights section).

to recap, when thinking about whether you would do better on gre or gmat math, consider:

• how comfortable are you with geometry?
• how well do you do on questions that aren’t multiple choice?
• how important to you is calculator access?

for examples of all the different gre math question types, check out gre math practice questions with explanations.

verbal section

the gre and gmat verbal sections do have some similarities, but they diverge a lot more compared to the math sections.

both exams test reading comprehension with passages that are similar in length and based on similar topics. they also ask a similar number of questions (around a dozen). the majority of questions are standard multiple choice, but the gre has a couple wrinkles. the first is that some questions are multiple answer (select 1 or more answers that are correct). and there is an occasional select the sentence (you have to click on the right sentence in a passage).

both exams also test critical reasoning (aka paragraph argument), but the gmat asks this question a lot more. expect to see around 10 of these on the gmat but only 2 or 3 on the gre.

key differences

where the gre is most different is with its text completion and sentence equivalence questions, which comprise nearly half of the verbal section. these test not only your knowledge of vocabulary words (many of which are often advanced) but also your ability to parse complex grammar. though you’re not directly tested on grammar, being able to navigate tricky sentences to discern clues and meaning is an important skill.

so, when thinking about whether you’d perform better on gre verbal or gmat verbal, be sure to ask yourself:

• how strong is your vocabulary?
• how well do you perform on critical reasoning (aka paragraph argument) questions?

for examples of all the gre verbal question types, check out gre verbal practice questions with explanations.

gmat unique section – data insights

one third of the gmat is devoted to rather unique question types that involve a combination of math, verbal, and data interpretation. data sufficiency is the most unique type, and you’ll probably see around 6 of these. the rest of the section (14 questions) typically deals with charts and tables and graphs. and these are found in a variety of formats, such as two-part analysis and multi-source reasoning.

whereas the gmat devotes nearly an entire section to charts and graphs, the gre asks only a handful of data interpretation questions. so, if this is a weak area for you, then the gre may be the better exam for you. with that said, you can always improve your data skills (which will be helpful for both exams!).

for examples of all the gmat data insights question types, check out guide to gmat data insights.

gre unique section – issue essay

only the gre has an essay section built into the exam itself. you get 30 minutes to analyze a passage and construct your response in a clear and concise manner. it’s important to note that this essay is graded separately from the math and verbal sections. your essay is scored from 0 to 6 and is independent from your overall scaled gre score.

for an example of a gre issue essay prompt, check out gre issue essay: strategies + 8 real student essays with scores.

the gmat’s separate essay

though the gmat focus has no essay section itself, as mentioned earlier, certain schools may require you to take the business writing assessment exam, too. in that case, similar to the gre, you would get 30 minutes to analyze a provided argument and critique its reasoning.

how does it feel to take the gre vs gmat?

difficulty adaptivity

one thing that sets the gmat versus other exams is that it’s “question adaptive.” this just means that, within a section, the question you see next is determined by your performance on earlier questions. for example, if you’ve answered 4 hard math questions correctly in a row, your next math question is going to be even harder.

the gre, on the other hand, is section adaptive. for example, the first verbal section is 12 questions of a mix of difficulties. depending how well you do on that entire section, the 2nd verbal section will either be easier, about the same, or harder. it’s important to note that which 2nd section you get has a large impact on your score. if you don’t do well on the first section, even acing the easy 2nd section may only get you an average score in the end.

pacing and guessing

another unique feature of the gmat is that there’s no “go back” button while you’re taking the exam. so, if you don’t know how to answer a question, you’re forced to guess and move on. depending on how you like to take tests, this can be very stressful.

you may get a chance to revisit a question at the very end of a section. but the gmat has some unusual rules. you can only view previous questions in a section after you’ve answered all of its questions. and even then, you’re only allowed to change the answer to a maximum of 3 questions.

as for the gre, you are free at any time to jump to any question within a section. this opens up a lot more strategies since you could:

• quickly click through the entire section to answer the questions you find easiest first
• skip a question that looks hard at first glance and return to it whenever you want to tackle it
• answer your favorite question types first (say, multiple choice) before doing other types

in short, the test-taking experience is quite different for both exams. for most, the gmat is the more challenging exam given its question adaptivity and no option to freely skip between questions.

test options and test dates

both tests can be taken in person at a test center or online at home. the gre and gmat are both offered throughout the year, though you should register early for your preferred test date—especially if you want to take the exam at a test center. for more information on test dates and registering for an exam, see:

• gre test dates
• gmat test dates

amount of studying required for the gre or gmat

this depends greatly on what your starting point is and how far you are from your target goals. if you’re already familiar with the exam content and/or are already scoring well on practice tests, then you may only need a month or two to further refine your score. but if you’re just starting out and/or need to increase your score by a considerable amount, then you may choose to study for several months. the amount of time you have each day to study is also a consideration.

for more information as well as recommended study schedules, take a look at:

• how long should i study for the gre?
• how long should you study for the gmat?

gmat or gre: which is easier? – take a practice test!

from the sections above, you may already be forming an opinion as to whether the gre or gmat is easier for you. you can also read some of our own thoughts here:

• how hard is the gre?
• how hard is the gmat?

but the single best way to tell is to take a practice test in each. that will give you the best idea as to how difficult the tests are, which question types are the most challenging, and which exam you’ll perform the best on. these can also serve as a good indicator of where you currently stand and how much studying may be ahead of you.

• free gre practice test
• free gmat practice test

also, if you don’t have time to take a full test in each, try a shorter diagnostic quiz. these won’t give you the full test experience, but they’ll still give you a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses in both exams. and the short time that you spend on this can go a long way in answering whether gmat vs gre is better for you.

• gre diagnostic quiz
• gmat diagnostic quiz

gre or gmat: which score helps you stand out more?

given that many business schools have no preference towards either test, it’s more about percentiles. that is, how well did you do in comparison to other test takers? if you score in the 90th percentile on the gre vs the 80th percentile in gmat, that gre score is going to stand out more.

• gre score percentiles
• gmat score percentiles

with that said, it really comes down to the requirements and averages listed by the schools that you’re interested in. if your gmat score meets or surpasses the averages listed by a school but your gre score doesn’t, then you’ll want to submit your gmat score.

• gre scores for top universities
• top mba programs

gmat to gre score conversion

is it possible to convert scores?

the short answer is: no. the longer answer is: you can’t directly compare the scores of both exams because they represent very different things. case in point, half of the gre tests verbal (and with a greater emphasis on vocabulary), but only one-third of the gmat does. similarly, half of the gre consists of quant questions, whereas math makes up two-thirds of the gmat (given its emphasis on mathematical reasoning skills in the data insights section).

test takers, admissions officers, and even test makers would all love some kind of calculator that converts gmat scores to gre scores and vice versa! however, no such accurate tool exists in reality. ets years ago attempted to offer one, but they have since removed it given its inherent flaws. and gmac has gone on record to say that there’s simply no formula that allows you to equate the two exams.

the good news is that business schools know very well about the asymmetries described above. thus, if you submit gmat scores, they’ll evaluate you in the context of other gmat test takers. likewise, if you submit gre scores, they’ll assess you in relation to other gre takers.

take a look at the tables below to see the different average scores and score ranges for both exams at some of the top business schools.

average gre and gmat scores for the top 20 mba programs

this chart was compiled from data about each program’s incoming class of 2025. many schools still list the average scores for the prior version of the gmat (aka “classic gmat”) , so we’ve also added a column that shows the corresponding gmat focus score, per gmac’s score concordance table.

gre and gmat score ranges for top mba programs

many business schools also provide a full range of scores that they accept for both gre and gmat (classic edition):

other mba programs list the middle 80% of scores that they’ve accepted for gre and gmat (classic edition):

closing thoughts

deciding whether the gmat vs gre is the better option involves an honest evaluation of your skills, needs, and weaknesses. the good news is that you’ve already started down the path to figuring out your application process just by reading this post!

no matter whether you decide to take the gmat or gre, we’re here to help. check out magoosh gre prep or magoosh gmat prep today!

the post gmat vs gre: which should i take? (2025) appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

the bad news? the costs of studying for the gre exam and applying to graduate school can add up. the good news? there are tons of free gre study materials you can use to complete your gre prep online free! how do you tell where to find the best online coaching materials? we’ve done the legwork for you! here are the top free gre resources to get your score where you want it to be.

how do i study for the gre for free in 2024?

it is possible to study for the gre for free—and to boost your score significantly in the process. to get the best gre prep online free that actually works for you, you’ll need to access the following:

• lessons: these could be videos (like magoosh offers), prep books, or online materials.
• practice questions: you’ll need a lot of practice problems! make sure that they’re test-like by choosing expert-written items.
• full-length practice tests: these are vital for both determining where you’re starting with a diagnostic exam, and for determining how well your prep is working to get you to your goals as you continue. to get started, check out our free gre practice test!
• a solid, personalized gre study schedule: this will keep you on-track and ensure that you cover all material you need to see and practice before the day of the official exam.

you’ll find examples of these in the free gre study materials described below!

1. ets powerprep tests

ets powerprep tests are online practice tests from the test-makers themselves. need i say more? use these to get a feel for not only the content of the gre, but also the basics of the exam- how the gre calculator works, how to flag and return to questions, etc.

2. magoosh gre full length practice test and vocabulary flashcards

magoosh has a free, full length practice exam that will give you a detailed score analysis and recommended areas of improvement. you can choose to take just the math section, the verbal section, or both.

a lot of students struggle with the vocabulary on the verbal section of the exam. magoosh’s gre vocabulary flashcards cover more than 1000 of the most important gre vocab words. you can either download the app or use the desktop version.

3. manhattan gre practice test

manhattan gre practice test gives you a chance to take a full-length practice test, written by experts, at no cost. manhattan is a reputable source of gre information, so this practice test is of a very high standard. complete with explanations!

4. khan academy

 khan academy is a great place to learn about…pretty much anything. while there isn’t a section specifically dedicated to gre prep, you’ll still find plenty of material that is really helpful for your studies, in particular math.

to tailor khan academy gre to the study materials you need, make sure you have an understanding of the subjects the gre tests. to find the most helpful modules for math topics, hop over to the ets page, where the test-maker has linked out to relevant sections on the khan academy website.

for the verbal reasoning section, you can start with khan’s sat reading material videos to learn about methods that work well on both tests (really!). of course, gre verbal is far more complex than the sat but the methods will work just as well. the two tests also cover the same topic areas, including science, literature, history, and social sciences. be sure to supplement this learning with gre practice problems and practice tests!, rather than sat materials though!

note: the sat now combines its reading and writing content, so if you are going to use kahn’s material, be sure to limit your practice to reading versus grammar topics. although, if you are an english language learner, you might also find the sat grammar content useful, just not for your gre preparation.

5. ets issue essay topic pools

the ets issue essay topic pool provides the entire pool of tasks from which your essay prompt will be selected. that’s right–the entire pool, meaning you will see one of these topics on your actual exam. practice writing essays with these prompts.

more free gre resources and materials

of course, these aren’t the only materials you can use to do your gre prep online free! here are a handful of other high-quality resources you can use to prep on your own at no cost.

magoosh gre prep app – a free gre study app that gives you access to blog posts, study guides, practice questions and video lessons all from your phone.

magoosh’s gre ebook – our ebook is a great crash course in all things gre. this ebook contains an overview of each of the sections, study tips, practice questions, and more.

gre word lists – gre vocab is complex, even for the most avid readers! use one of the “best” lists from this post to brush up on your vocabulary.

how to make the most of gre resources

you probably fall into one of the following categories:

1. beginner: you’re just beginning your gre prep and need solid diagnostic resources to assess your current level and develop the best plan of attack from there.
2. intermediate: you’ve already started prep and need to move beyond the basics and monitor your progress. at this point, you may feel like you’ve run out of quality resources and low hanging improvements in your score. the most effective use of your time now would be to cherry pick and drill yourself the topics or question types that you know you specifically want to improve on.
3. advanced: you know a lot about the gre (maybe you’re studying for a retake) and need advanced practice. now is a good time to use the resources in this post to take yourself across the finish line of your prep journey – do timed tests in a realistic environment, brush up on any repeat mistakes, and review the basics you might not have seen since the beginning of your prep.

not sure whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced gre student? don’t worry—labeling levels of understanding is not a straightforward process. just ask magoosh student @avolynfisher:

regardless of where you’re starting, magoosh gre prep can help you reach your goals. choose between our affordable 6 month or 1 month self study plans, or test out the material with a free 1 week trial. happy studying!

the post top 5 free gre resources and study materials in 2025 appeared first on magoosh blog — gre® test.

enter your email to start your free gre practice test:

magoosh is excited to offer you a free gre practice test that emulates the real deal! experience all 54 practice questions—plus 1 essay prompt—in an interface similar to what you’ll see on test day.

at the end of your online gre practice exam, you’ll receive an estimated score for each section—including an ai analysis of your essay—as well as your overall gre scaled score.

you’ll also be given a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses by question type. plus, every question comes with video and text explanations for you to review.

practice test options

on the practice test start page, you’ll be able to select from these choices:

for the best experience and most accurate gre practice score estimate, we do recommend that you take the full mock test if you can. but if you’re short on time, feel free to take the shorter diagnostic or practice just a single section of the exam.

table of contents

• what to expect on the gre practice test
• test structure and features
• the math sections
• the verbal sections
• the essay section
• is the actual gre harder than the gre practice test?
• next steps after taking the free gre practice test
• official gre practice tests

what to expect on the gre practice test

test structure and features

the gre became shorter in 2023, so our gre sample test matches that new format:

• writing – issue task: 1 essay in 30 minutes
• math – 1st section: 12 questions in 21 minutes
• verbal – 1st section: 12 questions in 18 minutes
• math – 2nd section: 15 questions in 26 minutes
• verbal – 2nd section: 15 questions in 23 minutes

the essay section always comes first, but note that the other sections are randomized.

if you’re brand new to the gre, we recommend taking a look at magoosh’s guide to the gre as an introduction.

section adaptive

just like the real gre, our practice test is section adaptive. that is, your performance on the first quant or verbal section impacts the questions you’ll see on the second section. the better you do on the first section, the more challenging questions you’ll face on the next.

test interface

one crucial thing to know about the gre is that there’s no penalty for guessing. make sure you always answer every question! furthermore, keep track of which questions you guess on so that you can revisit them later.

as with the official exam, our example gre test allows you to navigate back and forth between questions with ease. at any time, you can jump to any question within a section. additionally, you can flag any question to remind yourself to take another look at it later on.

the math sections

first of all, if you’ve never done a gre math problem before, we highly recommend trying some out before you take a practice test. for sample practice questions, along with a more in-depth look at the gre math section and all of its question types, check out our gre math review.

question types

the gre quantitative reasoning sections consist of several different question types:

• multiple choice questions with one selectable answer — the tried-and-true format you’ve seen on tests your whole life.
• multiple choice questions with multiple selectable answers — from a set of checkboxes, you’re asked to select “all that apply.” so, there may (or may not!) be more than one correct answer.
• numeric entry — these are text boxes where you’ll need to type in your own answer.
• quantitative comparison — this question type is unique to the gre and asks you to identify the relationship between two quantities.

math subjects

as far as subjects, the gre primarily tests arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. if that has you nervous, you’re not alone! a lot of test-takers won’t have studied these since high school or college. but that’s ok! you may remember more than you realize, and you can always brush up on these topics. regardless, taking a gre practice exam will help you to see what you already know and what you need to study more of.

the verbal sections

we’ll repeat our recommendation here: if you haven’t tried a gre verbal question before, now’s a great time to sample some before taking the practice test. you can find example practice problems as well as full details about the gre verbal section in our gre verbal review.

question types

the gre verbal reasoning sections test your vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning skills through several different question types:

• reading comprehension — these questions come with passages, which vary considerably in length. they ask about your understanding of the text.
• critical reasoning — technically a subset of reading comprehension questions, cr questions ask you to make logical connections between pieces of information in a short passage.
• text completion — words will be missing from a sentence or paragraph, and you need to fill in the blanks based on the surrounding context. you’ll not only encounter single blanks, but also texts with two and three blanks. for questions with more than one blank, you must fill in the right answer for every blank in order for the answer to count as correct.
• sentence equivalence — se questions ask you to select a pair of answers that complete a given sentence and that produce the same meaning. if your vocabulary is strong (and you can make it stronger with good preparation), these questions go quickly!

about the gre essay

the gre essay is also known as the issue task. given a brief prompt, you need to pick a side, present your argument, and support it. think of a 5-paragraph essay with a clear thesis and conclusion, along with plenty of supporting details in the body paragraphs.

for a closer look at the gre essay as well as a sample prompt, please see gre essay: tips to approach the gre analytical writing section.

is the actual gre harder than the gre practice test?

the answer to this is complicated: it can be, but it depends!

exam content

in terms of content, the actual exam will be similar. you’ll see the same kinds of question types, in a similar distribution. you’ll also see a mix of question difficulties within a section. the difficulties will also adapt from one section to the next as well.

with that said, your particular gre exam on test day will vary. that may be the day that the gre has 3 challenging geometry questions, which makes it seem harder. or perhaps all your text completion questions will only test vocabulary that you’re completely familiar with. and in that case, it’s going to feel easier for you.

overall, keep in mind that different people will find different questions easy, medium, or hard depending on their training or background. a particular exam might seem like a breeze for you while being objectively difficult—or vice-versa.

exam experience

lastly, for most people, the actual test is harder psychologically. test-day pressure can make you more anxious than when you take a practice test at home. however, with enough practice in test-like conditions, you can prepare yourself to succeed in this environment, too.

what’s the best thing you can do to prepare for variations in question difficulty on test day? practice as much as you can with a variety of questions of all different difficulty levels. that way, nothing you see on the official exam will throw you off your game!

for more thoughts on the difficulty of the gre in general, see how hard is the gre?

next steps after taking the free gre practice test

congratulations on finishing the gre practice test! but don’t stop there. here are some important next steps to take:

1) put your practice test score into context

first of all, remember that your gre practice test score is just one data point. if you didn’t do as well as you had hoped, know that your score is just an indicator of where you’re at currently. likewise, if you scored well, that’s great! but either way, there is still opportunity to learn and improve to ensure you can get the score you need on test day.

so, what score do you need? we cover this topic in gre score range: what’s a good gre score? check that out to see where you currently stand both in general and in terms of percentiles.

2) pick a study schedule

now that you have an idea of your strengths and weaknesses as well as how close you are to your target score, you can start thinking about how to study for the gre. one of the best ways is to follow a study schedule. there are several different options depending on how long you have to study and which areas you want to focus on.

also take a look at how long should i study for the gre?

3) study the explanations to your gre practice test

don’t let your gre prep stop after just seeing your practice test score! for any question that you missed on the sample gre exam, be sure to look over the explanations. that’s one of the most important steps you can take during your studies. in fact, we strongly encourage you to keep an error log. the more you can learn from your mistakes, the more you can avoid them in the future.

official gre practice tests

also, don’t let this be the last gre practice test that you take! it’s a good idea to take multiple practice tests over the course of your studies to prepare you for the real exam.

in fact, ets—the makers of the gre—offers two free gre practice tests called powerprep online. you’ll receive a score at the end of either of these exams, but there are no explanations provided. since these are official practice exams—and thus the closest you can get to the real thing—we recommend saving them for later in your studies to serve as the best gauge of what score you can expect to receive on your upcoming test day.

gre practice test pdf

ets does still host a couple of gre practice test pdfs on their site. however, these were made before the gre became shorter in 2023. while these are still a good source of practice questions, these practice exams do not match the updated and shortened format of the gre in present day. additionally, since these are paper tests, they are not able to adapt from section to section like the real gre.

closing thoughts

practice tests are a key part of how to best study for the gre. we hope this free gre practice test is the springboard that propels you on your way to greater heights.

for even more practice questions and practice tests, as well as lessons covering all the content you need to know for the gre, take a look at a magoosh gre premium plan. happy studying!

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the gre can be quite expensive, especially when you have to pay for extra services beyond the registration fee. and that may leave you wondering, “is there a discount for the gre?” the answer is that, yes, in certain cases the ets offers a fee reduction program for those who qualify.

here is everything you need to know about the gre fee waiver process and how to qualify for it. and if you do qualify for a gre cost waiver, it’s well worth your time to apply. not only can you get reduced gre fees, but you can also gain access to free test prep materials.

• what is a gre fee waiver and what does it cover?
• who qualifies for a gre fee waiver?
• other programs that offer gre cost waivers
• how to apply for a gre fee reduction waiver

what is a gre fee waiver and what does it cover?

the gre fee waiver is a program provided by ets that helps to reduce costs for qualifying gre test takers. it allows the test taker to pay a reduced exam registration fee. the gre fee waiver also grants access to a bundle of free test prep materials.

the following table shows the specific gre fees waived as well as what’s in the free test prep bundle:

item	original cost	cost after fee waiver reduction
gre general test registration fee	$220	$100
gre subject test registration fee	$150	$75
powerprep plus® online practice test 1	$40	$0
powerprep plus online practice test 2	$40	$0
scoreitnow! online writing practice	$20	$0

in other words, successfully applying for the gre cost waiver saves you $120 in registration fees for the main exam (gre general test). you also save 50% ($75) if you are taking a gre subject test.

as far as the test prep bundle, you gain access to materials priced at a value of $100. this includes two full-length gre practice tests, as well as an online writing assessment.

do note that this waiver only applies to the first time that you take the gre. if you need to retest, you need to submit a new application to apply for another gre fee reduction voucher.

who qualifies for a gre fee waiver?

gre fee reduction vouchers are offered on a first-come, first-served basis to a limited number of eligible students in the united states, puerto rico, guam, or the u.s. virgin islands. to qualify for the gre fee waiver, you must meet the requirements listed below.

for college seniors, you must:

• be a us citizen or resident alien
• be receiving financial aid from a us (or puerto rico) undergraduate college
• have a fafsa student aid report (sar) with a parental contribution less than $2,700 for your senior year
• or be self-supporting with a sar showing a contribution of less than $3,200 for your senior year

for unenrolled college students, you must:

• be a us citizen or resident alien
• have applied for financial aid
• be self-supporting with a fafsa student aid report (sar) showing a contribution of less than $3,200

for unemployed applicants, you must:

• be 18+
• be a us citizen or resident alien
• have become unemployed in the past 6 months and are still unemployed
• submit as proof an unemployment benefits statement from the past 90 days

if you don’t meet these requirements, then you will be ineligible. so, unfortunately, if you are an international student, ets currently does not offer a cost reduction program for you.

however, for both domestic and international students, there are alternative programs that can help reduce your gre costs.

other programs that offer gre cost waivers

if you’re part of an underrepresented group, a first-generation college student, or have demonstrated financial need, other organizations offer fee reduction vouchers. here is a list of programs that offer assistance for qualified members:

• admit.me fellows
• charles b. rangel fellowship program
• educationusa opportunity fund program
• gates millennium scholars program
• graduate applications international network (gain)
• i-scholar initiative
• institute for recruitment of teachers (irt)
• leadership brainery
• management leadership for tomorrow
• maximizing access to research careers (marc) undergraduate student training in academic research (u-star) program
• mt scholarship program
• national consortium for graduate degrees for minorities in engineering and science program (gem)
• national society of black engineers (nsbe)
• nsf louis stokes alliance for minority participation (lsamp) program
• postbaccalaureate research education program (prep)
• research initiative for scientific enhancement (rise) program
• society for the advancement of chicanos and native americans in science (sacnas)
• the beinecke scholarship program
• thedream.us
• thomas r. pickering fellowship program
• trio ronald e. mcnair postbaccalaureate achievement program
• trio student support services (sss) program

how to apply for a gre fee reduction waiver

ets’s gre fee reduction program

if you meet the requirements for ets’s gre fee reduction waiver, complete the gre fee reduction request form (pdf). make sure to have your completed fafsa student aid report (sar) ready. if your application is approved, you’ll receive your gre voucher number via email within 2 weeks of your request.

remember that if you want to retake the gre, you’ll need to apply again for a fee waiver.

gre cost waivers through another organization

be sure to check out the links to the organizations listed above. if you think you’re eligible for a gre cost waiver through one of them, definitely reach out to them.

likewise, there may be another academic institution or organization you’re already affiliated with that is willing to help reduce your costs. if so, ask your point of contact from said organization.

don’t qualify? other ways to reduce costs

even if you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for any of the programs mentioned, there are still ways to keep your costs low. check out the how to save money on gre fees section of this article for some additional, general tips.

at the end of the day, remember that the total cost and resources of taking the gre are your initial investment to a career and future that you will be grateful for!

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