There is a considerable amount of free GRE preparation resources available on the web. These free GRE study materials are designed to help MBA and graduate school applicants improve their verbal and quantitative skills, familiarize themselves with the test format, and boost their chances of achieving an impressive GRE score without spending a fortune on preparation.
The GRE General Test is available on computer at more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries. This aptitude test is a great alternative to the GMAT for MBA admission and the number of business studies applicants selecting the GRE exam keeps growing. Moreover, thousands of graduate schools as well as departments and divisions within these schools use the GRE as an indicator of aptitude for studies in Master’s degree programs.
Achieving a high GRE score affects your chances of admission and access to scholarships and financial aid. Preparation takes several months and can cost up to a thousand US dollars or Euros, or more. Luckily, there are plenty of free GRE practice tests online, so you can start preparing right away.
Comprehensive GRE Free Resources to Ace Your Test
GRE study guide
This comprehensive GRE free study material is designed to provide foundational knowledge of the exam. The guide is packed with all kinds of useful information such as a description of the sections and an explanation of the scoring system. You can learn how to choose a study strategy and also find a lot of other helpful tips.
Powerprep
The Powerprep software offers free online practice tests from ETS, the organization that administers the GRE. You can also learn the basics of the test, such as how the calculator works or how to flag and return to questions.
This free software includes the option to take practice tests under extended time and extra break conditions.
Powerprep is designed to help you:
- Understand what is being tested
- Gain familiarity with the various question types
- Become familiar with the tools of the test, including the on-screen calculator
- Understand scoring
- Practice taking the test under timed or untimed conditions
Practice book for the paper-based GRE exam
Although taking the GRE on paper is rare and only possible in specific locations, the official ETS practice book for the paper-based exam remains a valuable preparation tool. This is the third edition of the ETS practice book that offers a simulated test-taking experience of the paper-delivered exam. It includes one full-length paper-delivered test, test-taking strategies, sample Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions with explanations, sample Analytical Writing topics, scored Analytical Writing responses, plus reader commentaries and information on how the test is scored.
ETS essay topic pools
ETS has made available the entire pool of tasks from which the essay prompt has been or will be chosen. This means that you can find examples of topics that have been assigned for previous GRE exams or could potentially be assigned for future ones.
Here you can find the Issue topics for the Analytical Writing section and here are the Argument topics. Practice writing essays with these prompts.
Magoosh’s GRE vocabulary flashcards
Magoosh’s GRE vocabulary flashcards cover more than 1,000 of the most important GRE words. You can either download the app or use the desktop version.
The flashcards are designed to help you:
- Improve your GRE Verbal Score
- Master the 1,000 most important GRE words
- Master words on every level
- Focus on words that are the right difficulty for you, regardless of your verbal skills
- Study on the go thanks to the Android and iPhone apps
- Focus on the words you most need to review, saving you time and making sure you remember what you have studied.
Manhattan Review GRE diagnostic test
It is important to begin preparing for the GRE by taking a practice test under similar time limits and conditions as the real test, to assess where to focus your efforts. The Manhattan Review GRE Practice Test is a section-adaptive test just like the GRE General Test.
Manhattan Review's online GRE practice exams are designed to imitate the look and feel of the actual exam. Use this free GRE practice test online to familiarize yourself with the GRE and to pinpoint the areas where you need the most practice.
Manhattan Prep’s GRE practice test
Manhattan Prep offers a free, high-quality GRE practice test complete with explanations. It is specifically designed for the GRE General Test, previously known as the GRE revised General Test.
The exam is calibrated to mimic the behavior of the section-adaptive format of the GRE exam. This means that test-takers will have a realistic test-taking experience, and will know exactly what they will be dealing with on test day. Under standard testing conditions, the GRE practice test takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Varsity Tutors free GRE practice tests
Looking for GRE free study material to help you start your prep journey? Varsity Tutors’s free GRE practice and diagnostic tests provide a valuable way to tackle the exam with confidence.
For more assistance from Varsity Tutors, check out their free GRE articles and resources. There, you will learn how to save time on test day, tackle the most challenging questions, and build confidence while preparing for the GRE. You will also have the chance to familiarize yourself with the structure and components of the test and become a more effective test-taker.
Quizlet flashcards
Here you will find a vast source of flashcards about the GRE exam made by other students. These crowd-sourced study materials offer an interactive way to learn GRE vocabulary and concepts, allowing you to benefit from the collective study efforts of students who have already overcome the exam’s challenges.
Kaplan GRE practice test
The Kaplan practice test is somewhat similar to Manhattan Prep’s. However, bear in mind that Kaplan tests are widely regarded as tough. The questions in this free GRE practice test online are more difficult than those you will see in the real GRE, so don’t worry if your scores are lower than expected.
Actually, it doesn’t hurt to raise the bar a bit. Facing the challenging Kaplan test will help you master the real GRE exam. You will need around four hours to complete this test.
McGraw-Hill GRE practice test
McGraw-Gill offers free tests on their website. They also provide a realistic test-taking experience with questions that reflect the difficulty of the GRE, helping students become familiar with the test’s structure and timing.
Khan Academy
While it has no specific GRE section, Khan Academy offers courses on pretty much everything. Just look for the topic that you want to learn more about and you are very likely to find a video offering a clear explanation.
The ETS recommends Khan Academy as a valuable source of free resources that may be helpful to test-takers.
How to Use Free GRE Resources Effectively
While these free GRE practice tests and study materials are great tools, it’s important to approach them strategically. Here are a few tips to maximize your GRE prep:
- Set a study schedule and stick to it.
- Use a mix of practice tests, vocabulary flashcards, and strategy sessions for balanced preparation.
- Take notes on areas where you struggle and review related GRE free resources to strengthen those weak spots.
As you see, you have a lot of GRE preparation resources available for free. It’s up to you to check them out and start using them. Just remember, the more you practice, the better you will become, thus boosting your chances of achieving an impressive score.
Combine Match and Fit to find your perfect MBA.
Comments