Any time is a good time to start thinking about getting a Master’s degree. Some experts even view a graduate degree as “the new Undergraduate degree.” If you want to get a graduate degree, you’ll need to take the GRE. If you’re taking the GRE, we’ve got 6 FREE GRE practice resources to check out. Integrate them into your studying, get used to the test format, and practice hard before the test.
1. Best Free GRE Practice Resource: Powerprep Online
The official test material is so good that you’ll want to save it for the end. The makers of the GRE, ETS, give test takers 2 free (yes free!) online tests to practice with that will provide a score indicative of the actual GRE. Be sure to take the test under real conditions so that you get the best of your practice. Here’s what to do:
- Do the test in one sitting
- Be strict with the timing for each section
- Use a calculator and plain white scratch paper for the math sections
- Don’t use your phone to look up words you don’t know on the verbal sections
- Write the essays!
2. All the GRE Issue and Argument Topics
Concerned about the GRE essays? Take the time to get familiar with ALL the possible issue and argument topics for the GRE. Yes, this is all of them. Your essay questions will definitely come from these lists. Here’s how we recommend using them:
- Read through all of them
- Choose 10 to 20 different essay questions with different types of formats
- Outline most of the essays (we explain how to do this below)
- Write 1 essay a week through the course of your study
Strong essay outlining is essential to writing a well-organized and thoughtful essay. Moreover, knowing how to get started will decrease your anxiety at the beginning of the GRE. Going into the essays stress-free is essential because these are the first sections of the test and often affect how you do and feel about the rest of the test.
When outlining, just jot down your opinion. Two or three words is fine. Then list 3 reasons or examples or whatever in support of your opinion. That’s it! But trust us…this small step will make a huge difference in the logical organization and cohesion of your essays.
Check out all the issue essay topics here
View all the argument essay topics here
And yes, you should type the essays on the computer because the test is computer-based.
BONUS! Essay templates and samples
Check out the exact argument essay and issue essay templates and samples that we give to our students. Better than most (if not all) of what you find on the internet!
3. Official GRE ETS Paper Practice Questions
This is the last of the material from the makers of the GRE. Tucked away in the paper-based version of the GRE is a full-length practice test that you can print and work on. It’s perfect for when you have time to just do one section or need to fit in a bit of practice.
Download it and follow the section timing for maximum results.
4. McGraw-Hill Practice GRE Test
Get more online practice with the McGraw-Hill test. It’s super solid as far as quality goes and great for when you need more computer-based practice. Don’t split this test up. Use the paper tests for that. Use this test to build your stamina as you face a seemingly endless rotation of quantitative and verbal sections.
5. Manhattan Prep Free GRE Practice Test
Manhattan’s free GRE test is so solid that we actually recommend buying access to the 6 pack as well. More tests will be necessary after you have learned all the concepts and practiced them on paper. Do all of these tests under test conditions and you’ll be good-to-go come test time.
6. Kaplan GRE Root Words Quizlet
We love Quizlet so much! It is so much better than making your own flashcards to memorize concepts. Unusually, we don’t recommend that students memorize vocabulary. However, for the GRE it is absolutely essential because part of the test is basically a vocabulary test.
The smartest way to prepare for the GRE Verbal section is to learn “root words” rather than definitions of specific words. If you know the root word, you will be able to approximate the meaning and use process of elimination to get to the correct answer.
This quizlet is absolutely invaluable for trying to learn these root words. We particularly love the Learn, Test, and Match modes for memorizing these important roots.
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