Build vocabulary, strengthen algebra and learn how to reason through verbal and quant questions. Start with a worked example, find the gap in your understanding, then revise with a plan.
Six original introductory examples. Attempt each on paper before revealing the answer; these do not represent a complete test or its difficulty distribution.
1. Text completion: follow the contrast
Although the proposal sounded radical, its practical recommendations were surprisingly _____. Choose one: conventional / incoherent / extravagant / untested / obscure.
Show answer and reasoning
Conventional. ‘Although’ signals a contrast: radical in appearance, familiar or traditional in practice. Untested and extravagant do not supply that contrast. Predict the missing meaning before looking at the options.
2. Sentence equivalence: meaning before synonyms
The editor removed every unnecessary phrase, leaving a remarkably _____ account. Choose two: concise / skeptical / succinct / ornate / uncertain / repetitive.
Show answer and reasoning
Concise and succinct. Both describe a brief account without unnecessary wording, so the completed sentences convey equivalent meanings. Skeptical and uncertain do not fit the evidence about removing phrases.
3. Reading comprehension: evidence and cause
A library extended its evening hours. Visits increased the following month, when a nearby library also closed for repairs. The director attributed the increase entirely to the longer hours. Which assessment is best supported? A: Longer hours had no effect. B: The closure offers an alternative explanation. C: Every new visitor came from the closed library. D: Evening hours should be reduced.
Show answer and reasoning
B. The closure could have contributed to the rise, so the evidence does not isolate the effect of longer hours. A and C assert more than the passage establishes. D is a policy recommendation unsupported by the information given.
4. Quantitative comparison: test the full domain
x is positive. Compare Quantity A: x² and Quantity B: x. Choose A greater, B greater, equal, or relationship cannot be determined.
Show answer and reasoning
The relationship cannot be determined. At x = 2, A is greater; at x = 1/2, B is greater; at x = 1, they are equal. Positive does not mean greater than 1. Testing only positive integers misses valid cases.
5. Numeric entry: successive percentage changes
A price of 80 is increased by 25%, then the new price is reduced by 20%. What is the final price?
Show answer and reasoning
80. Multiply 80 by 1.25 to get 100, then multiply 100 by 0.80 to get 80. The percentages apply to different bases; applying a net 5% increase would be incorrect.
6. Multiple answers: keep both roots
Select every solution of x² − 5x + 6 = 0 from: −3, −2, 0, 2, 3.
Show answer and reasoning
2 and 3. Factor to (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0, so either factor can be zero. Substitution checks both values. Selecting only one root leaves the answer incomplete.
A practical four-week GRE study plan
Suggested daily routine: 15 minutes of word retrieval, 25 minutes of concept or passage work, 20 minutes of questions and 10 minutes reviewing errors. Reduce new material when earlier mistakes keep recurring.
Week 1: diagnose and rebuild
Use official sample questions to identify gaps. Review algebra foundations and learn a small set of words in context. Record why each wrong answer seemed attractive.
Week 2: practise reasoning
Alternate quant with text completion, sentence equivalence and reading. Explain why each rejected option fails. Revisit missed questions after a day and again later in the week.
Week 3: add timing
Move from untimed accuracy to timed sets. Track time alongside accuracy; practise leaving a difficult item and returning within the same section. Write and revise an Issue essay.
Week 4: simulate and consolidate
Take an official timed practice test, then review it carefully. Focus on recurring errors and realistic pacing. Extend the plan if core concepts remain uncertain.
Analytical Writing: build a defensible position
Original practice prompt: “Universities should require every student to complete a project that benefits the local community.” Discuss the extent to which you agree, including circumstances that could change your position.
Plan a qualified claim, develop two reasons with concrete examples, and address a serious objection. Community work can connect theory with real needs, but an inflexible requirement may disadvantage students with caring responsibilities. Explain how a flexible project format changes that trade-off.
After writing, check: does each example support the claim? Have you explained the link rather than merely asserted it? Does the conclusion reflect your qualifications? This exercise is not automatically scored.
GRE format and official free practice
ETS lists an approximately 1 hour 58 minute General Test: one 30-minute Issue task, two Verbal sections totalling 27 questions in 41 minutes, and two Quant sections totalling 27 questions in 47 minutes. Verbal and Quant adapt at section level. Check the official ETS structure.
ETS offers free timed and untimed POWERPREP options. Access official POWERPREP practice. Our materials are independently created; LearnAtMyPlace is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS.
Questions about free GRE preparation
Are these GRE materials free without registration?
Yes. Our vocabulary, algebra notes and practice examples are available without a login. Official ETS resources linked here are external; ETS may require an account for practice tests.
Does this include a full adaptive GRE mock?
Our free Quant and Verbal mocks are fixed 12-question sections with timers and explanations. They are not full-length adaptive simulations or official score predictors. Use ETS POWERPREP to practise the official test format.
What GRE score should I aim for?
Check each target programme’s current admissions requirements and published score information. Expectations differ by institution and subject; no single score guarantees admission. Percentiles depend on the published reference group.
Is vocabulary enough for GRE Verbal?
No. You also need to interpret context, follow arguments, distinguish an inference from an assumption and compare sentence meanings. Combine word review with reading and question practice.
Can I finish preparation in four weeks?
This is a suggested study cycle, not a promise of readiness. Use a diagnostic to decide whether you need more time for fundamentals. Review accuracy and timing each week before increasing the workload.