GRE experts advise that anyone planning to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) should try a practice test before the actual exam.
Dennis Yim, academic director at Kaplan Test Prep, explains that taking GRE practice tests helps ensure you’re prepared for any question on test day. “You practice so there are no surprises when you take the real test,” he says.
Some aspiring grad students hesitate to take their first GRE practice test—often called a diagnostic test—because they’re nervous about their score. But Yim emphasizes that this test provides crucial insights to shape your study plan. “Your starting score isn’t the one you’ll apply with,” he notes, adding that the sooner you take a diagnostic test, the better.
“The most important thing is just to take one,” Yim says. “Understanding the challenge ahead and going through it will ease a lot of fears.”
Bronte D’Acquisto, an editor at Test Prep Advisor (a free online resource for standardized tests), suggests setting a target GRE score based on the admissions stats of your desired program.
“If your practice test shows you’re far below your goal in all sections, a GRE prep class might be best,” D’Acquisto, a test prep tutor, wrote in an email. “If you’re close to your target, self-studying or a tutor for weak areas could work.”
Many students overestimate their GRE readiness, she notes, making a diagnostic test a crucial reality check.
“Taking one before prep helps pinpoint strengths and weaknesses,” she says. “For example, if you ace reading but struggle with geometry, you’ll know where to focus.”
D’Acquisto recommends using free diagnostic tests from reputable prep companies first. Only after a month of studying should students try official GRE practice tests from ETS (the GRE’s creator).
“ETS has only released four practice exams—treat them like gold,” she warns.
Where to Find Free GRE Practice Tests
ETS offers two free POWERPREP GRE tests online, plus three more for about $40 each.
“These are the closest you’ll get to the real computer-based test,” says Dawn Piacentino, ETS’s GRE program director. They help students get familiar with the format, timing, and tools like the on-screen calculator.
D’Acquisto adds that no other company replicates ETS’s question style as accurately. “If you want to see what test day looks like, take POWERPREP exams.”
Still, some prep firms (like Manhattan Prep, Kaplan, and Princeton Review) offer realistic GRE simulations. The test’s difficulty lies in its intricately worded questions. “Each one is a puzzle to solve strategically,” she explains.
How Many Practice Tests Are Needed?
Piacentino says it depends on the student but recommends at least one timed test to gauge ability. “If you’re building skills (like reviewing math), take one before and after to measure progress.”
Jennifer Winward of Winward Academy warns against taking too many tests without reviewing mistakes. “If you don’t learn from errors, you’ll repeat them—hurting both growth and confidence.”
Logan Thompson, a Manhattan Prep tutor, suggests no more than one practice test per 20 study hours. Overdoing it leaves no time to address knowledge gaps.
Understanding Practice Test Results
Thompson says plateaus or dips in scores are normal. As students gain confidence, they may spend more time per question, causing timing issues. Or they might be testing new strategies that pay off later but feel tough at first.
“It’s like learning to shoot a basketball one-handed—better long-term, but there’s a learning curve.”
Winward stresses analyzing wrong answers post-test. “A key rule of learning—including GRE prep—is fixing mistakes. Know what went wrong, why, and how to get it right.”