100+ Free GRE General Test Practice Questions
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The artist's later canvases were marked by a __________ that her earlier, more polished work lacked: rough brushstrokes, unpainted edges, and visible pentimento gave the surfaces a raw, unfinished energy. Choose the word that best fits the blank.
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Key Facts: GRE General Test Exam
1 hour 58 minutes
Total testing time for the current (post-September 2023) GRE General Test
ETS
130–170 (V and Q), 0–6 (AW)
GRE score scales for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing
ETS GRE Scoring
$220
GRE registration fee in the United States (as of 2024)
ETS
27 + 27 + 1 essay
GRE question counts: 27 Verbal, 27 Quantitative, 1 Analytical Writing essay
ETS GRE Content Structure
8–10 days
Time to receive official GRE scores after the test date
ETS
5 years
Length of time GRE scores are valid and reportable to programs
ETS
The GRE General Test, administered by ETS, is accepted by thousands of graduate and professional programs worldwide. The shortened format launched September 22, 2023, runs 1 hour 58 minutes — roughly half the length of the previous version (3 hours 45 minutes). Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a 130–170 scale; Analytical Writing is scored 0–6 in half-point increments. The test is section-level adaptive: performance on the first section of each measure determines the difficulty of the second. Scores are available 8–10 days after the test and are valid for 5 years. The GRE costs $220 in the United States.
Sample GRE General Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your GRE General Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the following passage and answer the question. "The history of cartography reveals a fascinating paradox: the more accurate maps became, the more they were used as instruments of power rather than mere navigational aids. Early medieval maps centered Jerusalem at the world's core, reflecting theological rather than geographical priorities. By the age of exploration, Mercator's projection—though invaluable for sea navigation—systematically distorted the relative sizes of landmasses, enlarging Europe and North America while shrinking Africa and South America. Modern scholars argue that such distortions were not simply technical limitations but also carried ideological weight, subtly reinforcing the perceived centrality of certain civilizations." The passage primarily argues that:
2Read the passage and answer the question. "Epigenetics—the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence—has unsettled the strict Mendelian framework that dominated genetics for much of the twentieth century. While Mendel's laws elegantly explain the transmission of discrete traits via alleles, they cannot account for phenomena such as genomic imprinting, where a gene's expression depends on which parent contributed it, or for the silencing of genes by methyl groups added to DNA strands. Critics of epigenetics' more ambitious claims, however, caution that many epigenetic marks are reset between generations and that the field sometimes overstates the heritability of environmentally acquired traits." The author's attitude toward epigenetics can best be described as:
3Read the passage and answer the question. "Urban heat islands—metropolitan areas significantly warmer than surrounding rural zones—arise primarily from the replacement of vegetation with heat-absorbing impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete. Secondary contributors include waste heat from vehicles, air conditioners, and industrial processes. The effect is not merely uncomfortable: elevated urban temperatures increase electricity demand, worsen air quality via accelerated ozone formation, and disproportionately harm low-income communities that lack access to air conditioning. Mitigation strategies include green roofs, urban tree canopies, and cool pavements that reflect rather than absorb solar radiation." According to the passage, which of the following is cited as a PRIMARY cause of urban heat islands?
4Read the passage and answer the question. "For much of the twentieth century, behaviorism dominated academic psychology, reducing mental life to observable stimulus-response relationships and dismissing introspective accounts of consciousness as scientifically inadmissible. The cognitive revolution of the 1950s and 1960s rehabilitated internal mental states by treating the mind as an information-processing system—one that could be studied rigorously through reaction times, memory experiments, and computational models. Yet critics note that even cognitive science, in its classical form, risks reducing the richness of human experience to the manipulation of abstract symbols, leaving aside questions of emotion, embodiment, and social context that philosophers and phenomenologists had long considered central." The passage implies that cognitive science, in its classical form, is similar to behaviorism in that both:
5The scientist's findings were initially met with __________, but subsequent replications by independent laboratories gradually __________ her original conclusions. Select the two words that best complete the sentence.
6The philosopher's prose was notoriously __________: even her admirers admitted that untangling a single paragraph often required the patience of a scholar willing to read the same sentences repeatedly. Choose the word that best fits the blank.
7Though the young diplomat was widely considered __________, her mentor warned that her willingness to voice unpopular positions in public forums could prove professionally damaging in the long run. Choose the word that best fits the blank.
8The newly elected mayor's administration was marked by a(n) __________ approach to urban planning: she solicited input from residents, businesses, and civic organizations before making any major zoning decisions. Choose the word that best fits the blank.
9The senator's speech was, at best, __________: it contained just enough factual content to appear substantive but was primarily designed to __________ the audience rather than to inform it. Choose the words that best complete both blanks (Blank 1, Blank 2).
10Read the passage and answer the question. "Game theory, pioneered by von Neumann and Morgenstern and later refined by Nash, models strategic interaction between rational agents. The Nash equilibrium—a state in which no player can improve their outcome by unilaterally changing strategy—became a cornerstone of economics, political science, and evolutionary biology. Critics, however, observe that real decision-makers frequently deviate from Nash equilibrium predictions: they cooperate in one-shot prisoner's dilemmas, punish free-riders at personal cost, and exhibit loss aversion. Behavioral economists argue that these anomalies do not invalidate game theory but rather call for more psychologically realistic models of rationality." The passage suggests that behavioral economists would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
About the GRE General Test Exam
The GRE General Test is the world's most widely accepted standardized test for admission to graduate, business, and law school programs. Administered by ETS, it measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Since September 2023, the test was shortened to approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes and now includes one Analytical Writing task ('Analyze an Issue'), two Verbal Reasoning sections totaling 27 questions, and two Quantitative Reasoning sections totaling 27 questions.
Questions
55 scored questions
Time Limit
1 hour 58 minutes
Passing Score
No pass/fail; scores reported as Verbal 130–170, Quantitative 130–170, Analytical Writing 0–6; competitive scores for top programs typically 160+ V, 165+ Q
Exam Fee
$220 (U.S.); varies internationally; fee reduction programs available (Educational Testing Service (ETS))
GRE General Test Exam Content Outline
Analytical Writing
One 'Analyze an Issue' essay. Test takers develop and defend their own position on a complex general-interest issue. Scored 0–6 in half-point increments by trained raters plus an automated system. The old 'Analyze an Argument' task was eliminated in September 2023.
Verbal Reasoning
Two adaptive sections (Section 1: 12 questions / 18 min; Section 2: 15 questions / 23 min). Question types include Reading Comprehension (passage-based), Text Completion (1–3 blanks with word-list choices), and Sentence Equivalence (choose 2 synonyms producing equivalent sentences). Scored 130–170.
Quantitative Reasoning
Two adaptive sections (Section 1: 12 questions / 21 min; Section 2: 15 questions / 26 min). Question types include Quantitative Comparison (compare two quantities), Multiple Choice (single and select-all-apply), and Numeric Entry. Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. On-screen calculator provided. Scored 130–170.
How to Pass the GRE General Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail; scores reported as Verbal 130–170, Quantitative 130–170, Analytical Writing 0–6; competitive scores for top programs typically 160+ V, 165+ Q
- Exam length: 55 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour 58 minutes
- Exam fee: $220 (U.S.); varies internationally; fee reduction programs available
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
GRE General Test Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the current GRE General Test?
The GRE General Test launched on September 22, 2023, takes approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes to complete. This is roughly half the length of the pre-2023 version (3 hours 45 minutes). There are no breaks during the current test.
What sections are on the GRE General Test?
The current GRE has three sections: Analytical Writing (1 essay, 30 minutes), Verbal Reasoning (27 questions across 2 sections, 41 minutes total), and Quantitative Reasoning (27 questions across 2 sections, 47 minutes total). The 'Analyze an Argument' essay and unscored research section were removed in September 2023.
How is the GRE scored?
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a 130–170 scale in 1-point increments, giving a combined range of 260–340. Analytical Writing is scored 0–6 in half-point increments. Official scores are available 8–10 days after the test. Scores are valid for 5 years.
What is the GRE's section-level adaptive design?
For both Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, the difficulty of the second section depends on your performance on the first section. If you perform well on Section 1, you receive a harder Section 2, which enables higher possible scores. All questions within a section contribute equally to the score, and 'equating' adjusts for difficulty differences between test editions.
How much does the GRE cost, and can I retake it?
The GRE costs $220 in the United States (international fees vary). Test takers can retake the GRE once every 21 days and up to 5 times within a 12-month period. ETS's ScoreSelect option lets you choose which scores (from the past 5 years) to send to programs.
What is a competitive GRE score?
A score of 160+ on Verbal Reasoning and 165+ on Quantitative Reasoning is generally competitive for top-20 graduate programs. The 75th percentile is approximately 158 Verbal and 167 Quantitative. For STEM programs, Quantitative scores are weighted more heavily; for humanities and law, Verbal and Analytical Writing scores matter more.