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Free Practice Questions for GRE Psychology Subject Test

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Key Facts: GRE Psychology Subject Test Exam

~144 questions

Current exam length

ETS GRE Psychology Subject Test content structure page

2 hours

Total testing time

ETS GRE Subject Test Content and Structure page

200–990

Total score scale (10-point increments)

ETS GRE Subject Tests score reporting page

6 subscores

Percent-correct content-area subscores (0–100 each)

ETS GRE Psychology Test Practice Book

$199

Test fee worldwide (effective August 1, 2026)

ETS GRE Subject Test fees page, 2026–27

3 windows/year

Testing windows (September, October, April)

ETS GRE Subject Test 2026–27 test dates

14 days

Minimum wait before retaking a GRE Subject Test

ETS GRE Subject Test registration page, 2026–27

The GRE Psychology Subject Test, administered by ETS, consists of approximately 144 multiple-choice questions completed in 2 hours. It reports a total score on a 200–990 scale and six percent-correct subscores across Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical, and Measurement/Methodology domains. The test is offered in three windows each year (September, October, April) at test centers or, on certain dates, at home, for a $199 fee (effective August 1, 2026). Content is drawn from core undergraduate psychology coursework and tests knowledge spanning neuroscience through research methodology. Institutions use scores to supplement GPA and recommendation letters for graduate school admissions decisions.

Sample GRE Psychology Subject Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GRE Psychology Subject Test exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A.Dopamine
B.Serotonin
C.GABA
D.Acetylcholine
Explanation: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It reduces neuronal excitability by opening chloride channels, causing hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane.
2The hippocampus plays a central role in which type of memory?
A.Implicit procedural memory
B.Emotional conditioning
C.Declarative long-term memory
D.Working memory maintenance
Explanation: The hippocampus is essential for forming new declarative (explicit) long-term memories, including episodic and semantic memories. Patient H.M., who had his hippocampi removed, demonstrated that damage there causes profound anterograde amnesia for declarative memories.
3In signal detection theory, a 'hit' is defined as:
A.Correctly detecting the absence of a signal
B.Detecting a signal when none is present
C.Correctly detecting a signal that is present
D.Failing to detect a signal that is present
Explanation: In signal detection theory, a 'hit' occurs when the observer correctly identifies the presence of a signal. The theory distinguishes four outcomes: hits, misses, false alarms, and correct rejections.
4Which brain structure is primarily responsible for coordinating fine motor movements and balance?
A.Amygdala
B.Basal ganglia
C.Cerebellum
D.Thalamus
Explanation: The cerebellum coordinates smooth, precise voluntary movements and maintains balance and posture. Cerebellar damage results in ataxia — jerky, uncoordinated movements.
5The refractory period in neuronal firing refers to the time during which:
A.The neuron is hypersensitive to stimulation
B.The neuron cannot fire another action potential regardless of stimulus strength
C.Neurotransmitter synthesis is maximized
D.The dendrites actively depolarize
Explanation: The absolute refractory period is when sodium channels are inactivated and the neuron cannot fire again, no matter how strong the stimulus. This establishes an upper limit on firing rate and ensures one-directional propagation of action potentials.
6Which structure in the eye contains the photoreceptors (rods and cones)?
A.Cornea
B.Lens
C.Retina
D.Optic chiasm
Explanation: The retina is the innermost layer of the eye and contains rods (for low-light, achromatic vision) and cones (for color and detail vision in bright light). Photons must pass through several retinal layers before reaching these receptors.
7REM sleep is characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:
A.Vivid dreaming
B.Muscle atonia
C.Delta wave brain activity
D.Rapid eye movements
Explanation: Delta waves (slow, high-amplitude waves) are characteristic of Stage 3/4 deep NREM sleep (slow-wave sleep), not REM sleep. REM sleep features low-amplitude, desynchronized EEG activity resembling wakefulness, along with muscle atonia and vivid dreaming.
8Broca's area is associated with which function?
A.Comprehending written language
B.Producing fluent speech
C.Processing auditory input
D.Spatial navigation
Explanation: Broca's area (left inferior frontal gyrus) is essential for speech production and grammatical processing. Damage causes Broca's aphasia — halting, non-fluent speech with relatively preserved comprehension.
9Which hormone, released by the adrenal medulla during stress, prepares the body for 'fight or flight'?
A.Cortisol
B.Testosterone
C.Epinephrine
D.Melatonin
Explanation: Epinephrine (adrenaline) is released by the adrenal medulla as part of the sympathetic nervous system response, increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and mobilizing energy stores for the fight-or-flight response.
10The opponent-process theory of color vision was proposed to explain which phenomenon?
A.The trichromatic nature of cone responses
B.Color afterimages and certain color blindness patterns
C.Adaptation to low-light environments
D.The perception of motion in static images
Explanation: Hering's opponent-process theory posits red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white opponent pairs. It explains why you see a green afterimage after staring at red (the red channel fatigues, leaving opponent activation), and why certain dichromats cannot distinguish red from green.

About the GRE Psychology Subject Test Exam

The GRE Psychology Subject Test is a computer-delivered achievement exam offered by ETS in three testing windows per year (September, October, and April) at test centers and, on certain dates, at home. It consists of approximately 144 five-choice multiple-choice questions covering six content domains: Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical/Abnormal/Personality, and Measurement/Methodology/Other. Scores are reported on a 200–990 scale with six subscores. The test is designed for students who have an undergraduate major or extensive background in psychology seeking admission to graduate programs.

Exam sponsor: Educational Testing Service (ETS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

144 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

No pass/fail cutoff; total score on 200–990 scale plus six percent-correct subscores (0–100)

Exam / Certification Fees

$199

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~21%

Biological Psychology

Neurotransmitters, neuroanatomy, sensory systems (vision, audition, somatosensory), psychophysics, states of consciousness, hormones, and comparative neuroscience

~20%

Cognitive Psychology

Classical and operant conditioning, working memory and long-term memory, language acquisition, problem solving, heuristics and biases, attention, and intelligence theories

~13%

Social Psychology

Attribution theory, attitude change, conformity and obedience, group dynamics, prosocial behavior, prejudice, and interpersonal perception

~13%

Developmental Psychology

Piagetian stages, Eriksonian crises, Vygotsky's ZPD, Kohlberg's moral development, attachment theory, parenting styles, and lifespan development

~16%

Clinical, Abnormal and Personality

DSM-5-TR diagnosis (mood, anxiety, schizophrenia, personality disorders), assessment tools (MMPI, Rorschach), major treatment approaches, and personality theories

~17%

Measurement, Methodology and Other

Research designs, statistical procedures (ANOVA, regression, correlation), reliability and validity, ethics, history of psychology, and industrial-organizational and educational psychology

Preparing for the GRE Psychology Subject Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No pass/fail cutoff; total score on 200–990 scale plus six percent-correct subscores (0–100)
  • Exam length: 144 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $199 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GRE Psychology Subject Test: Suggested Study Strategy

1Map each of the six content domains to your undergraduate coursework and identify which areas need the most review before building a study schedule.
2Download and complete the free official GRE Psychology Practice Book from ETS. It contains a full-length practice test with an answer key and a score conversion table.
3For the Measurement/Methodology section, practice calculation-based statistics problems (r², ANOVA logic, Type I/II errors) not just conceptual definitions.
4Use spaced repetition flashcards for high-yield theorists, classic studies, and DSM-5-TR criteria — the test rewards precise recall of names, dates, and findings.
5In the final 2 weeks, simulate full-length timed practice tests under realistic conditions to build endurance for the 2-hour exam and refine pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

The current GRE Psychology Subject Test consists of approximately 144 multiple-choice questions, each with five answer options. The test is administered via computer with no separately timed sections.

How is the GRE Psychology Subject Test scored?

Scores are reported on a 200–990 scale in 10-point increments. In addition to the total score, six percent-correct subscores (reported from 0 to 100) are provided for Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical, and Measurement/Methodology/Other content. Nothing is subtracted for wrong answers.

When and where can I take the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

ETS offers the test during three testing windows each year: September, October, and April. The 2026–27 windows are September 14–27, 2026, October 19–November 1, 2026, and April 19–May 2, 2027. You can test at a test center or, on certain dates, at home; at-home testing is not available in India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, China, or Taiwan.

What topics are covered on the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

The six content domains are: Biological (~21%), Cognitive (~20%), Social (~13%), Developmental (~13%), Clinical/Abnormal/Personality (~16%), and Measurement/Methodology/Other (~17%). Content is drawn from core undergraduate psychology coursework.

How should I prepare for the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

The test is intended for students with an undergraduate psychology major or an extensive background in psychology. Effective preparation includes reviewing all six content areas with introductory and upper-level textbooks, completing the free official GRE Psychology Practice Book, and using practice questions to identify weak areas.

What is the registration fee for the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

The test fee is $199 worldwide, effective August 1, 2026. Rescheduling or changing your test center costs $55, and each additional score report beyond the four free score recipients costs $40.