Here you can download GRE sample papers for free. These sample papers are designed to mimic the actual test and provide you with an opportunity to practice in a simulated test environment. By working through these papers, you can get a feel for the format and style of the GRE and build important test-taking skills. Simply click on the link to download a sample paper and get started on your test preparation journey.
What is GRE Exam?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an important part of the admissions process for graduate, master’s, and doctoral business schools. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam that is a crucial prerequisite for admission to many academic institutions across the world. This test is designed to assess a candidate’s general academic preparedness. The GRE is regarded as one of the most challenging exams in the world. GRE score has a five-year validity period; thus, educational institutions also accept results that were obtained up to five years ago.
For students, taking the GRE can be quite stressful. The first step in preparing for your GRE should be educating yourself about the test’s structure/format and syllabus. In addition to that, GRE sample papers are an absolute necessity to include in your study materials if you intend to take this exam soon. By solving sample papers or test papers from the previous three years, you may improve your comprehension and familiarity with the format and style of the exam, which will help you perform well on the GRE.
Download GRE Sample Papers for Free in PDF
The best way to prepare for GRE is to brush up your basics and practice as many GRE sample papers as possible. We have curated the best range of GRE papers for all covered topics. Select the subject and download the papers.
- GRE Verbal Reasoning Sample Paper
- GRE Critical Thinking Sample Paper
- GRE Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper
- GRE Analytical Writing Sample Papers
Suggestions for practice using GRE sample paper
- Verbal Reasoning
– Study and understand the meaning of words and phrases used in each question.
– In text completion, look for context clues before filling in the blanks. Often the answer to the first blank is a hint to identify the rest of the missing words.
– Ensure two things when you choose an option to fill the blanks in sentence equivalence – (i) it fits in the sentence correctly and (ii) both the words should give the sentence a similar meaning.
– When responding to questions regarding reading comprehension, make notes about the central theme of the passage, keep an eye out for any opinions that might be developing, and draw conclusions from them.
- Quantitative Reasoning
– Review and memorize the basic mathematical concepts.
– Focus on determining the relationship between the two quantities instead of calculating their values.
– Avoid complex calculations and try simplifying the question.
– Read the numeric entry questions carefully as they often require to be answered in a specific format.
- Analytical Writing
– Effectively manage your time while answering this section.
– Pick a side and support it with credible evidence because you will always need to express an opinion for or against the given issue.
– Prior to writing the essay, make a list of all the key points you want to mention based on your decided response.
– Analyse the argument, identify the assumptions and then write an essay outlining how the argument is weak and flawed.
– Don’t forget to proofread your essay for any grammatical and spelling mistakes.
Format of GRE Papers
To provide students with a sense of realism when they practice, GRE sample papers are typically created in a manner similar to the actual exam. The structure of the GRE paper is quite simple and clear. The exam is divided into 3 sections with each section having 2 sub-sections –
- Analytical Writing
Analytical Writing section aims at assessing– (i) critical thinking abilities (ii) the ability to fathom and evaluate complex concepts (iii) the ability to express ideas in writing, and (iv) the ability to support these ideas with relevant reasons and evidence. There are two tasks in the analytical writing section –
(a) Analyse an issue: In this task, you will be required to write an essay based on a brief statement about an issue. Any topic of general interest could be the subject of the issue.
(b) Analyse an argument: Here, you will be required to comprehend and analyze a paragraph-long argument in order to compose an essay. You need to determine whether the details mentioned in the paragraph regarding the argument are logically correct or not.
For a better understanding of this section, we advise you to solve as many GRE sample papers or previous year papers as you can. This particular section includes a writing test that is unlike any other test.
- Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning section demonstrates your assessment abilities about how well you analyze the written material, draw inferences from it and integrate information. In this section, there are 3 different types of questions –
(a) Reading Comprehension: It requires you to read the passage thoroughly and answer the questions based on the passage. The questions asked in this section test your ability to comprehend words and sentences, infer conclusions from the information given, or summarise a passage. The theme of the passage could be anything at all.
(b) Text Completion: It tests your capacity to analyze the given text and draw conclusions from what you have read. You will be presented with a text that has 3 to 4 blanks, and you must be able to complete the passage by filling in those blanks with the most suitable answers from the given choices.
(c) Sentence Equivalence: Your ability to determine a passage’s intended meaning in light of the limited information provided will be assessed under this section. Each question will have a sentence with one blank and six possible answers. For each question, you must select two answers from the multiple options that can complete the statement.
- Quantitative Reasoning
The quantitative reasoning section gauges your capacity for mathematical problem-solving and quantitative thinking. It is intended to assess your aptitude for analyzing and comprehending numerical data and solving problems by applying fundamental mathematical models and concepts such as arithmetic, geometry, statistics, and so on. In this section, there are 4 different categories of questions – (a) Quantitative comparison, (b) Multiple-choice questions (choose only one answer), (c) Multiple-choice questions (choose one or more answers), and (d) Numeric entry questions.
| Section | Number of Tasks/Sub-Sections | Number of Questions Asked | Time Limit |
| Analytical Writing | 2 | 2 (1 essay for each task) | 60 minutes (30 minutes for each task) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 | 40 (20 questions for each section) | 60 minutes (30 minutes for each section) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | 40 (20 questions for each section) | 70 minutes (35 minutes for each section) |
The GRE lasts approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. There are six sections, and the third section is followed by a 10-minute break.
Verbal reasoning and Quantitative reasoning are graded on a scale of 130 to 170 with one-point increments, with 130 being the lowest possible score and 170 being the highest.
Common Question Related to GRE Papers
GRE is more difficult as compared to other related exams like SAT and ACT. But with regular practice one can easily score well in this exam.
GRE general test covers verbal reasoning, critical thinking, quantitative aptitude and analytical writing. We have curated official sample papers for each of these subjects.
This may vary depending on how well your concepts and logical thinking skills are. But in general 4-5 months of preparation will be sufficient for scoring good.