Free GRE Practice Test: Daily GRE Questions, Explanations, and Prep Tips

Did you know that over 500,000 students take the GRE every year, competing for spots in top graduate programs worldwide? Yet, despite the extensive preparation, many struggle to maintain a consistent study schedule or feel confident in tackling challenging questions, especially in math. The pressure is real, and it can feel overwhelming as the test day approaches.

But what if the solution isn’t about cramming or following a generic study plan? The key lies in breaking down your practice into manageable, daily efforts. By incorporating daily GRE question papers and understanding detailed explanations, you can improve your problem-solving skills, build confidence, and steadily progress. Let’s explore how this approach can transform your GRE prep journey.

What To Expect From Your GRE Practice Questions?

When approaching your GRE practice questions, it’s crucial to understand that they are designed to mimic the exam experience, helping you prepare for test day. This is especially true for GRE quantitative questions. Expect questions to come from both the quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning sections, covering topics you’ll face on the actual GRE. Each section mirrors the format and difficulty level set by ETS, the organization that designs the GRE.

For verbal reasoning, expect questions that test your ability to comprehend complex sentences, analyze text, and choose the most accurate answer choices. In quantitative reasoning, you’ll solve problems involving math concepts, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. Tackling these practice sections prepares you for the challenges of graduate school admission exams, sharpening your skills for the big day. It also helps in understanding the right GRE preparation time you need.

Top 10 Most Commonly Asked GRE Questions 

Here are the Top 10 Most Commonly Asked GRE Questions along with their explanations and solutions, covering key topics frequently encountered in the exam. Try practicing them and include them in your 6 month GRE study plan:

1. Quantitative Comparison

These questions are common because they test your ability to quickly assess relative quantities without requiring lengthy calculations. 

Question:
Which is greater?
(A) 5/8 of 64
(B) 50

Solution:
5/8 of 64 = (5 × 64) / 8 = 40.
So, (A) = 40 and (B) = 50.
Thus, (B) is greater.

Answer: B.

2. Text Completion (Verbal)

This type of question is frequent because it evaluates your understanding of sentence structure and vocabulary. Focusing on text completion helps you build strong reading comprehension and vocabulary skills, which are crucial for scoring high in the Verbal Reasoning section. Make sure your GRE prep includes this aspect as well.

Question:
Despite her considerable reputation as a forward-thinking scholar, her latest work was criticized for being too ____ in its approach.
(A) orthodox
(B) innovative
(C) daring
(D) redundant
(E) arcane

Solution:
The phrase “despite her considerable reputation as a forward-thinking scholar” implies that the criticism is for being the opposite of forward-thinking. “Orthodox” (A) fits this context as it means conventional.

Answer: A.

3. Problem Solving (Quant)

Basic arithmetic and algebra are always tested, as they form the foundation of the Quantitative Reasoning section. Understand what is the GRE minimum score needed for getting into your dream college and prepare accordingly.

Question:
A car travels 240 miles in 4 hours. What is the average speed of the car in miles per hour?

Solution:
Average speed = Total distance / Total time = 240 miles / 4 hours = 60 miles per hour.

Answer: 60 mph.

4. Sentence Equivalence (Verbal)

These questions appear regularly because they test your ability to identify synonyms and understand sentence context. Practice the same with GRE pen and paper tests as well.

Question:
The film’s intricate plot may prove too ____ for viewers accustomed to straightforward narratives.
(A) convoluted
(B) entertaining
(C) complicated
(D) engaging
(E) simple
(F) perplexing

Solution:
The word “too” suggests a negative attribute related to complexity. The correct pair of synonyms would be “convoluted” (A) and “perplexing” (F).

Answer: A and F.

5. Geometry (Quant)

Geometry problems test your understanding of basic formulas and shapes. They’re common because they assess spatial reasoning, which is important for tackling the Quantitative Reasoning section efficiently. Choose the right GRE maths preparation materials to help you with the process.

Question:
What is the area of a circle with a radius of 7 cm?

Solution:
The formula for the area of a circle is A = πr².
A = π × 7² = 49π cm².

Answer: 49π cm².

6. Reading Comprehension (Verbal)

Reading comprehension is a major component of the GRE because it tests your ability to critically analyze written material. But before that, make sure you understand the difference between GRE general test and subject test.

Question:
In the passage, the author’s tone toward the subject of industrialization can best be described as:
(A) nostalgic
(B) critical
(C) indifferent
(D) enthusiastic
(E) speculative

Solution:
The passage critiques industrialization’s negative effects on society, which suggests a critical tone.

Answer: B.

7. Algebra (Quant)

Algebra is central to the Quantitative Reasoning section, as it appears in numerous forms throughout the test. 

Question:
If 2x + 3 = 9, what is the value of x?

Solution:
2x + 3 = 9
Subtract 3 from both sides: 2x = 6
Divide by 2: x = 3.

Answer: x = 3.

8. Data Interpretation

These questions test your ability to analyze charts, graphs, and tables, which is a core skill in the GRE. Do more such questions to master the GRE exam time efficiently.

Question:
A survey shows that 60% of 150 people prefer coffee over tea. How many people prefer coffee?

Solution:
60% of 150 = 0.60 × 150 = 90.

Answer: 90 people prefer coffee.

9. Quantitative Comparison (Quant)

This is another common quantitative comparison question that highlights how GRE tests your ability to balance quick judgment with accuracy. 

Question:
Column A: The sum of the first 10 positive integers
Column B: 55

Solution:
The sum of the first 10 positive integers is 1 + 2 + 3 + … + 10 = 55.
So, Column A = Column B.

Answer: C (The two quantities are equal).

10. Analytical Writing (Issue Task)

The Analytical Writing section evaluates your ability to construct a reasoned argument. This task is important because it demonstrates to graduate schools your critical thinking and writing skills, which are crucial for academic success. 

Question:

“Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.”

Solution (Summary):

To approach this, you need to craft an argument, either supporting or opposing the claim, backed by examples and evidence. For instance, you could argue that restrictions are necessary to ensure ethical standards, using examples like human cloning or environmental protection. On the other hand, you could argue that restrictions can stifle innovation, pointing to breakthroughs in medicine as an area where freedom in research led to life-saving technologies.

How Will You Score Higher On The GRE?

To score higher on the GRE, you need a strategic approach that maximizes your test prep efforts. Whether you’re taking a free GRE practice test or working through power prep practice tests, following these steps will help ensure you’re prepared for the exam and can perform well on test day. Make sure you understand the benefits GRE exam offers before proceeding with it.

Take full-length practice tests

Regularly take full-length practice tests to simulate the actual exam environment. This will help you manage time, understand the GRE question types, and feel ready for the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections on GRE test day.

Answer all questions

Always attempt to answer every question, even if unsure. The GRE does not penalize for incorrect answers, so take a guess rather than leaving anything blank. This strategy can boost your GRE score.

Focus on sample questions

Using sample GRE questions and free practice questions gives you a taste of the level of difficulty you’ll face on test day. Practice different formats like the single selected question in verbal reasoning and the quantitative reasoning measure, ensuring you’re comfortable with what you’ll see on test day.

Understand the concepts

Develop a thorough understanding of key concepts, especially for the quantitative reasoning section, including the arithmetic mean, integer operations, and other GRE math topics. This ensures you can reason logically through complex problems.

Review every answer

After each GRE practice test, review every answer you got wrong. Understanding why an answer was incorrect and practicing similar questions helps reinforce the right approach for next time.

Use flashcards

For verbal reasoning, flashcards are a great tool to improve vocabulary and comprehension. Incorporating them into your study time on a regular basis will help you grasp difficult GRE words and make one less thing to worry about.

Conclusion

Preparing for the GRE exam is a journey that requires consistent practice, a strong understanding of key concepts, and effective time management. By leveraging full-length practice tests, reviewing mistakes, and focusing on both verbal and quantitative skills, you can boost your confidence and performance on test day. Stay focused, adapt your strategies, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving the GRE score needed for the graduate schools of your choice.

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