The GRE asks a lot of different types of questions in both its math and verbal sections. We’ll break down the major categories and give you an opportunity to try out every kind of problem for a total of 12 free GRE sample questions.
Each sample GRE question comes with a detailed explanation in both video and text format So, be sure to check your answers afterwards to see where you did well and where you need improvement.
Lastly, we’ll take a look at some other places where you can get some more free GRE sample questions. Let’s get started!
GRE Sample Questions for Quantitative Reasoning
First, for more information about the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section as a whole, please see our GRE Math Review article. In there, we discuss the structure of the math sections as well as various strategies for studying and answering questions.
Secondly, on the GRE Quant section, you do have access to a basic, on-screen calculator during the exam.
Now, let’s dive into the sample questions! There are four main types of math questions on the GRE, along with a special fifth case.
Question 1 – Quantitative Comparison
On QC problems, you’re given two values: Column A and Column B. Your goal is to determine the relationship between the two.
When Car S covered a distance of D on a track, it covered 25% more distance than Car T had covered on the same track.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| The distance covered by Car T | 0.80D |
Click to reveal the answer
Question 2 – Multiple-Choice
The standard multiple-choice format with five answer choices.
The price of a pair of sneakers was $80 for the last six months of last year. On January first, the price increased 20%. After the price increase, an employee bought these sneakers with a 10% employee discount. What price did the employee pay?
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Question 3 – Multiple-Answer
Similar to Multiple Choice except that you can select one or more answers.
Both P and Q are positive numbers, and S is a negative number. Which of the following fractions could be undefined?
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Question 4 – Numeric Entry
Instead of five answer choices to guide you, you’ll type your answer into a box.
If \(\left(\dfrac{2^{-n}}{3}\right)\left(\dfrac{3^{-n}}{2}\right) = \dfrac{1}{36}\), what is the value of n?
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Question 5 – Data Interpretation
Some of the GRE Math questions appear on their own, independent of other information. Others appear as a set of questions called a “Data Interpretation” set. Data Interpretation questions are all based on the same set of data presented in tables, graphs, or some other sort of display. And though they’re frequently Multiple Choice questions, you’ll also sometimes encounter Numeric Entry or Multiple Answer in a DI set.
Here’s an example of how data interpretation can show up on GRE math:
GRE Sample Questions for Verbal Reasoning
First, for details about the structure of the verbal sections, as well as study advice, check out our GRE Verbal Review article.
There are also four main kinds of verbal questions on the GRE. Here’s a sample question for each type:
Question 1 – Text Completion
In a sentence or a paragraph, there will be 1 to 3 blanks. Based on the surrounding context, your goal is to select the appropriate vocabulary words (or phrases) to fill in each blank.
The gossip columnist’s (i) ____________ was (ii) ____________ the number of her published columns–the more articles she wrote, the more untruths she spread.
Blank (i):
Blank (ii):
Click to reveal the answer
Blank i: A. calumny
Blank ii: D. commensurate with
Question 2 – Sentence Equivalence
For a single blank, select two vocabulary words (or phrases) such that they both create sentences with similar meanings.
As the job fair neared to an end, the recent college graduate became ever more ______, desperately trying to befriend prospective employers he had earlier not even deigned to give so much as a cursory glance.
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Question 3 – Reading Comprehension
Based on the passage—anywhere from ~100 (Short) to ~500 (Long) words—you’ll need to answer around 1 to 4 questions. The questions themselves can be Multiple Choice (select 1 of 5 choices), Multiple Answer (select 1 or more of 3 choices), or Select the Sentence.
For much of the 20th century, paleontologists theorized that dinosaurs, like reptiles, were ectothermic, their body temperature regulated externally. These scientists, however, based their conclusions on faulty reasoning, claiming that scaly skin was common to all ectotherms (birds, which are ectothermic, do not have scaly skin) and that the dinosaur’s size could account for ectothermy (some adult dinosaurs weighed as little as ten pounds). Supplanting this theory is an entirely new line of thought: dinosaurs were actually mesothermic, neither warm- nor cold-blooded. By taking this middle ground, some paleontologists maintain that dinosaurs were faster than a similar-sized reptile yet did not require as much food as a similar-sized mammal. To substantiate this theory, paleontologists intend to study how birds, the dinosaur’s closest extant relative, might have at one time been mesothermic.
Multiple Choice
The two parts in parentheses serve to do which of the following?
Click to reveal the answer
C. Provide rebuttals to commonly held views regarding physical aspects of dinosaurs.
Multiple Answer
Which of the following does the passage imply regarding birds? Select ALL that apply.
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A. They possess certain traits that are not common to all ectotherms.
and
C. Over time they might have undergone a change in how they regulate body temperature.
Select the Sentence
💡 The above Reading Comprehension set is an example of a Short Passage with pretty standard question formats. If you’re curious what a Long Passage looks like, as well as the Select the Sentence question type, you can view that here along with an explanation.
Question 4 – Critical Reasoning (also called Paragraph Argument)
Given a short argument, you’ll need to answer a multiple choice question that generally asks you to strengthen/weaken the argument or identify a key assumption.
The Malbec grape, originally grown in France, has become the main varietal in Argentina. This is surprising because most Malbec grown in Argentina is grown at high altitudes, whereas the Malbec grape once was grown at low altitudes. Therefore, Argentinian winegrowers should grow the Malbec grape at low elevations.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the conclusion of the argument?
Click to reveal the answer
D. The Malbec vine is susceptible to phylloxera, a plant louse that only grows at low altitudes.
GRE Sample Question for Analytical Writing
The Analytical Writing Assessment (also referred to as AWA) consists of a single question called the Issue Essay. Presented with a short prompt, you’ll need to stake a position and argue for it, all while providing ample support. Here’s one such example question:
Prompt: Universities should require students to take courses only within those fields they are interested in studying.
Instructions: Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.
For more details about the Issue Essay, along with sample essays and commentary, see our article on AWA Issue Essay Strategies.
Where Can I Find More GRE Questions?
ETS GRE Questions
ETS—the makers of the GRE—provide two free PDFs filled with sample GRE questions on their website for a grand total of 60 questions. However, a portion of the 2nd PDF overlaps with the 1st, so there are ultimately 51 unique questions.
We recommend starting with ETS’s Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions with Explanations PDF. That includes:
- More details about each question type
- A wide mix of topics in addition to question types
- 7 Verbal questions
- 26 Math questions, including 9 of the unique and sometimes tricky Quantitative Comparison question type
- Explanations to each question
You can also find some additional questions in ETS’s 2nd PDF: Sample Questions on the Shorter GRE General Test. That one includes:
- 11 Verbal questions (but only 6 are unique from the above)
- 14 Math questions (11 unique)
- 2 Essay prompts
However, the main drawback of this one is that there are no explanations provided to any of the questions.
💡 What is the “Shorter GRE”? That’s just another name for the GRE test that you take today. In past years, the test used to be much longer. Learn more about that and the current GRE as whole.
Magoosh GRE Questions
You can also find more questions here on the Magoosh blog, complete with explanations!
- Take a 20-minute diagnostic quiz to assess how you’re currently doing
- Magoosh’s GRE Question of the Day
And for over 1600 GRE questions along with comprehensive lessons covering all the content and strategies you need to know for the exam, take a look at a Magoosh GRE Premium plan. Magoosh also includes 8 full sections worth of licensed official GRE questions from ETS—content that you can’t get anywhere else!
