The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and is considered the standard entrance exam for many graduate programs. The GRE is a computer based standardized test designed to measure critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills. The question types are intended to reflect the kind of thinking you’ll do and the skills you need to succeed in graduate and business school programs. It is essentially the SAT for graduate school. The general test is not subject specific which means you will not necessarily be tested on what you learned in your college classes, but rather your reasoning skills. It is also the only graduate entrance exam that allows you to skip questions and go back and change answers in a section. Visit the ETS website to learn more about the GRE and how to register.
Campus GRE Preparation Resources
UNT has several programs to help you prepare for the GRE:
GRE Preparation Course
This six week preparation course provided by the Learning Center is intended to teach you specific strategies and improve your skills in all areas of the test. The course does cost $50. Click here to learn more about the course, course dates, and how to register.
GRE Overview
This FREE online video workshop created by the Learning Center is designed to help you become familiar with the structure of the test, types of questions you will encounter, material tested, useful strategies for studying, and what to expect the day of the test. Click on the image below to start watching now.
Online GRE Minicourse
Lifelong Learning and Professional Development at UNT offers online GRE minicourses. There are two courses and each course is 24 hours long. There is a registration fee for each course. Current UNT faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a discounted rate. Click here for more information.
Online GRE Preparation Resources
There are several online resources that provide free preparation resources and tools for the GRE. Some of these also have additional resources you can pay for, but this is not always necessary.
ETS, the GRE testmakers, has some helpful free resources which allow students the opportunity to become more familiar with the different components of the test.
Verbal Introduction provides strategies and examples for each of the verbal reasoning question types.
Quantitative Introduction provides an introduction to the math content on the GRE and strategies and examples for each of the question types.
Analytical Introduction provides an introduction to the two writing tasks and strategies for preparing for these tasks.
GRE Math Conventions is designed to familiarize students with all of the concepts, definitions, and formuals they are expected to know when taking the GRE.
GRE Math Review provides a basic review of all the concepts included in the Mathematical Conventions.
Issue Essay Pool provides a list of real prompts for the Issue Essay on the GRE.
Argument Essay Pool provides a list of real prompts for the Issue Essay on the GRE.
PowerPrep Online provides a test preview and two full length practice tests for you to take for free.
Khan Academy offers tutorials, practice questions, and mastery challenges for multiple levels of math. They don't have GRE specific videos, but they do have videos on specific topics that are found on the GRE math section. ETS provides a chart with the GRE math topics and links to the relevant Khan Academy videos for those topics. We recommend you utilize this chart when using the Khan Academy videos.
Magoosh.com GRE Blog provides video lessons and blog posts on many different GRE topics for all three sections. They also have ebooks on different GRE topics and free flashcards.
Majortests.com provides tips for answering each of the question types and practice test questions.
McGraw-Hill Prep Center for the GRE provides instructional videos on strategies for different question types on the GRE, along with practice questions.
Quizlet.com is a free online resource that comes with ready-made flashcards and quizzes made by other students. You can search for the term GRE to find flashcards and quizzes based on GRE word lists. You can also create your own flashcards.
Vocabulary.com is a free online resource that provides word lists. You can search vocabulary lists for the term GRE to find the different word lists. You can then review the word lists with either the word and definition or just the word. You can also practice the lists in a quiz-like format and it will track your progress so you know what to work on.
Kaplan 30-day Trial provides some great resources on a trial basis. Take advantage of q-bank and being able to meet with a Kaplan advisor. (This resource is not free beyond the 30-day trial period)
Chegg GRE Test Prep provides some free GRE prep resources, along with additional paid services if you choose to take that route. For free you can take a four question quiz to get an idea of your performance, do a 20 minute workout of GRE questions, and/or sign up for a Question of the Day.
If you are looking for information on paid test prep services, you can find reviews, service details, and course descriptions for GRE prep courses at Reviews.com.