What is a Mock GRE®?

A mock GRE®, or Graduate Record Examination, is simply a practice GRE® exam. Many companies specialize in providing practice exams and materials to help individuals increase their overall scores. Typically, scores increase the more times an individual takes the GRE®, so practice exams are very important in the preparation process.

Some educational institutions offer GRE® preparation classes. These classes provide more than sample questions and practice exams and usually include a thorough description of the GRE's organization and administrative requirements. They also discuss individual types of questions and the best methods of studying for and answering those questions. One of the most valuable parts of these classes is that they teach students to use their exam time wisely, allowing them to answer as many questions as possible.

Typically, at least one mock GRE® is administrated to students during a GRE® preparation class. Parts of the GRE® may also be offered before a full practice exam is given. Technically, a mock GRE® should be administered exactly like the official GRE®, with the officiator reading the directions out loud, timing the sections, and only allowing predetermined breaks. If the mock GRE® follows these regulations, it will take several hours to complete.

Mock GRE® classes and practice exams are offered in both traditional classroom settings and online. Some classes take several weeks to complete. In the long run, these classes allow students to be better prepared, as they provide ample time to understand the material found on the GRE®. A short, intensive GRE® course is still good preparation, especially for an individual who is short on time or who has taken the GRE® before but needs a refresher course.

There are some free study guides available. Typically, these are not full mock GRE® exams but provide questions that are like those on the GRE®. As long as they are in the same form and cover the same type of material, free mock GREs can be very useful. Generally, any practice which reviews the concepts found on the GRE® will be valuable and help to increase GRE® scores.

For the most part, the GRE® is offered in computer format. The best mock GRE® practice tests will be in computer format. There are study guides available in book form, but these are most helpful in discussing the actual material at length. They will not familiarize the student with actually taking the GRE®. The best type of mock GRE® is in computer software form.