Practice Exams

There are at least six widely available practice exams. These exams are a crucial resource.

Don Asher (Reed '83, author of Graduate Admissions Essays -- What Works, What Doesn't, and Why) points out that one of the most important ways of improving your GRE score is taking practice tests under timed conditions. It is unlikely that you will have time to complete all the answers, so it is important to learn how to maximize your score in the time you have. Before you take your first test, read over Cracking the GRE Literature Test, 5th Edition by Douglas McMullen (Princeton Review) for important test taking strategies.

Plan to take the six practice exams at regular intervals throughout your study schedule. After each test analyze what types of questions you missed and study accordingly. Do not leave all the sample exams for after you have "finished" studying.

If possible, save the current The ETS Practice Book for last, as it will probably most closely resemble the actual exam.

• GRE Literature in English - The Best Test Prep for the GRE by James S. Malek, Thomas C. Kennedy, Pauline Beard, Robert Liftig, Bernadette Brick. You will want this book for the 3 Sample Exams included. Copies available in the Career Services center.
• Cracking the GRE Literature Test, 5th Edition by Douglas McMullen (Princeton Review). This very useful book includes a complete sample test with commentary about why the answers are correct and how to guess more efficiently. Copies available in the Career Services center.
• A .pdf of a GRE booklet from 1989, complete with a sampling of questions.
• The ETS Practice Book (.pdf)