If you’re planning to pursue a master’s degree or doctoral program, chances are the GRE is on your radar. The Graduate Record Examination remains one of the most widely accepted standardized tests for graduate and professional school admissions worldwide—accepted by thousands of programs, including MBA, law, and PhD tracks.
The good news? You don’t necessarily need expensive courses or private tutoring to achieve a competitive score. With the right resources and a solid study plan, self-study can be remarkably effective. In fact, many high scorers have prepped entirely on their own using a combination of official materials, third-party resources, and smart study strategies.
This guide breaks down the best GRE prep resources available for independent learners, from free tools to premium options that deliver genuine value.
Table Of Contents
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Understanding the Current GRE Format
Before diving into resources, it helps to understand exactly what you’re preparing for. The GRE underwent significant changes in September 2023, and these updates actually make the test more manageable for self-studiers.
The current GRE clocks in at just under two hours (1 hour and 58 minutes), down from the nearly four-hour marathon of the previous version. ETS accomplished this by removing the unscored research section, eliminating the “Analyze an Argument” essay, and reducing the number of questions in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
Here’s the current structure:
- Analytical Writing: 1 essay task (“Analyze an Issue”) — 30 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: 2 sections with 27 total questions — 41 minutes combined
- Quantitative Reasoning: 2 sections with 27 total questions — 47 minutes combined
The scoring remains unchanged: 130-170 for both Verbal and Quantitative (in 1-point increments) and 0-6 for Analytical Writing (in half-point increments). According to ETS data from 2023-2024, the average Verbal score sits around 151, while the Quantitative averages approximately 158.
One important note: with fewer questions, each one carries more weight toward your final score. This makes accuracy even more critical than before.
Official ETS Resources: Your Foundation
When it comes to GRE prep, nothing beats materials created by ETS—the organization that designs and administers the test. These resources use actual GRE questions, meaning they reflect the exact difficulty level, wording style, and question types you’ll encounter on test day.
Free ETS Materials
POWERPREP Online Practice Tests
ETS offers two free POWERPREP practice tests that simulate the actual GRE experience. These are essential for any self-studier because they provide the most accurate score predictions available. The tests include both timed and untimed options, allowing you to experience the adaptive format in which your second-section difficulty adjusts based on your first-section performance.
A word of caution: since only five official practice tests exist in total (two free, three paid), many test prep experts recommend saving these until you’ve built a solid foundation. Using a free third-party diagnostic test first can help establish your baseline without burning through precious official materials.
Math Review PDF
ETS provides a free 100-page Math Review covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis—the four main quantitative areas tested. This resource is particularly valuable if you haven’t touched certain math concepts since high school.
Analytical Writing Topic Pools
The complete pool of Issue topics that could appear on your exam is publicly available on the ETS website. While you can’t predict which specific prompt you’ll receive, reviewing these topics and practicing responses is one of the most direct ways to prepare for the writing section.
Paid ETS Materials
POWERPREP PLUS Tests ($39.95 each)
Three additional paid practice tests offer the same simulation quality as the free versions, plus answer explanations and scored essay feedback. If you’re serious about maximizing your score, these are worth the investment—especially in the final weeks before your test.
The Official Guide to the GRE General Test
This guide includes access to four practice tests (two in-book, two online via POWERPREP) plus 300+ authentic practice questions with explanations. At around $40, it’s arguably the single most valuable prep purchase you can make.
Official Verbal and Quantitative Practice Question Volumes
Each volume contains 150 real GRE questions organized by difficulty level. These work well for targeted practice once you’ve identified your weak areas.
GRE Mentor Course ($99)
This newer offering from ETS includes 640+ practice questions, video content, and access to POWERPREP Plus Test 2. If you prefer structured learning with official materials, it’s worth considering.
Top Third-Party Prep Books
While official materials should form your foundation, third-party resources can fill gaps in content review and provide additional practice. Here’s what works best for different needs.
For Comprehensive Prep
Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
With over 1,800 practice problems spanning all question types, this hefty book lives up to its name. The questions range from basic to advanced, organized by topic so you can target specific weaknesses. Many self-studiers consider this essential supplementary practice alongside official materials.
Kaplan GRE Prep Plus
Kaplan’s flagship GRE book includes over 1,500 practice questions, five full-length practice tests, and online access to additional resources, including their customizable QBank. The content review sections effectively break down fundamentals before progressing to advanced topics. At around $23, it offers substantial value.
Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep
This guide emphasizes test-taking strategy alongside content review. It includes seven practice tests and covers both section-specific techniques and general approaches to standardized testing. Particularly useful if you struggle with pacing or test anxiety.
For Vocabulary Building
Barron’s Essential Words for the GRE
If vocabulary is a significant weakness, this book provides 800+ high-frequency GRE words with definitions, example sentences, and practice exercises. It also covers word roots and prefixes to help you decode unfamiliar terms on test day.
Online Courses and Platforms
Self-study doesn’t mean studying in isolation. Several online platforms offer structured curricula, video lessons, and adaptive practice that can guide your preparation more effectively than books alone.
Magoosh
Magoosh has become a go-to choice for budget-conscious self-studiers. Their GRE prep includes 250+ video lessons, 1,200+ practice questions with explanations, and a score improvement guarantee. Pricing typically runs around $150-200 for six months of access—significantly less than competitors like Kaplan or Princeton Review.
What sets Magoosh apart is accessibility. Lessons are broken into digestible segments, the interface is intuitive, and their blog offers extensive free content, including study schedules, practice problems, and strategy guides. Their free GRE practice test and vocabulary flashcard app (1,500 words with audio pronunciations) are worth using even if you don’t purchase the full course.
Achievable
A newer player in the GRE space, Achievable uses adaptive algorithms to customize your study path based on performance. The platform emphasizes memory science principles and offers AI essay grading. For test-takers who want modern, data-driven prep without the high price tag of traditional courses, it’s worth exploring.
Khan Academy
While Khan Academy doesn’t offer GRE-specific content, its math modules align well with Quantitative Reasoning topics. ETS has even linked to relevant Khan Academy sections from their website. For students needing to rebuild math fundamentals from scratch, this free resource can be invaluable preparation before tackling GRE-level practice.
Free Resources Worth Bookmarking
Magoosh GRE Blog and YouTube Channel
Even without a paid subscription, Magoosh’s free content is substantial. Their blog covers everything from individual question-type strategies to complete study schedules. The YouTube channel features vocabulary videos, explanations of math concepts, and general test strategies.
GREGMat
This YouTube channel has developed a cult following among GRE self-studiers. The instructor breaks down verbal strategies in particular with clarity that many find more accessible than written materials.
Vocabulary Apps
Building vocabulary requires consistent daily practice, and mobile apps make this possible during commutes or downtime:
- Magoosh Vocabulary Flashcards (free): 1,500 words with definitions, example sentences, and spaced repetition
- Vince’s GRE Vocabulary Cartoons: Uses illustrated mnemonics to aid retention of 1,300+ words
- Manhattan Prep GRE Flashcards: Organized by difficulty level with detailed explanations
Vocabulary.com
This site helps you understand words in context rather than just memorizing definitions—a more effective approach for the GRE’s vocabulary-in-context questions.
Creating Your Study Schedule
The best resources won’t help without a realistic plan for using them. Most successful self-studiers dedicate 1-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on starting point and target score.
Recommended Timelines
1 Month (Intensive)
Best for test-takers with strong foundations who need 5-10-point improvements. Requires 2-3 hours of daily study. Focus primarily on official materials and targeted practice in weak areas.
2-3 Months (Standard)
Ideal for most students. Divide time between content review (first half) and timed practice (second half). Take diagnostic tests monthly to track progress. Most study schedules recommend 1.5-2 hours daily on weekdays with longer weekend sessions.
6 Months (Comprehensive)
Appropriate if you’re building skills from scratch or aiming for very high scores. Allows thorough coverage of content and extensive practice. The daily commitment can be lower (1-2 hours) because you have more total time.
Universal Study Tips
- Start with a diagnostic test to identify strengths and weaknesses. Use a third-party test initially to preserve official materials.
- Prioritize weak areas while maintaining strengths. Most students don’t need equal time on all content.
- Practice under timed conditions as your test date approaches. Pacing is critical on the GRE.
- Keep an error log to track patterns in your mistakes. Review this regularly.
- Take full-length practice tests weekly in the final month. Simulate test-day conditions as closely as possible.
- Build vocabulary daily—even just 20-30 minutes makes a difference over time.
Making the Most of Practice Tests
Practice tests are your most valuable diagnostic tool, but only if you use them strategically.
- Save official POWERPREP tests for when you’ve developed solid fundamentals. Taking them too early wastes limited official questions and provides inaccurate baseline scores.
- Always review thoroughly after each test. Understanding why you missed questions matters more than the score itself. Add missed questions to your error log and revisit the underlying concepts.
- Simulate real test conditions: find a quiet space, time yourself strictly, and complete the entire test in one sitting. Building stamina matters even with the shorter format.
- Space practice tests appropriately. Taking one weekly during your final month of prep strikes a good balance between practice and content review time.
Special Considerations for Different Test-Takers
If English Isn’t Your First Language
International students often find Verbal Reasoning challenging due to the demands of vocabulary. Prioritize vocabulary building starting early in your prep—aim for at least 500-800 high-frequency words. Reading high-level English publications (The New York Times, The Economist, academic journals) can help you encounter vocabulary in context while improving reading speed.
If Math Has Been a Struggle
Start with Khan Academy or the ETS Math Review to rebuild fundamentals before attempting GRE-level problems. The Manhattan Prep 5 lb. The book is excellent for progressive difficulty practice. Don’t neglect this section—it’s where many students have the most room for improvement.
If You’re Returning to School After Years Away
The GRE tests skills that may have atrophied since your last academic experience. Give yourself extra time (3+ months) and be patient with the relearning process. The upside: research suggests younger test-takers (18-22) score only marginally higher than older students, so age alone isn’t a barrier to strong performance.
FAQs
Q: How long should I study for the GRE?
Most students prepare for 1-3 months, dedicating 1.5-3 hours daily. Your ideal timeline depends on your starting point (take a diagnostic test), target score, and how much you can realistically study each week. Students building fundamental skills from scratch may need 4-6 months.
Q: Can I prepare for the GRE for free?
Q: Are third-party practice tests accurate?
Q: What’s a good GRE score?
Q: Should I take the GRE or the GMAT for business school?
Q: How soon before my deadline should I take the GRE?
Q: Is the GRE harder than the old format?
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