Many universities require applicants for graduate school to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). In many cases the score on the GRE is a major input to the admission decision process. If a prospective student is really interested in going to graduate school at one of these schools, it is in their interest to get as high a score on the GRE as possible. Thus, such students may decide to look for a useful GRE study guide.

The GRE is provided and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), It is commonly administered by computer, though paper versions are used in some circumstances. It consists of one written section and three multiple choice sections. Each time the test is taken, the questions are drawn from a pool of questions that is much larger than the number of questions on an individual test. Thus, there is little repetition from one taking of the test to another.

You may need to take one or more of the Subject Tests in addition to the main GRE. There are eight of them. Each one focuses on a specific subject. Admission to a specific program may require Subject Tests. This article doesn’t cover Subject Test preparation.

Can one learn how to do well on the GRE? ETS says not, because the test is based on knowledge that is acquired over years of learning, such as writing, critical thinking, and different forms of reasoning. Others say that the format of the GRE is so rigid that just taking similar tests is good practice.

ETS provides the PowerPrep software package for those who are signed up to take the GRE. This preparation software includes practice questions and review material. The questions are retired from previous GRE versions. It can project the score you will receive on the actual GRE.

Study guides for the GRE are available, some of them for no charge. They take a number of different approaches to preparation for the GRE. Some of them offer practice questions or entire tests. Others review the basic knowledge that is tested by the GRE and provide suggestions for how to analyze and solve GRE questions. Some provide practical advice on approaches for writing the essays for the analytical writing section.

GRE preparation classes are available. These provide preparation in a classroom environment. The cost will generally be higher than other approaches, but they do provide for discussion and face to face question and answer. Some of them even have practice tests on computers much like the GRE experience.

Those who are planning to take the GRE will have to make their own decisions on how much effort to put into preparation. As said above, ETS believes that preparation is not really possible, because the GRE is testing knowledge and talents that are developed over the long haul. Not everyone agrees with this position.

Find out more about Free GRE Practice Tests at www.Test-Guide.com. Stop by Scott Manseo’s website to find information on free test preparation for Praxis, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE exams and more.