The best free GRE prep in 2026
You can build a real study plan without spending a dollar. Start with ETS PowerPrep for an official baseline, then drill weak spots with our free mock tests and section practice.
The one thing everyone should use: ETS PowerPrep
PowerPrep tests come from ETS, the people who write the GRE. They use the real interface and the real scoring algorithm, so your score is the closest thing to a prediction you can get for free.
ETS gives you two free full-length practice tests: PowerPrep 1 (untimed) and PowerPrep 2 (timed). Only the timed one reports a Verbal and Quant score, because ETS does not score the untimed test, so in practice you have one free official scored test. Take it under strict conditions and treat that score as your real starting point. There is also a free Mini Quiz with 10 sample questions if you just want to see the question types. Our full GRE PowerPrep guide covers both tests, the paid PLUS tier, and how to spend them.
- **Free:** PowerPrep 1, PowerPrep 2, and the 10-question Mini Quiz.
- **Paid:** PowerPrep Plus tests add instant scoring and detailed reports (around $44.95 each).
- Access them through a free ETS account at ets.org. You add the free tests to your cart, but you are not charged.
Only two official tests exist for free, so do not burn them early. Take one now for a baseline, study, then save the second for a week or two before test day.
Free vs paid: a quick honest map
Plenty of sites say free and mean a trial. Here is what is genuinely free, and where the paywall sits.
| Resource | What you get free | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| ETS PowerPrep | 2 full official tests + Mini Quiz | More tests are paid; no full answer explanations |
| Khan Academy | Quant concept videos and practice | Quant only, not GRE-specific, no verbal |
| ETS Official Guide | Nothing (it is a book) | Paid, around $45 |
| GREMockTests | Mock tests, vocabulary, section drills | Free to use; that is the point |
Free full-length GRE tests beyond ETS
PowerPrep is the gold standard, but you only get two official tests. When you want more full-length reps for free, these are the honest options and their real catches.
Most third-party providers advertise a free test but gate the rest behind a trial or an account. Take these for extra timed practice, but treat your PowerPrep scores as the more reliable predictor since only ETS uses the real questions and scoring algorithm.
| Provider | Free full-length tests | Official questions? | Scoring | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETS PowerPrep | Typically 2 free official tests | Yes, from ETS | Official score range | Only two exist; no full answer explanations on the free versions |
| Magoosh | Usually a free trial or sample set | No, practice-style questions | Estimated score | Full test bank and video lessons need a paid plan |
| Kaplan | Typically a free practice test plus events | No, Kaplan-written questions | Estimated score | Usually requires an account; full course is paid |
| Manhattan Prep | Typically a free adaptive CAT | No, Manhattan-written questions | Estimated score | Additional CATs are bundled with paid materials |
| GREMockTests | Free full-length mocks | No, practice-style questions | Instant estimated score | Free to use; that is the point |
One honest rule: a third-party score can drift several points from an official one. Use these tests to build stamina and pacing, then trust PowerPrep for your real baseline.
Khan Academy for the math foundations
If your arithmetic, algebra, or data analysis is rusty, Khan Academy is the best free way to rebuild it.
ETS publishes an official mapping from the GRE Math Review to specific Khan Academy sections covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The videos are clear and the practice is free.
Two honest limits: Khan Academy has no dedicated GRE track, and the ETS partnership covers Quant only. There is no Khan content for GRE Verbal or the Analytical Writing essays.
Use it surgically. Take a practice test first, find the topics you miss, then watch only those sections. When you are ready to apply the math under test pressure, move to our quant practice.
What you can use on this site, free
We built these tools to fill the gaps the official free materials leave: generous free practice, verbal and vocab depth, and instant feedback.
- Full-length mock tests with realistic timing and section structure.
- Verbal practice including reading comprehension, plus quant practice by topic.
- A vocabulary trainer and the full GRE words list for the high-frequency terms that show up most.
- Free score tools: the percentile calculator, score simulator, and readiness check.
Best free workflow: PowerPrep for your baseline, Khan Academy to relearn shaky math, then daily reps here on vocabulary and section practice, with a mock test every week or two to track progress.
Know what score you are aiming for
Free prep works best when it points at a goal. Use percentiles to set a realistic target for your programs.
Quant percentiles run lower than most people expect because the test-taker pool is strong in math, so a high raw score still lands mid-pack. See what counts as a good GRE score, then map a study plan with how to get 320 or how to get 325.
Common questions.
Start your free GRE prep now
Get a baseline with a full-length mock test, then drill the sections that need the most work. Free to start, no card to begin.