GRE Diagnostic Test
How to Use the Diagnostic Test
This chapter presents a sample GRE diagnostic test. The test is half the length of the
real GRE. Its questions have been designed to match real GRE questions as closely
as possible in terms of format and degree of difficulty. You should use this test as a
launching point to determine your strengths and weaknesses, and to identify how
far your current score is from your score goal.You can also take this test on your tablet, smartphone, or computer. See page 2A
for information.Use the diagnostic test to plan your study by following these four steps:- Take the diagnostic test under test conditions. Find a quiet place where you
will not be disturbed. Take the test as if it were the actual GRE. Work through
the test from beginning to end in one sitting. Mark your answers directly on
the test pages. Observe the time limit given at the start of each section. If you
have not finished a section when time runs out, mark the last question you
answered and note how much longer it takes you to complete the section. This
information will tell you if you need to speed up your pace, and if so, by how
much. - Answer every question. On the real GRE, there is no penalty for wrong
answers, so it makes sense to answer every question, even if you have to guess.
If you don’t know an answer, see if you can eliminate one or more of the answer
choices. The more choices you can eliminate, the better your chance of guessing
cor rec t ly. - Check your answers. Go to the Answers and Explanations section at the end of
the test. Pay particular attention to the explanations for questions you missed. - Fill out the evaluation charts. These charts are located at the end of the
Answers and Explanations section. Mark the numbers of the questions you
missed, and the charts will show you in which sections of this book you need to
spend the most study time.
CHAPTER 2
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