The Official Guide to the GRE
®
revised General Test
The book you’re holding is a one-of-a-kind resource: the only GRE guide created by
the ETS team that produces the actual exam. This book is uniquely suited to help you
do your best on this challenging test.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
b
Official information on the GRE revised General Test. Get the facts about
the revised test format you’ll encounter starting in August 2011—straight
from ETS.
b
ETS’s own test-taking strategies. Learn valuable hints and tips that can
help you get your best score.
b
Authentic GRE questions in the revised test format. Practice with real test
questions created by the test-makers.
b
Real full-length GRE practice test. Sharpen your skills with an actual test in
the revised format.
b
POWERPREP
II software on CD-ROM: Experience an actual computer-based
GRE revised General Test.
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About ETS
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revised General Test
INSIDE LOOK AT THE TEST CHANGES
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2011
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GRE
®
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Verbal Reasoning Question Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
4 GRE
®
Verbal Reasoning
Practice Questions 143
SET 1. Discrete Questions: Easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
SET 2. Discrete Questions: Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
SET 3. Discrete Questions: Hard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
SET 4. Data Interpretation Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Answer Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Practice Questions 53
SET 1. Discrete Questions: Easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
SET 2. Reading Comprehension Questions: Easy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
SET 3. Discrete Questions: Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SET 4. Reading Comprehension Questions: Medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
SET 5. Discrete Questions: Hard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
SET 6. Reading Comprehension Questions: Hard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Answer Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Answers and Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
5 GRE
®
Quantitative Reasoning 107
Overview of the Quantitative Reasoning Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Quantitative Reasoning Question Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Using the Calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Mathematics Conventions for the Quantitative Reasoning Measure
of the GRE revised General Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
6 GRE
®

This book/CD package provides a large amount of important information about the
GRE revised General Test, the kinds of questions it includes, and the knowledge and
skills that it measures. The book and CD-ROM will help you:
b
Familiarize yourself with the test format and the test question types
b
Identify the test-taking skills you most need to focus on
b
Review the math topics you need to know for the test
b
Check your progress with Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning
practice questions
b
Practice your test-taking skills using actual GRE tests
The following six-step program has been designed to help you make the best use of this
book and CD-ROM.
STEP 1 Learn About the GRE revised General Test Format
Chapter 1 of this book provides official information about the structure of the GRE
revised General Test. Read this chapter to learn about the different test sections, the
number of questions in each section, and the section time limits. You’ll also find
valuable test-taking strategies from ETS and important information about how the test
is scored.
STEP 2 Study the Different GRE Question Types
Chapters 2, 3, and 5 of this book describe the types of questions you’ll encounter in
the three sections of the GRE revised General Test. Chapter 2 describes the Analytical
Writing section, which requires you to write essays in response to prompts that you
will be given. Chapter 3 describes the Verbal Reasoning question types. Chapter 5
describes the Quantitative Reasoning question types. In each case, you will learn what
the questions are designed to measure, and you will get tips for answering each ques-
tion type. You will also see samples of each question type, with helpful explanations.

time allows. If you are taking the test on the CD-ROM, each test section will be timed
for you. You’ll gain experience with the test format, and you’ll learn to pace yourself so
that you can earn your highest score in the time allowed.
Please Note: for users of the CD-ROM
If you need screen magnification or selectable colors to take the computer-based GRE
revised General Test, you can download a special version of ZoomText software from
the GRE website at www.ets.org/gre/powerprep2.
What Are the Main Features of the Revised Test?
T
he GRE
®
revised General Test is composed of revised Analytical Writing, Verbal
Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning measures. Each of the measures has
been revised to better focus on skills that are necessary for success in graduate
school.
b
The Analytical Writing measure asks you to provide more focused re sponses to
questions, to more accurately demonstrate your skill in directly responding to
the task presented.
b
The Verbal Reasoning measure places a greater emphasis on higher cognitive
skills, as a truer, deeper assessment of your ability to understand what you read
and how to apply your reasoning skills.
b
The Quantitative Reasoning measure tests the same basic mathematical con-
cepts, but includes more data analysis and more real-life scenarios, to better
gauge your skills.
The revised General Test delivers a friendlier, more flexible test-taking experience.
Now you will be able to edit or change your answers, and skip questions, all within a
section, and more — giving you the freedom to use your own personal test-taking

two Verbal Reasoning sections
b
two Quantitative Reasoning sections
b
one unscored section, typically a Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reason ing
section, that may appear at any point in the test
Questions in the unscored section are being tried out either for possible use in
future tests or to ensure that scores on new editions of the test are comparable to
scores on earlier editions.
An identified research section may be included in place of the unscored section.
The research section will always appear at the end of the test. Questions in this section
are included for the purpose of ETS research and will not count toward your score.
The Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and unidentified/unscored sections
may appear in any order; therefore, you should treat each section as if it counts toward
your score.
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures are section-level adap-
tive. The computer selects the second section of a measure based on your performance
on the first.
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures allow you to preview
other questions within the specific section on which you’re working, review questions
you’ve already answered, and change your answers.
Typical Computer-Based revised General Test
Total testing time is 3 hours and 45 minutes, including the unscored section. The direc-
tions at the beginning of each Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning section
specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the sec-
tion. For the Analytical Writing section, the timing for each task is shown when the
task is presented.
Section Number of Questions Time
Analytical Writing 2 separately timed writing 30 min. per task
(1 section) tasks

(2 sections) per section
Quantitative Reasoning Approximately 25 questions 40 min. per section
(2 sections) per section
Unlike the previous paper-based GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Tests,
which use separate answer sheets, the paper-based GRE revised General Test is self-
contained: you will enter all responses for the Analytical Writing tasks and the Verbal
Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections in the test book itself. Also, you are
allowed to use a basic hand-held calculator on the Quantitative Reasoning sections.
The calculator will be provided to you at the test site; you may not use your own calcu-
lator. Information about using the calculator to help you answer questions appears in
the free Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE revised General Test, which is available at
www.ets.org/gre/revised/prepare.
Preparing for the Test
Preparation for the test will depend on the amount of time you have available and your
personal preferences for how to prepare. At a minimum, before you take the GRE
®
revised General Test, you should know what to expect from the test, including the
administrative procedures, types of questions and directions, approximate number of
questions, and amount of time for each section.
The administrative procedures include registration and appointment scheduling,
date, time, test center location, cost, score-reporting procedures, and availability of
special testing arrangements. You can find out about the administrative procedures for
the revised General Test in the GRE
®
Information and Registration Bulletin. Informa-
tion is also available online at www.ets.org/gre/revised/bulletinandforms.
Before taking the revised General Test, it is important to become familiar with the
content of each of the measures. In this publication, you’ll find information specific to
each measure of the test. You can use this information to understand the type of mate-
rial on which you’ll be tested and the question types within each measure.

When taking the computer-based GRE revised General Test, you are free to skip
questions that you might have difficulty answering. The testing software has a “mark
and review” feature that enables you to mark questions you would like to revisit during
the time provided to work on that section. The testing software also lets you view a
complete list of all the questions in the section on which you’re working, indicates
whether you’ve answered each question and identifies the questions you’ve marked for
review. Additionally, you can review questions you’ve already answered and change
your answers, provided you still have time remaining to work on that section.
A sample review screen appears at the top of the facing page. The review screen is
intended to help you keep track of your progress on the test. Do not spend too much
time on the review screen, as this will take away from the time allotted to read and
answer the questions on the test.
Your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores will be determined by
the number of questions you answer correctly. Nothing is subtracted from a score if
you answer a question incorrectly. Therefore, to maximize your scores on the Verbal
Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures, it is best to answer every question.
Work as rapidly as you can without being careless. Since no question carries
greater weight than any other, do not waste time pondering individual questions you
find extremely difficult or unfamiliar.
You may want to go through each of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Rea-
4
Introducing the GRE revised General Test
soning sections rapidly first, stopping only to answer questions you can answer with
certainty. Then go back and answer the questions that require greater thought, con-
cluding with the difficult questions if you have time.
During the actual administration of the revised General Test, you may work only
on one section at a time and only for the time allowed. Once you have completed a
section, you may not go back to it.
Scratch Paper
You will receive a supply of scratch paper before you begin the test. You can replenish

variety of formats. Some require you to select a single answer choice; others require
you to select one or more answer choices, and yet others require you to enter a
numeric answer. Make sure when answering a question that you understand what
response is required. A calculator will be provided at the test center for use during the
Quantitative Reasoning sections.
When taking a Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section, you are free,
within that section, to skip questions that you might have difficulty answering and
come back to them later during the time provided to work on that section. Also during
that time you may change the answer to any question in that section by erasing it com-
pletely and filling in an alternative answer. Be careful not to leave any stray marks in
the answer area, as they may be interpreted as incorrect responses. You can, however,
safely make notes or perform calculations on other parts of the page. No additional
scratch paper will be provided.
Your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores will be determined by
the number of questions you answer correctly. Nothing is subtracted from a score if
you answer a question incorrectly. Therefore, to maximize your scores on the Verbal
Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures, it is best to answer every question.
Work as rapidly as you can without being careless. Since no question carries
greater weight than any other, do not waste time pondering individual questions you
find extremely difficult or unfamiliar.
You may want to go through each of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Rea-
soning sections rapidly first, stopping only to answer questions you can answer with
certainty. Then go back and answer the questions that require greater thought, con-
cluding with the difficult questions if you have time.
During the actual administration of the revised General Test, you may work only on
the section the test center supervisor designates and only for the time allowed. You
may not go back to an earlier section of the test after the supervisor announces, “Please
stop work” for that section. The supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from the cen-
ter for doing so. All answers must be recorded in the test book.
Breaks

and by experienced essay readers. In light of the high value placed on independent
intellectual activity within graduate schools and universities, ETS reserves the right to
cancel test scores of any test taker when there is substantial evidence that an essay
response includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
b
Text that is similar to that found in one or more other GRE essay responses
b
Quoting or paraphrasing, without attribution, language that appears in pub-
lished or unpublished sources
b
Unacknowledged use of work that has been produced through collaboration
with others without citation of the contribution of others
b
Essays that are submitted as work of the examinee when the words have, in
fact, been borrowed from elsewhere or prepared by another person
When one or more of the above circumstances occurs, your essay text, in ETS’s
professional judgment, does not reflect the independent, analytical writing skills that
this test seeks to measure. Therefore, ETS must cancel the Analytical Writing score as
invalid and cannot report the GRE General Test scores of which the Analytical Writing
score is an indispensable part.
Test takers whose scores are canceled will forfeit their test fees and must pay to
take the entire GRE General Test again at a future administration. No record of the
score cancellations, or the reason for cancellation, will appear on their future score
reports sent to colleges and universities.
7
Introducing the GRE revised General Test
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning Measures
of the Computer-based Test
Your scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures depend on
your performance on the questions given.

an Analytical Writing score reported on a 0–6 score scale, in half-point incre-
ments
If you do not answer any questions at all for a measure (Verbal Reasoning, Quanti-
tative Reasoning, or Analytical Writing), you receive a No Score (NS) for that measure.
Descriptions of the analytical writing abilities characteristic of particular score
levels are available in this publication on page 41, and on the GRE website at www.
ets.org/gre/revised/scoreguides
.
8
Introducing the GRE revised General Test
Score Reporting Timeframes
Typically, scores on the computer-based GRE revised General Test are reported 10 to 15
days after the test date. However, due to the statistical processes that must take place
after the revised test is introduced in August 2011, scores from tests taken from August
through October 2011 will be reported beginning in November 2011. If you are apply-
ing to a graduate program, be sure to review the appropriate admissions deadlines and
plan to take the test in time for your scores to reach the institution.
For specific information on score reporting dates for tests administered from Aug -
ust through October 2011, visit the GRE website at
www.ets.org/gre/scoreschedule.
Scores from paper-based revised General Test administrations will be reported up
to six weeks after the administration.
Score reporting is cumulative. Scores are reportable for five testing years following
the testing year in which you test. All scores earned during this time will be reported to
the institutions you designate.
9
Introducing the GRE revised General Test
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Overview of the Analytical Writing Measure
T

g
Review actual student responses and ETS reader
commentary
Your goals
for this
chapter
11
2
GRE
®
Analytical Writing
Preparing for the Analytical Writing Measure
Everyone — even the most practiced and confident of writers — should spend some
time preparing for the Analytical Writing measure before arriving at the test center. It
is important to review the skills measured and how the section is scored. It is also use-
ful to review the scoring guides and score level descriptions, sample topics, scored sam-
ple essay responses, and reader commentary for each task.
The tasks in the Analytical Writing measure relate to a broad range of subjects —
from the fine arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences — but no task
requires specific content knowledge. In fact, each task has been field-tested to ensure
that it possesses several important characteristics, including the following:
b
GRE test takers, regardless of their field of study or special interests, under-
stood the task and could easily respond to it.
b
The task elicited the kinds of complex thinking and persuasive writing that uni-
versity faculty consider important for success at the graduate level.
b
The responses were varied in content and in the way the writers developed
their ideas.