GRE mock tests are extremely important for gauging your performance! They are arguably one of the most crucial components of effective GRE preparation.

Here's why they are so vital for gauging your progress and readiness:

1. Most Accurate Score Predictor: Official GRE mock tests (like ETS's POWERPREP tests) use the same adaptive algorithm and question types as the real exam. This makes them the most reliable indicator of what your actual GRE score might be.
2. Familiarity with the Test Format: The GRE is a unique beast. Mock tests help you get accustomed to:
- The computer-adaptive nature of the Quant and Verbal sections.
- The on-screen calculator.
- The specific layout and navigation of the test interface.
- The types of questions for each section (e.g., Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, Data Interpretation, Quantitative Comparison).
3. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: After taking a mock test, you'll get a detailed score report (especially with official tests) that breaks down your performance by section and often by question type. This is invaluable for pinpointing:
- Content gaps: Are you consistently missing questions on geometry, probability, or specific verbal reasoning types?
- Strategic flaws: Are you spending too much time on certain questions? Are you falling for common traps?
4. Practice Pacing and Time Management: The GRE is a timed test, and managing your time effectively is critical. Mock tests allow you to:
- Learn how much time you can realistically allocate per question.
- Practice skipping difficult questions and returning to them if time permits.
- Develop an internal clock for each section.
5. Build Stamina: The GRE is a long exam (nearly 4 hours with breaks). Taking full-length mock tests helps you build the mental and physical endurance needed to maintain focus and performance throughout the entire test.
6. Reduce Test-Day Anxiety: The more familiar you are with the test environment and process, the less anxious you'll be on the actual test day. Mock tests help demystify the experience.
7. Test Out Strategies: You can use mock tests as a sandbox to try out different test-taking strategies (e.g., tackling AWA first, how to approach Quantitative Comparison, managing time on long reading passages) and see what works best for you.

Which Mock Tests to Use:
- ETS POWERPREP Online Tests (Official): These are by far the most important. ETS offers two free tests, and three additional paid ones (POWERPREP PLUS). Always start and end your prep with these.
- Test Prep Company Mock Tests: Companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, and Magoosh offer their own mock tests. While not as perfectly accurate as ETS's, they are excellent for additional practice and gauging progress.

In summary, think of mock tests as dress rehearsals for the big performance. They don't just tell you your score; they teach you how to perform under pressure and reveal exactly what you need to work on.

OUR Mock Tests in this page are not on a computer screen like the one we do have at this page https://gre.myprepclub.com/tests/ However, doing these practice questions, timed, is yet a basic but still a very reliable tool.