Taking a practice test is not something you do only at the beginning of your GRE journey. It is a process that should be thoughtfully integrated into your overall study plan. Practice tests are not just diagnostic tools; they are checkpoints that measure your growth, reveal your weaknesses, and build the mental endurance required for test day.

To get the most value from them, you should stagger your practice tests at deliberate intervals. Give yourself enough time between tests to review your performance thoroughly, revisit missed concepts, and make meaningful adjustments. For example, if you notice that your timing consistently slips on Reading Comprehension, that is a signal to reexamine how you are reading and processing passages. You might need to refine your pacing strategy or adjust the way you approach dense text. Similarly, if Geometry questions are frequently tripping you up, focus your next study sessions on key formulas, relationships, and visualization techniques until you see measurable improvement.

How you take your practice tests is equally important. Treating them casually or breaking them into sections over multiple sittings will not provide an accurate sense of your readiness. The goal is to simulate the real test-day experience as closely as possible. That means completing the full test in one sitting, under standard timing, without distractions, and in a quiet environment. Avoid unnecessary comforts or long breaks. The more authentic your practice conditions are, the more reliable and actionable your performance data will be.

Students often ask how many practice tests they should take before their official exam. The answer depends on how far away your test date is and how much time you can devote to preparation between tests. For instance, if your test date is six to eight weeks away, taking a practice test every ten to fourteen days usually works well. If your test is closer, once per week might be more appropriate. The key is not the number of tests but how effectively you use each one. A single practice test that you review thoroughly and learn from is far more valuable than several taken in quick succession without reflection.

Some test-takers also worry that practice tests might not reflect the difficulty level of the real GRE. In reality, official ETS practice tests are designed to closely mirror the real exam in both content and structure. They are not intentionally easier or harder. When you take them seriously—adhering to real timing conditions, minimizing distractions, and carefully analyzing your results—you can trust them as accurate indicators of your performance trajectory.

Ultimately, practice tests serve two vital purposes. They show you where you currently stand, and they prepare your mind and body for the rhythm of test day. When used strategically, they become one of the most powerful tools in your GRE preparation toolkit.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep