When you take a practice GRE, it’s important that you replicate test-day conditions to the greatest degree possible, so that you can accustom yourself to the testing experience and get an accurate picture of how close you are to your score goal. Follow these guidelines to help achieve a realistic testing experience:

• If you are taking the test at a test center, plan to go to the library and rent a private study room, or go to another quiet location to take the practice test. If you are taking the at-home GRE, take the practice test in the same location that you’ll take your test.
• Do not skip any of the sections of the test. Yes, that means you must do the Analytical Writing task as well as all four Quant/Verbal sections.
• Do not take any breaks or do anything, such as pause the exam and go for a walk, that you could not do on test day. It’s extremely important that you simulate test day in every way possible. Turn your cell phone off. Use only the on-screen calculator provided.
• Do your scratch work with paper and pencil. If you are taking the at-home GRE, use the exact same whiteboard or clear sheet protector that you plan to use while taking the test.
• Try to take your practice test on Saturday or Sunday morning, when your mind is fresh. It would not be a great idea to come home after working all day and sit down to take a practice GRE.

Remember, practice tests will not be an accurate gauge of your GRE readiness unless you adhere closely to actual GRE testing conditions when taking them. If you allow yourself to pause repeatedly or go over the allotted time for a section, your test results will not be optimal for devising an effective study strategy, whether you are just beginning your GRE preparation or you’re near the end of your prep and trying to pinpoint remaining weak areas.

For the same reason that a band rehearses on the stage where it will perform, and a wedding rehearsal is held before the ceremony, GRE test-takers should practice for the GRE in a realistic way in a realistic test environment.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep