GRE Verbal & Reading Comprehension Practice Quiz — 20 Free Sample Questions
The GRE Verbal Reasoning section evaluates reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, and logical reasoning through challenging academic passages. Critical for humanities and social science programs, this section demands strong vocabulary and analytical skills. Our quiz helps you master reading strategies, vocabulary building, and question-answering techniques.
Which word is closest in meaning to "meticulous"?
About the GRE Verbal & Reading Comprehension
The GRE Verbal Reasoning section assesses reading comprehension and vocabulary skills through three question types: reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. The section contains 40 questions in two 20-question sections with 30 minutes each, featuring dense academic passages from literature, science, social science, and humanities. Reading comprehension questions test understanding of main ideas, supporting details, inferences, and author purpose. Text completion questions require filling blanks using vocabulary and context clues, while sentence equivalence questions ask for two synonymous words completing a sentence. The average score is 155 (50th percentile) on a 130-170 scale, with competitive programs typically expecting 160+. Preparation requires 50-100 hours focusing on vocabulary building, reading strategies, and practicing with authentic materials from ETS. Success depends on understanding argument structure, recognizing vocabulary patterns, and managing time while reading complex passages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score range for GRE Verbal Reasoning?
The GRE Verbal section is scored 130-170 with 1-point increments. The average score is approximately 155 (50th percentile).
How many questions are on the Verbal section?
There are 40 questions in two sections of 20 questions each, with 30 minutes per section.
What vocabulary level is tested?
The GRE tests advanced academic vocabulary. You should know words at college level and above, with an estimated range of 8,000-10,000 words.