Top 15 GRE questions—with answers—that cover both the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
These examples reflect the types of challenges you might encounter on test day.
1. Verbal – Text Completion
Question:
"Although the professor’s lecture was ______ and difficult to follow, the study guide provided a
______ summary that made the material accessible."
Options:
A) recondite / pellucid
B) simple / convoluted
C) mundane / ambiguous
D) straightforward / nebulous
Answer: A) recondite / pellucid
2. Verbal – Sentence Equivalence
Question:
"Despite his generally confident tone, the candidate’s remarks were so ______ that even his most
ardent supporters questioned his sincerity."
Options:
A) ambiguous
B) equivocal
C) candid
D) forthright
E) clear
F) unambiguous
Answer: A) ambiguous and B) equivocal
Both words imply uncertainty and lack of clarity.
3. Quantitative – Algebra
Question:
Solve for x:
5(2x – 3) = 3(3x + 1)
Solution:
Expand: 10x – 15 = 9x + 3
Subtract 9x from both sides: x – 15 = 3
Add 15 to both sides: x = 18
Answer: x = 18
, 4. Quantitative – Geometry
Question:
A circle has a radius of 4. Using π ≈ 3.14, what is the area of the circle?
Solution:
Area = πr² = 3.14 × (4)² = 3.14 × 16 = 50.24
Answer: Approximately 50.24 square units
5. Quantitative – Data Interpretation
Question:
A survey of 100 people shows that 40 prefer tea, 35 prefer coffee, and 25 prefer soda. What
percentage prefer coffee?
Solution:
Percentage = (35/100) × 100 = 35%
Answer: 35%
6. Quantitative – Word Problem (Rates)
Question:
If a car travels 150 miles in 3 hours, what is its average speed?
Solution:
Average speed = 150 miles ÷ 3 hours = 50 mph
Answer: 50 mph
7. Quantitative – Percent Change
Question:
A book’s price increases by 20% and then decreases by 20%. What is the net percent change?
Solution:
Let original price = $100. After a 20% increase: $120. Then a 20% decrease on $120: $120 – $24
= $96.
Net change = $96 − $100 = −$4, a 4% decrease.
Answer: 4% decrease
8. Quantitative – Ratio and Proportion
These examples reflect the types of challenges you might encounter on test day.
1. Verbal – Text Completion
Question:
"Although the professor’s lecture was ______ and difficult to follow, the study guide provided a
______ summary that made the material accessible."
Options:
A) recondite / pellucid
B) simple / convoluted
C) mundane / ambiguous
D) straightforward / nebulous
Answer: A) recondite / pellucid
2. Verbal – Sentence Equivalence
Question:
"Despite his generally confident tone, the candidate’s remarks were so ______ that even his most
ardent supporters questioned his sincerity."
Options:
A) ambiguous
B) equivocal
C) candid
D) forthright
E) clear
F) unambiguous
Answer: A) ambiguous and B) equivocal
Both words imply uncertainty and lack of clarity.
3. Quantitative – Algebra
Question:
Solve for x:
5(2x – 3) = 3(3x + 1)
Solution:
Expand: 10x – 15 = 9x + 3
Subtract 9x from both sides: x – 15 = 3
Add 15 to both sides: x = 18
Answer: x = 18
, 4. Quantitative – Geometry
Question:
A circle has a radius of 4. Using π ≈ 3.14, what is the area of the circle?
Solution:
Area = πr² = 3.14 × (4)² = 3.14 × 16 = 50.24
Answer: Approximately 50.24 square units
5. Quantitative – Data Interpretation
Question:
A survey of 100 people shows that 40 prefer tea, 35 prefer coffee, and 25 prefer soda. What
percentage prefer coffee?
Solution:
Percentage = (35/100) × 100 = 35%
Answer: 35%
6. Quantitative – Word Problem (Rates)
Question:
If a car travels 150 miles in 3 hours, what is its average speed?
Solution:
Average speed = 150 miles ÷ 3 hours = 50 mph
Answer: 50 mph
7. Quantitative – Percent Change
Question:
A book’s price increases by 20% and then decreases by 20%. What is the net percent change?
Solution:
Let original price = $100. After a 20% increase: $120. Then a 20% decrease on $120: $120 – $24
= $96.
Net change = $96 − $100 = −$4, a 4% decrease.
Answer: 4% decrease
8. Quantitative – Ratio and Proportion
