GRE prep does not have to be expensive. While premium courses and apps offer real advantages, the core vocabulary work — learning the words, reviewing them, and applying them in context — can be done almost entirely for free. This guide covers the best free GRE vocabulary resources available online, what each does well, and how to combine them into a coherent study plan.
Free Word Lists and Reference Databases
Start with a reliable, curated word list. The internet is full of GRE word lists, but most are outdated or recycled without curation. These sources are worth your time:
| Resource | Words | What's Free | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PassGREGMAT (free trial) | 3,800+ | Trial access to full database | High-frequency curated list |
| ETS Official GRE Website | Limited samples | Official practice questions | Seeing words in real GRE context |
| Magoosh Vocabulary App | 1,000 | Full app free | Video definitions, mobile |
| Vocabulary.com | Thousands | Adaptive practice, dictionary | Context-rich definitions |
| Merriam-Webster.com | Full dictionary | Everything | Etymology and usage examples |
| AnkiWeb (pre-built decks) | 1,000–5,000+ | Free download | Spaced repetition ready |
Free Flashcard Tools
Anki (Free on Desktop and Android)
Anki is the most powerful free flashcard tool available. The desktop version and Android app are completely free. The iOS app costs $25 — the only exception. With Anki, you can download pre-built GRE decks from AnkiWeb or build your own. The spaced repetition algorithm is research-backed and more sophisticated than most paid apps. See our complete Anki guide for GRE vocabulary for setup details.
Quizlet (Free Tier)
Quizlet's free tier lets you create unlimited flashcard sets and access other users' decks. Spaced repetition (Quizlet Learn) is locked to Quizlet Plus, but the basic flashcard and test modes are free. Good for building custom review decks for words you encounter in practice tests.
Cram.com
Cram is a simpler flashcard platform. Less polished than Quizlet, but 100% free including spaced repetition scheduling. Worth knowing as an alternative if you prefer not to pay for Quizlet Plus.
Free Practice and Context Resources
ETS Official GRE Practice Materials
The ETS website offers free official practice materials including two full practice tests (POWERPREP). These are the most valuable free resource for vocabulary context — official GRE sentences are the gold standard for understanding how words are tested. Read every sentence in every verbal question, even ones you get right, for vocabulary exposure.
Vocabulary.com
Vocabulary.com's adaptive quiz system is genuinely excellent and completely free. It shows words in multiple real sentences, tracks your performance, and schedules reviews intelligently. The GRE coverage isn't perfectly curated, but the practice format is more engaging than most paid apps. Good for daily supplemental practice.
ReadTheory.org
Free reading comprehension practice that adapts to your level. Not GRE-specific but great for encountering academic vocabulary in long-form context — which mirrors GRE reading comprehension passages. Regular use improves your ability to infer word meanings from context.
Free YouTube Channels for Vocabulary
- GRE Prep Club YouTube: Community-driven GRE content including vocabulary sessions and word-of-the-day videos
- Mometrix Test Preparation: GRE vocabulary videos covering high-frequency words with definitions and examples
- Magoosh GRE YouTube: Free vocabulary lessons from their paid curriculum — the channel shares a significant portion of their video content free
Free GRE Word Lists Worth Downloading
Several high-quality GRE word lists are available as free PDFs or downloadable files:
- Barron's 333 High-Frequency GRE Words — searchable free PDF widely available online; despite the "Barron's" branding, copies circulate legally as study aids
- GRE Big Book Word List — extracted from the official ETS Big Book; covers words from decades of actual GRE tests
- Manhattan GRE Essential Words — 500 words from Manhattan Prep's free study guide; available on their website
Building a Free GRE Vocabulary Study Plan
Here's how to combine these free resources into a coherent plan:
- Primary tool: Anki on desktop/Android (free) with a quality pre-built GRE deck from AnkiWeb. Do 20 minutes of new words + review daily.
- Context practice: Magoosh Vocabulary App (free, 1,000 words with video context). Review 5–10 words per day.
- Supplemental practice: Vocabulary.com adaptive quizzes, 10 minutes daily.
- Application: ETS POWERPREP practice tests monthly. Read all verbal questions carefully for vocabulary exposure.
- Reading habit: 20–30 minutes of dense reading daily (long-form journalism, academic articles) for natural vocabulary acquisition.
This plan costs nothing. Sustained for 10–12 weeks, it covers the core GRE vocabulary range and builds the contextual reading skills that verbal sections reward. For a day-by-day version, see our 30-day GRE vocabulary study plan.
What Free Resources Can't Replace
Free tools are excellent for the core vocabulary work, but there are genuine gaps:
- Adaptive exam-frequency ranking: Knowing which words to prioritize first requires exam frequency data that most free tools don't provide
- GRE-style question integration: Practice using vocabulary in Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence format is harder to find free
- Structured curriculum: Free tools require you to design your own progression; a paid app or course provides structure
If you study well with free resources, excellent. If you need more structure or a larger curated word database, the paid tier of a dedicated GRE vocabulary app is worth the investment — particularly given how much is at stake with graduate school admissions.
Is Anki actually free for GRE vocabulary?
Yes — Anki desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) and the Android app are completely free. The iOS app is $25 one-time. If you use Android or have a laptop, Anki costs nothing and is genuinely the best spaced repetition tool available.
Can I get a 160+ GRE verbal score using only free resources?
Yes, but it requires more self-discipline and careful curation. You'll need to manually select high-quality free word lists, build your own Anki deck, and supplement with official practice materials. A premium app does this work for you, but the underlying learning is achievable free.
What's the best free GRE word list?
For breadth and quality, the Manhattan Prep Essential Words list (free on their website) and the GRE Big Book word list are both excellent. For a curated frequency-ranked approach, the Magoosh free vocabulary app's 1,000-word selection is strong.
How do I find quality GRE Anki decks for free?
Go to AnkiWeb.net, search "GRE vocabulary," and sort by number of downloads. High-download decks have been vetted by thousands of students. The most popular GRE decks have 50,000+ downloads and generally have high quality. Read reviews before committing to a deck.
Practice These Words With Visual Flashcards
PassGREGMAT's visual flashcard system uses real photos to lock vocabulary into long-term memory. Free to start — no account needed.