GRE Subject Tests Related to Physics
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:50 pm
The collection of sample multiple choice physics problems referenced below were developed by ETS for the Engineering, Mathematics, and Chemistry GRE subject tests and not the Physics GRE. However, the problems do contain material found on the Physics GRE. Combine this with the fact that they were actual GRE questions and you have some desirable practice problems.
There is quite a lot of overlap between the first few years of study in physics, engineering, mathematics, and chemistry. Naturally, one would expect there to be some overlap in the GRE subject tests as well. I have scanned various GRE subject tests and selected some candidates for physics GRE practice questions.
Below I reference some subject test questions that are free to download from ETS so you can judge for yourself if this roundabout approach has any merit.
Test
Problem Numbers
Mathematics - GR9768
1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 16, 21, 24, 38, 41, 43, 45, 46, 49, 53, 54, 63
Chemistry - GR0027
6, 22, 23, 48, 37, 49, 59, 60, 61, 62, 84, 85, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 119, 120, 121
There are additional GRE subject test problems in books that you can either purchase or better yet, borrow. Many of the books referenced below would make nice additions to an SPS library.
Problem Numbers
Sample Questions
2, 5-9, 13-17, 21, 32-33, 37-39, 42, 49-51, 53-54, 57, 60-61, 68, 75, 77, 88-103, 107-108, 110, 112-117, 119, 121-127, 129-130, 133, 135, 140, 142-145, 147, 151-153, 155-160, 162-171, 174, 176-177, 180-182, 187-190
Form9337
1-2, 4-6, 9-10, 13, 15, 17-20, 28-29, 36-41, 43, 46, 48-54, 56-60, 63-67, 69-82, 84, 86-91, 108-109, 114-115, 119-122, 131, 133-135, 140
There is quite a lot of overlap between the first few years of study in physics, engineering, mathematics, and chemistry. Naturally, one would expect there to be some overlap in the GRE subject tests as well. I have scanned various GRE subject tests and selected some candidates for physics GRE practice questions.
Below I reference some subject test questions that are free to download from ETS so you can judge for yourself if this roundabout approach has any merit.
Test
Problem Numbers
Mathematics - GR9768
1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 16, 21, 24, 38, 41, 43, 45, 46, 49, 53, 54, 63
Chemistry - GR0027
6, 22, 23, 48, 37, 49, 59, 60, 61, 62, 84, 85, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 119, 120, 121
There are additional GRE subject test problems in books that you can either purchase or better yet, borrow. Many of the books referenced below would make nice additions to an SPS library.
- GRE Practicing to Take the Engineering Test 3rd Edition (isbn=0446395773)
This book contains 194 practice problems and an actual FORM9337 Engineering GRE Test which contains 140 problems. Below are some select problems from the book that I believe may be desirable Physics GRE practice problems. If you feel that a particular problem should be added or omitted from the list then please share your thoughts in the Physics GRE Discussion Forums. Note: I highly recommend this book because 1) It was written by ETS (i.e.the makers of Physics GRE) 2) Below I list roughly 180 questions that I thought were relevant to Physics GRE preparation and 3) you can usually get a used copy of GRE Practicing to Take the Engineering Test for an affordable price since the Engineering GRE has been discontinued. Note: If you find this book helpful then you might want to take a look at some of the other books I reference on the Engineering GRE page.
Problem Numbers
Sample Questions
2, 5-9, 13-17, 21, 32-33, 37-39, 42, 49-51, 53-54, 57, 60-61, 68, 75, 77, 88-103, 107-108, 110, 112-117, 119, 121-127, 129-130, 133, 135, 140, 142-145, 147, 151-153, 155-160, 162-171, 174, 176-177, 180-182, 187-190
Form9337
1-2, 4-6, 9-10, 13, 15, 17-20, 28-29, 36-41, 43, 46, 48-54, 56-60, 63-67, 69-82, 84, 86-91, 108-109, 114-115, 119-122, 131, 133-135, 140
- GRE Practicing to Take the Mathematics Test 3rd Edition (isbn=0446396508)
I haven't looked at this book but I have read that it contains two sample tests. According to an Amazon book review, one of the sample tests is the same as the free GR9768 download listed above. So basically you are paying for just one additional sample test. If you find the problems in the free GR9768 download listed above helpful, then you may want to look into this book as well as the earlier editions. If you do this, then please let me know what you find out. (Note: If you are a math major then you may want to check out our page devoted to the GRE subject test in math.) - GRE Practicing to Take the Chemistry Test 3rd (isbn=0886851904) and 2nd Edition (isbn=0446392014)by ETS.
I have a copy of the 2nd edition of this book know that it contains problems that are different from the GR0027 Chemistry Subject Test listed above. There are 145 practice problems and a complete 149 question GR9027 Chemistry Subject Test. However, I am not sure about the 3rd edition. If you find the problems in the free GR0027 download listed above helpful, then you may want to look into these books. If you do this, then please let me know what you find out.