GRE Subject Test · Physics

Free GRE Subject Test Physics Practice, Organised Into 10 Focused Sections

Build a disciplined GRE preparation pathway across mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and modern physics. Begin with free topic-based practice, diagnose weak areas, and move to premium timed and explanation-rich practice when you need greater depth.

Page at a glance
Free accessNo code needed
Sections10
PremiumExpanded bank
PreparationTimed + explained
MechanicsE&MQuantumThermodynamics
Free Physics Subject Test Practice

Start With Focused GRE Physics Subject Test Practice

Use the free pathway to begin immediately, work through one domain at a time, identify recurring weaknesses, and strengthen the knowledge and reasoning patterns tested in GRE Physics Subject Test.

  • No access code needed
  • Ten focused GRE sections
  • Targeted revision pathway
  • Direct topic-practice links
Premium Physics Subject Test Practice

Move From Topic Revision to Exam-Ready Practice

10domains reinforced through an expanded premium practice pathway

Use premium practice when you need higher-volume questions, worked explanations, broader reinforcement, and timed exam-style preparation across the full pathway.

  • Expanded GRE question bank
  • Worked explanations and error review
  • Timed exam-style practice
  • Reinforcement across all ten domains

Use free practice to diagnose weaknesses, then use premium practice for depth, repetition, explanations, and timed preparation.

GRE exam coverage

What the GRE Subject Test Physics Practice Covers

Use the ten sections as a revision map. Review the scope of each domain, then open its corresponding free practice in a new tab.

01 Measurement, Units, Vectors, and Experimental MethodsBuild the mathematical and experimental foundation for GRE Physics by mastering units, dimensional checks, uncertainty, vectors, graph interpretation, and the approximation habits used across the rest of the syllabus.
  • SI units, derived units, unit conversions, and dimensional analysis for rapid consistency checks
  • Scaling arguments, Buckingham Pi style reasoning, and order-of-magnitude estimation
  • Random and systematic errors, uncertainty propagation, significant figures, and confidence concepts
  • Vector algebra, dot and cross products, and coordinate descriptions in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical systems
  • Reading slopes, intercepts, log-log plots, semilog plots, and experimentally generated data trends
  • Series expansions, small-angle approximations, linearization, and basic numerical intuition
Start Section 1 Free →
02 Classical Mechanics and Newtonian DynamicsStrengthen core mechanics by revising motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotations, gravitation, non-inertial frames, and orbit ideas that frequently anchor problem solving in undergraduate physics.
  • Kinematics in one, two, and three dimensions including projectile and circular motion
  • Newton’s laws, free-body diagrams, friction, drag, springs, and constrained motion
  • Work, kinetic and potential energy, power, efficiency, and turning-point reasoning
  • Momentum, impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions, and center-of-mass analysis
  • Torque, angular momentum, rolling motion, moments of inertia, and rotational energy
  • Gravitation, Kepler laws, escape velocity, reduced mass, and fictitious-force concepts
Start Section 2 Free →
03 Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Methods (Analytical Mechanics)Prepare for analytical mechanics by connecting symmetry, conservation laws, generalized coordinates, action methods, Hamiltonian ideas, and effective-potential reasoning in a more formal framework.
  • Action principle, Euler-Lagrange equation, and conceptual calculus of variations
  • Generalized coordinates, holonomic constraints, and cyclic coordinates
  • Symmetry arguments and conserved quantities in Lagrangian systems
  • Canonical momenta, Hamilton’s equations, phase space, and time dependence
  • Poisson brackets, canonical transformations, and basic rigid-body familiarity
  • Central-force motion, effective potentials, stability of orbits, and small oscillations
Start Section 3 Free →
04 Oscillations and WavesDevelop strong wave and oscillation intuition by covering SHM, damping, resonance, coupled systems, interference, standing waves, dispersion, and common mechanical-wave applications.
  • Simple harmonic motion in springs and pendulums with energy-based interpretation
  • Damped motion, critical damping, driven oscillations, resonance, and quality factor
  • Coupled oscillators, normal modes, beats, and basic eigenfrequency reasoning
  • Wave equation, traveling and standing waves, phase velocity, group velocity, and dispersion
  • Superposition, coherence, interference patterns, Fourier ideas, and Doppler shifts
  • Strings, pipes, membranes, impedance ideas, diffraction, and sound-intensity basics
Start Section 4 Free →
05 Electricity and Magnetism (Electrostatics to Maxwell)Cover the full electricity and magnetism span from electrostatics and circuits to induction, magnetic fields, Maxwell equations, and electromagnetic waves.
  • Coulomb law, electric field, potential, equipotentials, and continuous charge distributions
  • Gauss law, conductors, shielding, capacitance, dielectrics, and stored field energy
  • Ohm law, Kirchhoff rules, power dissipation, and RC transient behaviour
  • Lorentz force, charged-particle motion, Biot-Savart law, Ampere law, solenoids, and toroids
  • Faraday law, Lenz law, motional emf, RL circuits, and inductive energy
  • Maxwell equations, displacement current, polarization, Poynting vector, and EM wave propagation
Start Section 5 Free →
06 Optics and Photonics (Geometric + Wave Optics)Revise both ray and wave optics so you can move confidently between lens equations, interference, diffraction, polarization, scattering, and laser concepts.
  • Reflection, refraction, Snell law, mirrors, lenses, magnification, and thin-lens analysis
  • Microscope and telescope basics together with conceptual optical aberrations
  • Young double slit, thin films, diffraction gratings, and single-slit diffraction
  • Airy disk, resolving power, and Rayleigh criterion for optical resolution
  • Polarization, Malus law, Brewster angle, and wave-plate concepts
  • Dispersion, wavelength dependence of refractive index, scattering, coherence, and laser principles
Start Section 6 Free →
07 Thermodynamics and Statistical MechanicsStrengthen thermodynamics and statistical mechanics by linking macroscopic laws with microscopic reasoning about gases, entropy, ensembles, and transport phenomena.
  • State variables, equations of state, ideal gas law, and qualitative real-gas behaviour
  • Zeroth, first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics with internal energy and enthalpy
  • Entropy, reversible and irreversible processes, and heat-capacity interpretation
  • Isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric, and isochoric processes plus Carnot-cycle efficiency
  • Kinetic theory, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, equipartition, and mean free path
  • Multiplicity, partition-function basics, quantum statistics ideas, diffusion, viscosity, and conductivity
Start Section 7 Free →
08 Quantum MechanicsPrepare for quantum mechanics by focusing on postulates, operators, Schrödinger methods, canonical model systems, angular momentum, hydrogen, and approximation tools.
  • Wavefunction interpretation, normalization, expectation values, and the uncertainty principle
  • Operators, eigenstates, commutators, and time-dependent versus time-independent Schrödinger equations
  • Boundary conditions, probability current, and one-dimensional step, well, and tunneling problems
  • Harmonic oscillator energy levels and ladder-operator concepts
  • Orbital and spin angular momentum, Pauli matrices, and basic addition rules
  • Hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, variational ideas, identical particles, and measurement dynamics
Start Section 8 Free →
09 Atomic, Molecular, and Condensed Matter PhysicsReview the physics of atoms, molecules, and solids by covering spectra, bonding, semiconductors, crystal structure, band theory, magnetism, and superconductivity at the expected GRE level.
  • Atomic spectra, fine structure, Zeeman effect, and qualitative selection rules
  • Shielding, effective nuclear charge, Hund rules, and multi-electron atom basics
  • Molecular bonding, molecular orbitals, and rotational and vibrational spectra
  • Crystal structures, Bravais lattices, reciprocal lattice, and Bragg diffraction
  • Band theory, density of states, conductors, insulators, semiconductors, and doping
  • Material magnetism, hysteresis, p-n junction behaviour, and high-level superconductivity concepts
Start Section 9 Free →
10 Special Relativity, Nuclear, Particle, and AstrophysicsFinish the syllabus with relativity, nuclear physics, particle physics, and introductory astrophysics, bringing together high-energy reasoning and large-scale physical systems.
  • Lorentz transformations, simultaneity, time dilation, length contraction, and relativistic velocity addition
  • Relativistic energy-momentum relations, invariant mass, and basic collision or decay kinematics
  • Binding energy, mass defect, radioactive decay, activity, and nuclear reaction energetics
  • Alpha, beta, and gamma processes together with fission, fusion, and reactor concepts
  • Quarks, leptons, interactions, mediators, and major conservation laws in particle physics
  • Blackbody radiation, stellar structure, HR diagram ideas, stellar evolution, and Hubble law
Start Section 10 Free →
GRE preparation overview

Why the Free and Premium Physics Subject Test Pathways Work Together

“Structured preparation makes it easier to identify what to study next and where more practice is needed.”

This page is designed specifically for GRE Subject Test Physics preparation. Its ten sections organise mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and modern physics into manageable domains so candidates can revise deliberately rather than practise at random.

The free pathway is useful for diagnosis and focused revision. The premium pathway adds greater practice depth, worked explanations, repetition, and timed exam-style preparation when you are ready to move beyond isolated topic review.

Candidates building a broader GRE study plan can return to the GRE practice hub or continue with GRE Verbal Reasoning, GRE Quantitative Reasoning, GRE Mathematics Subject Test, GRE Psychology Subject Test.

Better diagnosisTopic separation makes weak GRE domains easier to identify, revisit, and track.
Efficient revision flowMove between concept review, reasoning, application, and timed practice in a deliberate sequence.
Stronger GRE readinessFocused repetition supports accuracy, speed, confidence, and disciplined decision-making.
Have questions?

GRE Subject Test Physics Frequently Asked Questions

Ten targeted answers about using this specific GRE Physics Subject Test preparation pathway effectively.

What does this Physics Subject Test page cover?

The page organises mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and modern physics into ten focused GRE practice sections so you can revise the tested knowledge and reasoning skills systematically.

Are the ten Physics Subject Test practice sections free?

Yes. The ten topic-based practice sections can be opened without an access code. They are designed for diagnosis, focused revision, and repeated practice before moving to the premium pathway.

What is included in premium Physics Subject Test practice?

The premium pathway provides a larger GRE Physics Subject Test question bank, worked explanations, timed exam-style practice, and broader reinforcement across the ten domains on this page.

How should I use the ten Physics Subject Test sections?

Start with the domain where your accuracy is weakest, complete focused practice, review errors carefully, and then rotate through the remaining sections so preparation becomes balanced rather than concentrated in one area.

Can I use this page for timed GRE Physics Subject Test preparation?

Yes. Use the free sections first for topic control and error diagnosis, then use the premium pathway for higher-volume and timed exam-style practice when you are ready to train under greater pressure.

How do I identify weak areas in Physics Subject Test?

Compare your accuracy and confidence across the ten sections, especially across mechanics, waves, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and modern physics. Repeated errors in one section indicate where additional concept review and practice are needed.

Does the Physics Subject Test page include worked explanations?

The premium pathway is designed to include worked explanations so that mistakes can be reviewed systematically. The free pathway is primarily organised for immediate topic-based practice and diagnosis.

Should I complete the Physics Subject Test sections in numerical order?

Not necessarily. The numbered structure gives you a clear revision map, but you can begin with the section that needs the most attention and return to other sections as your preparation develops.

How should I move from free to premium Physics Subject Test practice?

Use the free sections to establish your baseline and identify recurring weaknesses. Move to premium when you need a larger question bank, worked explanations, broader reinforcement, and timed practice for exam readiness.

Can this page be used as part of a complete GRE study plan?

Yes. Combine this Physics Subject Test pathway with the other GRE practice areas available from the GRE hub, while allocating more revision time to the domains where your results show the greatest need.