GRE Quantitative Preparation: Tips to Prepare for GRE Quantitative Section
GRE logo

GRE Quantitative Preparation: Tips to Prepare for GRE Quantitative Section

Shubhankar Das logo

Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jul 3, 2024

Highlights:

  • Know the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with the tested topics in GRE Quantitative Reasoning section. This includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis concepts.
  • Beware of Common Mistakes: Identify and avoid common mistakes like careless errors in calculations, misinterpreting questions, or overlooking answer choices.
  • Practice with Official Materials: Use official ETS practice materials and the free prep course offered by Khan Academy to boost your preparation under expert mentorship.
  • Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Take mock tests to analyze your performance and identify areas where you excel and topics that require more focus. 

Your basic mathematical and problem-solving skills are tested in the Quantitative Reasoning section. GRE quantitative preparation includes mastering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis topics. You need to answer 27 GRE quantitative questions within the allocated 47 minutes. A focused GRE math test prep is important as most universities require higher quant scores. Understand the formulas and different types of graphs by taking practice tests regularly. Joining GRE math prep courses can boost your preparation with updated study materials and expert mentorship. ETS has collaborated with the Khan Academy and provides effective quantitative preparation for free. Other institutions like Kaplan, Magoosh, and Career Launcher are also known for their comprehensive GRE quantitative preparation courses.

GRE_Quantitaive_Preparation

GRE Quant Strategies

GRE has basically four types of Quantitative Reasoning questions - Quantitative Comparison questions, Multiple Choice questions, Multiple Choice questions, and Numeric Entry questions. Test content of GRE quant includes Arithmetic, Algebra, GRE Geometry, and Data Analysis. Now let’s have a look at some GRE math tricks and shortcuts that can be helpful for you. You need effective GRE strategies to help you achieve the best possible GRE quantitative score. Here are a few tips and proven GRE strategies that will take your GRE preparation to the level. Try them out on your next GRE practice test.

Mock Tests: The first and foremost thing a candidate must do is to give a lot of mock tests. No matter how good you are at quant, solving questions after writing two big essays is tough. So you must give full-length GRE mock tests.

Speed: You have 20 questions and 35 minutes and you cannot give 2 minutes per question. Take a look at the whole paper first and you will see which questions you can answer and which questions you cannot answer. So skip those questions first as you can always come back to them later. Don’t waste time on a difficult question.

Elimination: Go for the answer elimination way, do not use the analytical approach. If you see a question where you can put the values and you can get the answer faster then do those questions first. Most GRE questions do not require a calculator so try to avoid using the on-screen calculator. Also, it is faster to solve the questions on your own than using that on-screen calculator.

Attempt All Questions: Unlike other competitive exams, the GRE doesn’t have a negative marking so try to attempt all of the questions.

Maintain Error Log: While practicing for GRE quantitative always maintains an error log. Make notes of the sections that were difficult for you to solve while giving the mock test. In this way, you will remember to focus on the hard sections and work on them.

Select Difficult Questions: Suppose you are very good at GRE algebra and you don’t do well with geometry, then focus on geometry. Do not invest time in something you are already good at. Focus on those concepts that give you a hard time while practicing.

Solve 160+ Level Questions: The Pareto principle states that “for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes.” You can easily achieve GRE score of 150+ by practice even half of it. But if you really do want to score 160+ then you need to focus on that 80% which others are not doing. If you solve 160+ level questions then only you will be able to solve the other questions better. Because practicing with harder questions will train the mind and other questions will be a lot easier to solve.

Time Management Skills: Since GRE requires you to solve 20 questions in 35 minutes, focus on one segment at a time. If you are doing geometry then try to solve those 20 questions within 35 minutes then take a 5-minute break and jump on to the next section. Doing this will give you a good sense of time. You should not take more than 1.5 minutes to solve these GRE Math questions. Also, use shortcut methods rather than long approaches to solve questions.

GRE quant is all about basic math skills, speed, and elimination. Apart from all these strategies, you can also opt for GRE math prep courses to make your score game stronger. They can help you understand precisely how and where to spend your time to see really notable increments in your GRE scores.

In addition, a large number of word problems originate from algebraic concepts. Algebra, Data Analysis, and GRE arithmetic carry the highest GRE Quant Topic Wise Weightage on the GRE Quant test. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on learning and review, starting with algebra.

GRE Quantitative Preparation Books


GRE Quantitative Preparation Books include the best and most updated study materials for effective preparation. GRE books for the quantitative section also include sample question papers with solved answers, that help students understand the exam pattern.

GRE Quantitative Sample Papers

One of the best way to study for GRE quantitative is by taking regular practice tests. GRE Quantitative practice tests help candidates understand the question types. Solving sample questions with the real-time exam frame helps candidates to familiar with the exam.

There are numerous GRE quant preparation books and GRE math practice PDF available on the internet for students to study from. Incorporating the above-mentioned strategies into your preparation will definitely increase your chances to score 160+ in GRE.

FAQs

Ques: How to prepare for quantitative GRE?

Ans: One of the best ways for GRE Quantitative preparation is to learn and practice the core mathematical concepts, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. You need to take practice tests to identify their strengths and weaknesses in these sections.

Ques: Is it easy to score 170 in GRE quant?

Ans: GRE total score ranges from 130 to 170, and achieving the highest score is not easy. To achieve 170 in GRE quant, you need to do extreme preparation with the updated study materials, sample papers, and practice tests. Joining in GRE math prep course will help you to prepare under expert guidance.

Ques: Is 150 a good quantitative GRE score?

Ans: Most of the universities require a 150+ GRE quant score for their admission process. With a quantitative score of 150, you can get admission to some of the best universities. The top-ranked universities require a 160+ GRE quant score.

Ques: What are the question types in GRE quantitative reasoning?

Ans: GRE quantitative reasoning consists of 4 types of questions; quantitative comparison, multiple choice questions - one or more answer choices, and numeric entry type. Take regular practice tests under timed conditions to understand the question types and improve your time management skills.

Ques: How long should I prepare for the GRE Quantitative section?

Ans: GRE preparation time for the quantitative reasoning section will depend on your academic skills. Most students need at least 2–4 months of dedicated preparation to improve their GRE Quantitative score.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Comments



No Comments To Show