GRE Prep Tips: Quantitative Section

The Quantitative Section of the GRE is an important part of the exam syllabus. Preparing well for this section can help you score 340 out of 340 in the Graduate Record Examination. Students with strong math skills are likely to perform well in the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test examines the candidates' basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and ability to reason with numbers and to solve problems with quantitative methods. In this article, we are going to discuss GRE Quant strategies including its topics, best preparation books and more.

Top GRE Quantitative Prep Tips

As mentioned earlier, in this article we are going to be discussing the top GRE Quant prep tips for the benefit of aspirants appearing for the GRE exam.

1.  Do not ignore Math fundamentals
2. Give due importance to the math topics
3. Refer to the Official Guide
4. Time Management
5. Practice GRE Quant Sample Papers

GRE Quant Section Pattern

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning has two sections, each with 20 questions which should be completed within 35 minutes. You will get questions from three math topics mentioned below. Here are the GRE Quant section pattern for candidates to understand the type of questions they can expect in the GRE Quant section of the exam.

Compare Quantities – (6 to 8 questions)

These questions ask you to compare two quantities (A and B) and then determine the relationship between them; whether A is greater, B is greater, the two are equal, or the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Data Interpretation or Graphs – (5 to 7 questions)

These questions require you to compute information and chose a correct answer based on visual graphs and tables. You need to interpret the data given in those forms and choose the correct answer accordingly.

Numeric Entry questions – (2 questions)

These questions require you to enter your answer in an answer box rather than choose among alternatives. The best part about the GRE quantitative section is that the math topics covered are taught in schools like algebra, introductory statistics courses etc. This section does not include higher-level mathematics inferential statistics, trigonometry, or calculus.

GRE Quant Topic

As informed earlier, the GRE Quantitative section of the exam is primarily made up of the following four topics. Candidates should pay attention to the GRE Quant topics mentioned below to ace their GRE. 

1. Arithmetic Questions: These questions could be on types of integers, exponents and radicals, estimation, per cent, ratio, absolute value, the number line, decimal representation and sequences of numbers.
2. Algebra Questions: These include operations with exponents, factoring and simplifying algebra expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations, solving simultaneous equations and inequalities, and coordinate geometry.
3. Geometry Questions: The topics included would be parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, three-dimensional figures, area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean Theorem, and angle measurement in degrees.
4. Data Analysis Questions:  these questions include basic statistics such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles and percentiles. Interpretation of data in tables and graphs would include questions like line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, scatterplots and frequency distributions, and elementary probability.

Tips and Tricks for the GRE Exam

When you're preparing for the GRE, it can feel like you're awash in a sea of advice. Some of it's good, some of it's bad, and some of it's just plain unhelpful. So, let's narrow it down. What can you do now to ensure you get the best score before your exam? There are ten tricks and tips that will actually help.

1. Plan ahead. Whether because of sudden decisions or new information, some students don't have a lot of time to plan for the GRE Exam. Can you still get a good score on the GRE? Absolutely. Is it harder? Absolutely. No matter what your situation is, though, make sure that registering for your GRE test date is the first thing you do. Spots fill up early (sometimes months in advance!), and if you're at your mental best on weekends, afternoons, or have any other special requirements, lock the date down now.
2. Know what you're getting into. It may be too late to turn back now, but familiarize yourself with both the exam and your own strengths and weaknesses by taking a GRE diagnostic test.
3. Take lots of practice tests. A lot of students prepping for the GRE think that taking/reading lessons and doing practice sets is sufficient. Not so! The GRE is a marathon, and staying alert for almost four hours takes practice. Taking at least one practice test a week, for a total of around ten in all, is ideal.
4. Start studying vocabulary. GRE Verbal is extremely vocab-heavy, and (particularly if you're applying to humanities or social science programs) will be important to master. This isn't SAT/ACT-level stuff, either. These are some hard words!
5. Focus on your subject. Well, broadly speaking. This is a little blurrier for those in the social sciences, but if you're applying to an English grad program, your Quant score will have little bearing on your application. Similarly, Engineering admissions committees won't care too much about your English scores.

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