How to Prepare for the GRE Quantitative Section

The quantitative section is one of three sections on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). This section of the GRE tests the basic mathematical concepts that you were most likely exposed to in high school. For your best score possible on the GRE quantitative section it is important to review and prepare.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Practice tests
• Scratch paper
• GRE study guide

1. Become familiar with the types of questions in this portion of the test. The GRE quantitative section consists of 28 questions divided between quantitative comparisons, discrete quantitative (multiple-choice) questions and data interpretation questions. Study these different question types.

2. Study a list of facts and formulas regularly used in the GRE quantitative section. These lists can be found in study guides and online. Memorizing these facts and formulas will help you save time during the test.

3. Use the diagrams provided or draw your own to help clarify a question. Diagrams provided in the GRE quantitative section are drawn to scale and can be trusted.

4. Look for mathematical shortcuts. Math problems can be solved many different ways. Try to choose the fastest and easiest method to solve problems found in the GRE quantitative section.

5. Keep track of units given in GRE quantitative questions. Some questions may ask for an answer to be given in different units than were used in the problem.

6. Take practice tests and answer sample questions to become familiar with different question types found in the GRE quantitative section.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a GRE study guide. These guides contain practice questions, tests and study tips.
• The first few questions in the quantitative section will set the difficulty level for the entire section. Correctly answering these will offer more difficult questions that have higher point values.
• Guess if you are not sure of an answer. Incorrect answers do not deduct from your score.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.