Prepare for the GRE Quantitative Section

Prepare for the GRE Quantitative Section

Prepare for the GRE Quantitative Section : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.

The GRE has two types of tests: the General Test, which all applicants should take, and the optional Subject Test. The General Test comprises Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. To ensure that you get high scores on the GRE, you need to prepare prior to your online registration through constant review and practice.

The GRE Quantitative section tests your mathematical knowledge. It covers subjects you studied in high school, such as algebra, geometry, number reasoning, and data analysis. The following tips can help you prepare for the GRE Quantitative section.

1. Review your high school mathematics and try to solve as many math problems as possible. You should mix your practice among geometry, algebra, number reasoning, and data analysis problems.
2. Look for study guides for the GRE. You should master techniques for fast calculations and for effectively using figures, charts, and diagrams to solve math exercises. Recall the math study tips you used to learn math faster in high school, as these will give you more clues on how to solve math problems under time constraints. Playing Sudoku will help you immensely in figuring out number sequences.
3. You should also practice working with fractions. This is part of the math problems in the GRE Quantitative section.
4. Practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division without the aid of a calculator. You have relied on a calculator for a long time, and it will take a while before you get the hang of doing calculations manually. This is essential because you are not allowed to bring a calculator when you take the GRE exam. Bring lots of scratch paper, though.
5. Get familiar with the structure of the GRE Quantitative test and the different methods of presenting problems. These include data analysis, multiple-choice, and quantitative-comparison questions.
6. Look at the formulas given in the GRE study guide. Try to memorize these formulas, as doing so will help greatly with your calculations and in choosing the right answers. The difficulty level of the first questions sets the tone for the entire Quantitative section.
7. Remember to provide an answer to every question, even if you have to guess. Wrong answers are not deducted from your overall score.
8. Practice using shortcuts when solving problems to help improve your speed and accuracy. There are always several ways to solve a math problem, and using the shortest way will give you more time to work on the more difficult ones.
9. Try taking practice Quantitative section exams and time yourself to condition your mind to work under time pressure. Continue practicing until you have mastered it. This will be invaluable when you take the actual GRE exam.
10. Learn how to use diagrams to clarify your answers, either by drawing them yourself or by using the diagrams that will be provided during the actual test.

As you continue to practice using the GRE study guide, learn the section directions and commit them to memory. This will save you time. Use this to tackle the problems immediately and give more attention to the more difficult questions.