Unless you've been living in a bunker, you've realized by now that the GRE Quantitative section has changed - big time. If you're interested in the past, then take a peek at the old GRE Quantitative section description below. This information is not to be confused with the Revised GRE Quantitative information. The tests are quite different! Here's what you'd expect from the GRE Quantitative section of the past.
Prior GRE Quantitative Reasoning Basics
Each test (PBT and CBT) was set up a little differently, Here are the basics about both the paper and computer-based formats:
Paper-Based Quantitative Reasoning:
- 2 sections
- 30 questions per section
- 30 minutes per section
Computer-Based Quantitative Reasoning:
- 1 section
- 28 questions
- 45 minutes
Prior GRE Quantitative Questions
Although you could've chosen to take the test via computer or paper in the past (currently, you'll be taking it via computer if you live in the U.S.), you were assessed on the same skills: algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and general mathematical reasoning. The two types of questions were quantitative comparison and problem-solving.
GRE Quantitative Comparison Questions
These questions were great for people nervous about working out math problems on a test, because they didn't require anyone to solve for a particular value. Instead, the tester had to just compare two numbers and figure out which, if either, was larger. Easy, right? Note: The current GRE Quantitative section still uses these types of questions!
GRE Quantitative Comparison Examples
GRE Problem-Solving Questions
The problem solving questions were standard multiple-choice questions with five answers. Then, you'd merely have to choose the right one after doing some computations. Some of the questions were relatively simple, whereas other questions required multiple steps to figure them out. Some of the questions required you to analyze data like a chart or a graph to help solve.
GRE Problem-Solving Example
In a certain shop, notebooks that normally sell for 59 cents each are on sale at 2 for 99 cents. How much can be saved by purchasing 10 of these notebooks at the sale price?
(A) $0.85
(B) $0.95
(C) $1.10
(D) $1.15
(E) $2.00
The correct answer is (B).
