You’re pretty good with numbers, right? If not, you might want to consider brushing up a bit before you take the GRE, whether you’re signed up for the paper-based test (PBT) or the computer-based test (CBT) because on both, you’re going to want to be prepared.
And how.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Basics
Each test (PBT and CBT) is set up a little differently, Here’s what you can expect to see:
Paper-Based Quantitative Reasoning:
- 2 sections
- 30 questions per section
- 30 minutes per section
Computer-Based Quantitative Reasoning:
- 1 section
- 28 questions
- 45 minutes
GRE Quantitative Questions
Although you can choose to take the test via computer or paper, you’ll still be assessed on the same skills: algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and general mathematical reasoning. The two types of questions are quantitative comparison and problem-solving.
GRE Quantitative Comparison Questions
If you get antsy about working out math problems on a test, then the quantitative comparison questions may be your forte because they don’t ask you to solve for a particular value. Instead, all you’ll have to do is compare two numbers and figure out which, if either, is larger. Easy, right?
GRE Quantitative Comparison Example
b < a < -1
Column A
a2 - b2
Column B
(3a + 3b)(2a - 2b)
(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.
(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
The correct answer is (A).
GRE Problem-Solving Questions
The problem solving questions are standard multiple-choice questions with five answers. You merely have to choose the right one after doing some computations. Some of the questions will be relatively simple, whereas other questions will require multiple steps to figure them out. Some of the questions require you to analyze data like a charte or a graph to help you figure out the problem.
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).
