How to Prepare for Less Common Quant Topics: With limited time and a lot to cover, a difficult choice many GRE students face is how much time to devote to the “errata” of the GRE Quant section. Among the more difficult problems, the GRE may throw students a curve ball: perhaps a difficult probability question, […]
Algebra Challenge: Quadratics and Negative Exponents
GRE algebra questions will occasionally hit you with a quadratic equation. To solve it, you won’t need the quadratic formula. You probably won’t even need the FOIL method. GRE Quant permits—and often rewards—problem solving methods that buck the conventions taught in high school math classes. To see what I mean, try these two algebra problems […]
Math Scores for Top Engineering Programs
GRE Quant Scores at the Top 25 Engineering Schools Engineering is a math-heavy discipline. Unsurprisingly, high GRE Quant scores abound among Engineering grad students. Take a look at the scores for Engineering programs ranked in the top 25 in the latest U.S. News Best Grad Schools. US News ranks schools by general area of study […]
How to Make Sense of Symbolic Functions in GRE Algebra
GRE algebra can get weird sometimes. Strange markings like ⧫ or ⊛ will appear in equations that otherwise use ordinary operators like + and −. Unusual symbols in GRE Quant are the hallmark of symbolic functions—pairings of inputs and outputs that, as it turns out, are connected by some pretty standard math. Symbols in math […]
Data Analysis Challenge: Compare Standard Deviation
GRE data analysis includes some tough Quant topics. One is standard deviation, a measure of how far the values in a data set tend to fall from the set’s mean. This statistic can be confusing and tedious to calculate. Luckily, you probably won’t need to calculate it when it comes up on the exam. Try this […]
Unmasking Disguised Average Questions on the GRE
Sometimes the challenge in GRE Quant isn’t doing the math; it’s knowing what math to do.
Data Analysis Challenge: Avoid Silly Mistakes, Do Simple Math
GRE Data Analysis will, true to its name, require you to analyze data. Sometimes the data will be a series of large values in a graph or table, and you may feel tempted to punch lots of numbers into your calculator. Yet the necessary math may be simpler—and less error-prone—than you realize. Try this table-based […]
Arithmetic: Breaking Down Complex Fractions
Complex fractions are made up of one or more other fractions. For instance, a complex fraction could have ½ as its numerator or ¾ as its denominator—or both! You probably haven’t thought much about complex fractions since elementary or primary school. After all, the further you get in your education, the more you get to […]
Geometry Challenge: Use the Volume Formula Wisely
GRE geometry can sometimes seem like a formula fest. Formulas matter, for sure, but simply memorizing them isn’t enough. You also need to know how to use them efficiently. For practice, try this Quantitative Comparison question that requires you to apply the volume formula for a cylinder.
Arithmetic Challenge: Find the Expression that Must be Negative
GRE arithmetic questions can challenge you to think abstractly about simple concepts such as squaring or subtracting numbers. Meeting this challenge often becomes easier when you replace any variables with specific values. See for yourself with this arithmetic problem that only about half of test takers would get right.