The math portion (or Quantitative Reasoning, as it’s officially referred to) of the GRE consists of two types of problems: quantitative comparison and problem solving. Although the term “problem solving” is extremely broad, there are basic steps a student can take when approaching each individual question.
Below are outlined vital steps that all test-takers can benefit from while muscling through the potentially difficult math questions. GRE help is just around the corner.
(Really) Look at the Question
First and most importantly, look at what is being asked. This may seem like a no-brainer, but reading questions carefully can mean the difference between a 500 and a 600 score. Identify what kind of question it is: does it involve arithmetic, algebra, geometry? Is it prompting conversions of percents to fractions or vice versa?
For instance, if the question reads something like “If p pencils cost 2q dollars, how many pencils can you buy for c cents?” then this first step would lead students to recognize that what this question deals with is proportions.
(Really) Look at the Answer Options
Some students, after sizing up the question, may jump right in to working out the answer. The clever student, however, looks first to the multiple choice answers to see what exactly the real answer might look like.
Are the answers all in decimal form, but the numbers in the question fractions? By seeing this first, the student will know that conversion will be in order. Are the multiple choices all decimals? Are they all rounded to the tenth place? Knowing these seemingly minor facts before solving the problem can save time.
Is There a Faster Way to the Answer?
This may seem like risky business, but trying to find a shortcut before solving the problem can save students time for the more difficult questions that may lie ahead. Some questions can be figured out with little-to-no computations, especially once the multiple choice answers are taken into account. Maybe one or two answers really stand out, and then plugging-in is in order.
Often with many questions, several answers can be ruled out right out of the gate, so don’t feel too paranoid if an answer seems immediately logical. It’s quite possible that it is.
Solve That Problem
If there is no easy answer or obvious shortcut, go ahead and set up and solve the problem. Since by this point, students should have already figured out what exactly the question in asking of them, solving it by utilizing existing knowledge is the only way to go.
Keep in mind that problems vary in difficulty, some requiring use of multiple equations or a few conversions, so don’t spend too much time on questions that feel only moderately challenging. There are likely harder ones ahead.
Double-Check the Answer
Once the student feels that she has solved the problem, she should then check her work. Obviously, if the answer isn’t among the multiple choices, it’s incorrect. However, it could be a rounding issue, which is easily fixed. If it’s not, then perhaps start over or take an educated guess based on the calculations, if time is of issue at that moment.
If the answer does appear, don’t jump too quickly. GRE test-architects deliberately put wrong answers that they expects students to come to, so just because the answer is among the multiple choices, doesn’t mean it’s correct.
That said, don’t spend too much time fretting over whether an answer is right or wrong; try to maintain confidence in the work that’s been done.
By using these basic steps for approaching the problem solving questions, students can confidently move through this tricky portion of an even trickier exam. In the end, just stay calm, be confident, and remember: the test is only a few hours long. It won’t last too much longer.
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