In the GRE General test, both quantitative and verbal reasoning sections are the important components whose scores are taken into consideration. It consists of problem-solving and data interpretation questions that analyse the test taker’s ability to think critically and logically.
The scores of the GRE quantitative section play a crucial role in determining what kind of institute will accept them for the intended study program. In this blog, we have covered the important aspects of the GRE quantitative section, including its question types, strategies to tackle them, and the scoring system.
Table of Contents
What is the GRE Quantitative Section?
The quantitative section of the GRE General test assesses the candidate’s basic mathematical skills, such as understanding and computing problems, by applying the elementary concepts.
It also evaluates their ability to reason quantitatively and to model and solve problems reasonably. This section comes after the analytical writing portion, along with verbal reasoning in any order.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Pattern and Format
- The GRE quantitative reasoning section consists of 2 sections
- Each section has a different number of questions to be answered
- Section 1 consists of 12 questions, which are required to be answered in 21 minutes.
- Section 2 consists of 15 questions, which are required to be answered in 26 minutes.
- Overall, test takers are required to answer 27 questions in 47 minutes.
| Section | GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section |
|---|---|
| No. of Sections | 2 |
| No. of Questions | Section-1: 12 Section-2: 15 |
| Types of Questions | Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Data Analysis |
| Total Questions | 27 |
| Time Duration for each Section | Section-1: 21 Minutes Section-2: 26 Minutes |
| Total Time Duration | 47 Minutes |
Difficulty Level of GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section
- The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE general test is section-level adaptive, which means that the difficulty level of the questions in the second section adjusts itself depending on the test taker’s overall performance in the first section.
- The first section in the GRE quant section is of average difficulty level
- If the test taker has performed well in the first section, the second section will be at a higher level of difficulty.
What are the Types of GRE Quantitative Reasoning Questions?
- Some of the GRE quantitative reasoning questions reflect real-life scenarios, while others are posed in purely mathematical settings.
- Many of the questions are ‘word problems,’ which must be translated and modeled mathematically.
- The GRE quantitative reasoning section (sections 1 & 2 ) consists of the following types of questions.
Quantitative Comparison– These questions ask candidates to compare two quantities.
One Answer MCQs– Candidates are required to select only one answer from the list of five choices.
One or More Answer MCQs- Candidates are required to select one or more answers from the list of five choices.
Numeric Entry Questions- Candidates are required to enter the integer or decimal in a single answer box or as a fraction in two separate boxes.|
Data Interpretation– Analyse and interpret the given data from a table, graph, or any other presentation method. These types of questions may be multiple choice or numeric entry
Content Areas in the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section
The following content is covered in the GRE quantitative reasoning section, based on which questions are framed.
- Arithmetics
- Integers
- Divisibility
- Factorisation
- Prime Numbers
- Remainders
- Odd and Even Integers
- Arithmetic Operations, Exponents and Roots
- Ratio and Percentage
- Algebra
- Quadratic Equations
- Coordinate Geometry
- 3D Geometry
- Angles
- Shapes
- Data Analysis
- Permutation and Combination
- Probabilities
- Venn Diagram
- Line Graph, Bar Graph, Circle Graph
- Frequency Distribution
- Statistics
Content-wise Question Types
Below, we have discussed the types of questions on the basis of content topics under 4 key areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
Arithmetic
- Properties and types of integers (divisibility, factorisation, prime numbers, remainders, and odd and even integers)
- Exponents and roots
- Arithmetic operations
- Estimation, percentage, ratio, rate, absolute value, number line, decimal representation, and sequences of numbers
Algebra
- Operations with exponents
- Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions
- Relations, functions, equations, and inequalities
- Linear and quadratic equations
- Simultaneous equations
- Coordinate geometry
- Graphs of functions
- Slopes and slopes of lines
Geometry
- Parallel and perpendicular lines
- Circles
- Triangles
- Quadrilaterals
- Polygons
- Congruent and similar figures
- Area
- Perimeter
- Volume
- Pythagorean theorem
- Angle measurement in degrees
Data Analysis
- Basic descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range, quartiles, and percentiles
- Interpretation of data in tables and graphs
- Elementary probability
- Conditional probability
- Combinations, permutations, and Venn diagrams
How to Solve Problems in the GRE Quantitative Section?
There are 3 basic steps that test takers can follow to solve the problems in the GRE quantitative section, which are discussed below.
Understand the Problem
- Read the problem statement carefully to understand the given information
- Focus on the problem you are being asked to solve
- Read and understand the quantitative information in data presentations, geometric figures, or coordinate systems.
- Ensure you have understood what you need to accomplish in order to solve the problem.
Design a Strategy for Solving the Problem
- It is important for test takers to understand what, when, and how to use mathematical facts to develop a solution.
- Approach the problem with an open mindset
- Develop the best possible strategies for a particular problem that can work well because a mathematical problem can be solved in various ways.
- Before attempting the real test, practice with mock questions in the GRE quantitative section that will help you design feasible strategies.
- There are no set rules applicable to all mathematics problems.
Final Answer Check
- Check the answer if it’s reasonable and computationally correct
- Check for errors in each step of the solution
- If the answer doesn’t satisfy the context provided, reattempt the problem with other strategic methods.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section Scoring
- Similar to the GRE Verbal Reasoning section, the quant section is also scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments.
- The score is determined through a two-step process.
- First, the total number of correct answers is calculated as the raw score, with no penalty for incorrect responses.
- This raw score is then converted to a scaled score using a process called equating.
- The final score reflects the test taker’s performance.
- The percentile rank indicates how they performed relative to other test takers.
- The scores on the verbal reasoning measures reflect the number of questions test takers answered correctly and the difficulty level of each section.
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The quantitative section of the GRE General test aims to measure the basic mathematical abilities and skills of the candidates. These skills include a problem-solving approach and forming and solving quantitative models by applying elementary methods.
Much like the verbal reasoning section, the number of questions remains the same, but candidates are given more time to allow them to solve the problems thoughtfully. It is crucial to understand that long and consistent practice is required to solve quantitative section problems.
FAQs
Are calculators allowed in the GRE General test?
Yes, ETS provides an on-screen calculator in the GRE general test to solve the quantitative section problems.
How many questions are included in the GRE quantitative reasoning section?
The GRE quantitative reasoning section consists of a total of 27 questions. Part 1 consists of 12 questions, and part 2 consists of 15 questions.
What is the GRE quantitative reasoning section syllabus?
The GRE quantitative reasoning section consists of four topic areas, which include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The questions are at the high school level.
What is a good GRE quant score?
For most of the courses and universities, a GRE quant score of 159 or higher is generally considered good.
What is the time duration of the quantitative reasoning section in the GRE General test?
The total time duration of the quantitative reasoning section in the GRE General test is 46 minutes.
