Unless you’re a math major, chances are that when you start preparing for the GRE test, it’s been a while since you took a math class. Your algebra skills, once sharp and shiny, are rusty. Formulas you once knew are getting mixed up and mixed around. Your times tables have been tabled indefinitely. If you are to regain your mathematical form, you must begin by surveying the range of content to be (re)learned.
Thankfully, the GRE quantitative sections are built entirely from concepts and topics that you probably learned in high school at some point, even if your exposure to them was brief. Very few, if any, of the concepts will be completely new.
Unlike traditional math tests, GRE Quant goes beyond basic calculations, aiming to assess logical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving skills essential for success in graduate-level education.
What Is GRE Quantitative Reasoning?
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to interpret and analyze quantitative information, apply mathematical concepts, and demonstrate reasoning skills with numbers. You’ll encounter a variety of topics—from basic arithmetic to advanced algebra and geometry—crafted to challenge and refine your analytical skills. Additionally, this section requires fluency in manipulating data, interpreting complex information, and applying formulas and theorems to novel scenarios, testing more than just rote math knowledge.
GRE Quant vs. GMAT Quant: What’s the Difference?
While both the GRE and GMAT Quant sections cover essential math skills, the GMAT test is adaptive, tailoring questions to the test-taker’s skill level in real-time, which can raise the difficulty level quickly. GRE Quant, on the other hand, is non-adaptive, allowing for a structured layout of questions within each section. This consistency in question placement allows you to anticipate question types and strategize accordingly, giving you more control over your approach to the test.
What’s the Kind of Math on the GRE Quantitative Reasoning?
Below is a categorized list of topics you should expect to encounter. Think of this as the table of contents to a rather thorough GRE math syllabus.
Arithmetic
- Basic operations/order of operations
- Exponents and radicals/powers and roots
- Units digit cycles
- Fractions, decimals, percents, ratios
- Absolute Value
- Place value
- Estimation/approximation
Algebra
- Linear (first-degree) equations
- Quadratic (second-degree) equations
- FOILing and factoring quadratics
- Inequalities
- Functions
- Sequences and series
Applied Math Problems
- Probability
- Combinatorics (combinations and permutations)
- Percentage change and profit/loss
- Interest
- Age problems
- Averages/mixtures
- Rate/work/time
- Speed/distance/time
Number Properties
- Even and odd properties
- Integers
- Factors / Divisors
- Divisibility
- Least Common Multiple (LCM) and Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
- Remainders
- Prime numbers / prime factors / prime factorization
- Arithmetic series properties
Geometry
- Polygons and the sum of interior angles: 180(n – 2)
- Quadrilateral types (parallelogram, trapezoid, rectangle, square) and area formulas
- Triangle types (equilateral, isosceles, scalene, right) and area formulas
- Pythagorean theorem
- Special right triangles and Pythagorean triples
- Circles and formulas for area and circumference
- Arcs and sectors
- Cylinders
- Rectangular prisms
- Area and perimeter
- Volume and surface area
- Similarity and congruence
- Angles at intersections of lines
Coordinate Geometry
- Slope
- X and Y intercepts
- Line equations and slope-intercept form (y = mx + b)
- Graphs of functions
- Midpoint and distance between points
Statistics
- Mean, median, and mode
- Standard deviation
- Range
- Quartiles and interquartile range
- Normal distributions
The 5 Types of Questions on GRE Quantitative Reasoning
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section includes five distinct question types, each testing a unique aspect of quantitative understanding.
Quantitative Comparisons (QC)
The test-taker must identify the greater of two expressions, labeled “Quantity A” and “Quantity B.” Each QC question has the same answer choice set:
- Quantity A is greater
- Quantity B is greater
- The quantities are equal
- The relationship cannot be determined
Answer choice D means that either quantity may be greater depending on the scenario, or the value supplied to a variable. In some cases, quantity A is greater, and in other cases, Quantity B is greater
Multiple Choice (MC)
Standard multiple-choice questions with one correct answer. These focus on core math problem-solving skills and are straightforward but require precision.
Select All (SA)
A twist on multiple choice questions where there may be more than five answer choices in the set, with one or more (and potentially even all) choices being correct. These have square boxes instead of round bubbles and are always preceded by the instruction to “select all that apply.”
Numeric Entry (NE)
Non-multiple choice questions that require the calculation of a precise value, to be typed into a text entry box. Sometimes these have specific instructions to “enter your answer as a fraction” or to “round your answer to the nearest tenth.”
Data Interpretation (DI)
The four question types mentioned so far differ in terms of answer choice format, but Data Interpretation questions do not represent a fifth such format. They may be multiple choice, select all, or numeric entry (never quantitative comparisons) but are distinct from these question types because of the difference in the tasks required to answer them. On a GRE quant section, there are always three consecutive DI questions that ask about the same set of text, graphs, and tables. Hence the name “Data Interpretation.”
GRE Quantitative Questions Overview
In the updated, shorter GRE format, the Quantitative Reasoning section includes 27 questions, split across two sections (12 and 15 questions, respectively). Here’s a representative breakdown of the larger of the two sections::
| Question Number | Question Type |
| 1 – 4 | Quantitative Comparisons |
| 5 – 7 | Mix of MC, SA, and NE |
| 8 – 10 | Data Interpretation |
| 11 – 15 | Mix of MC, SA, and NE |
There are 7 or 8 QC questions per section and a total of 15 QC questions between the two scored quantitative sections on the GRE. If one quantitative section has 7 of them, the other section will have 8, and vice versa. If you’re a by-the-book kind of test-taker, you can do these questions first. But if you tend to be more confident on the traditional multiple choice questions, you can start with those and come back to the QC questions later.
For what it’s worth, the DI questions are always numbers 14 through 16. If you want to start here, just use the “review” screen to navigate right to question 14.
The standard MC questions are much more heavily represented than the SA and NE questions. There is a kind of balance between QC and MC questions, so that each quantitative section contains a total of 14 questions between these two types. If a section has 8 QC questions, it will have 6 MC questions (for a total of 14). And if a section has 7 QC questions, it will have 7 MC questions (again, for a total of 14). If you’ve been keeping track, this leaves only 3 questions per section for SA and NE.
The SA and NE questions also maintain a balance. You won’t get 3 SA questions on one section and then 3 NE questions on the other section; you’ll get one section with 2 SA and 1 NE and another section with 1 SA and 2 NE.
Question Types by Section:
- QC: 7 or 8
- MC: 6 or 7
- DI: 3
- SA: 1 or 2
- NE: 1 or 2
- Total: 20
Question Types for both Sections:
- QC: 15
- MC: 13
- DI: 6
- SA: 3
- NE: 3
- Total: 40
How Is the GRE Quant Scored?
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning score ranges from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. Scoring depends on the number of correct answers and question difficulty, meaning high scores require not only accuracy but also effective time management and strategic question selection. Familiarity with each question type and pacing can help optimize your performance.
How to Prepare for the GRE Quantitative Reasoning
To excel in GRE Quant, a strong preparation plan is essential. Here are some strategies for success:
- Understand the Structure: Familiarize yourself with each question type, its placement, and how it integrates into the overall structure.
- Practice Efficient Problem-Solving: Apex emphasizes moving beyond default solving mechanisms toward creative and efficient problem-solving. This approach can help reduce reliance on time-consuming calculations.
- Strengthen Core Math Skills: Build a solid foundation in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation, as these are integral to both the GRE Quant and real-world application.
- Seek Expert Guidance: Consider working with an experienced GRE tutor to help identify areas for improvement and develop personalized strategies. Apex offers one-on-one tutoring tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Apex’s senior instructors to learn more about how our targeted strategies can help you achieve the GRE Quant score you need to reach your academic and career goals.