GRE Quantitative Reasoning: Question Types, Format & How to Answer?
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section and the Verbal Reasoning Section form a vital part of the GRE General Test, with scores from both being key factors in the admissions process. This section evaluates candidates’ quantitative aptitude and reasoning skills through problem-solving and data interpretation tasks, testing their logical and analytical thinking.
A strong score in the GRE Quant Section can significantly influence the range of institutions that may accept a candidate for their chosen program. In this blog, we delve into key aspects of the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section, such as the GRE Quant section pattern, common quantitative reasoning questions, and effective GRE Quantitative prep tips to help you boost your performance.
- What is the GRE Quantitative Section?
- GRE Quantitative Reasoning Pattern and Format
- Difficulty Level of GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section
- What are the Types of GRE Quantitative Reasoning Questions?
- Content Areas in the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section
- Content-wise Question Types
- How to Solve Problems in the GRE Quantitative Section?
- GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section Scoring
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
What is the GRE Quantitative Section?
The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE General Test is designed to measure a test taker’s grasp of fundamental math skills and their ability to apply basic concepts to solve problems. It tests one’s quantitative aptitude and reasoning by assessing how well they can interpret, model, and solve mathematical problems logically. This section appears after the analytical writing part and may be placed before or after the verbal reasoning section, depending on the test sequence.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Pattern and Format
- The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section is divided into 2 separate parts.
- Each section features a different number of quantitative reasoning questions.
- The first section includes 12 questions to be completed within 21 minutes, while the second section has 15 questions with a time limit of 26 minutes.
- In total, test takers are expected to solve 27 questions in 47 minutes, making time management a key element in mastering the GRE Quant section pattern.
| 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 GRE Quantitative Reasoning section follows a section-level adaptive format.
- This means the difficulty level of the second set of quantitative reasoning questions depends on how well a test taker performs in the first section.
- Typically, the first section of the GRE Quant section presents questions of moderate difficulty.
- If a candidate performs strongly in this section, the second one will feature more challenging questions, adapting to their skill level and testing their true quantitative aptitude and reasoning.
What are the Types of GRE Quantitative Reasoning Questions?
- The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section features a mix of question types, some based on real-world scenarios, while others are set in purely mathematical contexts.
- A large number of these are word problems that require test takers to interpret information, translate it into mathematical expressions, and solve accordingly.
- Across both sections of the GRE Quant section, you’ll encounter a variety of quantitative reasoning questions designed to evaluate your quantitative aptitude and reasoning skills.
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?
To effectively tackle the quantitative reasoning questions in the GRE Quant Section, test takers can follow a three-step problem-solving approach:
Understand the Problem
- Begin by carefully reading the question to grasp the given information.
- Pay close attention to what is being asked.
- Analyse any quantitative data, such as charts, graphs, geometric figures, or coordinate systems.
- Make sure you fully understand the objective of the question before attempting to solve it.
Design a Strategy for Solving the Problem
- Identify the relevant mathematical concepts and determine how and when to apply them.
- Stay flexible, Quantitative aptitude and reasoning problems can often be solved in multiple ways.
- Develop the most efficient strategy that suits the specific question.
- Regular practice with GRE quantitative reasoning mock questions can help you build and refine your problem-solving techniques.
- Remember, there are no fixed formulas for every math problem, adaptability is key.
Final Answer Check
- Confirm the result is logically sound and mathematically accurate.
- Check each step for calculation errors.
- If the final answer doesn’t make sense in the given context, revisit the problem using an alternative strategy.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section Scoring
- Like the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section, the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments.
- The scoring involves a two-step process. First, the number of correct answers is calculated to produce a raw score, and there’s no penalty for incorrect responses.
- This raw score is then converted into a scaled score through a process known as equating, which accounts for variations in difficulty across different test versions.
- The final GRE Quant score reflects the test taker’s overall performance.
- Additionally, the percentile rank indicates how a candidate performed compared to others, factoring in both the number of correct quantitative reasoning questions and the difficulty level of the sections, highlighting their true quantitative aptitude and reasoning skills.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
foundational math skills, including their ability to solve problems and construct quantitative models using basic mathematical methods. Similar to the verbal reasoning section, the number of questions remains constant, but candidates are given slightly more time to approach each problem carefully.
To perform well in this section, especially on complex quantitative reasoning questions, consistent and long-term practice is essential. Building strong quantitative aptitude and reasoning skills over time is key to achieving a high score.
FAQs
Are calculators allowed in the GRE General Test?
Yes, the GRE General Test allows the use of a calculator, but not a physical one. ETS provides an on-screen calculator during the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section to help test takers solve complex quantitative reasoning questions more efficiently.
How many questions are included in the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section?
The GRE Quant Section contains a total of 27 questions, divided into two parts. Section 1 includes 12 questions, while Section 2 consists of 15 questions.
What is the GRE Quantitative Reasoning syllabus?
The GRE Quantitative Reasoning syllabus covers four core topic areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. All questions are based on high school-level math concepts and test your quantitative aptitude and reasoning.
What is a good score in the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section?
A GRE Quant score of 159 or above is generally considered strong and can improve your chances of admission to competitive graduate programs, especially in STEM and business-related fields.
What is the time duration for the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section?
The total time duration for the GRE Quant Section is 46 minutes, split between the two sections (21 minutes for the first and 25 minutes for the second).
