Last Updated on January 10, 2024
Over the last 15 years, I’ve spoken to countless students who have been preparing for the GRE, and they all have the same question: is Quantitative Reasoning hard on the GRE? The short answer is that, yes, Quantitative Reasoning is hard for most folks studying for the GRE. GRE Quant tests a combination of high school math, mathematical reasoning, and numerical aptitude that is difficult for many GRE test-takers.
The good news is that with hard work and a top-notch GRE study plan, you can overcome those obstacles. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 major Quant “pain points” for GRE test-takers and how to overcome them.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- Pain Point #1: The GRE Has a Boatload of Quant Topics
- Pain Point #2: Every GRE Quant Topic Has Tons of Subtopics
- Pain Point #3: Multiple Topics Can Appear in a Single GRE Quant Question
- Pain Point #4: There Are 4 GRE Quantitative Question Types
- Pain Point #5: The GRE Calculator Does Not Necessarily Make Things Easy!
- Summary
- What’s Next?
Let’s discuss the first major Quant issue that you will encounter on your GRE.
Pain Point #1: The GRE Has a Boatload of Quant Topics
When speaking to students about the difficulty level of the GRE, I say most often that the content tested on the GRE is not usually what makes it hard. Sure, there are some challenging concepts, but the most difficult part is that there are so many topics you must learn. Furthermore, despite having to learn so much, there are only 27 Quant questions on your GRE!
What does all that mean? Well, it means you need to learn a lot of information and develop sophisticated mathematical skills for just a few opportunities.
So, without a thorough and detailed study plan that allows you to develop your analytical thinking and logical reasoning, mastering such a large amount of material will be difficult, and thus getting a high GRE Quant score will be challenging.
TTP PRO TIP:
There are a ton of math topics you need to learn to succeed on GRE Quant.
Let’s review what the main GRE Quant topics are.
The Math Topics That Can Show Up on Your GRE
Here are the major math topics on the GRE:
- Basic Arithmetic
- Algebraic Equations
- Number Properties
- Roots
- Exponents
- Inequalities
- Absolute Value
- General Word Problems
- Rates
- Work Problems
- Unit Conversions
- Ratios
- Percents
- Overlapping Sets
- Combinations and Permutations
- Probability and Statistics
- Geometry and Measurements
- Coordinate Geometry
- Sequences
- Functions
- Data Interpretation
As we can see above, there are 21 major math topics. So, although this is not the case, let’s say those topics were evenly distributed on the GRE. In that case, you would see roughly 40/22 = 1.8 questions per topic — not many questions! And, to make matters even worse, each major topic includes a ton of subtopics. Let’s take a look at those now.
Pain Point #2: Every GRE Quant Topic Has Tons of Subtopics
We now know there are 22 major topics tested on the GRE, which may seem manageable. But on top of those, there are hundreds of GRE subtopics. For example, let’s look at the topic of rate questions. Here are the many rates subtopics that the TTP GRE course covers:
- Elementary rate problems
- Elementary rate problems with variables in the answer choices
- Average rate questions
- Converging rate questions
- Diverging rate questions
- Round-trip rate questions
- Catch-up rate questions
- Catch-up and pass rate questions
- If/then rate questions
- Rates in miles per gallon
- Relationships between rate and time
As we can see, there are 11 subtopics in rates alone, and trust me, there are larger Quant topics!
So, my overall point is that it’s not enough just to say you can “handle rates.” You need to ensure you can handle each of the many subtopics included in that topic. If you can’t, what will happen when you encounter a rate question on a subtopic that you haven’t learned?
TTP PRO TIP:
GRE Quant is difficult because there are hundreds of subtopics you must learn to succeed on it.
Next, let’s discuss another challenging aspect of GRE quant: questions can test multiple topics at once.
Pain Point #3: Multiple Topics Can Appear in a Single GRE Quant Question
I think we can all agree that if each GRE Quant question tested just one concept, then GRE Quant might not be so bad. Unfortunately, that is not the reality of the GRE. Many GRE Quant questions test you on multiple concepts all in the same question. For example, it’s not unusual for a rate question to test you on fractions and algebra. It’s also not uncommon for a percent question to test you on word translations. So, even if you grasp 98 percent of how to solve a problem because you understand the primary concept tested, the missing 2 percent is going to be your downfall.
TTP PRO TIP:
GRE Quant questions are difficult because they can contain multiple concepts in a single question.
To get a better idea of what we discussed above, let’s look at an example.
Multi-Concept GRE Quant Example
Working alone at a constant rate, hose X can fill a pool in 6 hours, and working alone at a constant rate, hose Y can fill the same pool in 8 hours. How long will it take the hoses to work together at their respective constant rates to fill the pool?
- Less than 3 hours
- Between 3 and 4 hours
- Between 4 and 5 hours
- Exactly 5 hours
- More than 5 hours
Solution:
First, we state the rates of each hose. Because hose X can fill the pool in 6 hours, its rate is 1/6 pool per hour. Similarly, hose Y’s rate is 1/8 pool per hour.
Let’s let t = the total time, in hours, it takes the two hoses, working together, to fill the pool. Thus, hose X’s work will be 1/6 x t = t/6 pools, and hose Y’s work will be t/8 pools.
Since the two hoses are working together, we add their individual work values in filling the pool. Since they fill exactly 1 pool, the sum of their work will be 1 pool.
t/6 + t/8 = 1
In order to add the two fractions, we need the lowest common denominator, which is 24. Then we can solve for t
4t/24 + 3t/24 = 1
7t/24 = 1
7t = 24
t = 24/7 = 3 3/7 hours
Thus, the answer is B.
Answer: B
Notice that we needed to use concepts from three math topics to solve this problem:
- First, we dealt with having to translate words to math.
- After defining our variables, we had to set up an algebraic equation.
- Finally, we had to use fractions to determine the answer.
Now that we know the types of concepts we’ll see in GRE Quant questions, let’s discuss the 4 question types we have to deal with on the GRE.
Pain Point #4: There Are 4 GRE Quantitative Question Types
Remember the good old days in high school or college when you took a math test consisting of JUST multiple-choice questions? Unfortunately, GRE Quant does not offer the same level of comfort. In fact, to perform well on the GRE, you must master 4 question types. And to make matters worse, you can’t predict when you will see which type of question in any given Quant section.
The 4 different types of GRE Quant questions are:
- Single-Answer Multiple-Choice Questions
- Multiple-Answer Multiple-Choice Questions
- Quantitative Comparison (QC) Questions
- Numeric Entry Questions
TTP PRO TIP:
There are 4 types of GRE Quant questions you must master for success on the GRE.
Let’s discuss each question type in detail. We can start with single-answer multiple-choice questions.
Single-Answer Multiple-Choice Questions
The single-answer multiple-choice question is likely the question type you are most familiar with. In these questions, you are presented with 5 answer choices: A, B, C, D, and E. Only 1 of those answer choices is the correct answer.
Let’s illustrate this question type with an example.
Single-Answer Multiple-Choice Example
In a class of 36 people, the ratio of left-handed students to right-handed students is 1 to 5. How many right-handed students are in the class?
- 6
- 12
- 18
- 24
- 30
Solution:
We can write the ratio of the number of left-handed students to right-handed students as 1x / 5x.
Since the number of left-handed students plus the number of right-handed students is equal to the total number of students in the class, we can solve for the ratio multiplier:
1x + 5x = 36
6x = 36
x = 6
The ratio multiplier is 6, so we can calculate the number of right-handed students as:
Number of right-handed students = 5x = 5(6) = 30.
Answer: E
Next, let’s discuss multiple-answer multiple-choice questions.
Multiple-Answer Multiple-Choice Questions
Unlike single-answer multiple-choice questions, multiple-answer multiple-choice questions can have one or more correct answers. What makes these questions challenging is that you are not given the number of answers you must select, and you must select all the correct answers to get credit. In other words, there is no partial credit given. Thus, when solving these questions, it’s imperative that you keep your focus as you move through the answer choices.
Let’s practice with an example.
Multiple-Answer Multiple-Choice Example
If x is a positive integer, which of the following could be the units digit of 3,414^x? Select all that apply.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Solution:
If you recognize this question as a “units digit” question, and if you recall the pattern of units digits for numbers with a units digit of 4 when raised to a positive integer exponent, this question will be a slam dunk.
Let’s review the pattern of units digits for numbers with a units digit of 4 raised to positive integer powers:
4^1 = 4
4^2 = 16
4^3 = 64
4^4 = 256
We see that the units digits of powers of numbers ending in 4 create a pattern of 4, 6, 4, 6, …
Thus, we see that 3,414 raised to any positive integer power will have a units digit of either 4 or 6.
So, there are 2 correct answers to this question.
Answer: C, E
Now let’s discuss Quantitative Comparison questions.
Quantitative Comparison Questions
The most unique GRE question type is the Quantitative Comparison (QC) question. QC questions are made up of the following:
- given information (usually)
- Quantity A
- Quantity B
Using the information presented in the problem and the information presented in quantities A and B, you need to determine the correct answer among the following 4 answer choices:
- Quantity A is greater than Quantity B.
- Quantity B is greater than Quantity A.
- Quantities A and B are equal.
- The relationship between the two quantities cannot be determined.
Now that we have a general idea of how Quantitative Comparison questions function, let’s look at a few reasons why these are difficult GRE Quant questions.
You Must Be Thorough When Solving QC Questions
One reason why Quantitative Comparison questions are so difficult is that you must be incredibly thorough when solving them, to determine whether there is an inconsistent relationship between the quantities. If you let up on the gas pedal when solving QC questions, you likely will answer them incorrectly.
For example, let’s say you have a QC question in which Quantity A is x and Quantity B is x^2. Well, if you plug in numbers and make x = 2, then you have Quantity A as 2 and Quantity B as 4. However, you can’t stop there! You must be thorough. So, if you let x = 1/2, you see that Quantity A is now 1/4 and Quantity B is 1/2, making Quantity B greater than Quantity A.
Thus, the answer would not be (B), as it first appeared to be. Rather, the answer is (D).
TTP PRO TIP:
You must be thorough when you’re evaluating QC questions.
Let’s practice with an example.
Quantitative Comparison Example 1
Quantity A:
(x + y)^2
Quantity B:
(x – y)^2
- Quantity A is greater than Quantity B.
- Quantity B is greater than Quantity A.
- Quantities A and B are equal.
- The relationship between the two quantities cannot be determined.
Solution:
At first glance, you might be tempted to choose answer (A), Quantity A is greater than Quantity B. After all, you are adding two numbers, and then squaring the answer in (x + y) ^2, whereas you are subtracting those same two numbers, and then squaring the answer in (x – y) ^2. If you consider only positive integers for the values of x and y, you will be steered toward choosing (A) as the answer. For example, let x = 5 and y = 3, and you will see that Quantity A = 8^2 = 64 and Quantity B = 2^2 = 4, and so Quantity A is greater than Quantity B.
However, you have only scratched the surface by choosing only positive integer values for x and y. If you let x = 0 and y = 3, then Quantity A = 3^2 = 9 and Quantity B = (-3)^2 = 9. In that case, the two quantities are equal. You could also try letting x be positive and y be negative, and you’d then get the result that Quantity A is less than Quantity B!
Since we don’t have a consistent relationship between the values of Quantity A and Quantity B, we know that the answer must be D.
Answer: D
Let’s discuss one more challenging component of QC questions.
Watch Out for Visual Traps in QC Questions
Another thing that makes QC questions so tricky is that the makers of these questions are constantly trying to trick you visually. They do so by having one quantity appear to be obviously greater than the other, or they trick you into thinking you need more information to determine a consistent relationship.
For example, if we were comparing the number of digits in the answers to 5! and 6!, you may incorrectly assume that since 6 is greater than 5, 6! will have more digits than 5!. However, that assumption is not correct. In fact, 5! = 120 and 6! = 720, so they have the same number of digits.
TTP PRO TIP:
Do not be tricked by the visual makeup of a QC question.
Let’s practice with an example.
Quantitative Comparison Example 2
Quantity A:
The number of unique prime factors of 80
Quantity B:
The number of unique prime factors of 54
- Quantity A is greater than Quantity B.
- Quantity B is greater than Quantity A.
- Quantities A and B are equal.
- The relationship between the two quantities cannot be determined.
Solution:
You might be tempted to choose answer (A), because 80 is greater than 54. This visual trap is one of the types of tricks deployed in QC questions. Don’t be fooled!
Instead, do the work. If we break 80 into its prime factors, we obtain 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 5, and so we see that 80 has 2 unique prime factors. If we now prime factorize 54, we obtain 2 x 3 x 3 x 3. Thus, 54 also has 2 unique prime factors.
Answer: C
Numeric Entry Questions
Numeric Entry questions are nothing more than math questions for which you are given no answer choices. Rather, you must enter your answer into an answer box, either by typing it in or by using the “Transfer Display” button from the GRE on-screen calculator. On occasion, you may be prompted to enter a fraction into two boxes, the top box for the numerator and the lower box for the denominator.
Let’s look at a typical Numeric Entry question.
Numeric Entry Example
Point (16, t) lies on line p. If the equation of line p is y = (3/4) x + 8, what is the value of t?
Solution:
Let’s plug the x-coordinate (16) into the equation and solve for y. The value of y (when x = 16) will be the value of t, because t represents the y coordinate of the point with an x-coordinate of 16. This is:
y = (3/4)x + 8
y = (3/4)(16) + 8
y = 12 + 8
y = 20
Answer: 20
Now that we’ve covered the 4 GRE Quant question types, let’s discuss the GRE calculator.
Pain Point #5: The GRE Calculator Does Not Necessarily Make Things Easy!
I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with students in which they say they prefer the GRE over the GMAT because, on the GRE, they can use a calculator. Don’t let that sense of security fool you! Not only is the GRE calculator not very robust, but there are also many problems in which the question-writers are trying to get you to use the calculator when you don’t need to. Let’s explore both of those points now.
TTP PRO TIP:
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the GRE calculator will make GRE Quant easy.
The GRE Calculator Is Not Very Powerful
When you first heard that you could use a calculator on the GRE, did you assume that it would be the fancy TI calculator you had in high school? I agree that having access to such a calculator during the exam would be awesome, but unfortunately, that’s not what’s offered on the GRE! On the GRE, you have a very basic onscreen calculator. Not only is the functionality limited, but the calculator is also clunky to use. In other words, it’s very easy to make mistakes using the calculator.
To get a better idea of how this calculator looks, see below:
As you can see, the calculator works well for some basic math calculations, but it would be tedious to use for a longer string of calculations. So, make sure that your GRE math strategy does not rely on using the calculator.
TTP PRO TIP:
The GRE calculator is limited in functionality.
Next, let’s discuss the ways in which the test-makers will get you to use your calculator when it’s not necessary.
Don’t Get Tricked Into Overusing the Calculator
Let’s be honest, the question-makers over at ETS are well-aware that you have access to a calculator! Armed with that knowledge, their goal is to make you use the calculator at times when you really do not have to. In fact, any time you see a question involving large numbers or potentially tedious calculations, you should think twice before pulling up the calculator. Think about whether there is a math rule that you should be following.
TTP PRO TIP:
Be careful about using your calculator in situations in which you should use math rules or logic.
Let’s practice with a couple of examples.
Non-Calculator Example 1
13! is equal to which of the following?
- 5,337,222,713
- 6,227,020,800
- 6,339,012,899
- 6,874,124,812
- 7,449,803,923
Solution:
What we have here is a classic example of how the test-maker will give you an expression that will immediately make you reach for your calculator. You could start multiplying 13! as 13 x 12 x 11 x 10 x 9 x 8 x 7 x 6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 to get the answer. But you must know better! You need to know your GRE math rules like the back of your hand.
Assuming you do, it should not take too many seconds to recall that any factorial greater than 4 has a units digit of 0. And since 13 is greater than 4, we know that 13! must end in a zero. So, with a quick scan of the answer choices, we see that the correct answer must be (B).
Answer: B
Non-Calculator Example 2
Quantity A:
17% of 12,778,443,000
Quantity B:
12,778,443,000% of 17
- Quantity A is greater than Quantity B.
- Quantity B is greater than Quantity A.
- Quantities A and B are equal.
- The relationship between the two quantities cannot be determined.
Solution:
Once again, we are in a situation in which it’s very tempting to try to untangle the math using a calculator. However, even trying the calculator would be a mistake! Rather, you need to know the rule tested here:
x% of y is equal to y% of x.
Without doing any math whatsoever, we see that 17% of 12,778,443,000 and 12,778,443,000% of 17 follow this rule. Thus, we know that the two quantities must be equal.
Answer: C
Summary
There is no doubt that GRE math is challenging. There are no fewer than 21 major topics that are tested, including linear and quadratic equations, statistics, and geometry. Additionally, these major topics have dozens of subtopics, making the coverage of GRE Quant quite extensive.
With so many topics and subtopics to test, and only 27 questions with which to test them, the GRE test-makers often get creative with question-writing. For instance, they will craft one question that requires that the student use several math concepts, formulas, or operations to arrive at a correct answer. Thus, a student needs to have both breadth and depth of math knowledge in order to do well on GRE quant.
Additionally, there are 4 question types on the GRE:
- Single-Answer Multiple-Choice
- Multiple-Answer Multiple-Choice
- Quantitative Comparison (QC)
- Numeric Entry
Familiarity with these question types is mandatory for students wanting to score well on the math section of the GRE. Because QC questions are unique to the GRE, extra attention should be given to learning and understanding the answer choices and the logic needed for successfully answering QC questions.
Furthermore, while many students rejoice when they discover that the GRE provides an onscreen calculator, their joy is short-lived because they discover that the calculator is limited in its functionality and is time-consuming to use. So, remember that it is best to save your use of the calculator strictly for calculations that would be difficult to do by hand.
What’s Next?
This article discusses just a few of the intricacies of the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE. Now that you know the coverage and structure of the math section, you may want to check out our article on how to get faster at answering GRE math questions.
Remember, hard work and significant practice will put you on the path to success!
Good luck!
