The quantitative section of the GRE includes a wide variety of question types and math topics. In the two quantitative sections, you’ll have either 21 minutes to answer 12 questions or 26 minutes to answer 15 questions. That can feel daunting at first, but with the right tools, and plenty of practice, GRE quant problems are usually very systematic.

This course teaches the math principles you need to solve any GRE quant problem. You’ll also learn strategies and shortcuts that can make test day smoother.

However, there isn’t a perfect template for every possible way a question can be given. Instead, you’ll build a toolkit for solving problems, and you’ll learn how to apply that toolkit flexibly. That flexibility comes from experience and practice.

To help you get that practice, this course includes a review system. As you take chapter quizzes, questions are added to your review queue. Based on how you perform, the adaptive learning engine schedules those quizzes for future review so the techniques become automatic by test day. You should prioritize setting a study schedule and completing all course content. If you have extra study time, visit your dashboard and complete any quizzes that are ready for review by clicking the Review button.

If you miss a practice problem, read the explanation carefully and focus on why your approach didn’t work. The goal is to understand the mistake well enough that you won’t repeat it.

GRE quantitative question types

The two GRE quantitative sections have either 12 or 15 questions, drawn semi-randomly as shown in the table below.

	Average number of questions	Description
Quantitative comparison	4-5	Choose A, B, C, or D
Multiple choice	3-7	Choose one correct answer
Multiple choice (select multiple)	1-2	Choose all answers that are correct
Number entry	1	Type the answer
Data interpretation	0-3	Examine the charts to find the answer

Quantitative comparison

These questions always appear at the start of a quant section. They’re a signature GRE quant question type, so it’s important to be very comfortable with them.

You’ll be given two values: Quantity A and Quantity B. Your job is to determine the relationship between the two quantities. Here are the answer choices and what they mean.

A. Quantity A is greater than Quantity B
B. Quantity B is greater than Quantity A
C. The two quantities are the same
D. It is impossible to know the relationship between the two quantities

This will always be the format of the four choices for quantitative comparison problems. Learn it now and remember it. The more familiar you are with this format, the less time you’ll spend rereading the instructions on test day.

Multiple choice

There are two kinds of multiple-choice questions:

• Questions where exactly one answer is correct
• Questions where multiple answers can be correct

The question will tell you which type it is. The GRE also uses a visual convention to help you recognize the type quickly:

• If the answer choices have ovals around them, only one answer can be correct.
• If the answer choices have squares around them, multiple answers can be correct.

You’ll see this convention in the verbal section as well.

Select the correct choice:
(A.) Only
(B.) One
(C.) Correct
(D.) Answer
(E.) Choice

Select all correct choices:
[A.] Multiple
[B.] Correct
[C.] Choices
[D.] Are
[E.] Possible

Our UX isn’t exactly the same as the official GRE exam (since that wouldn’t be the best study experience). Instead, focus on the prompt: Select the correct choice versus Select all correct choices.

Numeric entry

These question types require you to type your answer into a box.

Don’t enter an answer too quickly. These questions often ask you to round to the nearest whole number or to a specific decimal place.

Data interpretation

These questions are generally located somewhere in the first half of the 12-question quantitative set, and they often come in groups of three.

You’ll be given graphs, charts, tables, or other data displays. Each question refers to the data shown, and it’s common for extra information to be included as a distraction.

Because it’s easy to misread a chart and make a careless mistake, work carefully.

Sidenote

Conventions for GRE arithmetic

The GRE expresses arithmetic in a variety of ways. Here are the most common symbols and how to interpret them.

Multiplication

• $2\times 3=6$
• $2\ast 3=6$
• $2(3)=6$

Division

• $6÷2=3$
• $6/2=3$
• $\frac{6}{2}=3$

Exponents

• $(-3{)}^2=9$
• $-(3{)}^2=-9$
• $-3^2=-9$

Pay careful attention to parentheses, especially with exponents. Notice that $(-3{)}^2$ equals positive nine, while $-3^2$ equals negative nine. This is because $-3^2$ means $-(3\ast 3)$: the $3$ is squared first, and then the negative sign is applied.