The quantitative section is one of three sections on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). This section of the GRE tests the basic mathematical concepts that you were most likely exposed to in high school. For your best score possible on the GRE quantitative section it is important to review and prepare.
Step 1 :-
Become familiar with the types of questions in this portion of the test. The GRE quantitative section consists of 28 questions divided between quantitative comparisons, discrete quantitative (multiple-choice) questions and data interpretation questions. Study these different question types.
Step 2 :-
Study a list of facts and formulas regularly used in the GRE quantitative section. These lists can be found in study guides and online. Memorizing these facts and formulas will help you save time during the test.
Step 3 :-
Use the diagrams provided or draw your own to help clarify a question. Diagrams provided in the GRE quantitative section are drawn to scale and can be trusted.
Step 4 :-
Look for mathematical shortcuts. Math problems can be solved many different ways. Try to choose the fastest and easiest method to solve problems found in the GRE quantitative section.
Step 5 :-
Keep track of units given in GRE quantitative questions. Some questions may ask for an answer to be given in different units than were used in the problem.
Step 6 :-
Take practice tests and answer sample questions to become familiar with different question types found in the GRE quantitative section.
Here’s How:
1. Do not insist on completing each question before going to the next. By insisting on completing each question you can loose time and become nervous.
2. If possible, go through the entire test answering the questions you are sure you know.
3. Go through the test a second time working out the answers to more difficult questions.
4. Once you have gone through the test twice, see if any of the questions asked can help you answer those really difficult questions.
5. If you have a strong feeling about a question when you first answer it, don’t go back and change it later.
6. Play the odds: If you don’t know the answer, write something. In a 4 choice multiple choice question you have a 25% chance of being right.
7. Do not cheat! asking a test is as much for you as it is for your teacher. If you cheat, you don’t help yourself in the long run.
8. Do not translate from your mother tongue!
9. Don’t block when listening
10. Limit yourself to what you know.
11. Look for time signifiers when having to conjugate.
12. Throw out the ridiculous answers in a multiple choice question.
13. Don’t try to be too funny or clever.
Tips:
1. If you don’t know an answer don’t worry about it. Worrying about what you don’t know can keep you from showing what you do know.
2. Remember that tests not only to test your ability, but also help you learn what you need to focus on to improve your English.
3. If you don’t understand why you have made a mistake make sure to have the courage to ask the teacher why in a latter session. Being embarrassed about mistakes will never help you improve, so ask!
Be Aware :-
By the time you have finished your GRE preparation, you should be aware of the type of questions that will appear in the GRE Test. You should also be aware of how long each section is and the time limits. This will help you pace yourself through the test.
Know the directions for each question :-
Knowing the directions for the questions beforehand will save you valuable time. But remember the directions for the questions in the GRE Test might be slightly different from the ones in your study material. So always read the instructions but do it quickly.
Don’t stick to one question for too long :-
By the time you have finished your GRE preparation, you should have a good estimate of how much time you can give to a particular question. Don’t get stuck on one particular question for too long. This might cause you to lose precious time and miss questions you could have easily done.
Don’t Rush :-
The GRE Test is about optimizing. Finishing the paper first is not what is important. You should devote just the right amount of time to each question. Maximizing your marks in a given period of time is your aim. So don’t rush it as that might cost you valuable marks.
The questions at the beginning are the most important :-
The questions at the beginning affect your score more than those towards the end. Take your time with those questions. It is vital that you get those questions right. Getting these correct will dramatically improve your score.
Selection by elimination :-
When you don’t know the answers to some questions, try and use the method of elimination. You may have a very good idea of which option cannot be the answer. Eliminate such options. It narrows down your guess to just maybe two options and sometimes down to one.
Don’t leave any question :-
The GRE Test does not penalize you for wrong answers. So never leave any question unanswered.
Be very sure of your answer before proceeding :-
With the Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) for GRE, you cannot return to a question once you have attempted it. You cannot leave the difficult questions for later nor can you check your answers towards the end even if you have extra time. So pace yourself properly and be very certain of your answers.
Get adequate rest the night before :-
Before the test, relax. Research shows a person who is relaxed usually does much better than a person who is tense during an exam. Get enough sleep before the D-Day. Also if your GRE is in the morning, take a light breakfast. A heavy one might make you drowsy.
Do a test drive exactly a week before your test :-
Getting to the test center on time is vital. In fact you should try and get to the test center 15-30 minutes before time. Taking a test drive to your test center exactly a week before might be a good idea. This will give you a rough idea of the traffic conditions at the time and day of your GRE.
Wear Comfortable Clothes :-
Wear comfortable clothes to your GRE test center. It might be a good idea to carry a sweater or a jacket, in case you start feeling cold. Also make a check list well in advance of what all you need on the D-day and keep everything ready the night before. One of the things you need is a chronometer. (In case you don’t know what that means, start preparing for the GRE vocabulary.
Use the scratch paper the test center provides :-
You are not allowed to bring any sheets of paper to the GRE test center but are provided scratch paper by the center. You should make effective use of this to make quick notes for yourself or for solving math questions.
And lastly DON’T PANIC :-
No matter what happens, DON’T PANIC. Keep your cool all the time, even when you don’t know the answer. Once you panic, you might even answer the easiest questions wrongly. If you feel yourself getting tense, take a short break, ask for a glass of water, close your eyes, take deep breaths and calm yourself down.
The GRE General is administered by computer year-round.
Schedule an appointment with a center near you.
Arrive at the test center 30 minutes early to complete any paperwork. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted and will not be refunded.
Bring identification to the test center.
The fee for the GRE is $99 in the US and US Territories, $125 in all other locations
The GRE General Test will take two and a quarter hours to complete, but allow an extra hour and a half for reading instructions and taking tutorials.
Structure of the test:
Verbal Section, 30 minutes, 30 questions
Quantitative Section, 45 minutes, 28 questions
Analytical Section, 60 minutes, 35 questions.
Unofficial scores appear on the computer screen following your test. Official scores are mailed to you and the institutions you choose 10 days to two weeks afterward.
Preparation Tips :-
Prepare extensive to ensure that you get the highest score possible. This is not the time to cram.
Buy a GRE review book.
Download sample tests.
Try a practice test under conditions similar to the actual GRE. Based on your practice score, devise a study plan to help you brush up on vocabulary, reading comprehension, analogies, algebra, and geometry.
Plan to take the GRE well in advance of application due dates. Try to take it the spring or summer before you apply to grad school. You can always retake the GRE, but remember that you’re allowed to take it only once per calendar month. Because all prior scores are sent to the institutions to which you’re applying, never take the GRE as practice.
Like it or not, if you’re applying to grad school the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is on your to-do list. What is the GRE and how can you prepare for it?
The GRE measures a variety of skills that are thought to predict success in graduate school across a wide variety of disciplines. Actually, there are several GRE tests. Most often when an applicant, professor, or admissions director mentions the GRE, he or she is referring to the GRE General Test. Depending upon your discipline, you may be required to take a GRE Subject Test or the GRE Written Test in addition to the GRE General Test.
What Does the GRE Measure?
The GRE General Test measures the skills that you’ve acquired over the high school and college years. It is an aptitude test because it is meant to measure your potential to succeed in graduate school. While the GRE is only one of several criteria that graduate schools use to evaluate your application, it is one of the most important. This is particularly true if your college GPA is not as high as you’d like. Exceptional GRE scores can open up new opportunities for grad school.
The GRE General Test contains sections that measure verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills.
1)The verbal section tests your ability to understand and analyze written material through the use of analogies, antonyms, sentence completions, and reading comprehension questions.
2)The quantitative section tests basic math skills and your ability to understand and apply quantitative skills to solve problems. Types of questions include quantitative comparisons, problem solving, and data interpretation.
3)The analytical writing section tests your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, examine claims and accompanying evidence, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, and control the elements of standard written English. It consists of two written essays: 45-minute “Present Your Perspective on an Issue” task and a 30-minute “Analyze an Argument” task.
The verbal and quantitative subtests yield scores ranging from 200 to 800. Most graduate schools consider the verbal and quantitative sections to be particularly important in making decisions about applicants. The analytical writing subtest yields a score ranging from 0-6.