Struggling with GRE exponents and roots? You’re not alone—these topics appear often in the hardest GRE Quant questions. In this video, Erika Tyler-John, expert GRE instructor with a 339 score, 10+ years of experience, and 4M+ YouTube views, walks through four GRE exponents and roots problems across three levels of difficulty, including one that 68% of Target Test Prep students miss (plus a bonus hard question).

You’ll see multiple ways to approach each problem so you can stay steady on both Problem Solving and Quantitative Comparison. These methods help if you’re aiming for a 165+ Quant score or a 330+ total score, or simply want stronger math reasoning skills.

We start with an easy warm-up on exponent and root rules, then move to a medium-level question, followed by one of the toughest problems in the TTP GRE course. These questions reward clean algebra, flexible thinking, and strong pattern recognition—exactly what the GRE really tests.

What you’ll learn:

• How to use exponent rules without overcomplicating the work
• When to simplify or substitute numbers
• How to apply root rules in QC and Problem Solving
• How to avoid common GRE Quant traps

Why strong algebra matters more than memorizing rare formulas

This step-by-step breakdown will help you approach exponents and roots with clarity and confidence on test day.




Whether you’re starting from scratch with your GRE or you’ve been preparing for the GRE for a while, Target Test Prep has a personalized study plan that can help you reach your goal. Sign up for a FREE full-access trial for our 5-star-rated GRE prep course!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep