Although you may not have the time or ability to solve every Quantitative Reasoning problem on the GRE, an effective timing strategy is to provide an answer for each question as you encounter it. This does not mean you must fully solve every question before moving on, but it does mean you should avoid leaving any question blank.

The logic is simple. If you leave questions unanswered because you are unsure, and you run out of time before returning to them, you have guaranteed a score of zero on those items. By contrast, if you enter your best guess and mark the question for review, you give yourself a chance to earn points, even if you never return to it. Since there is no penalty for incorrect answers on the GRE, guessing carries no downside.

This approach also helps you manage your time with greater control. Once you reach the end of the section, you can use the status screen to identify the questions you marked. At that point, you can decide which ones are worth revisiting based on difficulty, familiarity, and the amount of time remaining. Because you will already have reviewed each question at least once, you will have a clearer sense of which problems you can reasonably solve with the time available.

In short, answering as you go ensures you maximize your scoring potential and avoid leaving points on the table. It is a straightforward strategy that can make the difference between a good score and a great one.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep