Even if you know all the concepts, rules, and formulas necessary for performing well in GRE Quant, it’s still possible to hit a score ceiling that you can’t seem to break. Such a situation might occur if you favor certain approaches that aren’t as practical as others when answering GRE questions.

For example, some students insist on testing values when solving most Quantitative Comparison questions, even when simplification or substitution will more efficiently lead to the right answer. While testing values has its merits in certain circumstances, it is not a one-size-fits-all strategy that can be applied in all circumstances.

Meanwhile, many students seek to “game” GRE Quant by using strategies such as backsolving and testing answers when using algebra would make more sense. Sure, backsolving may work here and there, but you’re better off using a strategy that will work for a wide range of questions, not just for a select few. After all, if the strategies you employ work less than 50 percent of the time, do you think you’ll be able to improve your GRE score?

Breaking out of your comfort zone can be challenging if you’ve become accustomed to using inefficient techniques. Still, if improving your score is important, you must take the time to “retrain your brain” so that more efficient ways of solving GRE problems become second nature to you. It’s important to remember that most GRE Quant questions can be solved using various approaches, but there is usually one approach that is much faster than the others. So, when answering practice questions, seek to identify at least two different ways to solve each question. You can even test each approach to see which one is most efficient.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep