The biggest challenge for most with the GRE isn't the content, it's the pressure and the time constraints. Geometry on the exam is no different. With an unlimited amount of time to address the question, the basic plane or coordinate geometry questions would be easily addressed. However, because of the 35:00 section timer and the subsequent average of only 1:45 per question it is imperative that time not be wasted and we all know how long drawing can take!

Step 1 - Set up Scratch Pad as Normal

As always, list your choices if you have them presented for a problem solving question and of course set up the values in the quantities to facilitate evaluation if you are working a Quantitative Comparison.

Step 2 - Read Problem from Beginning Taking Notes as You Go to Determine if a Drawing is Beneficial

This is the big question - Should you produce your own figure to scale as part of the problem? Here are the considerations that should go into that important decision:

No: The problem provides no real values for the shape(s) and / or the figure(s) would involve simple shape(s)
This is the default position. Assume that producing your own figure is unnecessary for most GRE geometry questions. Most geometry on the exam can be reduced to its algebraic roots, and drawing simply takes too long. So, if no numbers are given to scale the figure and all of the shapes involved are conventional, try to skip the drawing and address the information more algebraically.

Yes: The problem provides real numeric values for the shape(s) and / or the figure(s) would involve complex shape(s)
If real numbers are provided, it is more possible to produce your own figure to scale and possibly facilitate logical estimation from those values making the effort of producing your own figure potentially worthwhile. Additionally, with complex shapes, often involving unfamiliar or shaded regions as well as shapes inscribed in one another adding lines not provided by the exam's figure can assist in discovering manners to related one shape to another.

Step 3 (Drawing Only) - Produce Your Own Scaled Figure for Problem

If you decide that a drawing is beneficial, be sure to attempt to broadly match the appropriate scale of the figure(s) by drawing only after reading the entire problem. Be sure to only trust what is written about plane geometry figures and not solely how they appear. For instance, be careful to not assume that an angle is necessarily acute, right, or obtuse unless specific information is given to indicate that is so whether in text or by indications such as the right angle square in a triangle that indicates a measurement of 90 degrees. However, you can trust any provided coordinate plane or data interpretation figures as drawn to scale since without the appropriate scale they would cease to have any value. For this reason, it is rarely necessary to redraw any coordinate geometry or data interpretation figures provided by the exam.

Now, once you have drawn your own figure(s) as best you can to the proper scale be sure to label all known or deducible values from the problem that can be added to your figure for reference such as:

• Lengths
• Angles
• Areas
• Volumes
• Coordinate Points

Step 4 - Write Out Any Potentially Necessary Formulas for the Problem

Whether evaluating with or without your own drawing, you will always want to write out potentially necessary formulas for the problem. This will allow you easily plug into the formulas values from the problem and / or your own figures. If you cannot remember any clearly necessary formulas, at this point it would be beneficial to immediately estimate, guess and move on in < :20. Do take time to memorize basic 2-D, 3-D, and coordinate geometry formulas as part of your GRE prep, since this is easily the area of the exam where rote memorization is most required.

Step 5 - Work the Problem as Normal

Problem Solving: Consider all problem solving tactics such as the technical approach, backsolving, and modeling for the most effective path to solving the question in the moment, relying especially on logical estimation. There are probably more logical estimation opportunities with geometry problems than any other quantitative content area of the exam, so even if you forget a formula think logically before guessing to eliminate impossible choices.

Quantitative Comparisons: Proactively determine if plugging in values to model scenarios is the most efficient path to evaluating the quantities. If not, rely on the technical formulas to relate the quantities to each other. If plugging in is viable, consider drawing and redrawing multiple figures to literally see if different outcomes are possible for the values in the quantities.

By following these steps, you'll be on your way to efficiently mastering GRE geometry!