The GRE is a timed exam, and time management is one of the greatest challenges students face. Every second matters. One of the most reliable ways to save time on GRE Quant is to commit as many formulas, concepts, and procedures as possible to memory. Memorization is not just a nice-to-have skill. It is one of the foundations of efficient problem solving on this test.

When you face a rate problem, you should immediately recall the formula average rate = total distance ÷ total time. If you encounter an algebraic identity such as the difference of squares, you should instantly recognize that (x + y)(x – y) = x2 – y2. The faster you can bring these tools to mind, the less mental energy you spend reconstructing them during the exam. This is the difference between solving a problem with confidence and losing precious minutes trying to reinvent what you should already know.

A practical way to build this kind of recall is through flashcards. Each time you come across a formula or concept you expect to need, write it down on a card. Review these regularly. By test day, this effort ensures that the formulas you need are available to you without hesitation. Instead of slowing down to remember or re-derive an equation, you can direct all your focus toward applying it to the problem in front of you.

To see the impact of this approach, try working through a set of practice questions. Then compare how long it takes when you know the formula cold versus when you try to recall or rework it under pressure. That difference in time is exactly why memorization is such an important strategy on the GRE.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep