The first step toward increasing your GRE Quant score is realizing that GRE Quant requires skills that are different from the math skills that you used in high school and college. The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section is more than a math test; it is also a reasoning game. So, increasing your score requires improving skills that relate specifically to the GRE Quant game.

Of course, it’s imperative that you know an array of basic math concepts, such as 30-60-90 triangle rules, Venn diagrams, the difference of squares, divisibility, patterns in units digits and in remainders, combinations and permutations, and algebraic translations, to name a few. However, you need to far surpass simply understanding those concepts; you must develop strong analytical reasoning skills.

In short, without a solid understanding of the underlying math, increasing your GRE Quant score will be difficult, but merely learning math probably won’t be sufficient to earn you a high Quant score. The key is to learn how the GRE uses basic math to create logic-based questions.

Whereas high school and college math tests are challenging because of the complexity of the mathematical concepts being tested, GRE Quant is challenging because of the level of reasoning the questions require. An ordinary math test assesses whether you understand concepts (and often allows the use of a calculator). The GRE, on the other hand, largely assumes that you understand certain concepts and uses those concepts as the foundation of reasoning questions.

So, you’re not just being asked, “Do you know this formula?” but instead, “Can you see how to apply this idea to an unusual situation?” That means you may be solving for an unknown using two variables, interpreting a confusing ratio setup, or eliminating answer choices based on logic rather than computation. The questions may seem strange at first, but over time, you’ll begin to recognize familiar reasoning patterns — and that’s when you’ll start moving more quickly.

Furthermore, the GRE is structured in such a way that you’ll need to be able to answer each Quant question in one minute and forty-five seconds, on average. Thus, your understanding of how to answer GRE Quant questions must be so great that you are able to attack each question as efficiently as possible. Being able to answer a question in four minutes may be a good start when you’re beginning your Quant study but does you little good on the actual GRE.

The bottom line: Treat GRE Quant not as a set of isolated math problems but as a reasoning-based challenge built around math. Doing so will help you develop the mindset required for consistent, efficient problem-solving — the kind of mindset that leads to a high GRE Quant score.

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

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep