Think about anything you do in daily life—driving, writing an email, preparing a meal, or editing a document. When you rush, what usually happens? Mistakes. You might take a wrong turn, overlook a typo, burn the food, or miss an important detail. Slowing down, on the other hand, leads to more consistent and accurate results. The same principle applies to the GRE Quant section.

When you hurry through a GRE Quant question, you increase the likelihood of misreading information, skipping steps, or making small arithmetic errors. These mistakes are not a reflection of your math ability but rather of your pacing and mindset. Rushing not only costs you accuracy but also reinforces poor habits. Over time, it conditions your brain to prioritize speed over precision, which is a dangerous pattern when accuracy is what truly matters.

Many test-takers fall into the trap of thinking that finishing faster will lead to a better score. They assume that speed is the key to success because the GRE is a timed exam. But the truth is, rushing before you have built a strong foundation is counterproductive. You might feel productive as you move quickly through questions, but if your accuracy suffers, your score will not improve. Developing both accuracy and speed takes time, and speed should be the byproduct of mastery, not a shortcut to it.

When you slow down, you give yourself space to think logically and check your reasoning. You begin to see patterns, recognize common traps, and understand what each question is really asking. This deeper engagement with the material is what improves long-term performance. Once accuracy becomes consistent, speed will naturally follow. You will be able to solve problems more quickly because your understanding will be sharper and your process more efficient.

To put this into practice, make untimed problem-solving a core part of your GRE Quant study routine. Allow yourself to work through problems at a comfortable pace, ensuring that you fully understand each step. Analyze your errors carefully and look for trends in where you tend to make mistakes. Once you can consistently answer questions correctly without time pressure, gradually introduce timing into your practice. This progression will help you balance accuracy with efficiency.

Remember, the GRE rewards clear thinking, not hurried guessing. Rushing through questions may feel like progress in the moment, but it often leads to more frustration later. Train yourself to value precision first. You will not only get more questions right, but you will also build the confidence that comes from knowing your work is reliable.

Taking your time during practice teaches your brain to work responsibly and with purpose. By learning to slow down, think critically, and solve carefully, you will develop the habits that produce steady improvement and lasting results.

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

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep