How to Score a Perfect 170 in GRE Quant Section

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test taken by prospective graduate and business school applicants from all over the world who want to pursue Master’s, MBA, Business Master’s, or Doctoral degrees in the US, Canada, and other countries. GRE preparation is the first step toward pursuing a study abroad program. Educational Testing Services owns and administers the GRE (ETS).

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning exam assesses a student’s understanding of basic mathematical concepts taught in high school. The questions in this section are asked from four different math concept areas. Below are some examples:

(i) Algebra
(ii) Arithmetic
(iii) Geometry
(iv) Data Analysis

Read on the blog for tips to score a perfect 170 in the GRE Quant section.

Is a Score of 170 on the GRE Quantitative Possible?

Yes, a score of 170 on the GRE Quant section corresponds to the 97th percentile. According to a Report, 3 in 100 students who take the GRE score this mark. The average GRE Quant score is around 152.

How to Score 170 in GRE Quant?

To score 170 in the GRE Quantitative section, it is essential to be familiar with the GRE syllabus and the types of questions that appear on the test. The verbal section on the GRE tests the students’ reading and vocabulary skills.

The GRE quant syllabus includes topics that you would have studied up to your 10th grade – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Analysis and Interpretation. The GRE Quantitative subject test, though, involves complex topics.

Why Don’t Many Students Achieve a GRE Quant Score of 170?

One reason is the way the topics are tested on the GRE Exam. The first step is to familiarise yourself with the various question types on the GRE.

• The four different question types that you can see on the test are GRE Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, Multiple-choice questions (select one answer), and Multiple-choice questions (choose one or more answers).
• You should understand clearly how these GRE Quantitative question types work. Additionally, the test is section adaptive, as your performance in the first section determines the difficulty of the next section.
• One way to familiarise yourself with the GRE Quantitative section and the entire GRE syllabus is to take a free GRE mock test.

The second reason for not achieving a maximum GRE Quantitative score of 170 in quantitative reasoning is due to the complacent nature of these students towards math. They think that they are very good at it and hardly prepare for this section. But there is no replacement for hard work and the right GRE quantitative practice.

Common Mistakes that Students Make During the GRE Quant Preparation

Many people claim that they make silly mistakes in the GRE Quantitative section even though they have plenty of time. Listed below are some of the common mistakes made by students during the preparation:

• Calculation Errors – These errors can occur when the GRE Quant questions are not read or understood properly. As a result, the student might end up calculating things that are not asked in the question. Sometimes, students may end up marking the wrong answers even when they have solved them correctly.
• Conceptual Errors – These include not knowing the right formula. Geometry, Probability, and Permutation and Combination are some of the areas where these errors are common.

6 Expert Tips to Ace the GRE Quant Section

The thing about the GRE quant section is that you can not just rely on back solving and picking numbers. It requires you to understand fundamental math concepts and approach them innovatively.

Test takers would be very relieved to know that the GRE tests high school math concepts only. However, the questions in the GRE Quant section are significantly different from those on a high school Math test. The GRE tests not just your Math knowledge but also your ability to interpret data and perform under time pressure. The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section covers four main topics – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Interpretation.

The most crucial tip for solving the quant section is to read the questions carefully to avoid making silly mistakes. Ensure that you are calculating the value of X as asked in the question, not the value of Y, to realise that you have been doing it wrong all along. These things can consume your time, and in the end, your hard work will be for nothing. Here are some tips for GRE test takers to ace the Quantitative Reasoning section.

1. Understand the GRE Test Pattern

It is essential to understand the test structure and the concepts tested on the GRE. Knowing the test structure will help you develop an effective strategy for the test. The GRE has two Quantitative sections, each with 12 and 15 questions. You have 47 minutes to complete both sections.

Multiple Choice Questions with One Answer

The GRE Quantitative section includes multiple-choice questions. Some questions will require you to select only one answer option.

Multiple Choice Questions with at least One Answer

In a few other multiple-choice questions, you must select at least one correct answer that fits the context.

Note whether the question asks you to indicate a specific number of options or to select all that apply. In the latter case, review all the options and determine which ones are correct.

Quantitative Comparison

Each math section will begin with 7-8 quantitative comparison questions. These questions require you to compare two quantities and determine which statement best fits.

Numeric Entry

Numerical Entry questions require you to enter your answers as a decimal or an integer in one box, or as a fraction in two separate boxes. Because there are no answer options to choose from, you must carefully read the question and enter the appropriate type of answer.

2. Build Endurance and Stay Focused

The GRE is a long exam, and you need to be able to concentrate for about 4 hours. Train your brain to be attentive and work consistently for 4 hours. Work on your concentration so that you can be patient and attentive till the end of the test.

Test makers are adept at creating trap answers. If you make a simple calculation mistake or misread a word in the question, you may end up selecting an incorrect answer. Read the question carefully and understand what the question is asking you to find out. Double-check your answers always.

Most students miss the units on graphs and charts. Check the units carefully even when the information is presented in the form of a table, graph, or pie chart. For numeric entry questions, verify how the answer should be entered. For example, you may need to answer a decimal value rather than rounding it off to a whole number.

3. Use Elimination Strategy

On the GRE, there are no negative marks for wrong answers. This means that you should not leave any questions unanswered. Use the “Review” button on the screen to check if there are any unanswered questions. Ensure that you mark an answer for all unanswered questions within the final 2 minutes. If you are wondering, “Is there negative marking in GRE?” the answer is no.

If you are unable to solve a question or are stuck at a point in the question, you should use elimination to guess an answer. Elimination is a simple strategy where you look for answers that are clearly incorrect and eliminate them. Pick an answer from the remaining answer choices and move on.

In some cases, the process of elimination might give you one answer. However, in other cases, elimination will only improve the chances of your guess being correct. For example, when you are trying to guess the one correct answer out of five answer choices, the probability of your answer being right is 20%.

However, when you are choosing one out of two answer choices, the probability of your guess being correct increases to 50%. Even if the guess is incorrect, you are not going to lose anything. On the other hand, if your guess is correct, you would be scoring for that question also. This elimination is a beneficial strategy for answering questions quickly.

4. Time Management

The GRE Quant section consists of 20 Questions that need to be answered in 35 minutes. Thus on average, you have 1.75 min for each question. Do you think every question takes 1.75 minutes? For easy questions, you may take less than a minute, for medium-level questions, you may take 1 to 1.5 minutes, and for the more complex questions, you may take 2 minutes. Take the test in 2 phases.

This means that you should answer the easy questions in the first phase and then do the harder/more time-consuming questions. Do not take more than 1 to 1.5 minutes for a question while answering a question on the first try. Try to answer at least 13 to 14 questions in the first phase (approximately 20 minutes). Try to complete the remaining 6 to 7 questions in 13 minutes. These are hard-level questions, and you have approximately 2 minutes for each question.

To get used to the timer, even while practising, set a timer and note down how much time it takes to attempt 20 questions. Also, there is a “Mark” button on the GRE test screen. Use this button effectively. When you realise that a question needs more time or when you get stuck on a question, click on the Mark button. The questions that have been “marked” are clearly identifiable on the review screen. You can visit the marked questions later after answering the easier questions.

5. Make a Study Plan for GRE

Acing the GRE test is not something you can achieve overnight. Create a study plan for preparation and begin your studies as soon as possible. Ensure your study plan allows for reviewing basic math concepts and taking full-length online tests at regular intervals.

As the GRE is an online test/computer-based test, practice your drills online. GRE full-length practice tests help you to work in a timed environment and improve your stamina to be attentive and sit through the entire test.

Taking the tests or doing GRE quantitative practice questions without analyzing your mistakes is like blindly going into war without a plan or strategy to win. Analyze each test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Maintain a list of errors made in the tests and practice to improve for future tests. You can also go through the list of mistakes before taking the next test and avoid repeating the errors.

Further practice should be based on the analysis of any test that you take. Be mindful of the time you take to answer a question, considering the difficulty level and the concept being tested. Review the fundamentals when you get easy questions wrong. Practice harder level questions for the concepts in which you excel.

Don’t waste your time answering questions on random websites or going through random study materials. Follow one reliable source for study materials and GRE practice tests.

6. Use Scratch Paper Effectively

It is very common to hear students saying that they would have got the answer right, had they avoided a simple calculation mistake. GRE allows you to scribble on the scratch paper provided by the test center. Students should use scratch paper to organize the information while answering a GRE Quant question. Organizing the information will help you eliminate mistakes.

Even during practice, make it a habit to write down relevant information from the question and to do your calculations on paper. You can also use your scratch paper to analyze your test and identify where you went wrong in a question.

How Can I Score a 170 on the GRE Quantitative Section?

For most of you, understanding how the test works, identifying the tricks involved, and applying the strategies that work for you will yield the desired results.

1. Learn to manage time – A simple MCQ can take you much less time than a GRE quant comp or a chart-based question. While practising, ensure that your timings are within these specified limits. Do not miss out on GRE Quant questions because of time constraints. Instead, complete the test by guessing the answers to the questions if necessary.
2. Buy the Best Materials for Preparation – The books should contain all the concepts that the GRE tests you on. The questions should be comparable to those of the actual GRE. The materials required for practice include the Official Guide for GRE practice and a book from a reputable GRE prep company.
3. Attempt Practice Tests – It is necessary to practice quality materials rather than a large number of problems. Students often download numerous free materials from the internet in vain. Most of these materials are of inferior quality and may not accurately simulate the actual GRE test.
4. Opt for the GRE Online Coaching – If you plan to attend GRE online coaching to improve your score, then look for the ones that will not just teach you concepts but also the right strategies to tackle GRE-type questions. The trainers should not only teach you but also help you identify the areas of weakness and work through them.
5. Avoid Distractions – While preparing, you may spend two or three hours every day on GRE preparation. But a part of this time might be wasted on social media and daydreaming. Have a quiet room with an exam-like ambience while practicing.
6. Schedule Planning – Plan a schedule and stick to it. Your schedule should include time for classes, practice, tests, and reviews.
7. Work on Your Weak Subject Areas – Do not restrict your practice to areas that you are very good at, this will end up feeding your ego and may result in a lesser GRE score. Work on the harder areas such as probability and try to master them.
8. Try Computer-Based Model Papers – Your learning should be accompanied by practice and regular tests. These tests must be computer-based and include high-quality questions. You can use GRE model papers for practice, too.
9. Rectify Your Mistakes – Ruthlessly work on your mistakes to figure out if it is a calculation or a conceptual mistake. Learn the new concepts and remain agile to avoid common mistakes in upcoming tests. Maintaining an error log will help you in this regard.

Let Us Look into Some Math-Specific Strategies for GRE Quant

Make yourself familiar with the GRE math syllabus and brush up or learn all the concepts necessary for this test. This list of specific strategies also helps an aspirant on how to get 170 in GRE quant.

1. Use the calculator optimally on the GRE quant test. Simple calculations could be done using processes like factorization.
2. If the answer options are widespread, then try to ballpark the answers rather than solving for the exact values.
3. Backsolve in cases where questions require a specific value in the answer option and the question itself asks for a particular value. You know that one of the five answers has to be correct. Start with the middle number and work through the steps in the question and see which answer matches the conditions given in the GRE quant questions.
4. For algebra GRE Quant questions, try substituting numbers rather than working with alphabets/variables. The only criterion is that you must choose generic numbers, such as 2, 3, or 5, and not specific numbers like 0 or 1, or unusual numbers like 0.0127.
5. In the GRE Quantitative comparison, the substitution comes in handy. Use all the weird numbers to eliminate all possible options. Choose the one that you are still left with.
6. For longer word problems, break them down into smaller pieces and work through them.
7. In case of chart questions, don’t memorize the numbers. Read the headings, the axes, units, and the keys. Return to the charts based on the required values. The chart questions test you on fundamental arithmetic concepts and are conquerable through meticulous practice.

So are these steps to be followed only by those who want to score a GRE Quant 170. Not at all; anyone who wants to boost their score on the GRE can incorporate these steps into their preparation.