To start preparing for and acing your GRE Quantitative Reasoning section—you should first familiarize yourself with all that the test assesses and asks. In this article, we are going to talk about the 10 most popular and tested GRE Math concepts. The main subjects from which these topics are tested are arithmetics, algebra, and geometry.
Let’s look at the specific concepts and details below:
WHAT ARE THE MOST-TESTED GRE MATH CONCEPTS?
Number Properties: The properties of odds and evens, integers, fractions, positives, and negatives will be tested through different questions in your GRE Quantitative Reasoning section. This is especially tested on Quantitative Comparisons. Variables, unless identified, can be either positive or negative, integers or fractions, decimals, etc.--therefore, it is important not to assume beforehand.
Plane Geometry: As per popularity, we will place plane geometry questions at number two. Within that, triangles are the most-tested shape on the GRE. You should know the concepts behind, and shortcuts to solve, Pythagorean Theorem, Triangle Inequality Theorem, the special right triangle ratios (45-45-90 and 30-60-90), as well as the properties of different types of triangles, such as, the isosceles and equilateral. You will also be tested on different properties of shapes—such as on their areas, volumes, and radius, etc.
Word Problems: One of the most distinct changes in the recent GRE is that it is becoming trickier, especially the Quantitative Reasoning section. How the GRE does that is by posing real-world problems in the form of “English.” You should, thus, practice converting the “English” into “Math” by converting words and variables into equation form, which you can solve to derive your answer.
Rates and Work: The most important need-to-know formulas on the GRE are D = R x T, or Distance = Rate x Time, and the concept of Average Speed. Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time. This is given as a general example, but you will be able to see a lot of variation in the actual parameters in your question. You just have to remember the logic behind those parameters and apply the same equation.
Probability: Probability is a high school Math concept and a favorite of the GRE test-makers. Some key items to know are that the probability of an event occurring is the desired outcomes or the total possible outcomes and the probability of two events occurring together is the product of the two probabilities. You need to memorize and remember some of the formulas about probability, such as, Combination: n! /n-k! k! Permutation: n! / n-k!
Ratios and Proportions: Ratios and proportions are another very popular concept tested by the GRE Math. Basically, a ratio is a relationship between numbers and/or variables, such as 3x:y. Given a ratio and one “real world” number, you can always set up a proportion to solve for the other missing “real world” number. Sometimes you will need to do this for two similar triangles in Geometry, and sometimes in algebraic word problems.
Percents: One tip for solving the percent questions on the GRE with unknown starting values is to always pick 100. This will make your calculation much easier. Make sure to review profit and interest concepts and know and learn the formulas for simple and compound interest.
Data Analysis: Some of the questions in the GRE, around 2-3, will present you with graphs, tables, or data charts and ask specific questions about the data trends and values. Always identify what is being presented and what the information suggests BEFORE moving onto the questions. Most of the test-takers struggle with data analysis questions the most in the Quantitative Reasoning section, so we actually suggest that you tackle these questions AFTER solving all other questions. Since these questions require more time, we suggest you solve the comparatively “easier” questions before.
Functions: To put it simply, functions are a different way of writing an equation; we simply replace the “y” with a symbol,“f(x)” so do not let it scare you too much. The GRE may also present made-up symbol functions, such as, g(x), or h(x)--don’t worry, they all mean the same thing. instead of paying attention to the “letter”, pay attention to the actual relationship or problem—and tackle the calculation according to that.
Systems of Equations: We have all done this in our high school. Some of you may know this concept as, “simultaneous equations,” where you are given two or three sets of equations and you need to calculate for the unknown variables. Know that you can identify as many variables as there are equations. Familiarize yourself with every concept about systems of equations, especially combination and substitution.
And now that you have a fair idea about what you are being tested on, you can start your GRE Math preparation in full swing and be ready to take the test head on!
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