One of the most dread-inducing additions to the GRE—back when it changed in Aug. 2011—was the Numeric Entry question. The reason is apparent: instead of five answer choices to guide you, suddenly there is nothing more than a box, a big blank waiting for you to cough up one number out of millions (if not [...]
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QC “Who Cut the Cheese” GRE Challenge Question
This one is a real toughie. It is probably more difficult than any quantitative comparison question you’ll see test day. See if you can crack it under 3 minutes. A cube of cheese is 3-inches high. The cheese is sliced twice. Column A Column B Resulting surface area of all the slices of cheese 90 [...]
GRE Multiple Answer Challenge Question: Astronauts
In most likelihood, you will only get one or two combinations/permutations questions per test. Typically, the questions are quite challenging. Knowing the standard formulas won’t be enough; you’ll also have to use logic, and a fair amount of grit. Below is a question that will really force you to think, and rely on that grit. [...]
How to Approach Complicated Math Problems
Every GRE test is going to have a few math questions that are very difficult. Upon seeing them, you may become completely flustered and believe that there is no way you are able to solve such a question. Oftentimes this is not the case. Rather, you fall into any number of traps that prevent you [...]
GRE Math – Help! I’m Terrible at Math!
This is the sister post to I’m Terrible at GRE Verbal! Help! :) Sometimes we all need a little GRE math help. It usually doesn’t take more than the first session for a new student/tutee to look over me and confide sheepishly, “I need help with GRE math. I’m so bad at it!” Mind you, I [...]
Quantitative Comparison Pacing Drill
The very first problem you will see test day will be a Quantitative Comparison one (QC). Indeed, the first seven problems will be QC, unless you decide to skip them (which in the case of the last couple may, for some, be a wise strategy). Therefore, while prepping, you should make sure not to neglect [...]
Positive and Negative Square Roots on the GRE
Practice problems First of all, consider these two similar, but not identical, QCs. All I will say right now is: despite apparent similarities, those two questions have two completely different answers. The distinction between them is the subject of this article. Do I include the negative root? Often, students are confused about this question. [...]
GRE Math Multi-subject Challenge Question
Once in a while it is fun to take a concept in an official GRE question and run with it. The question below is inspired by a question from the 2nd edition Official Guide. That is not to say it is that similar; I have only extracted a couple of concepts from that problem. I’ve [...]
GRE Math: Percentiles and Quartiles
Fact: An 8 year old boy who is 4’5″ (53 inches) tall is in the 86th percentile for height for his age. What on earth does that mean? Well, the percentile of an individual tells you what percent of the population has a value of a variable is below that individual’s value of the variable. [...]
Quantitative Comparison: “The Relationship Cannot Be Determined from the Information Given” Answer Choice
The quantity in Column A is greater The quantity in Column B is greater The two quantities are equal The relationship cannot be determined from the information given Many people dread choosing answer choice (D) on Quantitative Comparison (QC) Some feel it may be conceding defeat. Others think that the GRE is trying to trick them [...]
