Liz : 'Practise lots of qts based on probability, standard deviation, and median & mode, coz these types of qts r the trickiest in this section of the GRE.'
In the math section of the GRE, questions can be classified into the following categories :
Arithmetic Questions involve
Arithmetic operations
Powers
Operations on radical expressions
Estimation
Percent
Absolute value
Properties of numbers (e.g. divisibility, prime numbers, odd and even integers)
Factoring
Algebra Questions involve
Rules of exponents
Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions
Understanding concepts of relations and functions
Solving first and second degree equations and inequalities
Solving simultaneous equations
Setting up equations to solve word problems
Applying basic algebra skills to solve problems
Geometry Questions involve properties of
Parallel lines
Circles and their inscribed central angles
Triangles
Rectangles
Other polygons
Area
Perimeter
Volume
Pythagoras theorem
Angle measure in degrees
Simple coordinate geometry (including slopes, intercepts, and inequalities)
Data Analysis Questions involve
Elementary probability
Basic descriptive statistics
Mean
Median
Mode
Range
Standard deviation
Percentiles
Interpretation of data in graphs and tables
Line graphs
Bar graphs
Circle graphs
Frequency distributions
The types of questions that you'll come across are :
Quantitative Comparisons
Problem Solving
Data Interpretation
Quantitative Comparisons :-
Quantitative comparison measures your ability to:
Determine the relative sizes of two quantities
Perceive that not enough information is provided to make such a decision
Strategies :
Convert algebraic expressions to a standard form in order to compare them.
Avoid performing needless calculations, such as trying to decide how much larger or smaller one quantity is than the other.
Don't assume that all variables represent positive integers - be aware of negative numbers, fractions, and zero as possible numbers.
Geometric figures aren't always drawn to scale, so don't make assumptions simply based on the appearance of a figure shown.
Sample question :
7x2 = 21
Column A Column B
x 2
A. The quantity in Column A is greater
B. The quantity in Column B is greater
C. The two quantities are equal
D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given
Answer: B
Problem Solving :-
Problem solving questions test your:
Knowledge of maths involving percentages, simultaneous equations, polygons, probability, etc.
Ability to read, understand, and solve problems quickly and accurately
Each of the questions is followed by five answer choices. You have to select the best of the answer options given.
Strategies :
Determine what is given and what is being asked
Scan options to decide the level of approximation required
Avoid long computations
Scan all options before answering a question
Sample question :
In the fig shown, if CP=BP and x=120, then y=
A. 30
B. 45
C. 60
D. 75
E. 90
Answer: C
Data Interpretation :-
Data interpretation measures your ability to:
Read and interpret data
Perform statistical calculations on the data provided
The data interpretation questions usually appear in sets and are based on data presented in tables or graphs.
Strategies :
Look carefully at the data and understand how it's presented
Try to make visual comparisons and estimate products and quotients rather than perform computations.
For graphs, pay attention to the scales as well as read any accompanying notes
Answer questions only on the basis of data given.
Sample question :
In which of the following years did the number of graduate student applications increase the most from that of the previous year?
