Mathematics Test

Overview

• The test consists of approximately 66 multiple-choice questions drawn from courses commonly offered at the undergraduate level.
• Approximately 50 percent of the questions involve calculus and its applications — subject matter that is assumed to be common to the backgrounds of almost all mathematics majors.
• About 25 percent of the questions in the test are in elementary algebra, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and number theory. The remaining questions deal with other areas of mathematics currently studied by undergraduates in many institutions.

Content Specifications

• CALCULUS — 50%
  Material learned in the usual sequence of elementary calculus courses — differential and integral calculus of one and of several variables — including calculus-based applications and connections with coordinate geometry, trigonometry, differential equations, and other branches of mathematics.
• ALGEBRA — 25%
  Elementary algebra: basic algebraic techniques and manipulations acquired in high school and used throughout mathematics.
  Linear algebra: matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, characteristic polynomials, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
  Abstract algebra and number theory: elementary topics from group theory, theory of rings and modules, field theory, and number theory.
• ADDITIONAL TOPICS — 25%
  Introductory real analysis: sequences and series of numbers and functions, continuity, differentiability and integrability, and elementary topology of R and Rn.
  Discrete mathematics: logic, set theory, combinatorics, graph theory, and algorithms.
  Other topics: general topology, geometry, complex variables, probability and statistics, and numerical analysis.

What Kinds of Questions Are on the GRE?

Content-wise, most GRE Quant questions are independent questions (also known as “discrete questions”) and are not directly related to any other question on the test. Non-discrete questions are the opposite and revolve around a single set of data, such as a table or graph.

There are four types of questions on Quant:
• Quantitative Comparison
• Multiple choice (one answer choice)
• Multiple choice (one or more answer choices)
• Numeric Entry

GRE Math Review: Takeaways

• As you can see, there’s a lot you should know about GRE math before sitting for the exam.
• To review, the Quantitative Reasoning section consists of two 35-minute, 20-question sections, which cover an array of math topics, namely algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and data analysis. Quant also uses a scoring scale of 130-170, on which 170 is a perfect score and 130 is the lowest possible score.

GRE math questions are presented in one of four ways:
• Quantitative Comparison: compare Quantity A and Quantity B and choose one of four answer choices
• Quantitative Comparison: compare Quantity A and Quantity B and choose one of four answer choices
• Multiple choice (select one answer choice): choose one of five answer choices
• Multiple choice (select one or more answer choices): choose one, two, several, or all answer choices
• Numeric Entry: write your answer in the blank(s) provided

And finally, here are our top four tips for studying Quant:
• Know the fundamental rules and laws of algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and data analysis.
• Memorize common GRE formulas.
• Study with flashcards
• Practice with GRE-style questions, prep books, and official practice tests.

Quant is just a single part of your GRE score. But as this GRE math review emphasizes, it is nevertheless an important part that shouldn’t be approached haphazardly. In the end, you should know exactly what kind of math is on the GRE, be able to recall all of the major concepts and strategies, and have the confidence that you, too, can get a great score on Quant!