How to Improve your GRE Maths Score

How to improve GRE Maths Score- The quantitative reasoning section is one of the trickiest sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam. It assesses the test-takers basic mathematical skills, their understanding of elementary concepts and their ability to solve using quantitative methods before compiling a GRE Maths score. The four main topics in this section are arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. It does not include trigonometry, calculus or higher level mathematics.

Improving GRE Maths Score:

GRE experts believe that to receive high scores in the GRE Maths section, test-takers must have strong fundamentals. Weak basics and fundamentals will decrease scores in this section drastically. Besides strong fundamentals, test-takers should know how to approach and tackle a problem.

Practice is the key. Students need to practice as much as possible, months in advance. The books designed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are the best. Test-takers can use them for practice. The ETS website offers numerous sample questions with solutions and sample papers that students can practice with. Visit the ETS website and have a closer look at the quantitative reasoning section for sample questions, instructional videos, tips, and general advice.

Practice test papers must be worked upon. Test-takers must time the tests while practicing test papers so that they can determine which sections take more time and which take less. Develop a clear understanding of the test structure before going through the test questions.

Magoosh has various eBooks to offer. The books give an overview of all the sections and contains helpful techniques and strategies that students can apply while solving problems. ETS books are the best, as they are the designers of the exam and their books include tricky and challenging questions that are essential for test takers to work on. The Official Guide To The GRE Revised General Test (2nd edition with CD) is a good book to begin with. It contains four comprehensive tests. They offer tips on how students must approach various questions. The questions are of different difficulty levels i.e. difficult, easy and medium. Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy guides is also considered to be a good source for preparation.

Test-takers can also visit The Khan Academy® instructional videos for explanations on maths concepts.

Valuable tips

It’s important to learn how to strategize. This only comes with practice. Test-takers must identify their weaknesses and work on them in order to improve on those areas. Focus on the strong points too. Experts believe that students shouldn’t waste time on problems that they are not confident about. You can spend a minute or so one one problem, however if it is consuming time, make a note of it and come back to it later on. Skip and start working on other problems that you are confident about. You have chances of scoring higher marks on the problems you are confident about.

Attempt all the multiple choice questions as they have answer choices.  Even if you are not sure about the answer, you can always choose the one that could possibly be closest to the right answer. Eliminate the answer choices that are far from the correct answer and choose the one that you are finally left with.

Practice with a variety of problems so that on the final day you are able to tackle most of the problems.  E.g. Integers, fractions, exponents and roots, lines and angles on geometry and so on.

It’s advisable not to learn new problems and skills in the last few days of the exam. On the final day, relax and engage yourself in fun activities before attempting the GRE. Being calm and relaxed is also crucial for GRE success.

Recommended Reading:

For further queries on GRE Maths Score tips, feel free to ask in comments.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR