Pearson | PTE
Register now for PTE & Unlock 20% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL20'. Valid till 15th NOV'24! Trusted by 3,500+ universities globally
The GRE quantitative section is unique and designed to filter the students based on their analytical and critical thinking. Most schools want a candidate who is good for advanced academic work and thus use the score of GRE as a criterion for admission. So, the questions in this section can be quite challenging. Therefore, good preparation is required to get a good GRE score on the exam.
GRE: Sample Papers | Preparation Tips | Guide
When preparing for GRE 2025 maths or taking any mock test for GRE 2025 maths, you must have encountered some tough challenging GRE quantitative questions 2025. Here we are going to discuss how you should tackle those problems. Also, after reading this article you will be able to understand the difficulty level of the questions asked in the GRE quantitative section.
In this article, we are going to discuss
Common GRE Quantitative Questions 2025
GRE Quantitative Comparison Questions 2025
How many questions are in the GRE Quantitative 2025?
GRE is a computer-based test (CBT). There will overall time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. There are five sections on the GRE, and two of those sections are Quant.
Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
Analytical Writing (One section) | One "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 minutes |
Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
Now let's discuss the overview of the Quantitative Reasoning Section:
As discussed above quantitative reasoning section of the GRE has two sections.
Section 1 consists of 12 questions and the time limit is 21 minutes Section 2 will consist of 15 questions with a time limit of 26 minutes.
GRE maths contains the major portion based on calculus and its applications, elementary algebra, linear algebra, abstract algebra and number theory. About 25% of the questions are from the other areas of mathematics currently studied by undergraduates in many institutions
Breakdown of Question Types
In the GRE quantitative section, there are four types of questions:
Types of questions | Description |
Multiple-choice (single answer choice) | These are typical math problem-solving questions with five answer choices. Out of which one choice is correct you must select that correct choice. |
Quantitative Comparison | Quantitative comparison (QC) questions are a question type you most likely have never seen before. These questions demand us to compare two different quantities. These questions are from basic as well as advanced maths. |
Multiple-choice (multiple answer choices) | These are similar to Multiple-Choice (single-answer choice) except that you have to select more than one correct answer choice. |
Numeric Entry (In data interpretation questions) | These are maths problem-solving questions with no answer choices given. You need to enter the correct answer into the answer box as per the given conditions. |
Several factors contribute to the difficulty level of GRE Quantitative Questions 2025. To understand what the GRE will ask, we are going to discuss them below:
As we have already discussed the types of questions asked in the GRE maths section. We are now going to discuss the complexity of question types.
GRE Quantitative Comparison Questions 2025
GRE Quantitative comparison questions 2025 are the ones that are newer concepts for you. Its freshness makes it complex for you. So, you need to understand well the statements of GRE quantitative comparison questions 2025. In these questions, you are given two quantities, one in column A and one in column B. You are to compare the two quantities and choose from the given four options.
Types of Statements and Comparisons:
if the quantity in Column A is greater;
if the quantity in Column B is greater;
if the two quantities are equal;
if the comparison cannot be determined from the information given.
We can understand its complexity by taking an example:
Quantity A | Quantity B |
1002 + 2002 + 3002 | (100 + 200 + 300)2 |
Options:
if the quantity in Column A is greater;
if the quantity in Column B is greater;
if the two quantities are equal;
if the comparison cannot be determined from the information given.
Solution:
Although we can solve this question by using the online calculator provided, it will be better to remember the identity
(a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2ac + 2bc
If a = 100; b = 200; c = 300, we can say that quantity B is greater than quantity A.
So, the correct choice is option B.
Problem-Solving
GRE Problem-Solving Questions 2025 are the usual questions with one answer correct or more than one answer correct. These questions are generally based on one concept. If more than one concept is incorporated into a single question, its difficulty level will be increased. The length of the question increases the difficulty level of the question.
Let us understand it with one example:
Question: Helena and James leave home to go to the same office, from the same house, taking the same 60-mile route. If Helana’s speed is 1/3 of that of James, and Helena arrives at work 30 minutes later than that taken by James, what was Helena’s rate driving from home to work (in miles per hour)?
20
80/3
80
120
240
Solution:
Let the speed of James = 3x miles per hour
So, the speed of Helena = x miles per hour
According to the question:
60x-603x=3060
60x-20x=12
40x=12
⇒x=80 miles per hour
Hence, the answer is 80 miles per hour.
Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation questions consist of different types of graphs or passages such as line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, table graphs, caselets etc. The complexity of the question increases if two or more charts are given in the same question. Sometimes data is given in such a way that you may find difficulties in interpreting the data effectively.
Let us understand it with one example:
Question: The following histograms show the sales and earnings of a company from 2005 to 2010.
In how many years, the percentage increase in earnings is greater than the percentage increase in sales?
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) 4
Solution:
Check percentage increase in sales and earnings:
Year | Percentage increase in sales | Percentage increase in earnings |
06 | -75-6575×100= -13.33% | -75-4575×100= -40% |
07 | -65-4565×100= -30.77% | 95-4545×100= 111.11% |
08 | 75-4545×100= 66.66% | 115-9595×100= 21.05% |
Clearly, in 09 and 10, sales are increasing but earnings are decreasing.
So, from the table, only in 07, the percentage earning is more than the percentage increase in sales.
Hence, the answer is option B.
Arithmatical Problems and Algebra
If the question is the amalgam of two or more concepts, its difficulty level will get increase.
The question can be the combination of any of the following topics to increase the complexity of the question. You need to have in-depth knowledge of each concept to understand the question and to solve it.
Topics are
Number System and basic arithmetic operations.
Percentage and its application
Ratio and its application to time and work
Average and mixture
Operations with surds and indices
Functions and relations
Equations and inequalities
Word problems
Coordinate geometry: intercepts and slopes of lines
Example: A fruit seller has 150 apples. If he sells x% fruits, find the number of fruits that remain unsold. Also, x satisfies x2 + 7x - 18 = 0.
Solution:
First solve x2 + 7x - 18 = 0
⇒ x2 + 9x – 2x – 18 = 0.
So, x = -9 or x = 2.
The percentage of the number of fruits sold cannot be negative.
So, x = 2.
It means 98% of the fruits remain unsold.
So, the answer is 98% of 150 = 147.
The above question includes the concept of percentage and quadratic equations.
Geometry:
Geometry itself has a wide range of concepts. The difficult questions are formed by using two or more concepts in a single question. Even without using two or more concepts, difficult questions are formed from this topic.
The main concepts are:
Parallel and intersecting lines and relation between angles
Circles: Chords and tangents
Triangles: Congruency and Similarity
Quadrilaterals and Polygons: Types and Properties
Area and Perimeter of 2–D figures
Surface Area and Volume of 3-D Figures
Example:
O is the centre of the circle above. The circumference of the circle above is 60π.
Quantity A: The length of AB.
Quantity B: 30
Which of the following is true?
Quantity A is larger.
The relationship cannot be determined.
The two quantities are equal.
Quantity B is larger.
Solution:
Let the radius be ‘r’, then 2πr = 60π
So, 2r = 60 (Diameter).
And the diameter is the longest chord. So, AB must be less than 60.
Quantity A < 60
Quantity B < 60.
Therefore, the relation between A and B cannot be established.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.
Note: This question is complex because you might try to find the length of AB which cannot be calculated from the given information.
Data Analysis and Statistics
To understand the complex questions on data analysis and statistics, you need to learn the basics of the following topics and practice them well to understand how difficult questions can be.
The topics are:
Understanding basic statistics: Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Standard Deviation, interquartile range, quartiles, and percentiles
Interpreting data: Interpreting data stated in the form of charts, tables, and graphs.
Elementary probability: Permutations and Combinations, Events and types of events, Conditional probability, Venn diagram
In the GRE quantitative section, 27 questions are to be solved in 47 minutes. This time limit may be a challenge for you. You hardly get 1.6 minutes per question to solve. With good practice and regular Online GRE Mock Test, you can overcome this challenge.
However, the GRE's difficulty in the quantitative section can vary depending on your background. If you are from a non-mathematical background, it might be more difficult for you as compared with maths students as they have better time management in solving maths problems. Regardless of your background, the GRE is a challenging test that assesses critical thinking and problem-solving, essential skills for graduate studies.
While taking the GRE, students may find some difficulties in the questions from advanced maths like complex algebraic expressions, probability, advanced geometry etc. You need to understand these topics well and practice them regularly so that you will not face any problems during the exam.
Some questions might be difficult because of the inclusion of advanced maths concepts in the question that require creative logic and muti-step solutions.
Reasons why you may find difficulties with advanced topics are:
Facing problems in applying concepts
Feeling the pressure of time
Lengthy calculations
Complex Algebraic Expressions
In the complex algebraic expressions of degree 3 or more, you may find difficulties in simplifying them as they require typical complex formulas to learn, and complex biquadratic equations and cubic equations are also not easy to solve.
To solve the complex algebraic expressions, you need to
Understand the basics
Learn the structure of the expressions
Learn the simplification formulas
Work with equations
Practice more and more
Advanced Geometry Problems
You may find difficulties in solving advanced geometry problems due to poor mathematical foundation and lack of clarity while solving basic questions.
The topics of geometry that may bother you are:
Similarity and congruency of triangles
Area of polygon
3-D coordinate geometry
Theorems related to Circles
Properties of quadrilateral
3-D figures etc
Here are some common graphs used to interpret data and asked in GRE maths.
Bar charts: Long vertical bars that are used to show different elements to compare or track changes over time.
Line graphs: Data points are joined by straight lines in such graphs.
Pie charts: A circular graph that divides the data into sectors and can be solved by taking the whole area as 100% or 360o.
Scatter plots: A graphical representation of data points that will help you to form a relationship between two or more variables.
Histograms: A graph similar to the bar graph.
You may find difficulties in extracting relevant information and in visualizing data.
Extracting Relevant Information
You may find difficulties in extracting relevant information because of any of the given reasons that make the data analysis section tougher.
Here is the list of challenges you may face:
Understanding what information is needed
Selecting the proper data set
The problem in formulation of the problem
Evaluation of the information
Extracting and assessing the information
Understanding and Analyzing Visual Data
Extracting data from the charts is very crucial. Some charts become easier for their data clarity but in many charts to visualize the data is not so easy.
What makes the data analysis section difficult?
Chart junk: Any element of a chart that does not add value to the data, such as unnecessary decoration, gridlines, or text. It creates confusion in interpreting and analyzing the data.
Missing data: It will affect the accuracy and reliability of visualized information if not treated properly.
Too much description about any data set also makes it difficult for you to understand.
Different coloured pallets or symbols can lead viewers to perceive value differences as being larger than they are.
We have discussed the challenges that you may face during the exam. It is better to prepare to overcome those challenges. We are going to discuss 3-steps strategies to overcome these challenges. These are:
What you should do:
Learn the basics
Understand the question properly
Do not skip any point
Learn all the formulas and revise them regularly
Draw diagrams while solving problems related to geometry
Learn the types of graphs and related difficulties. Practice all types of graphs and practice to interpret the data accurately.
Solve different types of problems to understand the language variation.
Read the question twice if it is complex.
First, you need to master your basics and understand the exam structure and types of questions asked in the GRE quantitative section. Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your practice:
Read the question carefully and then use the logic.
Also, think about the alternate solution to each question during practice.
Prepare a list of formulas and revise them regularly.
Incorporate the practice tests in your practice on each topic.
Practice the questions of higher difficulty than that are asked in the GRE.
Try to get accuracy first then work to improve your speed.
Practice mental maths.
Here are some suggestions that may help you understand how the test should be taken so that you can score well in the GRE maths section.
The first step is to understand the test pattern and the topics that are covered.
Take a diagnostic test initially to understand the current level of your preparation. It will also help you to manage your time.
During practice tests, break down the larger problem into smaller problems.
Estimate the answer and eliminate the incorrect choices. It will save you time.
Maintain an error log and check it regularly to monitor your improvement.
Eat healthy and take proper rest.
Preparation makes the known difficulties less difficult. Without preparation, the chances of failure are 99% while if you prepare well for the exam, you may increase your chances to get success. For better preparation you need
Planning
Resources to study
A good environment for study
Expert advice
Knowing the GRE exam pattern will lead your preparation in the right direction. If you know the test format then you will be aware of
The number of questions asked in the GRE quant section
Topics covered in the tests
Average time required to solve each question
The same you may incorporate in your practice tests.
Importance of Practice Tests
GRE sample paper or Practice tests will make you aware of
Your weak areas
Silly mistakes that you are making repeatedly
The important topics to focus on
Your accuracy
Your test taking
You can include the outcomes of these tests in your practice so that you can strengthen your weaker sections, cover the topics with more weightage first, improve your accuracy, avoid silly mistakes, and improve your speed.
Understanding Question Formats
Each exam has its own format of questions. Few of them asked similar types of questions. But the GRE has its own set of question types as discussed in the earlier section. So, this needs special attention.
To understand the question format, you should
Read the question properly
Identify the key concepts
Understand the instruction sets to distinguish between types of questions.
After understanding the question format, you can enhance your preparation.
A good study plan is required for better preparation. Include the practice of difficult and complex problems in your study plan to overcome the perceived difficulty. Structure your study schedule to identify and address your weak areas.
Structuring Your Study Schedule
Make three study Goals: Monthly, Weekly, and Daily. Your study plan should be balanced with the other sections of the GRE.
First make a monthly goal: Divide your preparation depending upon when you start your preparation: Let us say you have started three months before the exam, divide the complete GRE test syllabus into two months, and keep one month for practice and revision.
Weakly goals: Make weakly target of your syllabus, practice tests, and revision of previous topics.
Daily goals: Divide one week’s syllabus into 6 days. (Keep 1 day for rest and to revise your basics.
Target a limited syllabus to be completed in a day and incorporate quantitative comparison practice sessions at each step.
Incorporate challenging problems in your study.
Identifying and Addressing Weak Areas
To identify your weaker section, include practice tests in your study plan. Give separate time to learn and practice your weaker section. Ask yourself difficult questions to identify your weaknesses.
Additionally, to improve your weaker sections, you can do
Take more practice tests on those topics
Organize your keynotes
Emphasize conceptual learning
After regular intervals of time, you need to access your preparation. You should access your preparation on the following 3-4 parameters:
How much syllabus is covered?
How much time do you take to solve a question?
What is your accuracy?
Have you improved your weaker sections?
For this, you should evaluate your performance and rate your performance.
Making study plans and preparing without any strategies will not give you any appropriate results. You should evaluate and monitor your performance by taking regular practice tests and diagnostic tests.
Tracking Progress with Practice Tests
You should track your performance by taking practice tests regularly. To measure your improvement, you should make two logs: One for your scores obtained in your regular tests.
Another is an error log to monitor your mistakes and how your mistakes are improving. Also, maintain a record of the time taken by you to complete a test and the types of questions that are taking more time.
Regularly read your score log and error log to improve your mistakes and time.
Adapting Strategies Based on Performance
Based on your test results, change your strategies and adapt new strategies to improve your score.
You Should:
Review your performance and revise the concepts regularly.
Make changes in your study plans as per requirement.
Emphasize your weaker sections.
As we have discussed, the GRE quantitative section has different types of questions i.e. quantitative comparison, problem-solving, and data analysis. Now, you have an idea about the difficulty level of the questions that can be asked in the GRE quantitative section.
Confidence Through Preparation
Good GRE preparation tips make you confident and you will enter the exam hall with a positive mindset. To attain confidence, you should do:
Include GRE problem-solving questions in your preparation and master your basics in the areas related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, etc.
Revise the key concepts again and again.
To manage your time, practice more.
Manage stress.
Embracing the Challenge: Accept the challenges and prepare to overcome those challenges. Embracing the challenges will lead you to personal growth and success. It will help you to develop
Resilience to complex problems
Adaptability to different scenarios
Become more creative
Read More: You can download the below e-books for your reference:
GRE Exam - A complete guide | |
GRE Syllabus for Maths | |
GRE Maths Practice Test | |
GRE Practice Test |
Attempting the GRE without preparation is not recommended. This test covers a wide range of data topics and different patterns of questions, so studying and practising are essential to achieve a competitive score.
Preparing for the GRE might be challenging but manageable if you follow the right approach. For this, you need to prepare a study plan, practice regularly, and use high-quality resources. Also, take regular practice tests to evaluate your performance.
GRE questions are more of quantitative reasoning rather than being calculative. With the right approach, you will not need a calculator to solve GRE maths questions. Also, using a calculator is not allowed in this exam.
The difficulty of questions in maths varies from person to person. Some may struggle with algebra; some may find difficulty in geometry. All you need is to master your basics and practice each type of question.
GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and GMAT are standardized tests often required for admission to universities abroad, but they serve different purposes. The **GRE** (Graduate Record Examination) is used for admission to graduate programs and some business schools, focusing on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The **TOEFL** (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and **IELTS** (International English Language Testing System) assess English language proficiency, often required for non-native speakers applying to English-speaking countries; TOEFL is more common in the U.S., while IELTS is popular in the U.K. and other regions. The **GMAT** (Graduate Management Admission Test) is specifically for business school admissions, testing quantitative, verbal, analytical writing, and integrated reasoning skills, and is required for MBA programs. I would advise that you get in touch with a prominent abroad education advisor - a great one will really help you through the entire process, end-to-end.
For pursuing a PhD, the subject you choose for the GRE largely depends on your intended field of study. Generally, you will need to take the GRE General Test, which assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Additionally, some programs may require or recommend a GRE Subject Test, which focuses on specific fields such as biology, chemistry, literature, mathematics, physics, and psychology. To get personalized guidance and tailored recommendations on choosing the right subject for your GRE and further assistance with your PhD applications, consider consulting Invicta Career Consultancy, which specializes in helping students navigate the complexities of studying abroad, While there are other options available, hence you can pay a visit to their website (icclearning.com) and get a consult with them for better guidance. All the best to you.
Choosing the best GRE coaching center in Hyderabad depends on various factors such as the quality of faculty, study materials, class size, and the success rate of the institute. Look for centers that offer comprehensive courses, personalized attention, flexible timings, and extensive practice tests. Additionally, consider the center's reputation, feedback from former students, and any additional resources like online support or library access. Visiting a few centers to get a feel for their teaching style and environment can also help in making an informed decision.
Yes, pursuing an M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) through the GRE is possible. Many universities, especially in the US, accept GRE scores for admission into their master's programs in CSE. Strong GRE scores, along with a solid academic record, relevant work experience, and a compelling statement of purpose, can enhance your chances of admission. For personalized guidance and to navigate the application process effectively, consider reaching out to Invicta Career Consultancy, which can provide expert advice and support tailored to your goals, While there are other options available, hence you can pay a visit to their website (icclearning.com) and get consult with them for better guidance. All the best to you.
Dear Student,
For admittance to premier universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and CMU, your resume must be exceptionally strong.
Even if you address all of the aforementioned criteria, there is no assurance that you will be admitted to one of the universities you have named. When you make a decision, a combination of all these criteria will be taken into account, but these 10 ideas are a fantastic place to start.
I know someone who received acceptance letters from MIT, UC Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University for their MS and PhD programmes after scoring between 1400 and 1600 on the GRE. He applied with an excellent resume that included a 9+ GPA throughout college, two years of research in Microsoft R&D, and a few patents. Therefore, what matters is your whole profile.
I hope that helps! I wish you the best!
Select test center appointment | Scores valid for 5 Years | Multiple Attempts | Round 2 Closing Soon
Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
Register now for PTE & Unlock 20% OFF : Use promo code: 'C360SPL20'. Valid till 15th NOV'24! Trusted by 3,500+ universities globally
Explore Universities, Courses & Subjects | Work while study
Apply for upcoming intake & plan your journey
Universities inviting applications | Get expert guidance