GRE Quant format at a glance
The shorter GRE has two Quant sections: 12 questions in 21 minutes, then 15 questions in 26 minutes. That's 27 questions in 47 minutes, about 1 minute 45 seconds each. The second section adapts to how you did on the first, and an on-screen calculator is available.
The 4 GRE Quant question types
Quantitative Comparison
Compare Quantity A and B. Answer (D) only when the relationship can change. Test 0, 1, negatives and fractions before committing.
Multiple Choice, one answer
Classic five-option problems. Back-solve from the answers or plug in easy numbers when algebra gets heavy.
Multiple Choice, one or more
Select every correct option, with no partial credit. Find the range of valid values first, then check each choice.
Numeric Entry
Type your answer with no options to lean on. Re-read what units and form (fraction or decimal) the question asks for.
Worked GRE Quant practice questions
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Answer: (D). If x = 2, A is bigger; if x = 0.5, B is bigger. Always test a fraction between 0 and 1.
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Answer: 40%. Multiply what remains: 0.8 × 0.75 = 0.6, so the shirt costs 60% of the original price. Discounts never simply add.
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Answer: 20. Sums, not averages: 5 × 12 = 60 and 4 × 10 = 40, so 60 − 40 = 20.
Want more? Try the free GRE mock test sample or review the top 100 GRE math formulas.
Pacing and calculator tips
Aim to be at question 6 by minute 10 in each section. Skip and mark anything over 2.5 minutes and come back. Use the calculator for ugly arithmetic only; estimation is faster for comparisons. Most errors come from misreading, so underline what the question actually asks.
Why full timed tests beat question banks
Drills build skills, but only full adaptive tests show how fatigue, pacing and the section 2 difficulty jump affect your real score. Retest every 1 to 2 weeks and use section analytics to see which question types cost you points.
Full adaptive GRE tests with scaled scores, on-screen calculator and worked explanations. Buy 1, 3, 5 or 10.
Get your practice testsFAQ
What math is on the GRE? Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis at roughly high school level. The difficulty comes from traps and time pressure.
What is a good GRE Quant score? 160+ is strong overall; engineering and CS programs often expect 165+. See what is a good GRE score.
Is there a penalty for guessing? No. Never leave a Quant question blank.
Put it into practice
Try a free timed GRE section with explanations, then unlock up to 10 full-length adaptive mock tests.