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Quantitative comparison questions present two columns
with a different math problem in each column. You are
asked to decide whether one of the columns is larger
than the other, whether the two columns are equal, or
whether it is impossible to determine their relative
size based on the information you have been given.
Quantitative comparison questions always have the same
four answer choices. You should familiarize yourself
with these four answers before taking your GRE, in order
to be faster. The four answer choices are:
(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. Quantitative comparison questions test your
understanding of underlying math concepts and your
ability to quickly reason out the relationship between
two quantities. The questions will be based on
arithmetic, algebra, and geometry that generally does
not exceed high school level. You are not allowed to use
a calculator for these questions.
Preparation Techniques and Tips
Don't assume that a variable is a positive, whole
number. One of the trickiest questions on the GRE
can be x2 compared to x3. Most examinees will instantly
assume that x3 is larger. However, if x is a fraction,
then x2 would actually be larger. Thus, the answer would
be (D), the relationship cannot be determined. When you
see a variable on the GRE, consider whether it can be a
fraction or a negative number. These values often
drastically change the answer for a quantitative
comparison question. When comparing quantities with a variable, consider
zero. Often, zero will allow two quantities to be
equal, whereas any other value will make them unequal.
If the two quantities can be equal or unequal, then the
answer is (D). Look for a shortcut. Almost every single problem
on the GRE can be done a faster way than the way you
were taught in school. Before you jump in to set up a
giant equation or compute any hefty numbers, see if you
can find an easier way to get the answer. If you find yourself overwhelmed or frustrated, move
on to the next question. You cannot afford to get
bogged down on test day, since there is a score penalty
for not finishing the exam. Don't let yourself get stuck
on one hard problem. Before moving on, see if you can
use a shortcut to make the problem easier. Try
approximating or picking different numbers. Don't worry if the section feels hard. The test
is adaptive, which means that by the fifth question the
questions will all be at or above your level. You will
not encounter the easier questions that appear on the
paper exam, so your brain will be working hard during
the entire section. No matter how you're doing, you’ll
probably end the test feeling drained. This is not an
indication of your score! Because of the adaptive
nature, everyone feels drained at the end of their exam.
Some of the highest scoring students report feeling like
they had done rather poorly, and yet got very high
scores. Tips for Studying Problem Solving
For a quick math review, use the
guide
provided online by ETS.
This review will take you through the basic math
concepts needed for the GRE, and refresh several
concepts that you may not have seen since high school. Do not mark on the problem when studying. On test
day, you will not be able to draw on the problem. To
make your practice realistic, use scratch paper when you
study and practice making all your marks on the paper. Do problems a second time and look for a short-cut.
Almost every problem on the GRE has a short-cut. Look
actively for such short-cuts when you study by going
back through your homework problems a second time. Take at least one mock-GRE in the computer adaptive
format. An adaptive test is very draining because
the problems will all be at or above your level after
question five. Thus, you will be struggling through
almost every question, whereas in a paper-based test you
will sail through quite a few easy questions. You'll
want to practice using the adaptive format at least once
before you take the real GRE, so you can get used to the
feel of an adaptive exam.
Click here
to try our quantitative comparison practice questions
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