It is quite possible.听

Out there, there will be no dearth of scintillating toppers with a grand GRE Quant score. But the question that remains is: how did they manage to achieve it? Do you think there is some magic here? What is the sleight of hand they employ that you don鈥檛?

Imagine a novice typing something on a keyboard using two fingers and compare him with a professional typist whose fingers literally fly over the keyboard. Picture the grace and fluency that a professional has. By constantly honing his skills in typing, he has mastered the art of using the right fingers for pressing the right keys. And, his confidence in the job makes him look near-perfect. Much in contrast to the novice who would take some minutes just to type his/her own name.

For all we know, the novice works harder to type with two fingers than the professional. But how far do his results take him? 

Now, we have all heard of the 鈥減ractice, practice, practice鈥� rhetoric. 

Yes, there is practice and much more!

Check out the “Quants handbook for a perfect 170 score“

Being Good vs. Scoring 骋辞辞诲听

So you are good at Mathematics?听

That’s great, but does it really help you in improving your GRE Quant score?

It鈥檚 not easy to get the GRE Quant score of 160+. It鈥檚 an online adaptive exam that 鈥榓dapts鈥� to your level of competency. That is, the successive sections get harder or easier based on the performance of your previous section. You do not get the leisure of pondering over a problem since you would be expected to solve approximately 20 questions in 35 min. Spending a long time on a tough question will make you run the risk of losing out on an easier question later on.

So being good at Quant will not suffice, unless you are exceptionally good.

Scoring good in the GRE Quant section is what matters, and that would take good GRE Quant preparation.听听

The Challenge of GRE

GRE is not just a test of competency. It tests applicants on their time management skills and adaptation skills to face challenging scenarios. So solving a problem is not good enough. Solving it fast is what would give you an edge over the other applicants.

That edge might push you into the league of 40% of the test-takers with GRE Quant score above 160. 

But how about getting into the 23% league of elitists with GRE Quant score 162鈥�166? Surely immaculate time-management skill is not the only ace up their sleeve.

Let鈥檚 explore a bit more.

For starters, do you know what the four sections are in GRE Quant section?

Preparation: Knowing what to expect.

The only way to save yourself from not falling into despair in the middle of preparation is by knowing the type of questions that you can expect in the GRE exam. A proper scheme of plans and strategies will definitely be the X factor to help you push the borders.

The challenge starts with this topic:

Arithmetic: 

The arithmetic section would involve questions on properties and types of integers, arithmetic operations, exponents, and roots. Concepts on estimation, percent ratio, rate, absolute value, number line, decimal representation, and sequence of numbers would be your hosts in the GRE exam.

Algebra:

Algebra topics would include operations with exponents, factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions, relations, functions, equations, and inequalities. You would be expected to solve problems on linear and quadratic equations and inequalities. Also, there would be problems with simultaneous equations and inequalities.

Geometry:

Geometry for conceptual thinkers would include challenges from parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons. Congruent and similar figures, three-dimensional figures, area, perimeter, and volume would be in the list. And lastly, problems from the Pythagorean theorem and angle measurement in degrees.

Data Analysis:

Data analysis ranges from basic descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, interquartile range quartiles, and percentiles. This section would also ask you to approach problems from interpretations of data in tables and graphs, elementary probability, permutations, and Venn diagrams.

Now that you are familiar with the problems, let鈥檚 look at the solutions. Let’s begin by looking at what you can do about them, optimally.

Download the eBook on “160+ in GRE Verbal“

 What 160+ scorers do:  Closing the gap

There is no insurmountable wall between you and a good GRE Quant score of 160+. It is not rocket science. There is no magic and certainly no wonders. When you walk into the exam room on the test day, you know you鈥檇 have nothing but a GRE Quant score above 160 and the results would just reflect your confidence. Even if you have a little doubt about things going wrong, then things would go wrong. So start now, start strong, and improve your GRE Quant score.

Start with the Basics

We might have been proficient with the basics of math in our high school. But time turns and makes everyone rusty when we don’t practice them much. Basics of arithmetic are often overlooked by a lot of people who try to work on finesse without getting the foundation right. Such students can find it very challenging to improve Applied Math and Data Interpretation since they hit a roadblock. Because, for these topics, flawless conceptual knowledge in basic arithmetic is a prerequisite.

Skipping Steps

Deviating from the established procedures can lead to a disaster. The small steps that are skipped in the calculations to save time come back as low scores, often due to silly mistakes and a bag full of regrets. Avoid these to improve your GRE Quant score.

The Lure

Try this question:

Question: Given 3a is an even number

Quantity A: a 

Quantity B: 2a

Which of the following options is correct:

1. Quantity A is greater

2. Quantity B is greater

3. The two quantities are equal

4. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Did you go for the 2nd answer?

Congrats! You just got baited and your temptation to quickly mark a right answer has cost you the perfect GRE Quant score.

Getting lured to the wrong options in multiple-choice questions can also be an indirect result of the former. Options are designed to replicate wrong answers which are often the products of the most common mistakes students make. 

Inadequate practice essentially breeds low confidence. With low confidence comes anxiety, fear, and low motivation. You cannot expect to run on the tracks of this race with such weights attached to your back. Students with low confidence and low motivation end up wasting a lot of time. In the end, anxiety ruins the entire scenario. 

(P.S. The explanation and the right answer is posted at the bottom of the page. Find out where you went wrong. Scroll down!)

This tip Never gets old!

Being prompt on plans and being regular with practice is the tried and tested solution to this problem. Not only does it bring out the weaknesses that you need to polish, but also slowly settles you into the scenario of time-bound testing. Challenge yourself constantly and ensure that you achieve accuracy all the time. Try to bring up the dropping curves of your performance graph to a consistent straight line. 160+ GRE Quant scorers do well consistently in all spheres of the pattern. Overlooking the weaknesses you have can leave serious dents in your GRE Quant preparation that you might find harder to mend in the later stages.

Ease your pressure

Leave no stone unturned when it comes to GRE style mocks. Buck yourself up to reduce pressure, by solving under the clock. After all, in the examination, you get no more than 1:20 min to solve a single question. You could be running short of time towards the end if you are not alert to the time factor from the beginning. The more number of practice tests you take, the more accustomed you get to face all these problems.

Problematic DI

Speaking of question lists, it鈥檚 advised to attempt Data Interpretation questions at the end. DI is known to baffle students with tricky questions. The dominating panic of getting a question wrong after spending a minute or two on it can adversely affect the chances of getting the other questions right. 

Don鈥檛 let the easy correct answers suffer.

Exam time follies

Lastly, organize your rough sheet/scratch paper. Number the calculations and make proper and efficient use of the rough space. 

When the clock鈥檚 ticking, it can be very hard to focus on the organization.

The last thing that you would want to happen in your rough sheet is the 鈥�6鈥� of Q.5 mixing up with the 鈥�66鈥� of Q.6. 

How confusing will that mess be?

But, what are the solutions for all these problems?

No Sermons : You need Proper Advice

It is true there is information everywhere today. But there is always a trade-off which, in this case, is quantity over quality. The aspect of authenticity has been drowning in the depths of opinions and sermons since the time the Internet was born. Finding relevant information suddenly became very hard. Compilation of tips for scoring 160+ was found wanting when a lot of information was thrown about without valuable insights from a teacher. 

It took some time to track down one such SFA (Student Facilitator Analyst) responsible for the success stories of many students. It took even more time to insist on a one-on-one Q&A with him but he eventually agreed. We had a discussion and here is the crux of it: 

Q. What percent of students have a GRE Quant score above 160?

Around 40% of people who take the GRE exam have a GRE Quant score above 160. The numbers go higher during Jun鈥揓ul. Since people with good insights about their GRE prep give the exam during this time, and they start preparing with us months earlier. They know about their weaknesses and have worked a lot to rectify them. So their results are obviously better.

Q. What part of the Quant syllabus do you think most students are weak in?

By far, Probability Distribution questions seem challenging to most of our  students. Their weaknesses become evident in the revision tests and the GRE style Quant tests they take. So, it does not come as a surprise when we find that their scores dip in PD and DI in the practice sessions. 

Q. What part of the GRE exam do you think students lose most of their marks in?

So there are questions that have more than one answer. Students find them confusing and they make a lot of mistakes. Also there are numeric entry questions which require students to enter a precise numerical value. Since these types of questions do not have options and require a high degree of precision from the student鈥檚 side, a lot of mistakes are committed. Also, topics such as Applied Mathematics and Venn diagrams trouble students the most. That is where they lose their GRE Quant scores. If they practice adequately and focus on their time-based accuracy, I鈥檓 sure they can overcome this.

Q. What do you suggest to the people who aspire to break the 160 barrier?

We can gauge the competency level of the student when he joins us and gives the diagnostic test and review tests. The stats speak for the student. We can estimate the student鈥檚 GRE Quant score over blurry lines. Sometimes, we are happily surprised. But more or less, the advice stays the same 鈥� whether it is a 160 or 150 student.

First, conceptual knowledge. Without that, aggressively preparing for other parts can be ineffective, since sooner or later we have to come back to the basics again.

Second, application of concepts. Learning concepts is what we can help our students with, but the application has to be taken care of by the students by relentless practice under time constraints. 

Third would be accuracy. Time management has always been a core part of GRE preparation. But time management cannot come in lieu of accuracy. Accuracy is useless without time management, as is time management is without accuracy. Getting an answer right is not a big deal. Getting it right under constraints of time and overwhelming exam pressure can be difficult. For us, that is the concept of accuracy.

Q. Do you think that GRE, being an online test, hampers the ability of the student to score well?

Yes, of course. Not many of us are acquainted to the online platform of education. And GRE is no normal test. For one, applicants pay a lot to sit for the exam, and on top of it their dream of achieving big depends on their success in this test. Students complain upfront about the inconvenience of taking the test online. Something as simple as turning pages to find the review questions by clicking buttons also becomes a point of concern. While all of this might sound very easy even to a seasoned user of computers, under the pressure of a ticking clock small things like this can become a big problem. Also the places where you are supposed to use a calculator that is provided by fighting the urge to calculate manually, is something that a student must master. So being comfortable with the online platform is a big issue. Preparing online will help.

Q. What is the ideal number of mock tests you would recommend before taking up the final exam?

The more the better! About 8 to 9 mock tests should do the trick for Quant. Priority should be to get used to the conditions. And, maintaining accuracy without worrying about time.

Q. What score do you think is a good indicator of 160+ GRE Quant score in our 黄色短视频 Quant test?

Ideally 30, but someone is yet to achieve that. It is seen that people who manage 28 or 29 in our review tests consistently, go on to secure a GRE Quant score of about 160 and above.

He went on to show me some stats from the Learning Tracker. And it indeed was congruent to what he said.听听

Here are the stats of 黄色短视频 students and their accuracy on questions of different difficulty level. Have a look at their 黄色短视频 Learning Tracker Stats :听

Fig 1.2: Performance Accuracy on Easy, Medium, and Hard Questions

This graph shows scoring patterns of students on difficulty levels easy, medium, and hard questions of 黄色短视频. 166鈥�170 GRE Quant scorers had a scoring accuracy of nearly 56.30% on difficult questions and 85.51% scoring accuracy on easy questions. Have a look at the yellow pillars and realize how they stand tall against the others.

Summarizing: What is your take away?

But before that as promised,

The explanation of the questions shown above awaits you!

We know that Odd 脳 Even = Even.听

For 3a to be even, a must be an even number

a = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, ..

For a = 0, the two quantities are equal

For a = 2, 4, 6 quantity B is greater.

Therefore, the relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

If you had chosen option b, then you might not have taken a = 0. Remember, 0 is also an even number.听

No doubt that we all start off by typing with two fingers. But some found the time to practice the right way. They stumbled countless number of times but their persistence to do it right took them places. They were not adamant and they learned from their mistakes. Their methods were simple but organized. And as tempting as it was for them to deviate and cut corners, they did not. When the chips were down, it was their self-confidence that motivated them to perform better.

Perhaps, that is why they type so flawlessly today.

Perhaps, that is why they scored 160+ in GRE Quant.

Do you think you can do it?

Absolutely, you can!

Start the journey towards change today. Take our free GRE Score Predictor Test and know where you stand.

Happy Learning!

The post How to get GRE Quant Score of 160+? appeared first on 黄色短视频 Blog.

Are you intimidated by Permutations and Combinations questions in GRE Math?

Do you scratch your head every time you are solving a question on P&C?

Well, you aren鈥檛 the only one! Don鈥檛 worry, most students who prepare for the GRE are stumped by questions on Permutations and Combinations. However, P&C is an integral chapter of GRE Math.

Gaining your mastery in this topic is a decisive aspect if you wish to achieve that dream score of 170!

Download our eBOOK on “Quant handbook for a perfect 170 score“

Why Is Permutation and Combination Important in GRE Math?

GRE Math measures your competency in four primary areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Permutation and Combination听is one concept falling under the data analysis section. But P&C is just a small part of data analysis 鈥� you will typically get only a few questions on it.

Now, we know what you are wondering: 鈥�Why must I focus on Permutation and Combination if it forms such an insignificant part of my GRE Math?’

Well, the answer is simple: It鈥檚 to differentiate the great from the good! If you are aiming for a high score in the Quantitative section, and have already mastered the rest of the topics such as algebra, arithmetic, and geometry; then a few questions can make a world of difference to your scores. And not just for your scores, the same few questions could make a difference between an admit into an elite institute as opposed to an admit into a mid-tier university.

It is therefore important that you familiarize yourself with the basics of Permutation and Combination, thereby raising your chances for a higher and a better GRE Quant score. And, we are here to help you do exactly that!

So, let鈥檚 begin with the basics. Permutations and Combinations are the bane of many students. But do you know the difference between permutation and combination? No? Don鈥檛 worry, you鈥檙e not alone.

What Are Permutations and Combinations?

As mentioned earlier, most students aren鈥檛 aware of the difference between the two concepts. While the difference is small, being aware of it will lead to accurately applying the correct formula at the correct junction.

Permutations: Let鈥檚 begin with Permutations. One way to think of this concept is as the number of arrangements or orderings within a fixed group.

For instance, if I have five students and wish to figure out in how many ways they can sit on five different chairs, I will have to use the permutations formula. This is because the number in the group is fixed. Secondly, we have to examine the number of ways in which we can 鈥�arrange鈥� the students on the five chairs.

Combinations: On the other hand, the combination formula is useful when figuring out how many groups can be formed from a larger pool of people. For example, if a teacher wanted to know how many distinct groups she can form from all the people in the class, she would use combinations. The imperative word here is “distinct,” as one student can鈥檛 be in two groups at once.

To simplify:

Permutations & Combinations 鈥� GRE Math

Here is one worked out example of each kind to help you understand better.

1) In how many different ways can we award the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes among eight contestants? (Gold / Silver / Bronze)

In this question, we have to arrange 8 people in a sequence. We will use the permutations formula here since the order is important in solving this problem.

Here is how it would work out:

• For the first place spot, we have 8 people to choose from: A B C D E F G H
• As we go down the list, the number of people we have to choose from will decrease by one each time.
• Therefore, silver medal will have 7 choices: B C D E F G H. [B wins the silver]
• Bronze medal 鈥� 6 choices: C D E F G H. [C wins the bronze]
• Here you see that we picked specific people to win. We had 8 choices at first, then 7, then 6. The total number of options was 8 脳 7 脳 6 = 336
• But we don鈥檛 have to do 8, since we have to order only 3 out of 8 people.

Because 5 people were left after we picked 3 medals, the final formula is:

听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听[which translates to]听 听 听 听 听 听 听

Now, consider this question:

2) Steven draws 13 portraits for his art project. He wants to choose 8 of them for his studio art final. How many different groups of photos are possible?

If you observe carefully, this question asks about 鈥榞roups鈥� and not the order in which the portraits will be chosen. Therefore, using the formula,

=听13!8! 13-8!

= 1287 different groups

Pro Tip: Always remember to ask yourself whether the order matters in the question. Be mindful while solving P&C questions, as the GRE may also combine one or more of these concepts into the same problem!

• Addition Rule: If an experiment can be performed in 鈥榥鈥� ways, and another experiment can be performed in 鈥榤鈥� ways, then either of the two experiments can be performed in (m + n) ways.
• Multiplication Rule: If an operation can be done in 鈥榤鈥� ways, while another operation can be done in 鈥榥鈥� ways, then both of the operations can be performed in m 脳 n ways.

Take a GRE style practice quiz on Permutations & Combinations now!

听Tips to Master Permutation and Combination Questions in GRE Math

To be able to ace your GRE math, you have to be at the top of your game all the time! While this may seem daunting at first, with the right techniques and appropriate guidance, you will be surprised at how easily you can achieve a perfect score of 170 in Quant. But blind hard work isn鈥檛 enough; in fact, with an exam such as the GRE, working smarter rather than harder is the key!

To help you reach your dream score, we have compiled a list of some of the best tips and tricks you can use to ace your Quant section, especially when it comes to the dreaded P&C! Here they go…

1) Confirm That the Question Is Actually on P&C

First and foremost, it is imperative to understand whether the question itself requires you to use the concepts of Permutations and Combinations. In GRE Math, questions don鈥檛 come according to chapters or labels as is the case with your practice books. Rather, they are a concoction of different topics and concepts thrown together in a blender mix of a section! You can have a P&C question sandwiched between an arithmetic and geometry question. It is therefore important to determine whether the problem involves permutations and combinations or not, and not keep a one-dimensional mind.

One simple way to be alert to this is to, of course, look out for the word 鈥�辫谤辞产补产颈濒颈迟测鈥� in the question statement. However, they usually won鈥檛 be so straightforward. Thus, if you cannot find the word 鈥槺璋遣共北艟背俨忖�� embedded in the question, then keep an eye out for other important markers and related keywords. All of these imply the use of Permutations and Combinations.

Some of these could be:

• Event
• Outcome
• Random Selection
• Chance

2) Memorize the Formulas

The key to acing your Quant section 鈥� not just Permutations and Combinations 鈥� is memorizing your formulas. Not only is it a healthy habit, but also saves up on crucial time (remember, you only get 2 minutes per question 鈥� you can鈥檛 waste any precious seconds on recalling formulas!

According to our data, most of our top scorers actually spend more time learning the formulas and concepts rather than practicing the sums! We鈥檝e listed some of the important formulas you can learn and keep in handy:

• The probability of an event = Favorable Number of Events Number of Total Outcomes
• Odds in favor of an event = Number of Favorable Outcomes Number of Total Outcomes
• Odds against an event = Number of Unfavorable outcomes Number of Total Outcomes

3) Pay Attention to the Language

GRE Math in your exam is as much a measure of your analytical abilities as it is about your cognitive prowess. To ace this exam, you have to always be on your toes. The test-makers don鈥檛 only want to see whether you can robotically apply formulas; rather they want to investigate whether you can comprehend what is asked of you and suitably apply your brains.

Thus, they create challenging problems by using subtle language to indicate whether you should use a combination formula, a permutation formula, or perhaps both sometimes, to answer the question on hand.

Keep in mind, combination-based questions will indicate that you need to form groups or sets, whereas permutation questions will hint towards finding an order. Words and phrases such as 鈥榝irst鈥�, 鈥榮econd鈥�, or 鈥榯hird鈥�; or 鈥榟ow many different ways鈥� are usually indicators of permutations.

4) Practice, Practice, and more Practice!

One should always pay heed to old adages, for they hold the most wisdom. And it doesn鈥檛 get much better that, 鈥�practice makes perfect鈥�. There is a reason this has reverberated through history; it鈥檚 because it鈥檚 true. There is no shortcut to success. The more of these problems you solve, the more you will familiarize yourself with them. By practicing more, even if you get them wrong, you will be acquainting yourself with the style of words, the diction, the way the questions are posed, and the format in which they will be presented to you.

Our data reveals that more often than not, the difficulty bar of questions on P&C is usually set at medium to high. So, make sure that you practice GRE questions which are a little tough. You must practice advanced GRE questions of level 4 and level 5 to be able to tackle the question on your D-Day head on!

Moreover, you will also be reading the corresponding explanations along with the answers, which will further help you understand the concepts of P&C better. The better prepared you are to ace Permutation and Combination questions, the higher your chances of acing your GRE Math!

Special Pointers to Follow On the D-Day

We have also put together a list of some special pointers for you to follow right before you Big Day! Consider this as a practical 鈥榣ast minute鈥� tips list. Read it right before you walk into your exam 鈥� and walk out with flying colors!

• Firstly, and most importantly, sleep. And sleep well. Nothing ruins your chances of getting a good score as much as a tired mind. Research has repeatedly shown the importance of a good night鈥檚 sleep before and exam. Not only does it refresh you and recharge your batteries, psychologists also say that it helps consolidate and retain memorized information better.听
• Stay calm, composed and as the famous book Hitchhiker鈥檚 Guide to the Galaxy states: Don鈥檛 Panic! Nothing shuts down your neuro-receptors faster than anxiety. If you feel stuck or are unable to solve a question, move on. Circle back to it later.
• In relation to the above point, if you still feel like you don鈥檛 know the answer to the question; then as a last resort make an educated guess (And hope Lady Luck smiles on you). After all, you miss 100% of the chances you don鈥檛 take. 听听
• Go fully prepared with your stationary in place. Dress well, and eat something filling. Feeling prepared and ready is crucial! Researchers have regularly found correlations between mentally 鈥榝eeling ready鈥� and associated better performance on cognitive tasks.
• Punctuality is key! The GRE is stressful as it is, so do yourself a favor and reach your test center on time. Worrying about being tardy will only disrupt your mental peace.
• When it comes to P&C, remember:

a) Re-ordering letters of a word, tossing of coins, rolling dice, and pack of cards all come under permutations.

b) Combinations are when you are asked to compute probabilities for independent events that occur together, and mutually-exclusive events.

We hope this article provided you with smart ways to crack Permutation and Combination questions in GRE Math. If you wish to take a GRE style practice quiz on this topic, you can do so here.

All the best!

The post Strategies to Master GRE Math 鈥� Permutation and Combination appeared first on 黄色短视频 Blog.