GMAT vs GRE

GRE Quantitative
vs
GMAT Quantitative

Structure of the GRE (Computer ‒based Test)
Measure Number of Questions Allotted Time
Analytical Writing -
One section with two
separately timed essays
One "Analyze an Issue"
essay and one "Analyze an
Argument" essay
30 minutes per
essay
Two Verbal Reasoning
sections
20 questions per section
30 minutes per
section
Two Quantitative
Reasoning sections
20 questions per section
35 minutes per
section
One unscored section or
research section. Neither
one counts to your score
Varies Varies

GRE Pecularities
 The Quantitative Reasoning (and Verbal Reasoning) measure is section-level
adaptive. The computer selects the second section of a measure based on
your performance on the first.
 Within the section on which you are working you are free to skip questions
that you might have difficulty answering and return later if you have time.
 You are allowed to use a basic calculator on the Quantitative Reasoning
sections. For the computer-based test, the calculator is provided on-screen.

GRE Scores
Measure Scores Reported
Verbal Reasoning 130–170, in 1 point increments
Quantitative Reasoning 130–170, in 1 point increments
Analytical Writing 0–6, in half point increments
Scoring of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures is
essentially a two-step process.
 First a raw score is computed for each measure. The raw score for each
measure is the number of questions answered correctly in the two sections
for that measure.
 The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning raw scores are then
converted to scaled scores through a process known as equating. The
equating process accounts for minor variations in difficulty from test to test as
well as differences in difficulty among individuals’ tests introduced by the
section-level adaptation (for computer – based test).

GRE Test-taking Tips
1.The raw score for the Verbal measure or Quantitative measure is the number
of questions answered correctly in the two sections for that measure.
Nothing is subtracted from a score if you answer a question incorrectly.
Therefore, to maximize your scores, it is best to answer every question.
2.Work as rapidly as you can without being careless. Since no question carries
greater weight than any other, do not waste time pondering individual
questions you find extremely difficult or unfamiliar.
3.Within the section on which you are working you can go forward and
backward. However, the majority of the test – takers will be pressed for time
and won’t have an opportunity to go back to multiple problems at the end of
the section. With this in mind, the following can be recommended:
 Avoid “surfing” – clicking forward and backward through the questions
searching for the easy ones. Do the questions in order as they appear, do
not skip any questions.
 If you are not sure of the answer of a difficult question, make an educated
guess. Look for answers that you know are wrong, eliminate them, and
take an educated guess.

Structure of the GMAT
GMAT Exam Section Number of Questions Allotted Time
Analytical Writing
Assessment ("Analysis of
an Argument" essay)
One essay 30 minutes
Integrated Reasoning 12 questions 30 minutes
Quantitative Section 37 questions 75 minutes
Verbal Section 41 questions 75 minutes

GMAT Pecularities
 GMAT Quantitative Section (as well as Verbal Section) is computer adaptive.
The next question is based on the previous answer, through an algorithm
modifying the difficulty of every question. Therefore, it is not possible to skip
any question, leave any question blank, or return to any previous question
to verify or to correct it.
The test begins with randomized problems. Once it has accumulated a
meaningful sample of responses, it will assign subsequent problems
adaptively— increasing the overall difficulty if you are answering most
problems correctly, and decreasing it if you are answering incorrectly.
As you answer more questions, the computer will refine its picture of the
level of difficulty you are capable of handling. The higher the level of
difficulty at which you end a test section, the higher your score will be.
 The Integrated Reasoning (IR) section is not computer adaptive. Nonetheless,
you are not allowed to skip questions or go to a previous screen to change
your answers.
 You are not allowed to use a calculator on the Quantitative Reasoning
section. An on-screen calculator is allowed on Integrated Reasoning only.

GMAT Scores
GMAT Exam Section Score Range Intervals
Analytical Writing
Assessment
0.0 - 6.0 Intervals of 0.5
Integrated Reasoning 1 - 8 Intervals of 1
Quantitative Section 0 - 51
Intervals of 1
Scores of < 7 or > 50
are extremely rare
Verbal Section 0 - 51
Intervals of 1
Scores of <9 or >44
are extremely rare
Total Score 200 - 800
Intervals of 10
Scaled from Verbal &
Quantitative

GMAT Test-taking Tips
1.Finish every section at all costs. It is absolutely essential to answer every
question. The GMAT test-writers explicitly state that "there is a severe
penalty for not completing the GMAT test."
2.Pace wisely-do not be stubborn with difficult questions. GMAT questions
are designed such that you should be able to solve them in two minutes
without tedious calculations. Remember that spending exorbitant time on a
question often fails to pay off with a correct answer. The worst part of
draining your time on a question you likely will miss anyway is the fact that
you are stealing time from future questions you know how to do and could
answer correctly (presuming you have time left).
3.Eliminate wrong answers and guess. If you are unsure about what answer is
correct, do not guess at random. Look for answers that you know are wrong,
eliminate them, and take an educated guess.

Math Content Common for Both Tests
On both tests the skills, concepts, and abilities are examined in the four content
areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The content does not
include trigonometry, calculus or other higher-level mathematics.
 Arithmetic topics include following concepts and properties:
the number line; positive and negative numbers; absolute value
properties and types of integers, such as divisibility, factorization, prime
numbers, division with a remainder, odd and even integers
arithmetic operations, laws of arithmetic, exponents and roots
fractions and decimals
estimation
ratio and percent

 Algebra topics include
factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions
solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities
solving simultaneous equations and inequalities
contemplating functions and graphs of functions
contemplating sequences
setting up equations to solve “word problems”

 Geometry topics include
parallel and perpendicular lines
triangles, including isosceles, equilateral and 30°-60°-90° triangles
the Pythagorean theorem and angle measurement in degrees
quadrilaterals and other polygons
congruent and similar figures
circles
three-dimensional figures
finding area, perimeter or volume of a geometric figure
coordinate geometry, including intercepts and slopes of lines

 Data analysis topics include
basic descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, mode, range, and
standard deviation; analysis of frequency distributions
counting methods, such as combinations and permutations
elementary probability , such as probabilities of compound events,
dependent and independent events

What is Different?
Quantitative sections on the GRE can also include questions that test some
additional concepts in the area of data analysis:
interquartile range, quartiles and percentiles,
interpretation of data in tables and graphs, such as line graphs, bar
graphs, circle graphs, boxplots, scatterplots
random variables and probability distributions, including normal and
approximately normal distributions.

Approximately Normal Distribution
Many natural processes yield data that have a relative frequency distribution
shaped like a bell, as in the distribution below with mean m and standard
deviation d.
Such data are said to be approximately normally distributed

Normal Distribution
Relative frequency distributions are often approximated using a smooth
distribution curve for the tops of the rectangles in the histogram. The region
below such a curve represents a distribution, called a continuous probability
distribution. There are many different continuous probability distributions, but
the most important one is the bell-shaped normal distribution.

Where is the Catch?
1.Both test measure high-order thinking abilities, problem solving skills,
reasoning skills, and the general quality of you education.
What particular abilities are associated with high-order thinking (not
just knowing facts and formulas)?
 Ability to deal with abstraction
 Ability to find and recognize patterns
 Ability to find and use hints and other assets effectively
 Ability to think critically, find contrarian examples, and play devil’s
advocate

Where is the Catch?
2.Both tests require some foundational knowledge, but none of that
knowledge is particularly advanced. When math problems are difficult, they
resemble puzzles. Difficult problems combine relatively basic concepts in
unusual ways.
Consequently, you must look for traps the test-writers set for you:
 Large or “inconvenient” numbers that prompt you to waste precious
time on hard and unnecessary calculations.
 Misdirection: selling the wrong answer and hiding the right answer
 Making you think that you have enough information when you actually
don’t
 Making you think that you don’t have enough information when you
actually do
To a considerable extent the type and compexity of a trap
depend on the question type

GRE Math Question Types
The Quantitative Reasoning measure has four types of questions:
1.Multiple-choice Questions — Select One Answer Choice
These questions are multiple-choice questions that ask you to select only one
answer choice from a list of five choices.
2.Multiple-choice Questions — Select One or More Answer Choices
These questions are multiple-choice questions that ask you to select one or
more answer choices from a list of choices. A question may or may not
specify the number of choices to select.
3.Quantitative Comparison Questions ask you to compare two quantities and
then choose the statement from a list that most accurately describes the
comparison.
4.Numeric Entry Questions require you to enter your answer in a box (for the
computer-based test) or in a grid (for the paper-based test) instead of
selecting an answer from a list.
Each question appears either independently as a discrete question or as
part of a Data Interpretation set (based on the same data presented in
tables, graphs or other displays of data).

GMAT Math Question Types
The Quantitative Reasoning Section on the GMAT has two types of questions:
1.Problem Solving Questions (aka Multiple-choice Questions — Select One
Answer Choice). These questions are multiple-choice questions that ask you
to select only one answer choice from a list of five choices.
Another kind of multiple-choice question that appears on the GMAT is
the Roman numeral-type question. These questions actually consist of three
statements labeled I, II, and III. The five answer choices give various
possibilities for which statement or statements are must, or could, or cannot
be true.
2.Data Sufficiency Questions.
Data sufficiency questions are designed to test your ability to analyze data
and determine what information is necessary in solving a problem. In this
case you are not trying to arrive at an answer. Your task is to determine
whether the statements provide sufficient information for answering the
question unambiguously.

GMAT Problem Solving Question
What is the value of √149,769 ?
(A) 313
(B) 358
(C) 382
(D) 387
(E) 403

GRE Quantitative Comparison Question
Quantity A Quantity B
1
4
−
1
5
+
1
6
−
1
7
+
1
8
1
4
(A) Quantity A is greater.
(B) Quantity B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

GRE Quantitative Comparison Question
On a number line, the distance from A to B is 4,
and the distance from B to C is 5.
The distance from A to C 9
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

GRE Multiple-choice — Select One or More Answer
Choices
In 1980, the prices of certain type of houses in Town A ranged from $60,000 to
$75,000. In 1990, the prices of the same type of houses ranged from $90,000 to
$130,000. The percent increase in the prices of this type of houses in Town A
between 1980 and 1990 could be which of the following?
Indicate all that apply.
A 15%
B 25%
C 60%
D 115%
E 160%

Similar GMAT and GRE Math Questions
GRE Multiple-choice — Select One
or More Answer Choices Question
GMAT Roman numeral-type
question
If a high school’s varsity tennis team
is made up of 24 juniors and seniors,
which of the following could be the
ratio of juniors to seniors on the
team?
Indicate all such ratios.
A 1: 2
B 1: 3
C 1: 4
D 1: 5
E 3 : 5
F 3 : 8
If a high school’s varsity tennis team
is made up of 24 juniors and
seniors, which of the following
could be the ratio of juniors to
seniors on the team?
I. 3 : 5
II. 3 : 8
III. 1 : 5
(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III

GMAT Data Sufficiency Questions
Remember that you are not trying to arrive at an answer. Your task is to
determine whether the statements provide sufficient information for answering
the question unambiguously.
Every data sufficiency question looks like this:
Question Stem: ……………………………?
(1) Statement 1 gives some additional data.
(2) Statement 2 gives some additional data.
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but Statement (2) ALONE is not sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but Statement (1) ALONE is not sufficient.
(C) BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is
sufficient.
(D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
(E) Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

GMAT Data Sufficiency Questions
The vast majority of data sufficiency questions fall into two possible categories:
yes/no questions and the value questions. Although the format of each data
sufficiency question is the same, the ability to differentiate between these two
question types is an extremely valuable tool in mastering data sufficiency.
 Yes/No Questions ask a question that needs to be answered with "yes" or
"no".
For a statement to be sufficient, the information it provides must enable
you to answer the question with a "yes" or "no" under all legitimate
circumstances. If the information from the statement allows you enough
leeway that you can sometimes answer the question "yes" while at other times
you can answer "no", then the statement is not sufficient.
 The value Questions ask a question that needs to be answered with a definitive
unique value.
A statement is sufficient if it provides information that ensures that the
answer to the question is always one and only one number.

GMAT Data Sufficiency Question
What is the value of 𝑥?
(1) 𝑥 < 6
(2) 𝑥 > 4
sufficient.

What is the value of 𝑥?
(1) 4 < 𝑥 < 6
(2) 𝑥 is an integer
sufficient.

If 𝑥 is the number of books on a shelf, what is the value of 𝑥?
(1) 4 < 𝑥 < 6
(2) 𝑥 is an integer.
sufficient.

Yesterday four students were selling tickets for a charity event. Did one of the
students sell at least three tickets?
(1) Together four students sold 8 tickets yesterday.
(2) No two students sold the same number of tickets.
sufficient.

Note that hard Data Sufficiency questions on the
GMAT could be trickier than any question on the
GRE.
Thus, in general, it is easer to get top math score
on the GRE than on the GMAT.

Study Tips fo Both Tests
1.Master the fundamentals. No number of tips can produce a top score if you
for example, do not understand prime numbers. There is only one way to
guarantee a good score: learn the content
2.Practice under time constraints. Both tests are timed and you cannot expect
your performance on an un-timed test practice to mirror your performance
on a timed test.
3.Take numerous practice exams. Although working drill problems is
important, it is crucial that you develop the stamina necessary to take the
real test. Moreover, taking numerous practice exams is the best means to
practice your pacing and time management on the test day.
4.Remember that mastered questions are better than more questions. It is
essential that you re-do missed questions a few times over a period of a few
weeks to ensure you do not repeat the mistake on test day. Then do and re-
do more difficult questions using the most effective strategies.

General Quantitative Strategies
1. Reasoning. It means that you should master the content tested on the GMAT
or GRE and apply reasoning to solve problems making calculations, setting up and
solving equations, inequalities etc.
2. Avoiding Lengthy Computations. Virtually all GMAT questions and almost all
GRE questions do not require lengthy computations. Since time is precious, it is
absolutely essential that you not spend time on lengthy computations when a
shorter method almost certainly exists. Consequently, if you find yourself
beginning lengthy computations, re-think your strategy as there is almost
certainly a quicker method. Remember that if you have numerical answers (or
numbers to compare), they are your assets. Use your assets efficiently.

Alternative Strategies for Problem Solving Questions
Backsolving. The essence of backsolving is that it seeks to solve a problem
backward - by starting with the answer choices and putting them into the given
equations or inequalities seeing which answer choice works. This strategy is
effective if you have numerical answers for the question and these answers could
be easily checked.
Example: A rectangular door is twice as long as it is wide. If its perimeter is 20
feet, then the dimensions of the door are?
(A) 7 by 3
(B) 10 by 5
(C) 5 by 2.5
(D)
20
3
by
10
3
(E) 6 by 4

Example: A rectangular door is twice as long as it is wide. If its perimeter is 20
feet, then the dimensions of the door are?
(A) 7 by 3
(B) 10 by 5
(C) 5 by 2.5
(D)
20
3
by
10
3
(E) 6 by 4
Explanation
“Reasoning” “Backsolving”
Let w be the width of the
door; then 2w is the length of
the door. The perimeter is
2(length) + 2(width).
Then
2·2w + 2w = 20,
6w = 20 ⟹ w =
20
6
=
10
3
The length is 2w =
20
3
.
You can immediately rule out (A) and (E)
because the numbers do not allow the length
to be twice the width. See which answer
choice makes the perimeter equal to 20.
Try (B): 2·10 + 2·5 = 30. Wrong answer.
Try (C): 2·5 + 2·2.5 = 15. Wrong answer.
Since we have only one answer left, the
correct answer is (D). Checking D:
2
20
3
+ 2
10
3
=
40
3
+
20
3
=
60
3
= 20.
The correct answer is D

Alternative Strategies for Problem Solving Questions
Ballparking. In order to use this very effective method, you first make a quick
guess of what the possible range of your answer will be or roughly estimate its
value. Once you have made such a guess, you can easily eliminate all the other
answers, which do not satisfy your estimation.
This strategy doesn’t work well if all the choices are in the possible range, and
it is particularly useful when the answers are scattered over a large range.
Example:
The value of
109−102
108−103 is closest to which of the following?
(A) 1
(B) 10
(C) 102
(D) 103
(E) 104

Example: The value of
109−102
(A) 1
(B) 10
(C) 102
(D) 103
(E) 104
Explanation: “Ballparking”
You can notice that the range of answers is very large, so we can use
ballparking to solve this question.
109
= 1,000,000,000, which is a large number.
But 102
= 100, which is relatively small.
In this case it is not important whether you subtract 100 from 1,000, 000, or not.
The numerator of this fraction is approximately 𝟏𝟎 𝟗
.
108
= 100,000,000 which is a large number.
103
= 1000, which is relatively small.
The very same idea let you estimate the denominator of this fraction as 𝟏𝟎 𝟖
.
109
− 102
108 − 103
≈
109
108
= 109−8
= 101
= 10
The correct answer is B.

Example: The value of
109−102
(A) 1
(B) 10
(C) 102
(D) 103
(E) 104
Explanation: “Reasoning”
If you don’t use the ballparking technique, you could reduce this fraction,
then divide the numerator by the denominator, round the result, and get the
same answer, although after spending much more time.
109
− 102
108 − 103
=
102
(107
− 1)
102(106 − 10)
=
10,000,000 − 1
1,000,000 − 10
=
9,999,999
999,990
= 10.000099 ≈ 10
The correct answer is B.

Alternative Strategy of “Picking Numbers”
Picking Numbers. The essence of picking numbers is that you pick numbers that
meet the stipulations of the question stem and perform certain operations on
these numbers. You then compare the outcome with the answer choices.
Example:
The price of a coat increased by 20 percent. A few days later the price decreased
by 25 percent. What was the final change in the price of the coat relative to the
original price of the coat?
(A) 10% increase
(B) 10% decrease
(C) 5% increase
(D) 5% decrease
(E) No Change

The essence of picking numbers is that you pick numbers that meet the
stipulations of the question stem and perform certain operations on these
numbers. You then compare the outcome with the answer choices.
This strategy is very useful if you are asked about relative quantities
(fractions, percentages, etc.). Just pick a convenient number!
Example: The price of a coat increased by 20 percent, only to decrease by 25
percent. What was the final change in the price of the coat relative to the original
price of the coat?
(A) 10% increase
(B) 10% decrease
(C) 5% increase
(D) 5% decrease
(E) No Change

Explanation
“Reasoning” “Picking numbers”
Let p be the initial price of the coat;
pi – the price of the coat after the increase;
pf - the final price of the coat.
1. 100%+20 %=120%, then pi is 120% of p, which
means that
𝑝𝑖 =
120
100
∙ 𝑝 = 1.2 ∙ 𝑝
2. 100%-25 %=75%, then pf is 75% of pi , which
means that
𝑝 𝑓 =
75
100
∙ 𝑝𝑖 = 0.75 ∙ 𝑝𝑖
Then pf = 0.75(1.2 · p) = (0.75 · 1.2) · p = 0.9 · p.
Decimal coefficient 0.9 is equivalent to
0.9 · 100% = 90%.
Thus, the final price is 90% of the initial price of
the coat, which means that there was
(100 – 90)% = 10% decrease in the price of the coat.
Although this can be solved
algebraically, it is much
easier and quicker to pick
$100 and perform the
appropriate calculations:
1). A 20 percent increase
(from $100) brings the cost
of the coat to $120.
2). A 25 percent decrease
(from $120) brings the cost
of the coat to $90.
3). At a final price of $90,
the net change in the price
of the coat is a decrease of
10%.
The correct answer is B

Note that that picking numbers, finding numerical examples and contrarian
examples could be also extremely useful when you play devil’s advocate solving
Data Sufficiency questions on the GMAT or Quantitative Comparison questions
on the GRE (especially trying to prove D).
We have already applied “picking numbers” strategy to a hard Data
Sufficiency question. Remember?
Example: Yesterday four students were selling tickets for a charity event. Did
one of the students sell at least three tickets?
(1) Together four students sold 8 tickets yesterday.
(2) No two students sold the same number of tickets.
sufficient.

Now try to solve the following GRE question:
The ratio of the number of pens to the number of pencils
in a bag was 4 to 5 before one pencil was removed.
The number of pens in the bag The number of pencils in the bag
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Курсы Расписание
Даты
ближайших
стартов
Преподаватель
GMAT Evening
(Upper-Intermediate)
68 ак.ч.
Пн, Ср, Пт
Verb+Math
19.00 – 22.00 (6 недель)
IR Суббота
10.00 – 17.00
3.04-5.05
Андреева О.К
Шмидт А.М.
Нагаева Е.И.
Пн, Ср, Пт
Verb+Math (6 недель)
IR Суббота
10:00 – 17:00
17.04-24.05
Андреева О.К
Шмидт А.М.
GMAT Weekend
68 ак.ч.
Cуббота
(Verb+Math+IR)
IR Суббота
10:00-18:30
(7 недель)
22.04-17.06
Андреева О.К.
Шмидт А.М.
Нагаева Е.И
GMAT Intensive
60 ак.ч.
29, 30 апреля
1, 6, 7, 8 мая (Verb+Math)
10:00-18:30
9.04-23.04
Андреева О.К.
Шмидт А.М.
GRE Weekend
40 ак.ч
Воскресенье
10:00 – 17:00
(6 недель)
2.04 – 21.05
Третьякова С.

Whichever test you choose to take, good luck!

GMAT vs GRE

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