Math Workout for the GRE

Description

Many students are guilty of trying to solve GRE math questions by doing some quick calculations in their
heads, or phantom drawing information relevant to the question on the test screen. This is what the test
makers want you to do. They know if you do this, you will likely make careless and avoidable mistakes.
Remember, your goal on the GRE is to get as many points as possible by answering questions correctly.
There are no style points for getting the correct answer by doing all the calculations in your head.
On test day, you will be provided with six pieces of scratch paper. To avoid careless mistakes and to
maximize your score on the Math section, it is important that you use that scratch paper. When you see an
equation, rewrite it on the paper. When there is a geometry figure, draw the figure on the paper. When you
are doing calculations, chart the steps on your paper.
Below is an example of a piece of scratch paper for two particular problems. This example is meant to
provide an idea of how an organized piece of scratch paper may look. This student has written the
question number and the answer choices on the left-hand side of the paper and left the remainder to show
their work. If this example is a useful template for you, then we would suggest recreating it. But, if you
have another method that you are more comfortable with, you should use that method. The method you use
to track your problems is less important than making sure you always use the paper and avoid doing the
math in your head.