Qualitative Reasoning Section of the GRE
The Qualitative Reasoning section of the GRE exam has two sections each lasting 35 minute per section and containing 20 multiple choice questions per section. Each question appears either independently as a discrete question or as part of a set of questions called a Data Interpretation set. All of the questions in a Data Interpretation set are based on the same data presented in tables, graphs or other displays of data.
Required skills include Arithmatic, Geometry, and Data Analysis. The test content generally includes high school statistics and mathematics at a level no higher than Algebra 2. The test does not cover trigonometry, calculus, or higher-level math.
You are allowed to use a basic calculator on the Quantitative Reasoning measure. For the computer-based test, the calculator is provided on-screen. For the paper-based test, a handheld calculator is provided at the test center.
There are four types of questions:
1. Quantitative Comparison
The Quantitative Comparison
questions ask you to compare two quantities -Quantity A and Quantity B - and then determine which of the following statements describes the comparison:
i. Quantity A is greater.
ii. Quantity B is greater.
iii. The two quantities are equal.
iv. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
2. Multiple-choice Questions - Select One Answer Choice
These types of Multiple-choice Questions
ask you to select only one answer choice from a list of five choices.
3. Multiple-choice Questions - Select One or More Answer Choices
These types of Multiple-choice Questions
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
4. Numeric Entry Questions
The Numeric Entry Questions
ask you either to enter your answer as an integer or a decimal in a single answer box or to enter it as a fraction in two separate boxes - one for the numerator and one for the denominator.
