What is the best way to prepare for the GRE quantitative portion?

Question

What is the best way to prepare for the quantitative portion of the GRE?

Answer 1

To best prepare the quantitative portion of the GRE, you need to do these things:

1. Find out and address your areas of weakness in the math on the quantitative portion of the GRE.
2. Gain confidence in yourself.
3. Get used to the types of questions on the quantitative portion of the GRE.
4. Learn how to pace yourself.
5. Learn how to put aside problems that are taking too long, and maybe come back to them later. You need to do as many problems as you can in the time given.

I recommend using free practice GRE exams (I have lots of them) to do these things:

1. Start taking these practice tests without a time limit, so you can find and address your areas of weakness.
2. Some people may get a lot of benefit from going over the hard or slow problems with a tutor who knows how to identify and address the underlying weaknesses.
3. I recommend starting without a time limit. You don't want to pursue addressing weaknesses, getting used to the types of questions, and how to pace yourself, all at the same time. That is taking on too many things at a time, and it can interfere with gaining confidence.
4. Taking these practice tests will automatically get you used to the types of questions on the quantitative portion of the GRE. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.
5. Once you address your weak spots and get used to the types of questions, then you can start taking practice the GRE under simulated testing conditions so that you can learn to pace yourself, and you can get used to putting aside questions that are taking too long.