Algebra concepts tested on the GRE: An overview
Welcome back to our series about the specifics of the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section. (That sounds scary, doesn't it? Let's just call it "math.")
Last time, we went into detail about what kind of problems you can expect to see on test day, and focused on the arithmetic portion. This week, we'll cover the algebra section of the test. Before we start, though, a reminder:
There is nothing in the GRE math section that you didn't learn in high school (or sometimes middle school)!
The questions might look tough, but that's only because the testmakers are trying to trick you. The underlying concepts, though, are simply basic algebra. You won't be required to concoct any proofs, nor will you need any algebra vocabulary (ex: distributive property, commutative, and so on). There should be nothing you need to learn; rather, your prep work for this section will be mostly remembering and practicing.
So, what algebra does the GRE test?
- Simplifying algebraic expressions
- Expanding expressions
- 3 types of factoring
- Basic equations
- Systems of equations
- Quadratic equations
- Equations with exponents
- Equations with fractions
- Equations with square roots
- Equations with absolute values
- The coordinate plane
- Equations of lines
- Graphs of quadratics
Seem like a lot?
Honestly, it's not. Let's take a bullet point at random: equations with exponents. A question might ask you the difference between (y⁵) • (y⁵) and (y⁵)⁵. As you might remember, they are not the same expression. Multiplying variables (of the same base!) requires adding the exponents together. A good way to visualize this is to think of (y⁵) as (y • y • y • y • y).
For the first expression, you would simply remove the parentheses, and end up with y10. For the second, you would take the exponent to the exponent and multiply them, which leaves you with y25.
Not so bad, right?
Right! Like I said: there's no math on the GRE that you haven't learned already. But, this is not like your high school math classes; the GRE is trying to get you to choose the wrong answer.
Luckily, there are two techniques that our test prep program will teach you that will help you get both the right answer and the score you deserve. They're called plugging in and reverse plugging in (working backwards), and before we move on to our Geometry overview, we'll go over these simple methods.
Bring your scratch paper and sharpened pencils for next time, and we'll do a little practice to get you on your way to your best GRE score ever!