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How to Score a Perfect 170 in GRE Quant Section

  • How to Score a Perfect 170 in GRE Quant Section

    How to Score a Perfect 170 in GRE Quant Section

    • 02 Dec 2025

    The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test taken by prospective graduate and business school applicants from all over the world who want to pursue Master’s, MBA, Business Master’s, or Doctoral degrees in the US, Canada, and other countries. GRE preparation is the first step toward pursuing a study abroad program. Educational Testing Services owns and administers the GRE (ETS).

    The GRE Quantitative Reasoning exam assesses a student’s understanding of basic mathematical concepts taught in high school. The questions in this section are asked from four different math concept areas. Below are some examples:

    (i) Algebra
    (ii) Arithmetic
    (iii) Geometry
    (iv) Data Analysis

    Read on the blog for tips to score a perfect 170 in the GRE Quant section.

    Is a Score of 170 on the GRE Quantitative Possible?

    Yes, a score of 170 on the GRE Quant section corresponds to the 97th percentile. According to a Report, 3 in 100 students who take the GRE score this mark. The average GRE Quant score is around 152.

    How to Score 170 in GRE Quant?

    To score 170 in the GRE Quantitative section, it is essential to be familiar with the GRE syllabus and the types of questions that appear on the test. The verbal section on the GRE tests the students’ reading and vocabulary skills.

    The GRE quant syllabus includes topics that you would have studied up to your 10th grade – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Analysis and Interpretation. The GRE Quantitative subject test, though, involves complex topics.

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    Why Don’t Many Students Achieve a GRE Quant Score of 170?

    One reason is the way the topics are tested on the GRE Exam. The first step is to familiarise yourself with the various question types on the GRE.

    The four different question types that you can see on the test are GRE Quantitative Comparison, Numeric Entry, Multiple-choice questions (select one answer), and Multiple-choice questions (choose one or more answers).

    You should understand clearly how these GRE Quantitative question types work. Additionally, the test is section adaptive, as your performance in the first section determines the difficulty of the next section.

    One way to familiarise yourself with the GRE Quantitative section and the entire GRE syllabus is to take a free GRE mock test.

    The second reason for not achieving a maximum GRE Quantitative score of 170 in quantitative reasoning is due to the complacent nature of these students towards math. They think that they are very good at it and hardly prepare for this section. But there is no replacement for hard work and the right GRE quantitative practice.

    Common Mistakes that Students Make During the GRE Quant Preparation

    Many people claim that they make silly mistakes in the GRE Quantitative section even though they have plenty of time. Listed below are some of the common mistakes made by students during the preparation:

    • Calculation Errors – These errors can occur when the GRE Quant questions are not read or understood properly. As a result, the student might end up calculating things that are not asked in the question. Sometimes, students may end up marking the wrong answers even when they have solved them correctly.
    • Conceptual Errors – These include not knowing the right formula. Geometry, Probability, and Permutation and Combination are some of the areas where these errors are common.

    6 Expert Tips to Ace the GRE Quant Section

    The thing about the GRE quant section is that you can not just rely on back solving and picking numbers. It requires you to understand fundamental math concepts and approach them innovatively.

    Test takers would be very relieved to know that the GRE tests high school math concepts only. However, the questions in the GRE Quant section are significantly different from those on a high school Math test. The GRE tests not just your Math knowledge but also your ability to interpret data and perform under time pressure. The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section covers four main topics – Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Interpretation.

    The most crucial tip for solving the quant section is to read the questions carefully to avoid making silly mistakes. Ensure that you are calculating the value of X as asked in the question, not the value of Y, to realise that you have been doing it wrong all along. These things can consume your time, and in the end, your hard work will be for nothing. Here are some tips for GRE test takers to ace the Quantitative Reasoning section.