GRE ®

VERBAL STRATEGY SHEET

The Kaplan Method for Text Completion The Kaplan Method for Reading
(One-Blank) Comprehension
STEP 1 Read the sentence, looking for clues. STEP 1 Read the passage strategically.
STEP 2 Predict the answer. STEP 2 Analyze the question stem.
STEP 3 Select the choice that most closely matches your prediction. STEP 3 Research the relevant text.
STEP 4 Check your answer. • On Global questions, use the Topic, Scope, and
Purpose to predict an answer.

The Kaplan Method for Text Completion • On Detail questions, review the particular part of the
passage indicated in the question stem. For long passages,
(Two-Blank and Three-Blank) use your Passage Map to help locate the relevant text in the
passage.
STEP 1 Read the sentence, looking for clues.
• On Inference questions, review the particular part of the
STEP 2 Predict the answer for the easier/easiest blank.
passage, if one is indicated in the question stem. If the
STEP 3 Select the answer choice that most closely question is more open-ended, keep the Topic, Scope, and
matches your prediction. Purpose in mind.
STEP 4 Predict and select for the remaining blanks.
• On Logic questions, review the particular part of the passage
STEP 5 Check your answers. and use keywords to determine the author’s intentions.

• On Reasoning questions, make sure you have identified the

The Kaplan Method for Sentence author’s conclusion, evidence, and assumption(s).

Equivalence STEP 4 Make a prediction.

STEP 5 Evaluate the answer choices.
STEP 1 Read the sentence, looking for clues.
STEP 2 Predict the answer.
STEP 3 Select the two choices that most closely match
your prediction.
STEP 4 Check your answers to see if the sentence retains
the same meaning.

GRE Verbal Pacing Chart

Text Completion Sentence Equivalence Reading Comprehension

Number of Questions approximately 6 approximately 4 approximately 10

Time Per Question 1– 1.5 minutes, depending on the 1 minute 1–3 minutes, depending on length, to read the
number of blanks passage; and 1 minute to answer each question

Straight-Ahead Road Signs Detour Road Signs

And Likewise But Although
Since Moreover Despite While
Also Similarly Yet On the other hand
Thus In addition However Unfortunately
Because Consequently Unless Nonetheless
; (semicolon) Rather Conversely

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GRE ®
ANALYTICAL WRITING STRATEGY SHEET

The Kaplan Method for the Issue Essay
STEP 1 Take the issue apart. (2 minutes)
• Consider both sides of the issue in your own • Determine the author’s conclusion, evidence, and
words.
STEP 2 Select the points you will make. (4 minutes)
• Decide which side to support, coming up with two to four
supporting points that address the specific instructions.
STEP 3 Organize, using Kaplan’s Issue essay template.
(2 minutes)
• Paragraph 1: Paraphrase the issue (the statement, claim,
recommendation, or policy); state your position. Summarize
the goal of your essay, according to the specific instructions.
• Paragraph 2: State and elaborate upon the strongest point
in support of your position, within the scope of the specific
instructions.
• Paragraph 3: State and elaborate upon another point in
support of your position, within the scope of the specific
instructions.
• Additional paragraphs, as time permits: State and
elaborate upon other points in support of your position,
within the scope of the specific instructions. (Time valve #1:
skip if need be.)
• Next-to-last paragraph: Address an opposition to your
position and refute it with relevant detailed support. (Time
valve #2: combine with conclusion if need be.)
• Last paragraph: Conclude by summarizing your position in
a way that addresses the specific instructions.
STEP 4 Type your essay. (20 minutes)
STEP 5 Proofread your work. (2 minutes)
The Kaplan Method for the Argument Essay
STEP 1 Take the argument apart. (2 minutes)
assumptions.
• Consider the circumstances under which the assumptions
would be valid/invalid.
• Consider the kinds of facts that would strengthen or weaken
the argument.
STEP 2 Select the points you will make. (4 minutes)
• Determine the argument’s critical weaknesses and the
evidence needed to overcome them.
STEP 3 Organize, using Kaplan’s Argument essay template.
(2 minutes)
• Paragraph 1: Paraphrase the argument (the author’s
conclusion and evidence). Summarize the goal of your
essay, according to the specific instructions.
• Paragraph 2: State and evaluate the most important
assumption the author makes, question to be answered, or
possible alternative explanation (depending on the specific
instructions).
• Paragraph 3: State and evaluate another assumption
the author makes, question to be answered, or possible
alternative explanation (depending on the specific
instructions).
• Additional paragraphs, as time permits: State and
evaluate additional assumptions the author makes,
questions to be answered, or possible alternative
explanations (depending on the specific instructions). (Time
valve: skip if need be.)
• Last paragraph: Conclude by summarizing your main
points. Directly answer the task given in the specific
instructions.
STEP 4 Type your essay. (20 minutes)
STEP 5 Proofread your work. (2 minutes)

Arguments on the GRE

Knowing how the parts of arguments work is essential for the Argument essay and for some Reading Comprehension questions.

Evidence + Assumption(s) → Conclusion

• Conclusion: the point the argument’s author is trying to make

• Evidence: basis or proof offered to support the conclusion
• Assumptions: unspoken conditions or beliefs necessary for the conclusion to make sense in light of the evidence
GRE ® FORMULA SHEET
Use this sheet to help you remember your math content. Be sure also to
make use of the Kaplan Methods and Strategies on the reverse side.

Triangles: Angles:
b¡
x + y + z = 180 (Interior angles) c¡ d¡
l1
y¡ d¡ c¡
a + b + c = 360 (Exterior angles) b¡
a¡ a¡ l 1 and l 2 are parallel
a = y + z; b = x + z ; c = x + y
b¡
height
l2 c¡ d¡
1 base
Area = __ height
2 d¡ c¡
a + b = 180
Sum of any 2 sides 3rd side
a¡ x¡ z¡
c¡
base

Right Triangles : Side Ratios Circles:

(Pythagorean Triples) A
B
3:4:5
5:12:13 C
n¡
60¡ c 7:24:25 d
a r O
8:15:17
Equilateral 9:40:41
b
a2 + b2 = c2 d = 2r n Arc ABC Area of sector OABC
C = 2¹ r or ¹ d = =
360 Circum. Area of circle O
A = ¹ r2
45¡ x 2 360¡ around
60¡ 2x
x x Classic Quadratics: FOIL:
x2 Ð y2 = (x + y)(x Ð y) First, Outer, Inner, Last
45¡ 30¡
x2 + 2xy + y2 = (x + y)(x + y) (a + b)(c + d) = ac + ad + bc + bd
Isosceles x x 3
x2 Ð 2xy + y2 = (x Ð y)(x Ð y)

Quadrilaterals: Sum of interior angles = 360¡ Other Formulas and Things to Know:
Distance
________ Sum of the terms
_______________ Total Distance
____________ Quantity of A
Speed = Average = Average Speed = Rate = __________ _
Time Number of terms Total Time Quantity of B
w New Amount Ð Original Amount
___________________________ Original Amount Ð New Amount
___________________________
% Increase = 100% % Decrease = 100%
Original Amount Original Amount

s l
A = s2
A = lw Order of Operations: Combinations and Permutations:
PEMDASÑ Parentheses, Exponents,
b1 n! n!
Multiplication and Division, nCk = _______ nPk = ______
k!(n Ð k)! (n Ð k)!
Addition and Subtraction

h
h
Exponent Rules: Radical Rules: Numbers:
b2 _ _ __ 0 is an even integer.
b x¥ x= x2 (xa) b = xab Ãa à b = à ab 1 is not prime.
_ _
1 Ã_a 2 is the lowest prime number
= __a
A = bh A = 2 (b1 + b2 )h 1
xÐa = ___
xa
xa = xa Ð b
__
xb
____
Ãb Ã
b and the only even
_ _ _ prime number.
aà c + b à c = (a + b) à c
x0 = 1 (negative)odd = negative _ ___
Mode: the most common
Uniform Solids: _
Ãa +Ã b ­ Ã a +b number(s) in a set
Median: the middle term in a
xaxb = xa + b (negative)even = positive _
(Ã a )2 = a set of ascending or
r
descending numbers;
h when the set has
h Miscellaneous: Work Formula: an even number of
numbers, the median is
l w ab + ac = a(b + c) a + b = __a + __b
_____ ab
T = _____ the average of the two
c c c a +b
V = ¹ r2h middle terms
V = lwh x% of y = y% of x |Ðx| = |x|
SA = 2¹ r2 + 2¹ rh
SA = 2(lw + lh + wh) (odd) + (even)
yield odd numbers.

rise y2 Ð y1
Coordinate Plane: In the xy-plane, the y-axis is vertical, Standard form of a line:y = mx + b Slope = ____ = ______
run x2 Ð x1
and the x-axis is horizontal. (where m is the slope, andb is the y-intercept)
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GRE ®
QUANTITATIVE STRATEGY SHEET
The Kaplan Method for Quantitative Picking Numbers
Comparison When Picking Numbers, be sure that the numbers are permissible and
manageable:
STEP 1 Analyze the centered information and quantities.
• Permissible numbers follow the rules of the problem.
STEP 2 Approach strategically.
•M
 anageable numbers are those that are easy to work with
Use one or more of the following approaches:
in the problem—usually small, whole numbers.
• Compare, don’t calculate.
• Make the quantities look alike. When to Pick Numbers
• Compare piece by piece. Variables in the Question Stem
• Do the same thing to both quantities. • Most people find it easier to perform calculations with
• Use Picking Numbers. numbers than to perform calculations with variables.
• Variables may be letters (n, x, t, etc.) or unspecified values
The Kaplan Method for Problem Solving (e.g., “a factory produces some number of units of a product
each month”).
STEP 1 Analyze the question.
Look at what the question is asking, the information given, Percents in the Answer Choices
and the area of math tested. Use the format of the answer • Since percent means “out of one hundred,” pick 100 for the
choices (variables, numbers, expressions, fractions, etc.) to unknown value.
assess how to approach the question.
Variables in the Answer Choices
STEP 2 Identify the task.
• After Picking Numbers, reread the question stem,
Determine what the question asks — ask yourself, “What substituting your number(s) for the variable(s).
does the correct answer represent?”
• When Picking Numbers with variables in the answer choices,
STEP 3 Approach strategically. you always need to check each answer choice.
Ask yourself, “How can I use the format of the question and Must Be/Could Be/Cannot Be
the information it gives me to my advantage?” Use one or
• On these questions, you can pick numbers and plug them
more of the following approaches:
into every answer choice . . .
• Use a strategy (Picking Numbers or Backsolving).
• . . . or you can pick different numbers for each answer,
• Do the straightforward math. trying either to eliminate it or to confirm it.
• Guess strategically.
STEP 4 Confirm your answer. Backsolving
Ask yourself, “Did I answer the question asked?” • Like Picking Numbers, Backsolving allows you to plug
numbers into the problem. In this case, the numbers are
The Kaplan Method for Data Interpretation those in the answer choices.
STEP 1 Analyze the tables and graphs. • Plug in a value from an answer choice and solve the
problem arithmetically. If your calculations are consistent
• Pay attention to any titles, scales, notes, and keys. with the question stem, then the answer is correct.
STEP 2 Approach strategically. • The most efficient way to Backsolve is to plug in either (B
• Determine which chart(s) or graph(s) is/are relevant to the or (D) first. If you need a smaller or larger value to plug into
question. the question, try another answer choice. Backsolving allows
• Estimate where possible. you to test, at most, two answer choices to find the correct
answer to a standard multiple-choice question.
• Make sure you answered the question asked.
• For questions that have one or more correct answer, it is
Quantitative Comparison Answer Choices possible to use Backsolving if you’re not sure how to set up
the problem algebraically. Just know that for All-That-Apply
The answer choices on QCs never change, so memorize them to save questions, you must check all answer choices to determine
valuable time on Test Day. which are correct.
(A) Quantity A is greater.
(B) Quantity B is greater. “Which of the Following” Questions
(C) The two quantities are equal. On “which of the following” questions with one correct answer, the
answer is weighted disproportionately to be either (D) or (E). Work from
(D) The relationship cannot be determined
the bottom up on these questions.

GRE Quantitative Pacing Chart

Quantitative Comparison Problem Solving Data Interpretation

Number of Questions approximately 7-8 approximately 9-10 approximately 3

Time Per Question 1.5 minutes 1.5–2 minutes 2 minutes