2) Know the directions for each section cold. We list them below for both the standard multiple-choice section and for the quantitative comparison questions. The quantitative comparison options are particularly confusing and bear close scrutiny. Don't waste a moment of valuable time on your test day reading the directions.

Directions for problem-solving questions: For each of the following questions, select the best of the answer choices.

Numbers: All numbers used are real numbers.

Figures: The diagrams and figures that accompany these questions are for the purpose of providing information useful in answering the questions. Unless it is stated that a specific figure is not drawn to scale, the diagrams and figures are drawn as accurately as possible. All figures are in a plane unless otherwise indicated.

Directions: Each of the following questions consists of two quantities, one in column A and another in Column B. You are to compare the two quantities and answer

Common information: In a question, information concerning one or both of the quantities to be compared is centered above the two columns. A symbol that appears in both columns represents the same thing in Column A as it does in Column B.

3) Read each question carefully to understand what you are being asked. The alternate answer choices are usually chosen to reflect typical mistakes test takers make when they misread the question. (If the question asks for the x-intercept, you can be fairly certian the y-intercept will be one of the wrong answer choices!)

4) Determine immediately whether the problem is simple or complex. The test questions vary from easy to very difficult but are not presented in any particular order. You should determine quickly whether the question is an "easy point" that you can answer immediately, or whether it requires multiple calculations.

5) Do all easy questions first, leaving the more time-consuming and difficult ones for later. Many test takers cannot finish the quantitative section in the time given. Make sure that you quickly earn as many easy points as possible. The time to struggle with that monster calculation is AFTER you've answered every other question on the test.

6) Before solving a problem, read all the answer choices. They will all be in the format that your own solution should take. Are the answers in miles per hour, centimeters, fractions?

7) Eliminate choices that are completely off-track. Many are chosen to correspond to typical mistakes you may make if you misread the question or miscalculate. Eliminate those that simply don't make sense as well, such as distances that are negative or % that are obviously too high or low.

8) Look for shortcuts. The test is measuring your ability to reason, not to make endless calculations. If you find yourself spending too much time doing compelx calculations, stop and re-think the question. you probably missed a crucial shortcut or simple equation that can be used to solve the problem quickly.

9) Don't obsess on any one problem. If you get stuck, skip the question and go on to the next one. Skip the spot on your answer sheet and circle the whole question that you are skipping on the test sheet. This way, if you have a moment or two at the end to come back to it, you can find it quickly.

10) Use the substitution (or backsolving) method whenever possible. Some problems are solved fasted by simply plugging in the five answer choices and finding the one that works.

11) If you are testing answer choices randomly, start with Choice C. The five choices are always listed in order, either ascending or descending. By testing C first, you are trying the "middle" answer. If it's too large, you only need to check the two smaller answers. This quickly eliminates working with the other two incorrect answer choices.

12) If a problem lists only unknowns, try substituting real numbers. for example, consider the following: If n is an odd integer, which of the following must be an EVEN integer?

A survey of 50 people revealed that 42 of them had eaten at restaurant B and that 37 of them had eaten at restaurant G. Which of the following could not be the number of people in the surveyed group who ate at both B and G.

The word "not" in the question means you are looking for the one answer that doesn't work, rahter than the four that could. Overlooking just this one word changes everything.

14) Most figures are drawn to scale. If they are not, the test writers will tell you otherwise. do NOT, however, assume that an angle is a right angle unless it is specifically stated in the question.

15) Be prepared to break complex figures into smaller, simpler ones. Many times a diagram will show an odd-shaped polygon and ask you to determine an area, side length or perimeter. Upon closer inspection, this polygon is actually two triangles that share a common side. The problem is usually easily solved using the Pythagorean theorem or another basic formula. This "trick" is the key to correctly solving a number of geometry questions on the exam.

16) Be ready to draw a diagram to solve word problems. Older versions of the test offered sketches for most geometry problems. Increasingly, test writers present the problem verbally, requiring the student to draw his/her own picture of the scenario. In many cases, a diagram is the fastest way to assess a problem, organize information and find the solution.

17) Be prepared to read data from graphs and charts. Increasingly, test writers present data in a tabulated form and ask general questions about percent increases and deceases. Handle the questions the same way as you would any similar problem.

18) If you've tried everything else (substitution, backsolving, etc.) and STILL can't solve a problem, don't sweat it. Just guess. Your chances for success are 20% for multiple choices questions, 25% for quantitative comparisons and up to 50 % if you can eliminate a few incorrect answer choices.