GRE Mathematics Subject Test
The GRE Mathematics Subject Test assesses advanced undergraduate mathematics for graduate school admission, spanning calculus, algebra, and additional topics.
Difficulty
Very Hard
Popularity
38%
Past questions
8
Study tips
10
Key Topics
Exam Format & Dates
Multiple dates per year
2 hours 50 minutes
200–990 scaled
700+ competitive for top programs
| Section | Duration | Content | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | 2 hours 50 minutes | 66 questionsCalculus, algebra, and additional topics | 100% |
Exam Breakdown & Insights
Difficulty · Elite
Popularity score
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Study Tips
- 1
Keep an error log: write down every mistake, why it happened, and redo the problem a week later.
- 2
Show every step of your working — most exams award method marks even when the final answer is wrong.
- 3
Memorize key formulas by using them repeatedly, and know exactly which ones are provided on the formula sheet.
- 4
Take full-length, timed practice tests under real conditions — stamina and pacing matter as much as content.
- 5
Review every wrong answer until you can explain why the right answer is right and yours was wrong, then log the mistake.
- 6
Learn the recurring question types — the SAT and ACT reuse the same patterns every administration, so familiarity is free points.
- 7
Master pacing: know your per-question time budget and practice skip-and-return so you never leave easy points behind.
- 8
Use aggressive elimination — rule out wrong choices on every question before you commit to an answer.
- 9
Attack your weakest section with focused drills between full tests; a few points per section compound fast into a big composite gain.
- 10
Simulate test day exactly — same start time, same breaks, no phone — so the real thing feels routine.
Past Exam Questions
Define the key terms involved in Calculus (50%) and state any formula or rule you would use, explaining what each symbol represents.
A problem involves Algebra (25%). Set it up carefully, solve it showing every step of your working, and check that your answer is reasonable.
Prove or justify a general result relating to Real Analysis, then apply it to a specific case and interpret what the result means in context.
Define the key terms involved in Linear Algebra and state any formula or rule you would use, explaining what each symbol represents.
A problem involves Abstract Algebra. Set it up carefully, solve it showing every step of your working, and check that your answer is reasonable.
Prove or justify a general result relating to Additional Topics, then apply it to a specific case and interpret what the result means in context.
Define the key terms involved in Number Theory and state any formula or rule you would use, explaining what each symbol represents.
A problem involves Topology. Set it up carefully, solve it showing every step of your working, and check that your answer is reasonable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕
Dropping negative signs and misapplying the order of operations under time pressure.
- ✕
Memorizing procedures without understanding when to use them — exams disguise familiar problems in new contexts.
- ✕
Skipping steps in working, which throws away method marks when the final answer is wrong.
Official Resources
Free, official study material for GRE Mathematics Subject Test — always start with the source your exam board publishes.
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