Sometimes, the computations you need to do for successfully answering a critical question in the Quantitative Reasoning (a measure of the GRE General Test) are really time-consuming. These include a long division process or square roots. So, for such computations, you can use the calculator that will be provided with your test.
Although the calculator can shorten the time taken to perform computations, one must keep in mind that the calculator provides results that supplement, but do not necessarily replace your knowledge of maths.
Hence, you must use your mathematical knowledge in order to determine whether the calculator’s results are reasonable to believe and how the results can be used to answer a specific question.
Here are some general guidelines for calculator use in the Quantitative Reasoning measure:
- Most of the questions do not really require difficult computations, so you do not need to use the calculator just because it’s available for free.
- Use it wisely for calculations that you know are tedious, such as long and time-consuming problems rather than simpler ones that are quicker to do verbally or mentally.
- Avoid using it to introduce decimals even if you are asked to give an answer as a fraction upto say 3 places of decimals.
- Some questions can actually be answered more quickly by reasoning and estimating than by using the calculator.