Quantitative Reasoning Overview and Strategies

The Quantitative Reasoning section is the second part of the ISEE, and the first of two math sections.

• You will have 35 minutes to answer 38 questions.
• All of the questions are word problems.
• You are not allowed to use a calculator.

How is it different from Mathematics Achievement?

Quantitative Reasoning questions are designed to be solved primarily through logic and reasoning (on top of a healthy knowledge of math concepts) whereas Mathematics Achievement involves a greater focus on calculations and knowledge of math terminology.

Piqosity’s math lessons are applicable to both sections; mastering them will ensure that you are well-prepared to tackle all of the math you will see on test day.

Because of the differences in the format for each section, however, it is important to practice questions from both sections on a regular basis.

 

Systematic Approach to Word Problems

Here is a sample Word Problem from the creators of the ISEE:

Now, here is a systematic process you can follow as you tackle any Word Problem on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the ISEE:

This systematic approach to answering any World Problem on the Quantitative Reasoning section involves asking yourself three key questions, which we’ll break down further below.

This process should take you less than a minute, and substantially less time for questions you choose to guess on and skip. This is why practice is important: you must master not only the content being tested, but also your strategy and pacing.

Three Key Questions

Let’s break down the three key questions from the systematic process illustrated above in a little more detail:

1. Do you understand what the question is asking? Underline any key information. In your head, summarize what the question is asking you to do.
2. Can you recall the tools, formulas, or strategies needed to solve? Think about what you’ve learned in school and reviewed on Piqosity. Will you be able to solve confidently using what you know?
3. Can you solve the problem relatively quickly? You only get 51 seconds per question on average, so every second counts!

Educated Guesses

Now, let’s break down the steps to follow when you decide to make an educated guess on a Quantitative Reasoning Word Problem:

Applying the Systematic Approach

Let’s break down what this systematic approach might look like when applied to the sample question cited earlier:

Educated Guess

1. Eliminate answer choices. Since Mrs. Grange is adding 4 points to all the test scores, I don’t think the range would decrease, so I can eliminate choice A. I also think 43 is too high, because I don’t see why the range would increase by 8. I’ll eliminate D as well.
2. Guess. Between B and C, I’m tempted to choose C, because it makes sense that the range would also increase by 4. Then again, that seems a little too obvious. I think range has to do with the difference between the highest and lowest values, so I think I’ll go with B; if all the test scores go up by the same amount, I don’t see why that difference would change at all. 
3. Mark the question. If I have time, I’d like to come back to this question so I can think about it some more. I’ll circle the question in my booklet so I can find it easily.
4. Move on!

Practice Problem Solution

1. Range is found by subtracting the minimum value in a data set from the maximum value.
2. If 4 points are added to each student’s score, both the minimum and maximum value will increase by 4
3. Since the minimum and maximum will change by the same amount, the range will not change.
4. We can verify this by considering an example:
   1. Let’s say the original minimum was 60, and the original maximum was 95. The range would be 95 − 60 = 35.
   2. If all the test scores were increased by 4, the new minimum would be 64 and the new maximum would be 99. 
   3. The new range would be 99 − 64 = 35.
5. The correct answer is B!

 

Steps to Success on the Quantitative Reasoning Test

1. Learn and review concepts - Use Piqosity’s lessons and associated practice problems to learn new math concepts, and to revisit those you haven’t encountered recently
2. Practice - Complete timed, strategic practice on a regular basis, and always make sure you understand your mistakes
3. Revisit and reinforce - As you practice, continue to review the lessons and other supplementary materials to fortify your weak areas

Step 1 - Learn and Review Concepts

Your Piqosity account includes access to curated lessons on every math topic that appears on the ISEE. Reviewing these lessons and topics, especially as you review your first practice test, will give you a better idea of:

• What you know
• What you need to review
• What you still need to learn

Step 2 - Practice

As with all sections of the ISEE, your practice for the Quantitative Reasoning section should be frequent, thoughtful, and reflective:

Frequent:

• Complete at least 1-2 hours of practice per week, across all sections of the ISEE
• Break up your practice time as needed to establish a schedule you can stick to

Thoughtful:

• Answer every question, and always try your best
• Pay attention to your pacing
• Utilize the strategies you have learned

Reflective:

• Review your mistakes and re-work questions you missed
• Mark hard questions so you can return to them later
• Focus your practice on your weakest areas

Step 3 - Revisit and Reinforce

Preparing for the ISEE’s math sections is a cyclical process. It’s not enough to review every math topic once, take a practice test, and then call it a day. On the contrary, seeing your Quantitative Reasoning score improve will require you to continually revisit concepts as you work through practice material. After all, you’re highly unlikely to master a topic after practicing it just once, and the large number of topics that can appear on the ISEE means that you’ll need to review topics repeatedly as you get rusty on them over time.

In other words, your preparations should end up looking like this: