Quantitative Reasoning has 36 questions, mostly based on tables, charts and short scenarios. The maths is around Year 10 level — the challenge is speed.
The 9 shortcuts
- Estimate before calculating. If the answer must be about 40, cross out 4 and 400.
- Percentage change = (new − old) ÷ old. Memorise it.
- Up 20% then down 20% is not zero — it is a 4% fall overall (1.2 × 0.8 = 0.96).
- Reverse percentages: if $60 is after a 25% discount, the original is 60 ÷ 0.75.
- Ratios: add the parts first. 3:2 of 50 → 5 parts → 10 each → 30 and 20.
- Units: convert everything to the same unit before you start (minutes vs hours is the classic trap).
- Speed = distance ÷ time. Write the triangle on your note board.
- Use the note board for multi-step questions so you do not retype numbers.
- Flag the long ones. Every question is worth the same — do the quick ones first.
💡 Practise with a basic on-screen calculator (not your phone) so the real one feels familiar on test day.