So, currently I’m on the Algebra part of the Quant section and I’m hitting a wall in understanding the concepts. I understand the problems and can memorize how to do them on Quizzes, but it takes numerous tries and my main fear is that I’m learning the ‘problem’ and not the concept behind it. For example, the Sum of two Squares = 18 and the difference of two squares = 12 problem I can solve, but whenever I do, I notice I’m using shorthand from my previous attempts even if I have nothing written down. I’m just wondering if there are ways to better hone my understanding of these because I’ve noticed when I encounter a completely new problem, I freeze on the spot and feel as though I simply cannot surmount it, and when the solution’s presented, I feel like a moron for forgetting a basic rule.
Fortunately, I’m actually very ahead on Verbal, it’s just a matter of honing the skills which I’m confident I can do with practice. But progress with Quant after Arithmetic has grinded to a halt where sometimes I’ll spend entire days just trying to fully grasp a single module. I’m concerned about my ability to study in a timely matter, and if I’ll even be fit to take the Quant sections of the practice tests and real GRE. I’m wondering about the quality of the tutoring and maybe they’ll be able to address my issues, or what other options I may have at this point? Because at this point I feel like I’m hitting my head against the wall and my only progress is made when the solutions are presented to me and I just so happen to remember the very specific method after numerous attempts. Help would be greatly appreciated because I’m experiencing a lot of burnout as a result. Thank you!
Currently still going through it. I’m trying to make sure I’m able to understand each module before I continue. Would you recommend I do this afterwards?
Topic exercises can be hit or miss, but progress quizzes and tickbox quizzes however I’ve almost never done adequately on the first try. I don’t know if that’s how they’re designed or if I should be concerned. I try to retake the quizzes by actionably putting each of the steps to solve it down as though it were my first time, and if I can’t remember how I just leave it as unfinished, but I still feel as though there’s only so much I can do to eliminate my before-hand knowledge.
Are you doing the quant mountain properly? You’re supposed to be able to do the questions without much frustration if you memorized the foundation well.
Maybe I need to review the How to Do Quant Mountain properly again. I try to write an abridged version of the material below and have that be the thing I need to repeat every time for the mountain. Maybe I’m not going deep enough or I need a different approach?
If you’re doing it in a way where you review everything you learned every day then you shouldn’t be forgetting by the time you do the tickbox quiz right?
Alternatively, go through the quant mountain BEFORE you take the tickbox quiz and see how you do