GRE Quant for applicants in France: reverse a percentage increase
In a data question, identifying the reference amount comes before choosing the operation. A percentage increase is measured from the earlier amount, so finding that earlier amount requires reversing a multiplier.
Original example: last year’s revenue
A fictional company reports current total revenue of €2 billion. Its current France revenue is €400 million, which is 25% greater than its France revenue in the previous year. What was the previous year’s France revenue?
Let the previous France revenue be R million euros. A 25% increase gives 1.25R = 400. Therefore R = 400 ÷ 1.25 = €320 million.
Check: 25% of 320 is 80, and 320 + 80 = 400. The company-wide €2 billion total is not needed for the question.
Why the tempting subtractions fail
Subtracting 25% of 400 would give 300, but the original increase was 25% of the previous amount, not the current amount. Subtracting 25% of the company total uses a different population altogether.
A useful note above the calculation is “France, previous year”. It records both the group and the time period. If you make the same mistake repeatedly, practise identifying that reference before calculating.
Keep mathematics and reading together
GRE Quant tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis through several question formats. Reading the condition accurately does not replace the mathematical knowledge needed to solve it. Choose practice from your actual mistakes rather than assuming students from one curriculum all have the same strengths.
Check the programme separately
For a grande école, MBA or another graduate programme, verify exam acceptance and score requirements on that programme’s official admissions page for your intended intake. There is no single Quant threshold for every institution in France.
Use ETS practice resources to build a baseline and the free study planner to reserve review time. For GRE tutoring, bring both your calculation and the words that led you to choose its denominator.