QR: Advanced Problem Types & Timing Strategy

Multi-Step Problems

The hardest QR questions require 3–4 calculation steps. The key is to stay organised:

1. Read the question and identify the final answer required
2. Work backwards to determine what intermediate values you need
3. Extract those values from the data set
4. Calculate step by step, writing intermediate results on your noteboard

Common Multi-Step Patterns

• “What is the percentage change in profit?” → Need: old profit, new profit. Each may require: revenue − costs
• “How much would it cost per person?” → Need: total cost ÷ number of people. Total cost may require summing multiple items with different prices
• “What is the average monthly increase?” → Need: (final value − initial value) ÷ number of months

Using the On-Screen Calculator Efficiently

• Use keyboard shortcuts where available (some test centres allow this)
• For chain calculations, use the memory function (M+, MR, MC) to store intermediate results
• Round aggressively when possible — if answers are far apart, estimation beats exact calculation
• For percentage calculations: enter the original number, multiply by the percentage as a decimal

Timing Strategy for QR

You have approximately 2 minutes 47 seconds per data set (4 questions). Budget your time:

• 20–30 seconds: scan the data set, understand what it shows
• ~30 seconds per question for straightforward lookups
• ~45 seconds per question for multi-step calculations

If a question requires more than 60 seconds of calculation, flag it, make your best estimate from the options, and return if time permits.

The Estimation Advantage

With 5 answer options that are often spread far apart, estimation is your superpower:

1. Round all numbers to 1 or 2 significant figures
2. Calculate with the rounded numbers
3. Find the option closest to your estimate
4. Only use the calculator if two options are very close together