Quantitative Reasoning: Foundations

What Does QR Test?

The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) subtest evaluates your ability to solve numerical problems and interpret data presented in tables, charts, and graphs. It tests practical mathematical reasoning — the kind of quantitative thinking used in clinical practice, research, and evidence-based medicine.

The Format

• 36 questions in 25 minutes (approximately 42 seconds per question)
• 9 data sets, each followed by 4 related questions
• On-screen calculator available (basic functions only: +, −, ×, ÷, %, √)
• All questions are single-best-answer with 5 options

Key Mathematical Topics

QR does NOT require advanced mathematics. The underlying maths is typically GCSE/Year 10 level. The challenge is applying it quickly under time pressure. Core topics include:

• Percentages: Percentage increase/decrease, finding percentages, percentage of a percentage
• Ratios and proportions: Scaling recipes, unit conversions, part-to-whole relationships
• Averages: Mean, median, mode, weighted averages
• Rates: Speed/distance/time, cost per unit, flow rates
• Area, perimeter, volume: Basic geometry (rectangles, circles, triangles, cuboids)
• Data interpretation: Reading tables, bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, scatter plots
• Unit conversions: Metric conversions, currency, time
• Fractions and decimals: Operations with fractions, decimal-to-fraction conversions

The Calculator Question

You have access to a basic on-screen calculator. However, relying on it for every calculation will slow you down significantly. The click-click-click of entering numbers takes time. Wherever possible, use mental maths and estimation, and use the calculator only for complex calculations or to verify your mental arithmetic.