Easy GRE Percent Questions Practice Questions

Approximately 15% of the Quantitative Reasoning section on the GRE involves arithmetic concepts, where percentages play a central role in data interpretation and comparison. Understanding how to manipulate parts of a whole is a foundational skill for any test-taker. By focusing on Easy GRE Percent Questions Practice Questions, you can build the speed and accuracy necessary to tackle more complex multi-step problems later in the exam. This guide breaks down the core mechanics of percentages, from simple conversions to percent change, providing a solid starting point for your GRE Prep journey.

Concept Explanation

A percentage is a ratio or a fraction whose denominator is always 100, representing a specific portion out of a total of 100 units. The word "percent" literally translates to "per hundred," meaning that $x\%$ is equivalent to the fraction $\frac{x}{100}$ or the decimal $0.0x$. In the context of the GRE, percent problems typically fall into three categories: finding the percent of a number, determining what percent one number is of another, and calculating the percent increase or decrease between two values.

To solve these efficiently, you should be comfortable moving between forms. For example, $25\%$ is equal to $0.25$ or $\frac{1}{4}$. The most common formula used is:

$$\text{Part} = \frac{ \text{Percent}}{100} \times \text{Whole}$$

When dealing with percent change, the formula is slightly different but equally critical. You must find the difference between the new and old values and divide it by the original value:

$$\text{Percent Change} = \frac{ \text{New Value} - \text{Old Value}}{ \text{Old Value}} \times 100$$

Reliable resources like Khan Academy offer excellent visualizations for these basic arithmetic properties if you need a conceptual refresher. On the GRE, these "easy" questions often appear as GRE practice questions with answers that test your ability to avoid simple calculation errors under time pressure.

Solved Examples

Reviewing worked examples helps clarify how to translate word problems into algebraic equations.

1. Example 1: Finding a Percent of a Number
   What is $15\%$ of $80$?
   1. Convert the percentage to a decimal: $15\% = 0.15$.
   2. Multiply the decimal by the whole number: $0.15 \times 80$.
   3. Calculate the result: $15 \times 8 = 120$, so $0.15 \times 80 = 12$.
   4. Answer: 12.
2. Example 2: Finding the Percentage
   $42$ is what percent of $120$?
   1. Set up the equation using the formula $\text{Percent} = \frac{ \text{Part}}{ \text{Whole}} \times 100$.
   2. Substitute the values: $\frac{42}{120} \times 100$.
   3. Simplify the fraction: $\frac{42}{120} = \frac{7}{20}$.
   4. Convert to a percentage: $\frac{7}{20} = 0.35$, which is $35\%$.
   5. Answer: 35%.
3. Example 3: Percent Increase
   A jacket originally priced at $60 is marked up to $75. What is the percent increase?
   1. Identify the original value ($60) and the new value ($75).
   2. Calculate the change: $75 - 60 = 15$.
   3. Divide the change by the original value: $\frac{15}{60}$.
   4. Simplify: $\frac{1}{4} = 0.25$, which is $25\%$.
   5. Answer: 25%.

Practice Questions

Test your skills with these Easy GRE Percent Questions Practice Questions. Use a scratchpad to perform calculations just as you would during the actual exam.

1. What is $40\%$ of $250$?
2. If a $120 smartphone is on sale for $20\%$ off, what is the sale price?
3. A student scored $18$ out of $24$ on a quiz. What percentage did the student receive?

4. A population of birds increased from $800$ to $1,000$. What is the percent increase?
5. What is $125\%$ of $60$?
6. If $30\%$ of a number is $45$, what is the number?
7. A store buys a rug for $200 and sells it for $280. What is the percent profit based on the cost price?
8. In a class of $50$ students, $60\%$ are female. How many male students are in the class?
9. Find $0.5\%$ of $4,000$.
10. A car's value decreased from $25,000 to $20,000. What was the percent decrease?

Answers & Explanations

1. 100. Calculation: $0.40 \times 250 = 100$. You can also think of this as $4 \times 25$.
2. $96. First, find $20\%$ of $120: $0.20 \times 120 = 24$. Subtract the discount from the original price: $120 - 24 = 96$.
3. 75%. Calculation: $\frac{18}{24} = \frac{3}{4}$. As a decimal, $0.75$ equals $75\%$.
4. 25%. The increase is $200$. The original is $800$. $\frac{200}{800} = \frac{1}{4} = 25\%$.
5. 75. Calculation: $1.25 \times 60$. Since $125\%$ is $1 \frac{1}{4}$, you take $60 + (60/4) = 60 + 15 = 75$.
6. 150. Set up the equation $0.30x = 45$. Divide $45$ by $0.30$, which is the same as $450 / 3 = 150$.
7. 40%. The profit is $280 - 200 = 80$. The percent profit is $\frac{80}{200} = \frac{40}{100} = 40\%$.
8. 20. If $60\%$ are female, then $40\%$ are male. $0.40 \times 50 = 20$.
9. 20. Convert $0.5\%$ to a decimal: $0.005$. Calculation: $0.005 \times 4,000 = 20$.
10. 20%. The decrease is $5,000. The original value is $25,000. $\frac{5,000}{25,000} = \frac{1}{5} = 20\%$.

For more comprehensive drills that cover a wider range of topics, you might explore free GRE practice questions or use an adaptive GRE practice test to simulate the actual exam environment.

1. If a value increases from 50 to 60, what is the percentage increase?

• A10%
• B20%
• C25%
• D15%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate percent change on the GRE?

To calculate percent change, subtract the old value from the new value, divide that difference by the original old value, and multiply the result by 100. Always ensure you are dividing by the starting amount, not the final amount.

Can a percentage be greater than 100?

Yes, a percentage greater than 100 represents a value that is more than the original whole. For example, 200% of a number is simply double that number, which is common in growth or markup scenarios.

What is the fastest way to find 10% of a number?

The quickest way to find 10% is to move the decimal point of the original number one place to the left. Once you have 10%, you can easily find 5% by halving it or 20% by doubling it.

Does the order of percentage changes matter?

Yes, applying a 10% increase followed by a 10% decrease does not return you to the original number. You must calculate each change sequentially on the new resulting value each time.

How are percentages tested in GRE Data Interpretation?

In Data Interpretation, you are often asked to compare percentages from graphs or tables, such as finding which category saw the largest percent increase over a specific period. You can practice these specific formats using an AI Exam Simulator to get used to the visual layout.