GRE Math Formula Flashcards: 7 Proven Tricks To Memorize Formulas Faster And Actually Remember Them – Stop re-learning the same GRE formulas and use these flashcard strategies to lock them into your brain for test day.
GRE math formula flashcards only work if you build them right. One concept per card, question-based fronts, spaced repetition, and an app that handles the sc...
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What Are GRE Math Formula Flashcards (And Why They Matter So Much)?
So, you know how gre math formula flashcards are basically just cards with formulas on one side and explanations or examples on the other? That’s all they are: a simple way to drill the formulas you have to know for the GRE quant section—things like area, probability, exponents, and geometry rules. They matter because the GRE doesn’t give you formulas on the test, and wasting time trying to “re-derive” them under pressure is how people lose easy points. When you turn those formulas into flashcards and review them smartly, you make them automatic—no thinking, just recall. Apps like Flashrecall make this way easier by handling spaced repetition for you, so you see each formula right before you’re about to forget it.
If you want an app to handle all that for you, check out Flashrecall on iPhone and iPad:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Why Flashcards Work So Well For GRE Math Formulas
GRE quant is less about “deep math genius” and more about speed + accuracy with a fixed set of ideas. Flashcards hit both of those:
- You train instant recall – When you see “sum of interior angles of an n-gon,” you don’t want to think, you want to know: \((n - 2) \times 180^\circ\).
- You expose your weak spots – If you keep missing probability or circle formulas, flashcards make that painfully obvious (in a good way).
- You avoid re-learning – Instead of flipping through notes again and again, you review just the cards you’re likely to forget.
Flashrecall bakes in this whole process: active recall (you see the front, try to remember the back) + spaced repetition (it schedules the reviews for you), so your GRE math formula flashcards actually stick instead of fading after a week.
Setting Up GRE Math Formula Flashcards The Right Way
Let’s make this practical. Here’s how to structure your cards so they’re actually useful and not just a pile of messy formulas.
1. One Concept Per Card
Don’t cram five formulas on one card. Break them up.
- Front: “Triangle formulas”
- Back: Area, Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles, etc.
- Card 1
- Front: “Area of a triangle (base & height)”
- Back: \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}bh\) + tiny example
- Card 2
- Front: “Pythagorean theorem”
- Back: \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\) + note: “Right triangle only”
- Card 3
- Front: “30-60-90 triangle side ratios”
- Back: \(x, x\sqrt{3}, 2x\)
This is super easy to do in Flashrecall—just tap to add a new card, type your front and back, done.
2. Make The Front A Question, Not A Label
Instead of:
- Front: “Circle formulas”
- Back: “Area: \(\pi r^2\), Circumference: \(2\pi r\)”
Try:
- Card 1
- Front: “Formula for area of a circle in terms of radius?”
- Back: \(A = \pi r^2\)
- Card 2
- Front: “Formula for circumference of a circle in terms of radius?”
- Back: \(C = 2\pi r\)
Questions force your brain to work. That’s active recall, and that’s what Flashrecall is designed around.
3. Add Tiny Examples So It Feels Real
Your brain remembers examples better than random symbols.
Instead of only:
- Back: \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}bh\)
Use:
- Back:
- Formula: \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}bh\)
- Example: “b = 6, h = 4 → area = 12”
In Flashrecall, you can even drop an image of a triangle or a screenshot from a GRE prep PDF and auto-generate flashcards from it. The app can pull out text and help you build cards crazy fast from notes, PDFs, or even YouTube videos.
Core GRE Math Formula Topics You Should Definitely Make Cards For
Here’s a quick checklist of what your gre math formula flashcards should cover. You don’t need every obscure formula—just the high-yield ones.
1. Arithmetic & Number Properties
- Percent change:
\(\%\text{ change} = \dfrac{\text{new} - \text{old}}{\text{old}} \times 100\%\)
- Simple interest:
\(I = Prt\)
- Average (mean):
\(\text{mean} = \dfrac{\text{sum of terms}}{\text{number of terms}}\)
- Divisibility rules, factors, multiples, primes (concept cards, not formulas)
- LCM & GCF (with a small example on the back)
2. Algebra
- Slope of a line:
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
\(m = \dfrac{y_2 - y_1}{y_1 - y_2}\)
- Slope-intercept form:
\(y = mx + b\)
- Distance formula:
\(d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}\)
- Quadratic formula:
\(x = \dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\)
- Exponent rules:
- \(a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}\)
- \((a^m)^n = a^{mn}\)
- \(a^{-n} = \dfrac{1}{a^n}\)
3. Geometry
- Triangle area: \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}bh\)
- Pythagorean: \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\)
- Special right triangles:
- 45-45-90: \(x, x, x\sqrt{2}\)
- 30-60-90: \(x, x\sqrt{3}, 2x\)
- Rectangle area: \(A = lw\)
- Parallelogram area: \(A = bh\)
- Trapezoid area: \(A = \dfrac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h\)
- Circle area & circumference: \(A = \pi r^2\), \(C = 2\pi r\)
- Volume:
- Rectangular solid: \(V = lwh\)
- Cylinder: \(V = \pi r^2h\)
4. Probability & Combinatorics
- Basic probability:
\(P(\text{event}) = \dfrac{\text{favorable}}{\text{total}}\)
- Complement rule:
\(P(\text{not A}) = 1 - P(A)\)
- Permutations (order matters):
\({}^nP_r = \dfrac{n!}{(n-r)!}\)
- Combinations (order doesn’t matter):
\({}^nC_r = \dfrac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}\)
5. Statistics
- Mean, median, mode (definitions + tiny data example)
- Range: max - min
- Standard deviation: concept card (you don’t need the full formula, just what it means on GRE level)
You can create separate decks in Flashrecall like “Geometry Formulas,” “Algebra Formulas,” etc., and the app will mix in reviews based on what you’re forgetting most.
How Flashrecall Makes GRE Formula Memorization Way Less Painful
Alright, here’s where tech actually helps instead of just distracting you.
1. Spaced Repetition Without You Thinking About It
Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition with auto reminders. That means:
- New cards: you see them more often at first
- Older, “easy” cards: you see them less often
- Hard cards: they keep coming back until they stick
You just rate how well you remembered a card, and the app handles the schedule. No spreadsheets, no “What should I review today?” stress.
2. Active Recall Baked In
Every card is front → think → flip. That’s active recall, and it’s exactly how you want to train for the GRE. You’re rehearsing the same mental move you’ll use on test day: see a problem, pull the formula from memory, apply.
3. Make Cards Instantly From Your Existing Study Material
Instead of typing everything from scratch, Flashrecall lets you:
- Snap a pic of a page from your GRE book → auto-generate flashcards
- Import from PDFs → turn key formulas into cards in seconds
- Use YouTube links → pull out important formulas explained in videos
- Paste text or prompts → the app can help suggest cards
That means you can turn a full GRE math chapter into a focused formula deck in one sitting.
Download it here if you want to try it out (it’s free to start):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
A Simple Daily Routine For GRE Math Formula Flashcards
Here’s a realistic plan you can actually stick to.
Step 1: 10–15 Minutes Of Review (Every Day)
- Open Flashrecall, let it show you the cards due today.
- Go through them using active recall. No peeking.
- Mark cards as “easy / medium / hard” based on how well you remembered.
This alone, done consistently, will lock in most of your formulas.
Step 2: Add 3–10 New Cards Per Day
- After a practice set or a study session, add cards for:
- Any formula you forgot
- Any concept that slowed you down
- Keep them short and clean—one idea per card.
Step 3: Mix Formulas With Real GRE Questions
Once a week:
- Do a timed quant set.
- After you’re done, ask:
- “Which questions did I miss because I forgot a formula?”
- “Which ones took too long because I had to think through a formula?”
Turn those into new flashcards. Now your deck is tuned to your actual weaknesses, not just a random list from a book.
Extra Tips To Make Your GRE Formula Cards Stick
- Use tags or decks by topic – In Flashrecall, you can keep a “Geometry” deck and an “Algebra” deck so you can cram one area if you need to.
- Add short notes like ‘GRE trap’ – Example: on a percent change card, add “GRE loves to reverse old/new—watch the denominator.”
- Study offline – With Flashrecall working offline, you can review formulas on the train, in line, or during breaks without needing Wi‑Fi.
- Talk to your cards – If a formula or concept is confusing, you can literally chat with the flashcard in Flashrecall to get more explanation, instead of googling around.
Putting It All Together
gre math formula flashcards are just a structured way to make sure all the high-yield GRE quant formulas are in your head, fast and ready to use. The formulas themselves aren’t hard—it’s remembering them under time pressure that trips people up.
Use flashcards to:
- Turn each formula into a quick question → answer pattern
- Review them with spaced repetition so they stay remembered
- Tie them directly to real GRE questions you’ve missed
And if you don’t want to manage that whole system by hand, let Flashrecall do the heavy lifting with automatic spaced repetition, study reminders, and super-fast card creation from your notes, PDFs, and screenshots.
You can grab Flashrecall here and start building your GRE formula deck today:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Stick to a small daily routine, and by the time test day shows up, every formula will feel like second nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
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Practice This With Free Flashcards
Try our web flashcards right now to test yourself on what you just read. You can click to flip cards, move between questions, and see how much you really remember.
Try Flashcards in Your BrowserInside the FlashRecall app you can also create your own decks from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, and text, then use spaced repetition to save your progress and study like top students.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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