Quantitative Comparison questions emphasize shortcuts, insight, and quick techniques. Long and/or involved mathematical computation is unnecessary.

Often simplifying one or both columns can make an answer evident.

Sample Quantitative Comparison Question:

a, b, c, all greater than 0

Column A: a (b + c)

Column B: ab + ac

Directions: Choose (A) if column A is greater, (B) if column B is greater, (C) if they're equal, or (D) if not enough information is given.

Note: In the actual SAT test, Columns A and B appear as two vertical columns.

Using the distributive property on column A to simplify, gives ab and ac; therefore, the columns are equal and the answer is (C) (the two quantities are equal).