Methods, systems and apparatus for approximating a target quantum state. In one aspect, a method for determining a target quantum state includes the actions of receiving data representing a target quantum state of a quantum system as a result of applying a quantum circuit to an initial quantum state of the quantum system; determining an approximate quantum circuit that approximates the specific quantum circuit by adaptively adjusting a number of T gates available to the specific quantum circuit; and applying the determined approximate quantum circuit to the initial quantum state to obtain an approximation of the target quantum state.