Is GMAT Math Hard? Break the myth to get 100% success

The GMAT Math section strikes fear in the hearts of many GMAT appearing candidates who have not taken a math class even in years. If you are one of those candidates math problems, this blog is for them. You should not worry at all. By reading this blog, you can easily handle the quantitative section in the GMAT math exam.

Well, it is true that the GMAT quantitative section is a bit challenging, but it is not entirely based on advanced GMAT math concepts. This guide will help you to understand the GMAT math section properly, along with the key tips to achieve 100% success.

An overview on GMAT math section

The GMAT quantitative section can be found in the third section on the GMAT. You will get this section after completing half an hour of analytical assignment, half an hour of integrated reasoning, and an optimal break of eight minutes. This guide will help you efficiently solve the problem of math.

This GMAT math section is the first adaptive section that tests your abilities. To achieve success in this section, you should start with medium level GMAT math questions. You will find the math problems harder or easier, depending on how much time you have evolved in practice.  This section of the GMAT will give you customized types of questions for practice tests. By practicing these math questions, you can accurately measure your skills. The adaptive format of this section allows you to get comparable scores across various tests.

The test-takers will get 31 math questions in 62 minutes, where two minutes is allotted for each question. To answer the question, you will not be allowed to access a calculator. You will only get markers and note boards to do rough work.

In order to achieve 100% success in this section, you need to do a lot of GMAT math practice. This official guide will help you get some basic ideas about this concept.

Two types of GMAT math questions

GMAT Math questions have been divided into two quantitative sections – one is a data sufficiency problem, and the other is data sufficiency questions. The GMAT math syllabus has been divided into two different sections – two-third of GMAT math questions will be on data sufficiency problems solving, and the rest one-third section will be on data sufficiency. However, this proportion may vary depending on how many experimental questions you get every time.

The problem-solving questions are mostly like the typical question type you will get on a math test. They may ask you to solve the equation or figure out the correct one from the given answer choices. Each question has five optional answer choices, and there will be one right answer for each question. These multiple-choice questions make the exam process a bit tricky as the test takers require abstract thinking.

The second quantitative section is data sufficiency problems, which are unusual. These math problems come up with two pieces of information. You don’t need to solve the issue. Rather you have to indicate whether both the statements give you sufficient data or not. The answer choices for data sufficiency are always on the same track.

You just only need to know whether you could solve the issue based on the given information. So, there are only two types of questions in the quantitative section. You will get an overview of the GMAT math concepts.

GMAT vs. GRE – Which Admission Should You Take?

What Type of Math is Given on the GMAT Quantitative Section?

From the above, you can see that the quantitative section of GMAT math topic doesn’t ask you to be a mathematician. It does not involve trigonometry or advanced calculus. The GMAT math topics don’t involve advanced studies but provide only high-school level algebra.

However, the main problem for most of the people is to review the concepts which they have studied in the past, but they have not used them for a long time. The skills you need to answer these questions involve algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and word problems.

For Test Prep Check Out GMAT Math Topics in Arithmetic

One can find a variety of problems that require arithmetic skills. You don’t have to do practice only advanced calculations; you only need to answer the question strategically. As you are not allowed to use a calculator, you have to apply complex thinking for solving these arithmetic problems.

In this arithmetic section, you will be familiar with certain topics such as

• Fractions
• Decimals
• Properties of integers
• Percent
• Real numbers
• Powers and root numbers
• Descriptive statistics
• Sets
• Counting methods
• Discrete probability

Next is GMAT Math in Algebra

Along with arithmetic, another important section of GMAT math is algebra. For test prep, you should have the capability to solve algebra problems and their variables. For solving various algebra problems, you must be familiar with

• Manipulating algebra expression
• Variables and algebra expressions
• Equations
• Solving linear equations
• Solving two linear equations
• Factor solving equations
• Exponents
• absolute value
• Functions

Geometry in GMAT Math

For graduate management admission, this is an important section on which proper you should give. However, you won’t get many questions on algebra and arithmetic as you can find on geometry. For the practice test, you must follow the following concepts –

• Polygons
• Triangles
• Lines and angles
• Quadrilaterals
• Circles
• Rectangular slides and cylinders

GMAT Math Word Problems

Word problems can be found in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry sections. At first read carefully to identify what exactly the problem is and then apply how to solve it.

You might be asked to calculate simple and compound interest, calculate the rate, and measure the profits. You may also have to work with data from line charts, bar graphs, tables, scatter plots, pie graphs, and so on. Not only this, sometimes, you will be asked to analyze sets presented in Venn diagrams and therefore ask you to analyze probability.

Below we will mention some typical concepts which you must understand to solve the GMAT math word problems –

• Rate
• Interest
• Discount
• Profit
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Data interpretation

While practicing problem-solving questions, you will be asked to calculate how fast the earth revolves around the sun, where you may have to calculate miles per second to miles per hour.

Some Useful Tips for Reviewing Math for GMAT Math Prep

This guide will help you to get ready for data sufficiency and problem-solving questions in the quantitative section. What chapters should you review which you have not seen since high school?

• Review the Fundamentals

As it has already been mentioned that the GMAT math problem does not involve any advanced concept, it means you don’t need to practice trigonometry, calculus, or college-level mathematics. You should review only fundamental math concepts and build a strong foundation on the key concepts of algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.

• Review Realistic Practice Questions

For business school studies, you should focus on realistic practice questions rather than focusing on only arithmetic problem-solving equations. However, it is needless to say that the quantitative section in GMAT math is challenging, and one needs to do a lot of hard work for achieving 100% success.

• Take Out Some Time for Practice Tests

After doing an initial review of the basic concepts of math, it’s time to take out some time for practice tests and make sure you complete the quantitative section in 62 minutes.

• Memorize Data Sufficiency Answers

Will, there is no doubt that data sufficiency questions are weird. So, make sure you go through data sufficiency questions and answers properly.

Final Words

Therefore, you go through this guide and prepare yourself for the test day. It will definitely give you 100% success. Just go ahead with 100% confidence and break the myth. If you want to know more about the GMAT exam, please read this post once-

Things to Look After for Making a Good GMAT Study Plan

8 BEST GMAT PREP BOOKS TO FOLLOW FOR GMAT QUESTIONS AND STRATEGIES

What Should Be A Good GMAT Percentile for MBA Or Higher Studies?

Get to Know Some Important Facts About GMAT Online Exam

7 Best MBA Programs without GMAT in the USA ~ Don’t Miss the List