The GMAT Quantitative Reasoning (QR) section might seem daunting at first glance, but with a solid understanding of the content and effective strategies, you can approach it with confidence. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to master this section:
Content Assessed:
The GMAT Quant section focuses on assessing your foundational math skills and your ability to apply them to solve business-related problems. It does not involve complex calculations, but rather a strong understanding of core mathematical concepts:
- Arithmetic: Brush up on properties of integers (divisibility, prime numbers), operations (percentages, ratios, rates), and exponents.
- Algebra: This forms a major portion of the test. Be familiar with simplifying expressions, solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, working with functions, and translating word problems into mathematical models.
- Geometry: Revisit concepts like lines, angles, areas, and volumes of basic shapes, along with coordinate geometry (distance formula, slopes).
- Data Analysis: Interpret information presented in various forms like tables, graphs (line, bar, pie charts), and scatter plots. You might need to calculate basic statistics (mean, median, mode) and analyze relationships between data points.
Question Types:
The GMAT Quant section throws three different question types at you, each requiring a slightly different approach:
- Problem Solving (PS): These are the most common question types. You’ll encounter word problems that describe a business scenario and require you to translate the information into an equation or mathematical model to solve for the unknown variable.
- Data Sufficiency (DS): These questions present you with two pieces of information and ask you to determine if the data is sufficient to answer a specific question. Employ critical reasoning and logical thinking to analyze the information and identify if one or both pieces of data are needed.
- Enhanced Multi-Source Reasoning (EMSR): This recently introduced question type involves analyzing data presented from multiple sources (text, tables, graphs) to answer a single question. It tests your ability to integrate information from different formats and draw logical conclusions.
Strategies for Success:
- Focus on Understanding Concepts: Don’t just memorize formulas. Strive to understand the underlying mathematical principles to effectively apply them to various problems.
- Develop Strong Estimation Skills: Approximation can be a powerful tool, especially in Data Sufficiency questions. Learn to estimate answers to quickly eliminate unreasonable answer choices.
- Practice Time Management: You get roughly 1.5-2 minutes per question, so hone your ability to solve problems efficiently. Skipping time-consuming questions and coming back to them later can be a wise strategy.
- Master Calculator Use: While the GMAT doesn’t require complex calculations, a graphing calculator can be a valuable tool. However, learn to perform basic calculations efficiently without relying solely on the calculator.
Additional Tips:
- Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Take practice tests to pinpoint areas that require more focus and tailor your study plan accordingly.
- Review Official GMAT materials: Familiarize yourself with the question types and the format of the GMAT Quant section using official practice questions and resources.
- Practice with Timed Drills: Simulate the actual test environment by practicing under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.