GMAT Important Topics for Maths: Topic Wise Breakdown of GMAT Quant | How to prepare for GMAT PDF Download

GMAT Quantitative Aptitude: Overview

The Quantitative Aptitude is often seen as one of the most challenging sections of the GMAT exam. It tests your ability to solve complex math problems and requires a strong understanding of mathematics concepts.

• This section consists of 21 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 45 minutes. 
• The questions are based on Problem-solving  which is mainly divided into three categories: Arithmetic, Algebra and Modern Maths.
• In order to do well on the GMAT Quantitative section, it is important to have a strong foundation of the topics tested on the exam.

In this article, we will discuss some of the most important topics for GMAT Quant.

Major Concepts of GMAT Quantitative Aptitude

Arithmetic: This includes topics such as fractions, decimals, ratios, and percentages. This topic offers the largest amount of concepts, tricks, and shortcuts.

• Numbers and Number Line: A number system expresses numbers, while a number line visually represents their order and magnitude. The GMAT tests all real numbers, including positives, negatives, integers, fractions, and special types like evens, odds, primes, co-primes, and composites.
• Factors, Multiples, Divisibility, and Remainders: Factors are numbers that divide another number evenly. Multiples are products of a given number and a natural number. Divisibility determines if one number divides another without a remainder.
• Exponents: Exponents show repeated multiplication of a number by itself. For example,
  2³  equals 2×2×2.
• Ratio and Proportion: Ratios compare quantities, written as "a to b," "a
  ," or "a/b." Proportions state that two ratios are equal. For example, in a 2:3 ratio, dividing $150 means A gets $60 and B gets $90.
• Percentages: Percent means "per 100." For example, 40% is 40/100 or 2/5. To convert a fraction to a percentage, multiply by 100. For example, 3/4 is 75%.
• Rate, Work, and Mixture Problems: These problems involve calculating speeds, task completion rates, and combining substances. Use formulas like distance = speed × time and work = rate × time to solve them.

Algebra: Algebra is a key area in the Quant section, where you will work on setting up simple equations, solving word problems, breaking down inequalities, and understanding functions.

• Algebraic expressions and equations: Algebraic equations have two expressions separated by an equal sign (=). Solving these finds the unknown variable.
• Linear Equations: These form straight lines on graphs and include variables only to the first power, e.g., 2x+4=8.
• Quadratic Equations: These are written as 𝑎𝑥²+𝑏𝑥+𝑐=0 where 'a' is not zero, and involve variables squared.
• Inequalities: Inequalities compare expressions that aren't necessarily equal using symbols like >, <, ≤, or ≥, e.g.,  2x+3>0.
• Functions and Graphing: Functions relate one set of numbers to another, sometimes using special symbols (e.g., 𝑎#𝑏  defined as
  (𝑎+𝑏)² ).
  Graphing functions visualizes these relationships.

Modern Math: Modern Math isn't about memorizing formulas and applying them to solve problems. Instead, most questions in this area require understanding basic concepts in statistics, counting (permutations and combinations), probability, sets, and their practical applications.

• Statistics: Involves reading, analyzing, and interpreting data using basic tools like mean, median, and mode.
• Overlapping Sets: Uses Venn diagrams to organize data, especially for items in multiple groups, focusing on two-set and three-set problems.
• Counting Methods: Systematic approaches like permutations and combinations for enumerating objects and arrangements.
• Probability: Measures the likelihood of outcomes, expressed as a fraction or percent. For example, a coin flip has a 50% chance of landing heads or tails.
• Sequences and Series: A sequence is a list of ordered items, and a series is the sum of sequence terms.

Important GMAT Quantitative Aptitude topics you must know

If you become proficient in the topics mentioned below, it will help you a lot in the GMAT quantitative section as these topics comprise almost 70-80% of the Quant questions. Additionally, the basic concepts associated with them also appear in other parts of the quantitative section.

• Multiples and Factors
  Multiples and factors are an important part of the number theory in mathematics. Understanding standard number properties and rules is necessary to perform operations involving multiples and factors.
  To solve questions from this topic, you should learn GCF (Greatest common factor), LCM (least common multiple), prime factorisation, and related divisibility rules.
• Ratio and Proportion
  Another crucial topic of GMAT quantitative is ratio, and proportion, which is used extensively in the business world in terms of money, sales, growth, etc.
  Ratio and proportion both serve as tools for comparison, and their properties are useful in solving problems in areas such as speed and distance, work and time, mixtures, probabilities, etc.
• Percentages
  The concept of percentages plays an important role in our daily lives when calculating things such as interest rates, price changes, savings, losses, etc. On the GMAT, you will frequently encounter the use of percentage formulas in both arithmetic and geometry problems.
  To master this topic, you should learn the common percentage-to-fraction conversions and vice versa, as many of the word problems on the GMAT require conversions.
• Rates
  The GMAT exam includes numerous rate based questions. Most of the rate based questions are related to the following concepts: speed and distance, work rate and time, and simple/compound interest.
  To grasp these subjects, you must master specific formulas and comprehend the connections between the various variables.
• Exponents
  Exponents play a vital role in algebraic expressions. On the GMAT, you will need to manipulate exponents by separating, combining, and performing similar operations on their bases in order to solve algebraic expressions and determine the value of variables.
  To master exponent based questions, you must be aware of the rules for various operations on exponents.
• System of equations
  System of equations are one of the most important part of  algebra. In GMAT, this topic generally appears in the form of data sufficiency questions.
  In these types of questions, it is important for the candidate to determine whether the equations are dependent or independent, as dependent equations typically do not yield solutions. Additionally, the equations may be equivalent but presented in different forms.
• Inequalities
  Inequalities are a somewhat challenging aspect of algebra that involves working with mathematical expressions that are not equal. Care must be taken with regards to the positive and negative signs of these expressions. On the GMAT, inequalities may be presented in either linear or quadratic form.
  To ace this topic, a strong understanding of the fundamental rules and properties is crucial.
  The most effective strategies for approaching related questions include using the number line method and elimination technique.
• Overlapping sets
  Set theory is a branch of modern mathematics. The idea of overlapping sets is considered one of the more challenging topics on the GMAT Quant. Questions related to overlapping sets tend to appear in the form of word problems on the exam.
  An effective approach to these questions is to organize the given information and clarify the relationships between the sets or groups using diagrams. This makes it easier to construct equations and arrive at the solution.

How to prepare for GMAT using EduRev Infinity

Since the quantitative score is included in the overall GMAT score, it is important to perform well in this section. You can boost your Quantitative Aptitude score using EduRev’s course for Quanitative Aptitude, which is a part of EduRev’s Infinity pack for GMAT preparation.

Access the study material offered in the quantitative course using the table below.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) related to GMAT Quant

Is GMAT quantitative difficult?

The difficulty level of GMAT quantitative varies for different individuals and depends on their background in mathematics and their test-taking abilities. Some people find the GMAT quantitative section challenging due to the fast-paced nature of the questions, the need for mental math, and the need to quickly analyze and interpret data. However, with adequate preparation and practice, many people find that they can improve their scores, as the level of maths in the quantitative section is no more than high school level.

Is quantitative 47 good in GMAT?

A score of 47 in GMAT is generally considered to be decent by top 10 B schools. Scoring 47 would translate to about 60 percentile, which isn’t amazing, but not bad at all.

Is GMAT quantitative harder than GRE?

The GMAT quantitative section is commonly perceived as more difficult than the GRE quantitative section. The GMAT evaluates one's problem-solving abilities and includes challenging data sufficiency questions. You aren’t allowed to use a calculator in the GMAT quantitative section, while the GRE quantitative section permits the use of a calculator and is considered easier.

How many questions are in GMAT quantitative section?

The quantitative section of GMAT consists of 21 MCQ based questions which you are supposed to complete in 45 minutes.

What is the scoring range for GMAT Quant?

The gmat exam is scored in the range of 6-51, in increments of 1. The score you receive will be included in the overall GMAT score.

Can I use a calculator on the GMAT quantitative section?

No, calculators are not allowed on the GMAT quantitative section. Test-takers are provided with a virtual on-screen calculator only for Integrated section of the GMAT exam.

Is GMAT quantitative section computer-adaptive?

Yes, the GMAT quantitative section is computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the test-taker's performance. The scoring per question depends on the said difficulty of the question as well.