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GMAT Math is like middle or high school math, minus the hard parts. There\u2019s no trigonometry, no calculus, and no proofs. Instead, the <\/span>biggest value<\/span><\/a> is in story problems, solving and simplifying equations, and some basic geometry and number theory. <\/span><\/p>\n GMAT Math might test simple content, but it isn\u2019t easy. Even though a lot of the math is middle-school stuff, there\u2019s no way a middle-schooler could ace the GMAT. That\u2019s because GMAT Math takes that simple content and uses it to test strategic thinking and logical reasoning at a high level. We\u2019ll start off by looking at the math basics you need to learn\u2014but we\u2019ll also go over the problem-solving skills you\u2019ll need.<\/span><\/p>\n To conquer GMAT Math, you need to start with the basics. By the time you\u2019re done studying for the GMAT, you should be totally comfortable with all of these math concepts. On their own, they aren\u2019t enough to help you solve every GMAT problem. But each one will be useful during your test. <\/span><\/p>\n The links in this list go to various sources, such as articles from our blog or pages from Khan Academy. To get all of the info in one place, pick up our <\/span>Foundations of GMAT Math<\/span><\/a> book! <\/span><\/p>\n GMAT math rules about numbers:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Algebra rules:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Rules about divisibility and primes:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Geometry rules:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Special rules:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n If you know all of these rules and techniques, you don\u2019t have much memorization left to do. However, the GMAT isn\u2019t just going to quiz you on the basics. It\u2019ll ask you to solve problems, and solving a problem involves two more skills, beyond just knowing the rules: <\/span>knowing which rule to use<\/b>, and <\/span>knowing how to apply the rule<\/b>. It\u2019s one thing to know that work equals rate times time; it\u2019s another thing to spot a work\/rate\/time problem and correctly set up and solve that equation. <\/span><\/p>\n To master GMAT Quant, you need a lot of problem-solving strategies in your toolkit. Some, but not all, of those strategies are listed here. <\/span><\/p>\n Story problems:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Data Sufficiency:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Number Properties:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Other problems:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n These definitely aren\u2019t all of the problem-solving skills you\u2019ll need for the GMAT, but they\u2019re a good start! Notice that it\u2019s a lot tougher to tell when you\u2019ve mastered these skills, compared to the simple rules and facts from earlier. You mostly acquire these skills by doing\u2014and more importantly, thinking deeply about\u2014GMAT problems. <\/span>Keeping an error log<\/span><\/a> will go a long way towards helping you know which rules to use when, and how to use them. <\/span><\/p>\n Finally, GMAT Math involves skills that don\u2019t really seem like math at all. However, these are some of the most important skills that the GMAT tests. And even if it doesn\u2019t seem like it at first, you can improve these skills between now and test day!<\/span><\/p>\n Above all, GMAT Math tests your <\/span>executive reasoning<\/span><\/a> skills. You don\u2019t have enough time to give 100% on every Quant problem. However, the test doesn\u2019t tell you which problems to go for and which ones to skip. <\/span>That\u2019s a decision you need to make on your own<\/span><\/a>. One of the most important GMAT Math skills is whether you can figure<\/span> out, with limited information, how likely you are to get a problem right. If you master this skill, you\u2019ll be able to guess on the toughest problems and devote your attention to the easier ones. <\/span><\/p>\n GMAT Quant also tests your ability to avoid making mistakes on the easy stuff. One of the easiest ways to tank your GMAT Quant score is to make a lot of careless errors. While you study, search for <\/span>ways to avoid careless math mistakes<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Next, GMAT Math tests attention and focus. It\u2019s not easy to pay full attention to one thing for 62 minutes straight, especially in the middle of a long, difficult test. (However, <\/span>you can improve your ability to focus<\/span><\/a>!) Similarly, GMAT Quant tests your organizational skills. It also tests your long-term and short-term memory, and how good you are at managing test-day stress. It indirectly tests study skills, since you\u2019ll need to study effectively to boost your score. Data Sufficiency, specifically, tests how good you are at analyzing evidence. If these sound familiar, it\u2019s because a lot of these skills are ones you\u2019ll need to draw on in business school and throughout your career. They can also be improved by practice. <\/span>For instance, mindfulness practice may improve your working memory and reduce stress<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Memorizing the math rules is the easy part of studying for GMAT Math. If you\u2019re rusty on the math foundations, go ahead and start there. But as you keep progressing, make sure you\u2019re <\/span>getting as much as possible out of every problem you do<\/span><\/a>: not just math rules, but problem-solving techniques and high-level skills. That\u2019s the secret to hitting a 700 GMAT score<\/a>. ?<\/span><\/p>\n Want more guidance from our GMAT gurus? You can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GMAT courses absolutely free! We\u2019re not kidding.\u00a0<\/i><\/b>Check out our upcoming courses here<\/i><\/b><\/a>What Math Rules Are Tested on GMAT Quant? <\/b><\/h4>\n
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GMAT Math Strategies and Processes<\/b><\/h4>\n
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High-Level GMAT Math Skills<\/b><\/h4>\n
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