11 Strategies for Earning a High GMAT Quant Score Without a Calculator

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Last Updated on January 10, 2024

Many GMAT test-takers, particularly those who don’t consider math their strongest subject, start to panic when they learn that they won’t have access to the GMAT calculator for the Quant section of the exam.

The truth is that — unless there are special circumstances involving accommodations — no student, regardless of his or her starting math proficiency, needs a calculator to do GMAT Quant. In fact, GMAT Quant questions are specifically designed to be answered without the use of a calculator. This is because GMAT Quant tests your use of logic and your conceptual knowledge, not your ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.

• Strategy 1: Learn the Concepts Tested in GMAT Quant.
• Strategy 2: Drill Realistic GMAT Quant Practice Questions.
• Strategy 3: Regularly Practice Arithmetic and Basic Math Functions.
• Strategy 4: Use Estimation When Possible.
• Strategy 5: Always Seek to Simplify Terms.
• Strategy 6: Develop Your Number Sense.
• Strategy 7: Look Out for Units Digits.
• Strategy 8: Become an Expert at Prime Factorization.
• Strategy 9: Become a Master of Data Sufficiency Questions.
• Strategy 10: Stop Yourself When Calculations Get Overly Complex.
• Strategy 11: Never Use a Calculator During Your GMAT Prep.

Remember, the GMAT assesses your skill in areas that will be important in business school; being able to efficiently input numbers into a calculator isn’t going to tell admissions committees much about your readiness for an MBA program. Thus, if you want to earn a high GMAT Quant score, you should think of it not as a math test, but as a logic test.

Of course, earning a competitive Quant score takes more than just a change in mindset. In this article, we’ll go over 11 key strategies that every test-taker needs to conquer GMAT Quant without the use of a calculator.

Strategy 1: Learn the Concepts Tested in GMAT Quant.

When you begin familiarizing yourself with the content tested in GMAT Quant, you’ll quickly see that the content is quite conceptual in nature. In other words, the questions you face are not calculation-heavy.

Let’s look at a few examples of tasks you could be asked to complete in the Quant section of the GMAT. For each set of tasks, note that the task you may be asked to perform on the GMAT does not require a calculator, while the task you would never be asked to perform would require a calculator.

You may be asked to … Determine whether the standard deviation of a set is zero.

You’ll never be asked to … Calculate the standard deviation of a set of numbers.

You may be asked to … Determine the remainder when 2⁹⁹ is divided by 3.

You’ll never be asked to … Divide 2⁹⁹ by 3.

You may be asked to … Determine the sum of the first 100 positive even integers.

You’ll never be asked to … Calculate the product of the first 100 positive even integers.

Now, if you can’t yet recognize why the first task in each set doesn’t require a calculator to complete, don’t worry; as you learn how to recognize which concept is being tested in a given question and how to apply that concept to efficiently answer the question, you’ll see that you don’t need a calculator after all. The key is to find a rigorous, comprehensive, trusted GMAT prep course, so that you can master the material tested.

Strategy 2: Drill Realistic GMAT Quant Practice Questions.

While the first step in mastering GMAT Quant is to learn the content tested, the next step is to practice applying the principles and concepts you’ve learned. By engaging in extensive topical practice, you’ll refine your skills at recognizing which concepts questions involve and make using efficient methods to solve GMAT Quant questions second nature. Consider the following question, for example: 

What is the units digit of 7⁴⁹?

Upon seeing this question, was your first reaction that the only way to solve this problem is by using a calculator? If so, you’re not alone. The good news is that there is an elegant solution for questions involving units digit patterns, and that solution does not require a flurry of intricate calculations on a calculator. Check out the solution to the above question:

Once you understand the methods used to obtain the units digit of 7⁴⁹, this problem becomes relatively easy. However, developing the skills to attack problems such as this one certainly does not happen overnight. You have to practice many problems of each question type tested on the GMAT to ensure that you’ve gained mastery. That is why the TTP course contains more than 30 problems just on units digit patterns. After you answer 30 questions involving this concept, the skills you need to attack such questions will be second nature.

We’ll discuss units digit patterns more a little later, but keep in mind that a “practice makes perfect” mentality applies to every other Quant concept as well.

Strategy 3: Regularly Practice Arithmetic and Basic Math Functions.

Although GMAT Quant doesn’t require complex calculations, you will need to perform some basic math to answer certain questions. Force yourself to master basic operations, such as multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, using pen and paper. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become at, say, multiplying 37 by 41 or dividing 996 by 6 without using a calculator. Many of us have gotten used to letting a calculator do the work when it comes to even the simplest calculations, but in reality, calculations such as these don’t require much time or effort if you’re used to performing them.

If the sight of 67 x 101 or similar calculations gives you heart palpitations, you need to regularly practice doing mild multiplication and division problems by hand, so that, when you encounter similar math on test day, you have no issues efficiently multiplying or dividing numbers without a calculator.

A good way to practice basic calculations, in addition to doing GMAT Quant problems, is to stop using your calculator (whenever you can) in everyday life. For example, if you need to figure out the sale price of a $175 item that is marked down by 15%, rather than using your calculator, write out the calculation. If you need to split a $250 dinner check 6 ways, again, write out the division by hand and do the calculation. The more you practice basic operations, the more prepared you’ll be to use them on the actual GMAT.

Strategy 4: Use Estimation When Possible.

If you ever run into a situation in which you are about to do complicated math calculations to arrive at an answer to a GMAT Quant question, you likely can answer the question using estimation. In fact, you may run into problems that force you to do complex math calculations if estimation is not used. This point is highlighted by the following compound interest problem:

At the end of his one-year investment, Charles received $54,080, including interest and principal from a certain investment. If the investment paid an annual interest of 8 percent compounded semi-annually, which of the following is the amount of money that Charles originally invested?

1. $45,000
2. $50,000
3. $54,000
4. $59,000
5. $62,000

Notice that the final calculation, (54,080)/1.0816, is not very easy to compute by hand. However, using estimation, we see that since 54,000/1 = 54,000, 54,000 divided by a number that is slightly greater than 1 should give us an answer that is slightly less than 54,000. Looking at the answer choices, we see that 50,000 must be the answer. So, by estimating, we were able to arrive at an answer without performing a cumbersome calculation.

Strategy 5: Always Seek to Simplify Terms.

There will be many times on the GMAT when you are presented with seemingly complicated expressions involving time-consuming multiplication followed by division of large, unwieldy numbers. These expressions usually can be simplified to much cleaner expressions. Consider the following example:

#$\frac{{3 \times 7}}{{9 \times 13}} \times \frac{{17 \times 31 \times 47}}{{7 \times 5}} \times \frac{{13 \times 9 \times 5}}{{3 \times 17 \times 31}}#$

• 13
• 17
• 29
• 33
• 47

On the surface, this problem appears to be quite lengthy. In fact, if you multiplied across the numerators and denominators, you’d have (304,287,165)/(6,474,195), which would be difficult to divide within two minutes without using a calculator. Fortunately, there is a very elegant way to simplify the expression by vertically and diagonally canceling terms and thereby avoiding time-consuming multiplication and division.

While this problem directly tests the idea of simplifying terms, look to simplify across all types of GMAT Quant questions. Any time you are presented with complicated-looking equations or expressions, your first move should always be to simplify down to smaller, cleaner terms.

Strategy 6: Develop Your Number Sense.

Number sense is a very important skill to develop for answering GMAT Quant questions. In fact, the GMAT may present an array of complex-looking questions that appear to necessitate the use of a calculator but actually can be solved by using number sense. Let’s discuss a couple of ways to use number sense.

Number Sense in Evaluating Fractions

Although we have been taught that we can compare fractions most easily by finding a common denominator, you may be presented with GMAT questions that contain fractions that are just too complicated for you to easily find a common denominator. That’s when number sense comes into play. Consider the following example:

Which of the following fractions is greatest?

1. #$\frac{6}{{14}}#$
2. #$\frac{8}{{18}}#$
3. #$\frac{34}{{70}}#$
4. #$\frac{200}{{401}}#$
5. #$\frac{302}{{602}}#$

It’s clear from evaluating the answer choices that we won’t be able to get a common denominator for these fractions; however, we can recognize that since 7/14, 9/18, 35/70, 200.5/401, and 301/602 are all equal to 1/2, answers A, B, C, and D are all less than 1/2, and answer choice E is greater than 1/2. It’s important to note that we did not have to do any lengthy calculations to come up with an answer. Rather, we used our number sense and knowledge of fractions to determine which fraction was the greatest.

Number Sense in Evaluating Ugly Numbers with Exponents and Roots

Another way the GMAT tests number sense is by presenting ugly or large numbers, and then asking about those numbers when they are either raised to exponents or placed inside roots. The good news is that there are some basic rules you can follow to answer specific questions about such numbers without doing any complicated math. These rules can be reviewed on page 1 and 5 of our free equation guide. Let’s look at an example question:

If n = –0.1238, which of the following must be true?

1. #${{\rm{n}}^2} > {\rm{n}}#$
2. #${{\rm{n}}^4} > {{\rm{n}}^{13}}#$
3. #${{\rm{n}}^7} > {{\rm{n}}^5}#$

1. I only
2. I and II
3. I and III
4. II and III
5. I, II and III

While, in the solution, we replaced the provided decimal with the much cleaner number of -1/2, we could have found the answer even more easily by using number sense and following a few rules.

1) A negative proper fraction when raised to an even power will be greater than the original fraction. This is why I and II are correct.

2) A negative proper fraction when raised to an odd power will increase in value. This is why n⁷ is greater than n⁵ and why III is also true.

As you can see, developing your number sense is invaluable for efficiently attacking complicated-looking GMAT Quant problems and will allow you to solve those problems while doing very little math.

Strategy 7: Look Out for Units Digits.

As we mentioned earlier, the GMAT may test you specifically on units digits patterns, in questions such as What is the units digit of 57²⁰? In addition to knowing how to answer those questions, we should strategically use units digits to avoid doing large, unnecessary calculations. In fact, whenever you see large answer choices, it’s always a good idea to check whether each answer choice has a different units digit. If so, you likely can arrive at the correct answer by simply determining the units digit of the answer rather than actually completing the multiplication. Consider the following example:

#$\frac{{{3^{30}} – {2^{30}}}}{{{3^{15}} – {2^{15}}}} #$ is equal to which of the following?

1. 14,381,675
2. 14,441,623
3. 14,485,772
4. 14,609,707
5. 14,722,819

After simplifying the original expression, we are left with 3¹⁵ + 2¹⁵. Actually calculating the sum of 2¹⁵ and 3¹⁵ by hand would be very time-consuming and error-prone. In fact, the only way to do that calculation in around two minutes is with a calculator. However, looking at the answer choices, we see that each answer choice has a different units digit, and thus we can use our knowledge of units digit patterns to avoid doing complex math. So, although this problem did not ask about units digits directly, we strategically used our knowledge of units digit patterns to arrive at the correct answer.

Strategy 8: Become an Expert at Prime Factorization.

Prime factorization is a key skill because it allows you to break larger numbers down into more digestible pieces. There will be times on the GMAT when you are faced with what looks like complex division, but by breaking the divisor into primes, you can avoid doing complex division. Although some problems will directly test you on prime factorization, you also can use prime factorization for problems involving other topics. Consider the following example:

#${3^{10}} – {2^{10}}#$ is a multiple of all of the following numbers except:

1. 5
2. 25
3. 55
4. 75
5. 211

It’s important to note that, although this problem does not ask us to use prime factorization, we strategically prime factorized (211)(275) and 75 in order to see that because (211)(275) does not contain a prime factor of 3, but 75 does, (211)(275) cannot be a multiple of 75.

Strategy 9: Become a Master of Data Sufficiency Questions.

Most Data Sufficiency questions require very few calculations because most Data Sufficiency  questions, by design, are conceptual in nature. Since the GMAT-makers know this, they tend to use complicated numbers in Data Sufficiency questions, in the hopes of trapping you into seeking to perform complex calculations that generally necessitate the use of a calculator. Check out the following example:

A particular class consists of x students who are left-handed and right-handed, but not both. If the average (arithmetic mean) grade of the x students is 90, what is the average (arithmetic mean) grade received by the left-handed students?

1. There are a total of 20 students in the class.
2. There are #$\frac{x}{{5}}#$ right-handed students in the class; together, they receive an average score of 95.

1. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.
2. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.
3. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
4. EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
5. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.

Although we computed the math to the end for statement two, we should see that, after setting up our equation, the x terms will cancel out, leaving us with just one variable, L. Thus, without completing the equation, we see that statement two is sufficient to answer the question. 
As you can see, in DS questions, you don’t need an actual numerical answer; you just need to know that you can get an answer. So, avoid doing unnecessary, complicated math calculations in DS.

Strategy 10: Stop Yourself When Calculations Get Overly Complex.

As we’ve already discussed, the GMAT is not going to ask you to perform long, tedious calculations by hand. Thus, if you find yourself carrying out extremely difficult and convoluted math calculations in the Quant section, you’ve probably gone down the wrong path. Here is a great example:

14! is equal to which of the following?

1. 87,178,291,200
2. 88,180,293,207
3. 89,181,294,209
4. 90,000,000,003
5. 91,114,114,114

Notice that, if you actually did out the math, it would look like this:

14 x 13 x 12 x 11 … x 3 x 2 x 1

Since such lengthy calculations very likely can’t be done in just two minutes, you can quickly determine that you’ve done something wrong. At that point, stop and ask yourself, How else can I solve this problem?

You want to avoid going down a rabbit hole and losing precious time on the GMAT by doing unnecessarily large calculations. If you find yourself doing overly complex, lengthy calculations, stop and consider an alternative route.

Strategy 11: Never Use a Calculator During Your GMAT Prep.

If you’re going to give your best performance on test day, then you have to practice as you would play. In other words, using a calculator during GMAT Quant prep isn’t going to do much to help you prepare for a test that doesn’t allow the use of a calculator. You have to learn to answer GMAT Quant questions without falling back on a calculator when the going gets tough. Even if you’re just starting your GMAT prep and aren’t very familiar with some of the concepts tested in GMAT Quant, you must resist the urge to let a calculator do the work for you.

Similarly, if during your GMAT prep you find yourself constantly wanting to reach for your calculator to wade through drawn-out, mind-bending calculations, then it’s time to brush up on your knowledge of key math rules and concepts. Our free, downloadable GMAT equation guide is a great place to start.

Some Final Points About Doing GMAT Quant Without a Calculator

The better you know the content and concepts tested in GMAT Quant and the more you practice applying that knowledge to answer questions, the easier it will be to see exactly what is going on in a particular Quant question and why a calculator isn’t actually necessary to finding a solution. More to the point, if you need a calculator to solve a GMAT question, you probably don’t yet know how to handle that type of question. So, rather than conclude that a particular practice question is flawed or pull out a calculator to answer the question, spend as much time as you need thinking about all of the possible strategies that you could use to answer that question. 

Ask yourself the following:

1. Can I use estimation?
2. Can I avoid doing math by focusing on the units digit?
3. Can I use the difference of squares?
4. Can I simplify?
5. Can I solve a Data Sufficiency question without doing the problem all the way out? 

Although you may not always be able to determine the right strategy by deeply analyzing each question you practice with, in time, you won’t default to a calculator when solving GMAT practice questions.

Remember, the reason you can’t use a calculator on GMAT Quant is because the Quant section primarily tests your ability to use logic, not your ability to perform complex calculations.

Now that you know the 11 key strategies for conquering GMAT Quant, check out our 8 essential tips for mastering Sentence Correction and our guide to scoring high on the Integrated Reasoning section.