How to Increase Your GMAT Quant Score: Top 25 Tips

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Last Updated on September 27, 2023

Most MBA applicants realize the importance of earning a good GMAT score. In fact, most folks applying to business school know by heart the average GMAT scores, corresponding GMAT percentile rankings, and GMAT score range of the MBA programs that they aspire to enter.

What these MBA applicants sometimes forget is that many of the top MBA programs are unapologetically quant-driven. And rightfully so, because whether you’re pursuing a career in consulting, marketing, or finance, a world of big data, statistics, and analytics requires solid quant skills.

how to improve gmat quant score

Strong GMAT Quant Scores are an Asset

Thus, in addition to seeking applicants with strong total GMAT scores, admissions committees often look favorably on applicants with strong GMAT quant scores. Often, the top 20 MBA programs like to see GMAT quant scores at or above a quant scaled score of Q47, which currently equates to about the 60th percentile.

The most competitive programs, including most of the M7 programs, often admit candidates with minimum scaled quant scores of Q49 and Q50, which currently equate to the 74th and 86th quant percentiles, respectively.

Earning a strong score on the quant section of the GMAT is a potent way to demonstrate your ability to work with numbers and reason analytically. More to the point, a strong quant score displays to MBA programs that you are capable of handling MBA math. So, it won’t come as a surprise that earning a high GMAT quant score can improve your candidacy in the MBA admissions process. 

KEY FACT:

Earning a high GMAT quant score can improve your candidacy in the MBA admissions process.

The good news is that if you are willing to properly prepare for the quant section of the GMAT, using the best materials and following a strategic plan of study, you can earn an impressive GMAT quant score. In this article, we will give you a blueprint for GMAT quant success with our top 25 tips for increasing your GMAT quant score. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Using the best materials and following a strategic plan of study, you can earn an impressive GMAT quant score.

The tips you’re about to learn will help ensure that you earn a strong GMAT quant score, which will help you to stand out in the business school admissions process. 

25 Tips for Increasing Your GMAT Quant Score

  1. GMAT Quant is Not Just a Math Test
  2. GMAT Quant Questions Present New Challenges
  3. You Must Gain Skill in Seeing Key Aspects of GMAT Quant Questions
  4. GMAT Quant Questions Are Easier Than They Appear
  5. Check-in With Yourself When Solving GMAT Quant Questions
  6. Gain Proper Exposure and Practice With GMAT Quant Questions
  7. Take A Topic-by-Topic Approach to Studying for GMAT Quant
  8. Build a Strong GMAT Quant Foundation First
  9. Regularly Review the GMAT Math Material
  10. Work To Eliminate Your Weaknesses
  11. Master Algebraic Translation
  12. Understand the Three Levels of GMAT Quant Problem-Solving Proficiency
  13. Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
  14. See GMAT Quant Questions Through to the End
  15. The Bigger the Bark, the Smaller the Bite
  16. Avoid Careless Mistakes
  17. Understand How the GMAT Is Scored
  18. Don’t Guess on GMAT Quant Just to “Catch Up” on Time
  19. Use One Resource to Prep for GMAT Quant
  20. At Some Point, You Must Time Yourself on GMAT Quant Questions
  21. Set a Reasonable Time Frame for Improving Your GMAT Quant Score
  22. Consider a Readiness-Based Scheduling Strategy for Your GMAT Test Date
  23. Never Use a Calculator and Always Use the GMAT Whiteboard/Flip Pad
  24. Become a Data Sufficiency Question Expert
  25. Study Hard and Study Smart to Improve Your GMAT Quant Score

Let’s begin by discussing what GMAT quant is and is not.

Tip #1: GMAT Quant is Not Just a Math Test

The first key move in increasing your GMAT quant score is realizing that GMAT quant requires skills that are different from the quant skills that you learned in high school or college. The GMAT quant section is not just a math test; it is also a reasoning game. So, increasing your score takes improving skills that relate specifically to the GMAT quant game.

The GMAT quant section is not just a math test; it is also a reasoning game.

Yes, it’s imperative that you know an array of basic math concepts, such as the difference of squares, 30-60-90 triangle rules, patterns in units digits, patterns in remainders, divisibility, algebraic translations, Venn diagrams, and permutations and combinations, to name just a few. At the same time, however, you need to far surpass basic competency in using these concepts. You must develop strong analytical reasoning skills.

You Must Develop Strong Analytical Reasoning Skills

So, must you learn math for GMAT quant? Yes, for sure. Without a solid understanding of the underlying math, it will be difficult to improve your GMAT quant score. But will just learning math be sufficient to earn you a high GMAT quant score? Probably not. The GMAT uses basic math to create logic-based questions. So, to improve your GMAT quant score, you’ll need to be armed with a combination of solid math knowledge and analytical reasoning skills.

TTP PRO TIP:

You’ll need to be armed with a combination of solid math knowledge and analytical reasoning skills to improve your GMAT quant score.

Let’s discuss a bit about what makes GMAT quant questions different from what you’re used to seeing in a traditional math class.

Tip # 2: GMAT Quant Questions Present New Challenges

Whereas high school or college math tests are challenging because of the complexity of the mathematical concepts they test, GMAT quant is challenging because of the level of thinking it requires of you.

An ordinary math test tests to see whether you understand concepts (and often allows the use of a calculator). However, the GMAT largely assumes that you understand certain concepts and uses those concepts as the basis of reasoning questions (that you have to answer without the benefit of a calculator).

Furthermore, the GMAT is structured in such a way that you’ll need to be able to answer each quant question in an average of about two minutes. Being able to answer a question in four minutes does you little good come test day. So, your understanding of how to answer GMAT quant questions must be so great that you are able to efficiently attack each question that you see. 

KEY FACT:

On the GMAT, you’ll need to be able to answer each quant question in an average of about two minutes.

Thus, although you may have been able to score at a high level on ordinary math tests just by understanding concepts and punching numbers into a calculator, achieving a high GMAT quant score requires that you first master the concepts involved, and then develop skill in understanding the logic of reasoning questions based on those concepts.

In other words, mastering concepts is necessary but not sufficient for attaining a higher GMAT quant score. You must also learn to reason soundly and apply advanced analytical thinking skills in answering a wide-range of questions.

KEY FACT:

Achieving a high GMAT quant score requires that you first master the concepts involved, and then develop skill in understanding the logic of reasoning questions based on those concepts.

Think Like the Test-Maker

The fact that the math concepts that appear in GMAT quant questions are relatively simple ones, the types of things that people learn in middle school math, does not mean that we can assume that GMAT questions are simple.

Every GMAT quant question has a unique “GMAT-like” flair to it, a flair that is engineered by the test-maker. So, when preparing for GMAT quant, you must learn to think like the test-maker. You must get used to what makes GMAT questions unique. You must learn to understand the “GMAT flair.”

For example, try the following very simple GMAT quant question:


The price of a particular stock has fallen by 50%. By what percent must the price of the stock increase to return to the original price?

  • 50%
  • 75%
  • 100%
  • 150%
  • 200%

Solution:

If you picked (A), you fell for a trap answer choice that only looks logical. Presenting an opportunity to make a common mistake in logic makes for a good GMAT quant question and adds a “GMAT flair” to the question.

A GMAT test-taker might select choice (A) after concluding that, if something decreases by 50% and then increases by 50%, it will be back at its original value. However, this logic is specious.

A simple way to solve this problem is to pick an easy number to use for the original price of the stock, such as $100. After the 50% decrease, the stock’s value becomes $50. Thus, the price of the stock must increase by $50, or increase 100% in value, in order to return to its original price. So, answer choice (C), 100%, is the correct answer.

TTP PRO TIP:

Learn to think like the test-maker and understand the “GMAT flair” in each question.

Tip # 3: You Must Gain Skill in Seeing Key Aspects of GMAT Quant Questions

Looking at our previous example question, seeing a key aspect of what the question presents was necessary for arriving at the correct answer, as is the case with all GMAT quant questions.

In this case, what we had to see is that going down by 50% results in a numerical change different from that generated by going back up 50%.

Before you continue reading, consider trying your hand at the following ten GMAT quant questions. As you work through them, seek to notice what makes them different from the run-of-the-mill math questions you may be used to seeing. Try to recognize the GMAT flair in each question and notice what the key aspects you need to see in the question are.

Let’s now discuss the simplicity that exists in GMAT quant questions.

Tip #4: GMAT Quant Questions Are Easier Than They Appear

Too often, students look for complicated solutions to GMAT quant questions. This approach is a mistake because most, if not all, GMAT quant questions have rather simple solutions.

As we just touched on, GMAT quant questions tend to be designed so that, in each, there are one or two key things that you have to see in order to answer the question efficiently. When you see these key aspects, the questions can become quite easy — far easier than you expected them to be. In fact, it’s often the case that a complex question, one that takes many test-takers three minutes to solve, can be answered correctly in under a minute if a test-taker sees one or two key aspects of the problem. 

TTP PRO TIP:

GMAT quant questions tend to be designed so that, in each, there are one or two key things that you have to see to answer the question efficiently.

Consider these three GMAT Quant questions, all of which seem difficult until we see the simplicity that exists in them.

Even when a test-taker is scoring well and therefore seeing relatively challenging questions, many of the questions presented can be solved through the use of not particularly sophisticated methods. That is, the optimal paths to the solutions of many GMAT quant questions will be very basic. Seeing simplicity in the question is your goal.

TTP PRO TIP:

When you’re solving a GMAT quant question, seeing simplicity in the question is your goal.

Tip #5: Check-in With Yourself When Solving GMAT Quant Questions

As you are working on GMAT quant questions, either when practicing or when taking a test, you can check in with yourself to ensure that you’re properly and efficiently evaluating the question. Some key questions to ask yourself are:

  • What do I have to see in order to get the right answer?
  • How can I make this question as simple as possible?
  • What is a shortcut to answering this question?
  • What is the question really asking?
  • Have I seen something similar before?

At this point, most students ask, “How do I learn to see what I need to see?” The answer is that you must prepare with GMAT quant materials that teach you how to answer GMAT quant questions accurately and efficiently. Then you need to engage in a ton of systematic, deliberate practice. Through deliberate study and practice, you’ll gain the skills necessary for quickly solving GMAT quant questions.

Let’s further examine the importance of proper practice.

Tip #6: Gain Proper Exposure and Practice With GMAT Quant Questions

Another big difference between a traditional math test and GMAT quant is that, while there is typically limited variability in the way concepts are presented on a math test, in GMAT quant, there are dozens and dozens of potential variations of even the most seemingly simple question types, questions involving even the simplest concepts.

Thus, one mistake that students make when preparing for GMAT quant is that they don’t systematically practice with enough questions in each GMAT quant category. For most people preparing for the GMAT, working on quant questions one type at a time is the most effective method for increasing their quant scores.

True mastery of a GMAT topic requires answering many questions and thus ensuring that you have encountered variations on the many ways that the concepts can be tested.

TTP PRO TIP:

Practice with many questions in each GMAT quant category, so that you encounter variations in how concepts are tested.

Let’s talk a bit more about the key study strategy of working on quant questions one type at a time.

Tip #7: Take A Topic-by-Topic Approach to Studying for GMAT Quant

When you take a topic-by-topic approach to your GMAT quant prep, you:

  • Work through GMAT quant categories one at a time.
  • Learn how to decipher the logic of GMAT Quant questions.
  • Learn multiple approaches to getting correct answers.
  • Become an expert in each category of question.
  • Develop deep confidence that you can and will get questions correct.

Work Through GMAT Quant Question Categories One at a Time

By working through question categories one at a time, you put yourself in a position to master each category. You develop a clear understanding of how questions in a category work and develop skills and approaches that you can use to arrive at correct answers to that type of question. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Put yourself in a position to master each quant category by working through question categories one at a time.

Learn the Logic of GMAT Quant Questions

By working through question categories one at a time, you learn how to decipher the logic of questions in a category and learn multiple approaches for getting to answers to those questions, and thus you become adept at answering them. You also learn about the pitfalls commonly encountered in questions in a category. You might make the same type of mistake twice, but you probably won’t make it five times, right?

Become an Expert in Each Category of GMAT Quant Question

When you answer practice questions by topic, you spend a particular number of days working on, for example, only Rate-Time-Distance questions. The goal is to become so skilled at Rate-Time-Distance questions that you can’t get them wrong.

By focusing on categories of questions and becoming an expert in each, you drive your GMAT quant section score higher with each category that you master. In a very real sense, if you work in this way, hitting your GMAT quant score goal is pretty much inevitable.

By focusing on categories of questions and becoming an expert in each, you drive your GMAT quant section score higher with each category that you master.

Develop Deep Confidence That You Can and Will Get Questions Correct

When people don’t spend sufficient time mastering a topic prior to the GMAT, they tend to struggle with questions that look and feel different from the ones with which they practiced. In other words, they tend to get bogged down when they encounter problems that center on familiar concepts but use those concepts in new and unique ways.

You want to be well-prepared for whatever the test throws at you, and one of the best ways to be well-prepared is to practice with a wide spectrum of realistic practice questions.

For example, consider the algebra topic known as the difference of squares. Most people preparing for the GMAT understand that x2 – y2 = (x + y)(x – y). However, some don’t engage in enough deliberate practice to be able to recognize and solve questions that center on the difference of squares. If you practice with a sufficient number of questions involving the difference of squares, you can truly master answering questions of that type.

To illustrate this idea, try these GMAT quant practice questions on the difference of squares.

Remember, when you work on practice questions, your goal is not to practice until you get the questions right. Your goal is to practice until you can’t get questions wrong

TTP PRO TIP:

When you work on practice questions, your goal is not to practice until you get questions right. Your goal is to practice until you can’t get questions wrong.

Now, let’s talk about the importance of mastering foundational quant topics before you do anything else.

Tip #8: Build a Strong GMAT Quant Foundation First

Too often, students focus their study efforts on difficult GMAT quant questions, such as those involving relatively complicated probability, combinatorics, and number properties, all while neglecting the basics. Such a strategy is not sound.

Mastering math, especially the math tested on the GMAT, requires that you take a linear, systematic approach to developing your knowledge and skills. If you skip to the hard stuff, it will be challenging for you to develop a strong command of the GMAT quant material.

If you skip to the hard stuff, it will be challenging for you to develop a strong command of the GMAT quant material.

There are a number of reasons for this. Here are a few.

  • GMAT quant builds upon itself.
  • Getting easy and medium questions correct is essential to earning a high GMAT quant score.
  • A strong foundation will help with your speed.

GMAT Quant Builds Upon Itself

For one, an understanding of the basics, such as how to work with fractions and exponents, is necessary for solving more complicated questions. For instance, as a result of not being well versed in handling calculations involving fractions, you could miss or take too long to answer a probability question.

Getting Easy and Medium Questions Correct Is Essential

Meanwhile, a key aspect of hitting your GMAT Quant score goal is getting all of the easy and medium questions correct and getting as many of the hard questions correct as possible. You can miss a reasonable number of hard ones. Getting hard ones right drives your score up, but missing them does not drive your score down very much. However, missing medium and, especially, easy questions drives your score lower. 

KEY FACT:

Getting hard questions right drives your score up, but missing them does not drive your score down very much.

Furthermore, if you can’t correctly answer easy- and medium-level questions, it is likely that you will not see hard questions on the test, because of the question-adaptive nature of the GMAT.

Thus, knowledge of the basics, or the lack thereof, can make or break your GMAT quant score. Yes, you know about fractions, ratios, and decimals, and those concepts are simple in theory, but are you skilled at solving GMAT quant questions involving those concepts?

Building a Strong Foundation Will Help You to Become Faster in Quant

Questions of certain types may seem easy to you, but how long are you taking to answer them? Often a person doesn’t work on the types of questions that are seemingly easy for him or her, with the result that when questions of those types show up on the test, the person uses far too much time answering them.

So, it may be that one of the things you have to do to increase your GMAT quant score is get better at handling the most basic types of concepts and questions, and then build from there.

It may be that one of the things you have to do to increase your GMAT quant score is get better at handling the most basic types of concepts and questions, and then build from there.

Now, you may be asking, how do I retain all of these concepts and skills as I master new ones? In other words, how do I not forget what I’ve learned?

Tip # 9: Regularly Review the GMAT Math Material

There is a lot to know for GMAT quant. If you’re like most students, you’ll learn a great deal of new content, strategies, and techniques. If you don’t regularly review what you’ve learned, you’ll likely forget it. So, you need to review, and there are a number of ways to review efficiently.

If you don’t regularly review what you’ve learned, you’ll likely forget it.

There are two simple things you can do:

  • Take strategic notes and review them frequently.
  • Make flashcards and review them often.

Take Strategic Notes on GMAT Quant Material

For starters, consider taking notes as you are studying. Not only will taking notes give you something to review at a later date, but also note-taking allows you to become a more active participant in your learning.

The simple act of writing down a concept or principle in your own words can make you think more about the meaning of that concept, and thus it should stick better in your mind than it would were you to simply read about it.

We’ve all been victims of mindless reading: after we’ve read a page or two, we say to ourselves, “I just read two pages and I have no memory whatsoever of anything that I read.” Taking notes as you read can help you avoid this wasteful activity.

TTP PRO TIP:

Avoid being a victim of mindless reading; take notes as you study.

Put GMAT Quant Concepts on Flashcards

After you’ve taken notes, consider making GMAT flashcards, so you can consistently and quickly review a quant concept and better retain the information.

Flashcards are great because you can use them just about anywhere. If you have ten minutes on the subway, run through your flashcards. If you’re on a flight and you don’t have internet access, quiz yourself using your flashcards.

Some students prefer “old-fashioned” paper flashcards, while others prefer the digital version. Whichever format you choose, just be sure to flip through your flashcards often. To challenge yourself even more, shuffle the deck before each use. By reordering the cards each time you review them, you make the material unpredictable. You will have to work a bit harder, but your retention will increase dramatically.

As you dive deeper into your prep, the number of flashcards you’re using will likely grow considerably. So, to help yourself review efficiently, separate your flashcards, one pile for GMAT Quant concepts that you’ve mastered and another pile for concepts you haven’t mastered. Clearly, you’ll want to flip through the “not mastered” pile more frequently than the “mastered” pile.

Also, as you work through categories of GMAT quant questions, you can include time to answer questions from topics that you’ve already worked on. Ensuring that the concepts you’ve learned and the skills you’ve developed do not fall by the wayside will be critical for driving up your GMAT quant score.

To learn much more about how to retain more of what you study while preparing for the GMAT, take a look at this article on retaining more GMAT knowledge.  

TTP PRO TIP:

Separate your flashcards one pile for GMAT quant concepts that you’ve mastered and another pile for concepts you haven’t mastered.

Next, let’s discuss the importance of working on your weaknesses.

Tip #10: Work To Eliminate Your Weaknesses

Students tend to avoid working on GMAT quant question types that are especially problematic for them. However, these problematic question types represent powerful opportunities for improvement.

TTP PRO TIP:

The GMAT quant question types that are problematic for you represent powerful opportunities for improvement.

One way to increase your quant score is to figure out what types of questions you do not want to see on test day, and work on those types until you hope to see them. Can you imagine what working on those question types will do for your score? Become a total expert at answering the types of quant questions you currently dread, and watch your score increase. What an amazing feeling it would be to walk into the GMAT cool, calm, and confident because you knew that you were well-equipped to handle anything that came your way!

Strengthen Your Weaknesses

By focusing on getting stronger in your weaker areas, you can accomplish multiple things. One of them is getting more right answers to the types of questions on which you have been focusing. Another is freeing up more time to answer other questions, such as those that require more calculations. In other words, getting better at one type of question can give you more time to get right answers to other types. Since each right answer can drive your score up a point or two, getting better at one type has the potential to drive up your quant section score by two or three points, even if you see only one question of that type on the test.

What an amazing feeling it would be to walk into the GMAT cool, calm, and confident because you knew that you were well-equipped to handle anything that came your way!

Let’s now discuss a specific skill necessary for answering many types of GMAT quant questions: algebraic translation.

Tip #11: Master Algebraic Translation

Clearly, in order to score high on GMAT quant, you have to master many topics. At the same time, there is one topic that is involved in answering questions in many categories: algebraic translation, which is the skill of taking the written words in a GMAT quant problem and translating those words into math. If a problem that starts with “John is twice as old as Sally …” makes you nervous, then you are a prime candidate for spending extra time on algebraic translation.

Often, people who are struggling to score higher on GMAT quant experience issues when answering questions of multiple types, such as work questions and interest rate questions. They may not recognize that there is a common theme to the questions and that perhaps the issue is weak algebraic translation skills.

To be clear, I am not saying that you shouldn’t work hard to master the nuances of work and interest rate questions, for example. What I am saying is that sometimes a core weakness lies in a student’s inability to translate words into math, and then effectively and accurately deal with that math.

So, by mastering algebraic translation, you can improve your performance in many areas of GMAT quant. Too often, people neglect this skill. Don’t make that mistake. Do whatever you must do to master turning words into mathematical expressions, and then effectively and accurately using those expressions to solve equations or answer questions.

TTP PRO TIP:

By mastering algebraic translation, you can improve your performance in many areas of GMAT quant.

Let’s now explore three levels of GMAT quant problem-solving proficiency that most students experience.

Tip #12: Understand the Three Levels of GMAT Quant Problem-Solving Proficiency

When you do practice questions, there are three levels of proficiency you could see for each category of quant question.

GMAT Quant Problem-Solving Proficiency Level 1

At Level 1, you understand the logic of GMAT quant questions in a category and know basically how to answer them, but you may not get them right, or at least not consistently. This level of proficiency is a good start.

GMAT Quant Problem-Solving Proficiency Level 2

At Level 2, you consistently get questions in a quant category correct, but you struggle with your time, taking well over two minutes per question on average. This level of proficiency is even better. Getting correct answers is key. If you can get correct answers consistently, you are well on your way to hitting your GMAT score goal.

GMAT Quant Problem-Solving Proficiency Level 3

At Level 3, you get questions in a category correct consistently, taking around two minutes per question (and sometimes less). When you are at this level of proficiency for a particular quant category, you are ready to see questions of that type on the test. Now it’s time to work on another category.

How to Get Yourself to Level 3

To develop the third level of proficiency, you must allow yourself ample time for deliberate practice. When you first begin practicing, if you try to rush through questions, you’ll find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to progress to Level 3. So, when you practice, do the questions untimed. Yes, you can be aware of how much time you are taking, but don’t focus on the time.

Generally, you need to focus on finding the correct response to each question by mastering the material and learning to use higher-level thinking, rather than on answering questions in two minutes (or any other preset time constraint).

Remember, the best way to gain speed is to know the material very well and develop strong skills. As your knowledge of the material becomes more extensive and your skills get stronger, you can begin holding yourself to more stringent time constraints.

For example, perhaps in the first month of your GMAT prep, you don’t worry about the time at all. In the second month, maybe your goal is to answer each quant question in under three minutes. Then in month three, under 2:45. Then in month four, as far under 2:00 as possible.

TTP PRO TIP:

The best way to gain speed is to know the material very well and develop strong skills.

Here is a useful article on how to get faster at solving GMAT quant questions.

Next, let’s discuss the importance of learning to be OK with being uncomfortable.

Tip # 13: Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

When the going gets tough, many people simply give up because, like most of us, they don’t like feeling uncomfortable. But, to earn a high GMAT quant score, you must come to terms with, and even embrace, the feeling of being uncomfortable. You must learn to embrace hardship as a tool for growth.

To earn a high GMAT quant score, you must come to terms with, and even embrace, the feeling of being uncomfortable.

In fact, the more grit you can muster, the better you’ll do on GMAT quant.

Tip # 14: See GMAT Quant Questions Through to the End

Over the years, I’ve noticed that the students who went on to earn the highest GMAT quant scores were the ones who wouldn’t let themselves give up on problems during practice.

Conversely, the students who gave in to their discomfort and gave up on questions after 60 seconds or 1:30, or some other brief time frame, were the ones who, all else equal, saw the least improvement in their GMAT quant scores.

I’ve noticed that the students who went on to earn the highest GMAT quant scores were the ones who wouldn’t let themselves give up on problems during practice.

You must learn to push through GMAT quant questions even when your brain begins to hurt, and you feel frustrated, and you’re tired, and you’d rather be doing anything other than studying for the GMAT.

Perseverance is key!

Master the Process of Going Through the GMAT Quant Fire

Learning perseverance is another reason to work on practice questions untimed until your skills improve. There is a psychological component to getting the right answer to a GMAT quant question.

You may look at a question and not know how to answer it at first. You may start wondering whether you have what it takes to get the answer. Generally, if you keep at it and go through the fire — questioning yourself, feeling fear, anger, boredom, or whatever else — you’ll arrive at the answer. However, when you are practicing, that process may take more than two or three minutes.

So guess what? If you give yourself only two or three minutes, you let yourself off the hook. You don’t learn to go through the fire and come out the other side with the answer. You just go to the explanation and get the answer, but you have not learned one of the most important things, which is how to persist and hack and do whatever you have to do to get the answers to questions that you find challenging. 

TTP PRO TIP:

When you answer practice questions, stick with them, practicing perseverance, until you have exhausted every possible solution.

Don’t Give Up When Practicing

So, when you practice, focus on getting correct answers. Of course, it’s better to know how to answer a question elegantly and efficiently. However, even if you don’t know exactly how to solve a question, I want you to hack, calculate, cogitate, and do whatever else you have to do to get a correct answer. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Even if you don’t know exactly how to solve a question, hack, calculate, cogitate, and do whatever else you have to do to get a correct answer.

Don’t give up unless you are really, truly stuck. Stick with the problem. Research suggests that when you think you have done all that you can, you have done about forty percent of what you’re capable of. And even if you don’t get the question right, you will be teaching yourself how to be resilient and how to push on in the face of adversity.

Tip #15: The Bigger the Bark, the Smaller the Bite

Another thing to keep in mind is that, when it comes to GMAT questions, often “the bigger the bark, the smaller the bite.” In other words, quite often, the nastier a GMAT quant problem may look upon first glance, the easier it is to correctly answer. So, do your best not to become intimidated when first reading a question.

TTP PRO TIP:

Quite often, the nastier a GMAT quant problem may look upon first glance, the easier it is to correctly answer.

Let’s now discuss the importance of working carefully to avoid careless mistakes.

Tip # 16: Avoid Careless Mistakes

Careless errors will destroy your score. You must avoid them at all costs. Careless errors have multiple negative effects.

The obvious effect of careless errors is that they can lead to your choosing wrong answers. At the same time, there is an even more insidious effect of careless or silly errors.

Careless Errors Suck Up Precious Time

Careless errors suck up time. For example, you may catch a careless error because the answer you come up with does not show up in the answer choices. Even so, you will then have to recalculate or re-answer the question. Re-answering takes time that you could be using to get right answers to other questions.

In some cases, you may not even have the time to fix a careless error. Thus, you will be forced to guess and move on to the next question. Learning to be more accurate in your work can easily add five points or more to your GMAT quant section score.

Work Slowly and Carefully

One way to avoid careless mistakes is to work slowly and carefully. The more you rush, the more likely you are to make a careless mistake. Of course, you have to work relatively quickly in order to complete the section in the allotted time. However, there is a difference between working efficiently and rushing through calculations.

TTP PRO TIP:

The more you rush, the more likely you are to make a careless mistake.

Become Aware of the Types of Errors You Tend to Make

Another approach that you can use to reduce careless errors is to become aware of the types of errors that you make. Do you tend to make errors when adding? Do you forget to answer the question being asked? Do you get so excited when you’ve gotten through the difficult part of answering a question that you blow the final calculations? Learn what it is you do that results in your making score-destroying little errors, and learn to catch yourself before you do it.

TTP PRO TIP:

To improve your GMAT quant score, learn what it is you do that results in your making score-destroying little errors, and learn to catch yourself before you do it.

Careless Errors May Signal a Need for Further Study of a Topic

Consider that what seem to be careless errors may in fact be signs that you don’t fully understand how to answer certain types of questions. It’s easy to look at an explanation and think, for instance, “Oh, of course. I should have multiplied rather than divided.” However, at such times, asking yourself why you made the wrong move may reveal that you have some real work to do to truly understand what the right moves are. If you discover such gaps in your understanding, more topic-based training is probably in order.

Meanwhile, to score well on GMAT quant, you must understand how the GMAT is scored; let’s discuss GMAT scoring now.

Tip #17: Understand How the GMAT Is Scored

Understanding how the GMAT is scored will help you earn a higher GMAT quant score. The GMAT is an adaptive test. Now, no one other than the GMAC knows exactly how the GMAT scoring algorithm works.

But we do know that, in general, as you get questions correct, your score rises and you are presented with harder questions. Likewise, as you get questions incorrect, your score decreases and you get easier questions. This model is probably overly simplistic, but it will work for our purposes.

Long Strings of Correct Questions Drive Up Your GMAT Quant Score

The point is, on the GMAT, long strings of correct answers drive your score up, because the more correct answers you get in a row, the more difficult questions you’ll get, and the harder the question, the more it will increase your score when you answer it correctly.

KEY FACT:

On the GMAT, long strings of correct answers drive your score up.

While taking the test, some students operate in such a way that they maximize their chances of earning a lower-than-expected score. For example, experiments we have done using the GMAT prep software from mba.com indicate that if you were to get the first 24 questions in the quant section right and miss the last seven, you would score 49 or 50 on the section.

If you were, instead, to miss seven questions distributed throughout the quant section, your score could be much lower. Why? Because in getting the first 24 questions correct, you would get many hard questions correct, whereas if you were to get correct answers in shorter strings, you would not drive the level of difficulty as high.

Now, to be clear, it’s difficult for anyone to correctly answer 24 GMAT quant questions in a row on the test (definitely don’t overinvest time trying to do so). But the principle still stands: your goal is to get as many questions correct in a row as possible.

Tip #18: Don’t Guess on GMAT Quant Just to “Catch Up” on Time

Your understanding of how the GMAT is scored will help you avoid a number of key mistakes that students often make on the quant section.

For example, some students think that guessing just to catch up with the clock is a good strategy. In other words, they think that, if they are behind on time, their best move is to randomly guess on a few questions, so that they can catch up on time. However, this strategy is actually a poor one, since guessing randomly will very likely break up your strings of correct answers. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Guessing randomly on the quant section of the GMAT will very likely break up your strings of correct answers.

There are much stronger GMAT quant timing strategies that you can deploy to help maximize your score.

Next, let’s examine the importance of not jumping between different study materials when preparing for GMAT quant.

Tip # 19: Use One Resource to Prep for GMAT Quant

One mistake that I see students make frequently is using multiple GMAT quant prep resources. Although the content tested on the GMAT is remarkably predictable, there is variability in the way GMAT quant courses teach this material. Additionally, there is variability in the material that these courses cover.

You don’t want the added confusion of attempting to blend multiple approaches to learning GMAT quant. Instead, you want to find a resource that provides a one-stop shop for mastering GMAT quant. You want to find a course that works for you.

If you are switching between courses, you have to ask yourself why. Are the materials you have not effective for your learning style? Are the explanations not clear enough? Is the study plan not well organized? Are you missing smart analytics that can help you efficiently home in on your weak points?

If the materials you’re using are not working for you, change them! You don’t have to suffer with materials that are not helping you make a positive impact on your score. Find ones that will! Almost all online self-study courses offer some sort of a free or low-cost trial. Try out something new. Just be sure not to bounce haphazardly from course to course. Invest your time wisely.

TTP PRO TIP:

Find one solid GMAT prep course and stick with it.

Now, let’s discuss the importance of ensuring that you’re getting faster at solving GMAT quant questions.

Tip # 20: At Some Point, You Must Time Yourself on GMAT Quant Questions

As we’ve discussed, when you first begin working on GMAT quant, you must go slowly and work progressively. You must get strong in order to get fast. However, as you progress, you must begin to more carefully watch the time that you need to solve GMAT quant questions.

One mistake that students make is that they never time themselves. The problem with not timing yourself is that you don’t know whether you can solve a problem in a reasonable time — typically about two minutes. Remember, on a test such as the GMAT, getting questions correct is a great start. But getting questions correct will not produce a higher score unless you can also get those questions correct quickly enough.

So, as you progress, be sure to hold yourself to increasingly stringent time settings. By test day, you’ll want to be at, or close to, an average time of two minutes per question. Remember, it does you little good to be able to answer questions in four minutes.

TTP PRO TIP:

As you progress in your GMAT quant preparation, you must start timing yourself during practice. By test day, you’ll want to be at, or close to, an average time of two minutes per question.

With that in mind, let’s discuss the importance of having a realistic time frame when trying to increase your GMAT quant score.

Tip #21: Set a Reasonable Time Frame for Improving Your GMAT Quant Score

Learning takes time. If you’re not realistic about how long it may take you to reach your GMAT target score, when your study time comes to a close, you’ll probably find yourself frustrated and far from your goal. The GMAT is a tough test, and the further removed you are from math and analytical reasoning, the more time you will need to master the material and earn a competitive score.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be to not give up, even if the process takes longer than you expected. After all, most students have not studied for the GMAT before, and if you’re like most students, it’s hard for you to gauge how much time and effort will be required of you. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Don’t give up, even if the GMAT prep process takes longer than you expected.

It’s easy to underestimate the time commitment required to master GMAT quant. Work hard. Persevere. Don’t give up. Be dedicated. Be tough. Be willing to outwork your peers. See the process through and don’t expect big gains overnight. The process of improving your GMAT quant score may take some time, perhaps more time than you were expecting it to take. Keep going. Stay motivated in your GMAT quant prep. You can make it happen!

Here is a great article for gaining a better understanding of how long you may need to study to earn a solid GMAT score.

Now, if improving your score may take longer than expected, how do you know when your test date should be? Let’s look at a couple of options for scheduling your GMAT.

Tip # 22: Consider a Readiness-Based Scheduling Strategy for Your GMAT Test Date

To maximize your GMAT quant score, you can consider using a “readiness-based” test date instead of a “time-based” test date.

A time-based test date is one you set in advance. For example, on May 5, you schedule your GMAT for July 1. The issue with this type of scheduling is that you may not be ready to take the GMAT on July 1. Then what?

TTP PRO TIP:

To maximize your GMAT quant score, consider using a “readiness-based” test date instead of a “time-based” test date.

With a readiness-based strategy, you’d wait until you were ready to take the GMAT and earn your target score before scheduling your test date. With that said, be sure that you are putting yourself in a position for success. For instance, if your business school applications are due in September, rather than waiting until June or July to begin studying, begin your prep in December or February. That way, you will have ample time to prepare.

How can you tell whether you’re ready to earn your target score? You can use official practice tests from mba.com to gauge your readiness. As you approach the end of your GMAT quant preparation, begin taking weekly, full-length GMAT practice tests.

Once these practice tests show that you’re at or above your target GMAT score, you can comfortably schedule your test, feeling confident that you’ve demonstrated the ability to reach your goal.

This helpful article further discusses how to use GMAT practice tests as tools to increase your score and as diagnostic instruments to help you evaluate your readiness to sit for the GMAT.

Let’s now look at two practical dos and don’ts to be aware of during your GMAT study.

Tip #23: Never Use a Calculator and Always Use the GMAT Whiteboard/Flip Pad

When you study for the GMAT, never use a calculator, and always use the GMAT whiteboard/flip pad.

Just as you wouldn’t prepare for a soccer game by practicing with a basketball, you shouldn’t prepare for the GMAT using tools that you can’t use on test day.

You Can’t Use a Calculator on GMAT Quant

A calculator is not allowed for GMAT quant, so why would you study with one? I have encountered many students who stubbornly keep a calculator handy during study time and use it because they “don’t feel like doing all that math by hand.” Well, guess what? Come test day, you’ll be doing “all that math by hand,” so get used to it!

You Don’t Need a Calculator on GMAT Quant

There is another, more subtle reason not to depend on your calculator during your quant prep. We mentioned earlier that the GMAT almost never requires complicated calculations because there is an underlying “easy” way to solve most GMAT quant questions. If you use your calculator to trudge through the messy math, you might never be challenged to find the underlying concept that makes the calculations unnecessary.

And then, come test day, you’ll flounder, wasting precious time doing horrendous (and unnecessary) calculations because you became dependent on your calculator instead of your brain when you were studying.

Start Using the Erasable Board as Soon as You Can

The second study consideration is the use of scratch paper, which is the bread and butter of any student who has ever taken a math class. However, the GMAT again throws a curveball, by requiring you to use an erasable surface and a dry-erase type of pen. There are differences in exactly what types of erasable surfaces are allowed for the online GMAT versus the in-person GMAT, so you should plan accordingly. You can purchase practice materials from online retailers, so that the correct tools are available to you while you prepare for the GMAT.

When you are working on quant practice questions, you should become accustomed to using the erasable surface and markers you’ll use on test day. These materials are a bit unwieldy to use compared to paper and pencil, so you really need to practice with them during your test prep. 

TTP PRO TIP:

Never rely on a calculator during your GMAT quant studying, and always use an erasable surface and marker instead of scratch paper and pencil.

While calculator use and dry-erase boards are important considerations for your GMAT quant prep, don’t overlook the fact that your ultimate goal is to answer tough questions, including the dreaded Data Sufficiency questions.

Tip #24: Become a Data Sufficiency Question Expert

Data Sufficiency (DS) questions were invented specifically for the GMAT. They are known to incite both fear and loathing in students because they appear to be extremely difficult. There is no escaping or avoiding them, so your best bet is to just dive in and practice them, over and over, to the point of mastery.

At some point, if you have a solid math foundation and have carefully thought through each question, you’ll find that these questions have a reputation they don’t deserve. The math is generally unimportant; more often than not, you’ll need to do almost no math at all.

Rather, you’ll be able to identify the concept behind the question that allows the answer to be obvious. In many cases, you’ll be able to answer a DS question in less than a minute, using logic and conceptual thinking rather than raw arithmetic or algebra.

Getting to this point takes time, patience, focus, and practice. You do need solid math skills, and you can’t become a DS expert overnight. Becoming a DS expert is like learning to roller-skate. At first, there are just too many things to think about all at once, but over time, all the movements blend together and voila! You’re skating effortlessly. In a similar way, you can master the art of answering Data Sufficiency questions.

Investing time and energy into becoming a DS expert will yield a great return!

TTP PRO TIP:

With time, patience, focus, and practice, you can become an expert at answering Data Sufficiency questions.

Tip #25: Study Hard and Study Smart to Improve Your GMAT Quant Score

If you study hard and study smart, you can improve your GMAT quant score, regardless of how far you are from your goal. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Do not buy into the fallacious idea that some folks are math people while others are not. The truth is that anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort can become “a math person,” and sharply improve their GMAT quant score.

You deserve a higher GMAT quant score; make it happen!!

Increasing Your GMAT Quant Score: Key Takeaways

Here is a summary of some high-value tips to help you increase your GMAT quant score.

  • GMAT quant is not just a math test; it’s also a reasoning test
  • Learn to think like the test-maker
  • Gain skill in seeing key aspects of GMAT quant questions
  • GMAT quant questions are easier than they appear
  • Gain proper exposure and practice with GMAT quant questions
  • Take a topic-by-topic approach to studying for GMAT quant
  • Build a strong GMAT quant foundation first
  • Regularly review the GMAT math material
  • Work to eliminate your weaknesses
  • Master algebraic translation
  • Become comfortable being uncomfortable
  • See GMAT quant questions through to the end
  • Avoid careless mistakes
  • Understand how the GMAT is scored
  • Don’t guess just to “catch up” on time
  • Set a reasonable time frame for improving your GMAT quant score
  • Never use a calculator and always use the GMAT whiteboard/flip pad
  • Become an expert in Data Sufficiency questions
  • Study hard and study smart

What’s Next?

Have more questions about how to improve your GMAT score? This article has tons of tips on increasing our GMAT quant score and your total GMAT score.

Want to attend our live GMAT quant webinars? Join us each Thursday for our TTP GMAT quant webinar series!

6 Comments

  1. Peeyush June 17, 2020
    • Scott Woodbury-Stewart June 23, 2020
  2. Swikrity October 16, 2019
    • Scott Woodbury-Stewart December 4, 2019
  3. Steffen Carter March 4, 2019
    • Scott Woodbury-Stewart March 12, 2019

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