GMAT Quantitative Reasoning study guide
GMAT Quantitative Reasoning · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
GMAT Quantitative Reasoning is the mathematics portion of the GMAT exam, used by graduate business schools as one signal of readiness for quantitative coursework. It suits applicants to MBA and specialized master's programs who need to demonstrate comfort with numbers under time pressure, including candidates from non-technical backgrounds. The GMAT Quantitative Reasoning study guide has 5 sections and about 1,422 words.
01Arithmetic: Fractions, Percents, Ratios, and Number Properties
Arithmetic questions reward fluency with fractions and decimals , percent change , ratios and proportions , averages , and integer properties (factors, multiples, primes, divisibility, remainders, odd/even). You should move comfortably between fraction, decimal, and percent forms, and recognize when a quantity is of something versus a change in something.
304 words, about 2 min02Algebra: Expressions, Equations, Inequalities, and Functions
Algebra questions test manipulating expressions , solving linear and quadratic equations , systems of equations , inequalities , and functions . Be fluent with factoring, the distributive property, exponent rules, and the quadratic patterns (difference of squares, perfect squares).
284 words, about 1 min03Geometry: Lines, Triangles, Circles, and Solids
Geometry questions center on angle relationships , triangle properties (angle sum, isosceles and equilateral cases, Pythagorean theorem and common triples like 3-4-5 and 5-12-13, special right triangles 45-45-90 and 30-60-90), circle formulas (circumference, area, arcs, sectors), coordinate geometry (slope, distance, midpoint), and volume and surface area of rectangular solids, cylinders, and spheres. Assuming a figure is drawn to scale - diagrams may mislead; rely on given measures and stated relationships.
279 words, about 1 min04Word Problems: Rates, Work, Mixtures, and Translating Language
Word problems test your ability to translate English into equations . Core setups include distance = rate × time , combined work rates (add rates, not times), weighted averages and mixtures , profit and cost , and consecutive-integer or age problems .
276 words, about 1 min05Data Sufficiency Reasoning: Deciding Whether Information Is Enough
Data sufficiency asks whether the given statements provide enough information to answer the question definitively - not to compute the value. The five standard answer choices are: (A) statement 1 alone suffices, (B) statement 2 alone suffices, (C) both together suffice but neither alone does, (D) each alone suffices, (E) together still insufficient.
279 words, about 1 min