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GMAT - Quantitative

Published: April 23, 2019
So, You’re Terrible at Integrated Reasoning…
Since its release on the June 2012 exam, the Integrated Reasoning portion of the GMAT has had some test takers stumped. This 30-minute, 12 question section is oddly scored on a 1 to 8 scale, and no partial credit is given, even for multi-part, multi-answer questions. For the past several years, it was a matter of debate on whether business schools evaluated applicants on the basis of the Integrated Reasoning section. Admissions offices can be slow to adapt to changes in standardized tests, waiting for enough points of comparison to consider whether the change corresponds with other ways that applicants Read more
Published: April 2, 2019
Probability Tip: Three Strategies That Aren’t Used Enough
Some GMAT instructors will say that students often place too much emphasis on studying for Probability and Combinatorics, rather than spending more time focusing on the heavy lifters of Algebra and Arithmetic. Like it or not, GMAT students get fixated on combinatorics and probability because a) these questions are never, never as straightforward as remembering and plugging into the permutation or combination formula and b) these problems have the illusion of being easy and attainable. But these sticky types of GMAT questions are notorious time wasters, driving test takers deep into a rabbit holes without consideration the right strategies. In Read more
Published: May 1, 2018
GMAT Tip: Only a Kitchen Calculator
There are many different approaches in tackling a GMAT Quantitative question effectively. Algebraically, working backwards from the answer choices, considering “lucky twins” – a smart test taker is flexible and takes a fresh new approach by evaluating each quantitative question individually, taking the route that is efficient and effective. But how does said test taker become the smart test taker – what kinds of signs tip us off that we should go down a certain strategy road for a tricky and/or difficult quantitative question? Think of the “kitchen calculator” – the kind of cheap plastic, four-digit calculator that you find Read more
Published: December 26, 2017
GMAT Tip: Let It Cancel Out
When faced with Geometry problems with variables, many test takers will approach the question with fear, believing they are forgetting some obscure geometric rule that is the only path towards a correct answer. In reality, as we’ve covered in a few past posts, the understanding required to do well on Geometry questions on the GMAT is basic – Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles, area formula, and the like that you’ve found in the first half of an introductory Geometry course. Occasionally, we see some oddball questions associated with central angles, but there are still multiple ways to get to the Read more
Published: November 7, 2017
GMAT Tip: More On Data Sufficiency
While many folks in the U.S. celebrate the arrival of Thanksgiving (or an excuse to watch American football and pig out on decadent sweet and savory treats), there are others who cringe at the idea of cooking an extravagant multi-course feast. If you’re wondering what late night calls to the Butterball turkey help line have to do with data sufficiency, there are some remarkable parallels between the two that might make for better studying (and happy friends and family on Turkey Day). • Take stock of what you have (& avoid last minute trips to the store). Before you Read more
Published: September 26, 2017
GMAT Tip: Decoding Data Sufficiency
There’s probably no other GMAT question type that instills more fear in candidates than data sufficiency. It’s unique to the GMAT and evaluates a candidate’s ability to discern when s/he has enough information to come to a conclusion. And those who are able to efficiently and successfully tap into those higher-order reasoning skills are ultimately rewarded accordingly. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you decode data sufficiency: Familiarize yourself with the answer choices.   Just like the AWA and every other section, the instructions and more importantly, answer choices for data sufficiency don’t change. Your inclination Read more
Published: September 12, 2016
GMAT Tip: It’s Always the Same with Exponents
When evaluating exponent questions in the quantitative section, many test takers freak out when faced with seemingly messy but frequently appearing problems. “Do I need to know logs?” “Wait, is this testing something from Calculus?” Have no fear – while exponents show up often on the GMAT, how these questions show up is repetitive, requiring that we take the same steps over and to solve them. Key things we need to know when it comes to exponents: When we multiply numbers containing exponents, we add the exponents… but they must have the same base. For example: 2^2 + 2^2 = Read more
Published: July 26, 2016
Corrections for The Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 2017
The below information about The Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 2017 is from the Graduate Management Admission Council—the makers of the GMAT exam. This content was originally posted on The Official GMAT Blog. Official Guide for GMAT Review Corrections We recently released The Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 2017 and we have discovered that this version contains a number of typos that occurred during the publishing process. We understand that these errors may make it difficult to understand certain content and could affect the study experience for the GMAT exam. Below, we’ve outlined options that provide updated materials. For complete details and a full list of Read more
Published: May 9, 2016
GMAT: Consider Algebra, not Arithmetic
Many test takers fail to make the connection between not being permitted to use a calculator on the quantitative section of the GMAT and, well, not making intensive, calculator-required calculations. The reality is, when you are working through a question and think a calculator is needed and/or there is some simplistic, obscure formula is required, you are not using the right strategy. This proves most true for arithmetic questions, when tedious calculations take test takers down the road where an algebraic approach should be considered instead. Let’s look at an example: 5^10 + 5^10 + 5^10 + 5^10 Read more
Published: April 25, 2016
So, You’re Terrible at Integrated Reasoning…
Since its release on the June 2012 exam, the Integrated Reasoning portion of the GMAT has had some test takers stumped. This 30-minute, 12 question section is oddly scored on a 1 to 8 scale, and no partial credit is given, even for multi-part, multi-answer questions. For the past several years, it was a matter of debate on whether business schools evaluated applicants on the basis of the Integrated Reasoning section. Admissions offices can be slow to adapt to changes in standardized tests, waiting for enough points of comparison to consider whether the change corresponds with other ways that applicants Read more
Published: April 4, 2016
Probability Tip: Three Strategies That Aren’t Used Enough
Some GMAT instructors will say that students often place too much emphasis on studying for Probability and Combinatorics, rather than spending more time focusing on the heavy lifters of Algebra and Arithmetic. Like it or not, GMAT students get fixated on combinatorics and probability because a) these questions are never, never as straightforward as remembering and plugging into the permutation or combination formula and b) these problems have the illusion of being easy and attainable. But these sticky types of GMAT questions are notorious time wasters, driving test takers deep into a rabbit holes without consideration the right strategies. In Read more
Published: January 18, 2016
GMAT Tip: Know Your Conversions
Powerball fever took over the U.S. in recent weeks, and it culminated in an aspirational post last week when someone suggested that if the winner split the $1.3 billion equally amongst 300 million Americans, it would give each person $4.3 million. While the post went viral, the reasons why were surprising to many folks. Let’s take a look at the quick math… 1.3 billion divided by 300 million. That’s a lot of zeros, but it doesn’t take advanced math to write out the computation: 1,300,000,000 / 300,000,000 = 4.33 4.33 DOLLARS, not 4,300,000… Or 4.33 Read more
Published: August 17, 2015
Reducing Your Average Pace-Per Question On GMAT Average Problems
The average GMAT study regimen includes an above average number of formulas and amount of memorization. It’s important: the GMAT tests a relatively wide scope of knowledge, so for those looking for above-average scores, memorizing items like the average formula (Average = Sum of Values / Number of Values) is necessary. But it’s also important to remember that plugging items into formulas often requires more time than the average student has to spend. There’s a big difference between knowing a formula and having the ability to use the concept to your advantage, and one of the biggest such chasms exists Read more
Published: July 6, 2015
Three Controversial (But Essential) GMAT Data Sufficiency Strategies
Of all the GMAT question types, Data Sufficiency is the most unique. Consequently, it tends to be the most feared. And as a result of that, most Data Sufficiency lessons focus more on how to “get through” Data Sufficiency than on how to conquer it. GMAT students are taught vanilla strategies to play Data Sufficiency safe, and then pat themselves on the back for learning techniques to essentially read the answer choices a second or two faster (let’s be honest, the famed AD/BCE and 1-2-T-E-N strategies are really just mnemonic devices to remember the answer choices that are always written on the screen for you). The following three strategies are not intended for those trying to creep their way up to a verbal-heavy 600 on the GMAT. And the following three strategies will contradict some of what you may have read on other blogs and forums. But for those who seek the highest quant scores and who are more concerned with conquering Data Sufficiency than with enduring it, what you are about to read will be instrumental in your GMAT quantitative success. 1. Use The Statements Together Because of the answer choices “Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient…”; “Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient…”; “Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient but neither ALONE is sufficient…”, everyone is taught to never use the two statements together unless neither is sufficient alone. Which, again, isn’t so much a strategy as a re-reading of the answer choices. And it’s not terrible advice: if you’re not careful, it’s easy to carry over some of what you read in Statement 1 and therefore think that Statement 2 is more impactful than it really is. So you should be careful to consider each statement alone so that you don’t fall victim to that mistake. Read more
Published: October 23, 2013
The Top 5 Strategies for GMAT Problem Solving (Part 2)
Today’s GMAT article comes from Manhattan Review Asia, a provider of GMAT private tutoring in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore, among others. In this article, they reveal Manhattan Review’s best 5 strategies how to tackle GMAT Problem Solving questions. In fact, the article is so detailed that we had to split it into two parts. If you have missed the first part of this post, you can find it here. 4.  Skipping the Algebra The most effective way to solve problems quickly is to make up numbers. Problems involving ratios and percentages are very susceptible to solution by this method. You can of course solve such problems using algebra, but it takes so much longer. Consider a question of the form “There are three times as many third-graders as fourth-graders at a picnic. There are also twice as many first-graders as there are second-graders. If there are four times as many third-graders as there are second-graders, what percentage of the total number of children at the picnic comprises fourth-graders?” This is a classic GMAT-style question. The quickest way to solve it is to pick arbitrary but simple numbers. Let’s assume that there are 20 fourth-graders at the picnic. That means that there must be 60 third-graders. That in turn must mean that there are 15 second-graders. Which means that there are 30 first-graders there. Read more
Published: September 11, 2013
The Top 5 Strategies for GMAT Problem Solving (Part 1)
Today’s GMAT article comes from Manhattan Review Asia, a provider of GMAT Prep courses in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore, among others. In this article, they reveal Manhattan Review’s best 5 strategies how to tackle GMAT Problem Solving questions. In fact, the article is so detailed that we had to split it into two parts. As with every type of question on the GMAT, the biggest challenge to answering Problem Solving questions is figuring out how to get to the right answer in the minimum amount of time. If we had half an hour for each question, we would all be scoring in the 99th percentile. We don’t have half an hour. So forget pride. It doesn’t matter how good you think you are at math. If you can get to the right answer without crafting elegant equations doing fancy algebra, go for it! At some point in the test, a question will stump you. That’s when you’ll be thankful for all of those precious seconds you saved by skipping elaborate calculations. Here are five tips on how to improve your Problem Solving skills and have fun on the test: 1. Go slower in order to go faster It is absolutely essential that you take the time to read the question very carefully. Don’t make assumptions; don’t jump to conclusions; don’t take it for granted that the question is asking the same thing as similar questions asked you in the past. Draw a diagram; write out as clearly and as free of confusion as possible who did what in the past and who is doing what at the moment. It may seem as if you are losing time, but you are not. You are saving yourself precious minutes that you would lose by failing to read the question properly and answering what you haven’t been asked. The strategy is: Get the right answer on the first try, not on the fourth try. Before test-day, practice sketching problems out. Read more
Published: March 26, 2013
Exclusive GMAT Insights and Advice for MBA Hopefuls From Top GMAT Community Leaders
Each year thousands of individuals begin journeys that they hope will ultimately lead to an acceptance offer from top-tier business schools around the world, and for the majority of these applicants one of the first steps on the b-school path is studying for and taking the GMAT exam. With the 2012-2013 application season wrapping up, a whole new cohort of aspiring MBA students are beginning to get serious about their own school choices and application materials. Most schools won’t be releasing their updated application requirements until later in the summer, so one concrete element of their application that they can start working on now is properly preparing themselves for taking the exam.  We sat down with the founders of the major online GMAT communities (Beat The GMAT and GMAT Club) as well as the Director of Academic Programs at leading GMAT test prep firm, Veritas Prep. These individuals have a combined wealth of experience to draw upon when providing helpful tips and insights to share with anyone contemplating an application to business school in 2013-14. In the article that follows, readers will have the opportunity to learn about common misconceptions many test takers have about the exam, successful approaches to creating a study schedule, specific tips that can help those who struggle with either the verbal or the quant sections, and valuable insights on how to approach retaking the test. We additionally have checked in with the official information provided by GMAC, the organization that creates and administers the GMAT exam. Read more
Published: February 21, 2012
GMAT Tips: Number Properties in GMATPrep
Today’s GMAT tip comes from test prep firm ManhattanGMAT. In this article, they provide helpful tips on studying number properties in preparation for the GMAT.  Read on to see what they have to say! What are number properties? This concept covers things that we often call “basic” – topics that we learned in middle school (or earlier): divisibility, factors and multiples, odds and evens, positives and negatives, and so on. It’s also true, though, that this material can become quite complex. For example, fundamental counting principles are included in number properties, and the more complex problems of this type are something called Combinatorics… which most of us hate. In addition, we've all come up against very challenging problems testing a supposedly "simple" concept, such as divisibility. We face two big challenges in dealing with number properties: (1) On the one hand, we think of most number properties concepts as “basic” concepts, things that we learned before we ever learned the more “advanced” algebra and geometry. The test writers purposely find ways to test the truly basic material in disguised ways – this is how they make the material harder. Read more
Published: August 30, 2011
GMAT Tips – To Venn or Not to Venn? Depends on the Question.
Today’s GMAT Tip comes from our friends at Knewton.  In this article, they explain when to use Venn diagrams or charts on the GMAT.  Read on to see what they have to say! Many students like to ask me the following question when dealing with overlapping sets problems: “Which are better? Venn diagrams or charts?” I’ve found that students like to ask because every student has a personal preference. Some don’t want to deal with Venn Diagrams because labeling them can get confusing at times. Others stay away from charts, either because they find charts more confusing or because they prefer the compactness of the Venn diagram. So in essence, what the student really wants me to do is either justify a natural inclination (“I just find charts easier”) or tell them that this inclination is completely wrong and needs to be squelched immediately (“I really like Venn Diagrams, but I always get them wrong, so should I switch to charts?”). As with so many things in life, the answer lies somewhere in between. Neither a chart nor a Venn diagram is inherently bad. But here’s the rub: When should you use one versus the other? Let’s take a look at the following Official Guide Data Sufficiency question: If 75 percent of the guests at a certain banquet ordered dessert, what percent of the guests ordered coffee? (1) 60 percent of the guests who ordered dessert also ordered coffee. (2) 90 percent of the guests who ordered coffee also ordered dessert. Read more
Published: February 25, 2011
GMAT Tip: Understanding Remainders
Today’s GMAT tip comes from Veritas Prep.  In this article, they provide helpful advice on understanding the concept of remainders. Read on to see what they have to say! Unless you teach math, chances are that you haven’t used a remainder in years. Remainders in division are basically placeholders for kids who haven’t yet learned decimals or mixed numbers; as soon as you learn what to do with the remainder, you tend to never touch a remainder again…until of course you take the GMAT. Consider the problem 11/3. 3*3 is 9, but then there are 2 left over that will not divide evenly. So in this case, 11/3 = 3 remainder 2. Read more
Published: January 5, 2011
GMAT Tip: GMAT Math Strategy – Think with your pen
Today’s GMAT Tip comes from our friends at Knewton.  In this post, they provide helpful hints on how to tackle particularly complex math problems.  Read on to see what they have to say! Here is a rather challenging GMAT math problem. Give it a shot: For every positive EVEN integer n, the function h(n) is defined to be the product of all the even integers from 2 to n, inclusive. If p is the smallest prime factor of h(100) + 1, then p is (A) between 2 and 10 (B) between 10 and 20 (C) between 20 and 30 (D) between 30 and 40 (E) greater than 40 So, where do you start? It is difficult to figure out how to approach a question like this one, since it’s a mix of so many different concepts: properties of even numbers, prime numbers, factors, and functions. No one wants to see a complex question like this on the GMAT, especially when you’re struggling to keep up your pace and finish the section on time. Read more

MBA Applywire

12
October 21, 2026 1:04pm ET
Applying: Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, London Business School, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Stanford GSB, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden, Vanderbilt / Owen, Yale SOM
Pre-MBA Career: Law Student
Post MBA Career: Finance, Professional Services
GMAT: 695
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 1
Location: Birmingham
Post MBA Location: NYC, San Fran, London
Notes:

I am hoping to begin my Transactional practice at an Am200 Law firm and then transition into my MBA to look for PE/VC opportunities
16
October 21, 2026 12:20pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, NYU Stern, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2028
Pre-MBA Career: Economy
Post MBA Career: Energy, AES Corp, NextEra Energy, Other, Finance, Investment Banking, Bank of America Securities, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, Evercore Partners, Greenhill & Co, Jefferies Group, JP Morgan, Lazard Freres, Moelis & Company, Morgan Stanley, Private Equity, Advent International, Bain Capital, Blackstone, Brookfield Asset Management, Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs, KKR, Silver Lake
GPA: 3.0
Years of Work Experience: 6
Location: Perú
Post MBA Location: USA, Europe
Notes:

I'm an international MBA applicant from Peru with approximately 7 years of experience in M&A and corporate finance across the energy, consumer goods, and financial advisory sectors.

I hold a B.S. in Economics from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), where I graduated in the top third of my class with a GPA of 14.2/20.

I started my career in Deal Advisory at KPMG, followed by M&A and Corporate Venture Capital at Alicorp. I'm currently an M&A Associate at Luz del Sur, a leading Peruvian electricity utility, where I've worked on renewable energy acquisitions totaling approximately US$780M, including wind and solar assets. My experience spans valuation, financial modeling, due diligence, transaction structuring, and SPA negotiations.

Outside work, I'm involved with NetvalU, a nonprofit helping public university students pursue careers in finance.

**Post-MBA Goals:** My primary goal is to transition into Private Equity, ideally focusing on energy, infrastructure, or energy transition investments in the US or Europe. I'm particularly interested in infrastructure funds and investment platforms focused on acquiring, developing, and managing energy assets. Alternatively, I would consider Investment Banking, particularly within Power & Utilities, Energy, or Infrastructure coverage groups, as a pathway toward a long-term career in investing.

I'd appreciate feedback on my competitiveness for top MBA programs, particularly considering my international background, academic record, and professional experience. I'm especially interested in understanding how realistic a direct transition into PE or infrastructure investing would be, which schools provide the strongest opportunities in this space, and whether my target school list is appropriately balanced.

Thanks in advance for your insights!
1
October 21, 2026 7:21am ET
Applying: UT Austin / McCombs
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Digital Marketing
Post MBA Career: Marketing, Technology, Apple, Dell
GMAT: 625
GPA: 3.28
Years of Work Experience: 8
Location: Madrid, ES
Post MBA Location: Austin
5
October 20, 2026 7:00am ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia Business School, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Oliver Wyman
GMAT: 645
GPA: 3.2
Years of Work Experience: 6
Location: South Africa
Post MBA Location: USA, SA
Notes:

Ethical technology transformation within banking
4
October 18, 2026 5:33am ET
Applying: Cambridge / Judge, Imperial, London Business School, Oxford / Saïd
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Internal Consulting / Big 4
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Bain, BCG, McKinsey
GMAT: 645
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 5.5
Location: Australia
Post MBA Location: London
Notes:

Hi Alex & Graham!

I'm considering applying to UK business schools for next year, with a focus on LBS. Here are some notes on my profile:

I did my undergraduate degree in quantitative economics and political sciences at a global top 50 university, and I supported myself through university with part-time jobs while being active in on-campus clubs and societies, which explains my under-achieving GPA.

I then joined PwC where I did operational management consulting for Australian (and some international) corporate clients, achieving a promotion to Senior Consultant ahead of the typical schedule.

I then moved to a large commercial airline, where I became an internal consultant getting involved in many different projects each with individual accountability and outcomes achieved. This led to four promotions in three years, with my latest promotion taking on multiple direct reports of junior internal consultants.

For extracurriculars, I'm involved in my university impact consulting club which I was a president of, and return often to mentor the new class each year.

I'm doing the MBA to pivot into MBB Consulting in the UK, where I want to develop my strategy and value-creation capability in a global setting with a long-term ambition of becoming a Chief Transformation Officer in the industrials / consumer goods sectors.

I'm relatively confident in my ability to get into the UK schools I mentioned, but the full sticker price of the MBA is still a shock. What would make my profile stand out for scholarships?

A higher GMAT? I feel I have left some points on the table here and intend to re-sit the exam before I submit my Round 2 application.

Do I create competitive tension by applying to more schools? Perhaps INSEAD or an M7 (say, Columbia or Kellogg).
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MBA LiveWire

October 21, 2026 10:53pm ET
Interview Invite to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 21, 2026
Standardized Test: Executive Assessment (EA)
GPA: 3.39
EA: 158
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Manufacturing, Automotive
Juno Member: Not yet
October 21, 2026 9:38pm ET
Interview Invite to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email on September 25, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Technology
Application Location: United States
Juno Member: Not yet
October 21, 2026 9:36pm ET
Interview Invite to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email on October 19, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Technology
Application Location: United States
Juno Member: Not yet
October 21, 2026 8:31pm ET
Interview Invite to Columbia Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 21, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.56
GRE: 315
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Health Care, Pharmaceutical
Application Location: NYC
Juno Member: Not yet
October 21, 2026 8:05pm ET
Interview Invite to Stanford GSB
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 21, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.97
GRE: 324
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Other Industries
Application Location: East Coast
Juno Member: Not yet
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