You’ve decided to take the GMAT and are all set to hit the books and ace the exam.

That’s great! A positive attitude always helps.

But the questions you should be asking are…

“What are the topics that will be tested on the GMAT Focus Edition?“

“What is the GMAT syllabus?”

“How is the GMAT Focus structured?”

“What is the GMAT Focus test format?”

In this blog, we will give you a detailed breakdown of the specific topics that are tested in each section of the GMAT Focus and the concepts you need to know well if you want to ace the test.

Let’s warn you right away – unlike most other blogs that just briefly touch upon the syllabus, this is a long blog because we’ve mentioned and explained all the topics and concepts that will be tested.

It will take you about 20 minutes to read the entire blog in one go, which is a great way to go if you want an overall understanding of the GMAT Focus Syllabus.

But if you are looking for a helping hand as you prep for each section of the GMAT Focus, we suggest that you bookmark this blog and keep coming back here when you need greater clarity on which topics you need to tackle.

No matter how you go about doing it, by the end of this blog, you will know exactly what you need to focus on. More importantly, you will be clear about what you do not need to waste your time on.

Let’s get started!

Understanding the GMAT Focus Edition Sections

The GMAT Focus Edition consists of three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. Each section is designed to evaluate specific competencies essential for success in business today.

Verbal Reasoning section

Test-takers will encounter questions focused on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. The focus on these two question types emphasizes the importance of analytical and logical reasoning skills in interpreting complex texts and arguments.

Quantitative Reasoning section

This section comprises questions on Problem Solving, covering topics in Arithmetic and Algebra, and aims to assess candidates’ ability to effectively apply mathematical concepts to real-world business scenarios.

Data Insights section

This section is a notable addition to the GMAT Pattern and includes questions on Data Analysis, such as Data Sufficiency, Multi-source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, and Two-Part Analysis. This new section reflects the increasing importance of data interpretation and analysis skills in modern business environments.

Now that you know about the GMAT Focus question types and the GMAT exam pattern, let’s look at everything you need to know about the GMAT syllabus.

Here’s what you will know by the time you get to the end of this article:

1. What is the GMAT syllabus for Quant?

2. What is the GMAT syllabus for Verbal?

3. What is the GMAT syllabus for Data Insights?

There are 21 multiple choice questions in the GMAT Quant section, and you have 45 minutes to complete this section on the GMAT.

The GMAT Quant syllabus mainly comprises one question type:

Problem Solving (PS): Candidates will be asked standard questions on Algebra, Arithmetic, and Modern Math

You need to prepare for 16 topics in the quant section:

Let us look at each of the topics in detail.

GMAT Quant Syllabus – Arithmetic

Arithmetic is one of the three areas in the GMAT Quant syllabus. These questions test your understanding of the properties of the traditional operations in mathematics.

Here are the Arithmetic sub-topics tested on the GMAT:

Numbers and Number Line

A number system is a system that is used to express numbers. A number line represents points on a straight line with each point corresponding to a real number, providing a visual representation of the order and magnitude of numbers. All real numbers, including positive, negative, integers, zero, fractions, rational and irrational are tested on the GMAT. You will also be tested on even, odds, primes, co-primes and composite numbers. These numbers can be represented on a number line, providing a visual representation of the order and magnitude of numbers

Factors, Multiples, Divisibility, and Remainders

Factors or divisors are numbers that evenly divide another number; A multiple is a number that is the product of a given number and some other natural number. For example, 5 perfectly divides 10 without leaving a reminder. Hence 5 is a factor of 10, and 10 is a multiple of 5 because 5 x 2 = 10.

Divisibility determines if one number can be divided by another without a remainder, which is the amount left over.

Exponents

Exponents represent repeated multiplication of a number with itself. It’s written as a small number to the right and above the base number, indicating how many times the base is multiplied by itself. For example, 2 multiplied by itself 3 times is 2x2x2 or 2³. 2 here is the base and 3 is the exponent or power of 2.

Ratio and Proportion

Ratio and proportion describe the relationship between two quantities. A ratio shows how much of one thing there is compared to another, written as “a to b” or “a:b” or “a/b”. A proportion says that two ratios are equal.

For example, dividing $150 between two people, A and B in the ratio 2:3 implies that A receives two parts whereas B receives 3 parts of $150, when $150 is equally divided in 2 + 3 or 5 parts. So, every ratio unit here is equal to $30. A received $60 and b receives $90. 2 times 30 and 3 times 30.

Percentages

The word “percent” means “ out of 100” or “per 100.” The word “per” can be thought of as denoting the bar of a fraction. A percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100.

So, 40% implies 40/100 or 2/5.

3/4 as a percentage is 3/4x 100, which is 75 %.

Rate, Work, and Mixture Problems

Rate, work, and mixture problems involve figuring out how quickly tasks are completed, how substances are combined, or how fast something moves. Fundamental strategies, such as distance = speed (rate) x time or work = rate of working x time are employed to solve these questions.

Let’s next examine the sub-topics in Algebra.

GMAT Quant Syllabus – Algebra

Algebra is one of the areas in Quant in which you have to deal with setting up of simple equations, solving word problems, breaking down inequalities and decoding functions.

Algebraic expressions and equations

An algebraic equation contains two algebraic expressions which are separated by an equal sign (=) in between. The main purpose of solving algebraic equations is to find the unknown variable in the given expressions.

Linear Equations

A linear equation is a type of equation that, when graphed, forms a straight line. It only includes variables raised to the first power, meaning there are no exponents higher than one. For example, 2x + 4 = 8 is a linear equation with one variable x.

Quadratic Equations

A quadratic equation is a type of algebraic equation that can be written as ax² + bx + c = 0, where ‘x’ represents an unknown quantity, and ‘a’ and ‘b’ are specific known numbers. In these equations, the coefficient ‘a’ is never zero.

Inequalities and Basic statistics

Equations and inequalities are both ways of comparing mathematical expressions. In an equation, two expressions are considered exactly equal, shown by the “=” symbol. In contrast, an inequality shows that expressions might not be equal, using symbols like “>”, “<“, “≤”, or “≥” to indicate these relationships. For example, 2x+3=0 is an equation whereas, 2x=3>0 is an inequality.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to GMAT Inequalities

Functions and Graphing

Functions describe how one set of numbers or objects relates to another. On the GMAT, you would also find special characters such as *, #, @, $, &, and so on that are used to define specific functions.

For example, a # b could be defined as (a + b)² and so 2 # 3 = (2 + 3)² = 5² = 25

Graphing these functions puts the relationship into a visual format, using a coordinate plane for easy understanding and analysis.

GMAT Quant Syllabus – Modern Math

Modern Math is not about mugging up formulae and using them to solve questions. Most of the questions in this area just require you to know basic concepts of statistics, counting (permutations and combinations), probability, sets, and their applications.

Here are the Modern Math topics covered in the GMAT syllabus:

Statistics

Statistics involves the key skill to read, analyze, and interpret data. GMAT will test you on basic statistical tools such as arithmetic mean, median, and mode.

Overlapping Sets

Overlapping sets or Venn diagrams helps in structuring large volumes of data, especially when you have items that belong to more than one group. GMAT tests you on two-set and three-set Venn diagram-based word problems.

Counting Methods

Counting methods are systematic approaches for enumerating objects, which cover strategies like permutations and combinations to account for various arrangements or selections.

Probability

Probability is stated as a percent less than 100 or a fraction less than 1; it is found by dividing the number of desired outcomes by the number of possible outcomes. A great example is the coin flip and its probable outcomes.

For example, when you toss an unbiased coin, there is a 50% chance of either a head or a tail. So the probability of having a head or a tail is equal to 1/2

Sequences and Series

A sequence is a list of objects or events that have been listed in a sequential fashion. Whereas, series is the sum of a sequence of terms, They are a list of numbers which can be added.

That’s all there is to the GMAT Quant section.

With this, let’s move on to the GMAT syllabus for the Verbal Reasoning section.

The Verbal section has 23 multiple choice questions that you need to solve in 45 minutes.

The GMAT Verbal syllabus has two types of questions:

Reading Comprehension (RC): Candidates will have to read a passage and answer the questions based on what they have understood from the passage. In the GMAT Focus exam, one can expect to encounter 3 or 4 passages with 3 to 4 questions per passage.

Also read: How to Score Well on GMAT Reading Comprehension

Critical Reasoning (CR): Candidates will be given a short passage/prompt and will have to find the premise, conclusion, assumption and so on. In the GMAT Focus exam, one can expect to encounter 10-13 CR questions.

Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning are further divided into 18 GMAT Verbal topics.

Passage Analysis

Analyzing the passage is the most important part of reading comprehension. Every passage will present different types of information and has a distinct structure, tone and argument. Having the required reading skills and Identifying these aspects is key to answering questions based on the passage.

Reading comprehension questions expect candidates to be able to read and analyze a passage and identify various points such as:

Main Point / Central Idea

The main point or a central idea tells us what the passage is about.

Structure of the Passage

The structure of a passage is how the content of the passage has been organized to support the main idea.

Tone of the Passage

The tone of the passage will tell us about the author’s attitude or perspective towards the subject matter.

Purpose of the Passage

The purpose of the passage is the reason the author wrote the passage and what he aims to achieve.

Stated Information

Stated information can be paraphrased in many ways to mean exactly what has been stated.

Inferred Information

Information that is not directly stated but can be implied by the author of the passage is inferred information.

Purpose of Stated Information

Whenever the author sometimes mentions a word or phrase or even an entire sentence, he has a reason for doing so.

Assumptions in the Passage

The author will sometimes present a claim and has taken some information for granted when he made this claim. This is the assumption. Some assumptions can make a claim stronger or weaker.

GMAT Verbal Syllabus – Critical Reasoning

The GMAT tests your critical thinking ability and logical sense with this question type.

Let’s look at what candidates are expected to do in each question type in Critical Reasoning

Identify Assumptions

Spot underlying premises not stated in the argument.

Weaken Arguments

Find information that reduces the argument’s effectiveness.

Strengthen Arguments

Select evidence that supports or bolsters the argument.

Evaluate Arguments

Assess how certain factors affect the argument’s validity.

Identify Inferences/Conclusions

Deduce the logical end or main point of the argument.

Resolve Paradoxes

Reconcile seemingly contradictory information in the argument.

Identify the Logical Flaw

Point out errors in the argument’s reasoning.

Method of Reasoning

Understand how the argument is constructed or developed.

Bold-faced Arguments

Analyze the role of specific parts of the argument highlighted in bold.

There are 20 multiple choice questions in the GMAT Data Insights section, and you have 45 minutes to complete this section on the GMAT. This section requires both Verbal and Quant skills.

The GMAT Data Insights syllabus mainly comprises five question types:

Data Sufficiency (DS)

These are questions for which you don’t have to solve anything. All you need to do is interpret whether the given data is enough to answer the question.

Multi-source Reasoning (MSR)

In this type of question, you will receive three pieces of information on tabbed pages. It could be charts, articles, data, or even emails. While you will get a lot of information from these, you might not have to use all of them to answer the questions.

Table Analysis

You must have seen spreadsheets, right? You will be presented with a similar, sortable table. All you need to do is to analyze and interpret the information provided on the table.

Graphics Interpretation

In Graphical interpretation questions, you will be given graphs or graphical images. You need to analyze and understand what they represent. These questions test your ability to interpret and analyze data.

Two-Part Analysis (TPA)

These questions may test your quantitative or verbal skills. Two-Part Analysis questions will give you a few lines of text and instructions. These instructions are to help you select choices on a table based on the information provided.

Also read: A Guide to Integrated Reasoning