GMAT Quantitative Syllabus

Mathematics is a must for business and management. It is important for a person to assess their mathematical skills, when they plan to get into business management program. GMAT test measures one’s ability with mathematical skills and concepts. GMAT Quantitative syllabus is designed based on three mathematical concepts namely arithmetic, algebra and geometry (basic mathematics). The problems in GMAT quantitative syllabus are presented in two sections namely problem solving and data sufficiency. Those two divisions are detailed below. They are as follows:

Complete GMAT Quantitative Syllabus

A. Problem Solving

The Problem solving section is designed to test the ability of a GMAT candidate to solve problems that are based on high school mathematics. The candidate needs to refresh on those concepts, and practice the problems using mathematical formulas.

This part of GMAT quantitative syllabus consists of multiple choice questions from the basic mathematical concepts namely arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. These questions are presented in two forms, as plain mathematical problems and word problems or logic problems. The word problems are presented with diagrams to provide information, which serves as the key to answers. The main purpose of these diagrams is to test the ability of a candidate, if he/she is able to identify the hidden information in them.

Both the plain mathematical and word problems are required to be solved using the formulas. In order to gain mastery over problem solving section, the concepts of arithmetic and algebra that should be studied in detail are given below:

1. Arithmetic - Certain topics and  lessons in arithmetic covers the syllabus for problem solving section. They are as follows:

• Percentage
• Number Systems
• Profit and Loss
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Speed
• Time and Distance
• Pipes
• Cisterns and Work Time
• Mean, Median, Mode and Standard Deviation
• Simple and Weighted Averages
• Ratio
• Mixtures
• Allegation
• Clocks and Calendars

2. Algebra - There are some basic and advanced topics that should be covered in algebra to gain mastery in problem solving. They are as follows:

• Numbers - In the topic numbers there are some lessons that need to be covered. They are namely:
  • Real Numbers
  • Natural Numbers
  • Integers
  • Rational
• Variables - The topic variables consists only one lesson to be included for problem solving section as given below:
  • Polynomials
• Relations - Relations is a small topic which deals with mathematical expressions as "=",">","<", etc.
• Equations – In the topic equations the following are the lessons that should be prepared:
  • Inequalities
  • Equations in Two Variables
  • Substitution
  • Elimination
• Factoring - The lessons to be covered in this topic are as follows:
  • Simplification
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Exponent Laws
• Introductory Number Theory – Introductory number theory consists of the following lessons to be covered for problem solving section as follows:
  • Factorization
  • Behaviour of Ideals
  • Field
• Complex Number – The following lessons are covered under Complex   numbers.
  • Addition and Subtraction
  • Multiplication and Division
  • Square Root
  • Conjugation
  • Polar Form
  • Multiplication, Division and Exponentiation (polar form)
• Abstract Algebra – Abstract algebra is an advanced topic which covers the following lessons in problem solving section:
  • Group
  • Rings
  • Fields
  • Modules
  • Vector Spaces
  • Algebras
• Statistics – This topic covers the following lessons in problem solving section:
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Inferential statistics

The topics and the lessons mentioned above play a vital part in problem solving section of GMAT quantitative syllabus.

B. Data Sufficiency

The Data sufficiency section is designed to test the logical thinking of a candidate. This section of GMAT quantitative syllabus presents two sets of numbered statements as statement (1) and statement (2).

These numbered statements should be analyzed in three steps to find which one contains the information that is enough to answer the question. In the first step the candidate has to analyze both the statements, if they contain the information. If there is no possibility in statement (1) then statement (2) should be analyzed for the relevancy. 

Data sufficiency problems normally come from the concepts namely Geometry and    mensuration. Please go through the topics and the lessons listed below:

1. Geometry - There are certain topics in Geometry that need to be focused with regard to data sufficiency section in GMAT quantitative syllabus.

• Basic Geometry
• Coordinate Geometry -  The topic of coordinate geometry covers the following lessons:
  • Coordinates
  • Equation of Curves
  • Transformations

2. Mensuration - This topic of mensuration consists of the following lessons under data sufficiency section:

• Imperial System
• Metric System
• International System of Units
• Converting Prefixes
• Distance

The topics in the list above cover the complete GMAT quantitative syllabus. A candidate is advised to take up mock tests in the two sections of GMAT Quantitative syllabus, to assure that he/she would find it easier to solve the problems within the given timing.

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