GMAT Focus Edition has introduced exciting new challenges and opportunities for MBA aspirants. With a streamlined focus on problem-solving, data insights, and verbal reasoning, achieving a high score requires a sharp strategy, disciplined preparation, and a clear understanding of the test’s demands.
Piyush Ranjan, the founder of Management Masters, a leading Indian boutique MBA Admissions Consulting firm, says "A high test score is quite critical for Indian candidates as it directly relates to the competitiveness of their candidature especially for the Top B-Schools such as M7."
Whether you’re just starting your preparation or are refining your approach, these expert tips will guide you to success on the GMAT Focus exam.
1. Understand the GMAT Focus Structure
The first step toward GMAT success is knowing exactly what to expect on test day. The GMAT Focus Edition consists of three key sections:
Quantitative Reasoning (45 minutes, 21 questions): Assesses problem-solving and quantitative skills.
Verbal Reasoning (45 minutes, 23 questions): Focuses on critical reasoning and reading comprehension abilities.
Data Insights (45 minutes, 20 questions): Evaluate your data literacy and ability to interpret data from tables, graphs, and charts.
Each section has its unique challenges, and it’s crucial to develop a strategy for each. Understanding each section's timing and types of questions will help you manage your time more effectively.
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2. Prioritize Data Literacy and Problem-Solving
With the introduction of the Data Insights section, data literacy has become even more important. You’ll need to analyze data presented in different formats and extract meaningful insights quickly. Here’s how you can prepare for this section:
Familiarize yourself with data formats: Get comfortable interpreting tables, graphs, and charts. Practice extracting key details from data sets, as this will help you answer questions efficiently.
Practice making conclusions: Focus on understanding trends and relationships within the data. The goal is not only to solve the question but also to interpret the underlying story the data tells.
The Quantitative Reasoning section still remains a key challenge, but the emphasis on problem-solving requires you to build quick, accurate skills for tackling word problems, algebra, and geometry questions.
Abhinav Verma, DI and Quant expert has outlined five key strategies to help you maximize your score in each section. For a deeper understanding and a more effective preparation approach, explore his blog, here, where he breaks down these strategies for optimal results.
3. Sharpen Your Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension
The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT Focus tests your ability to evaluate arguments, understand complex texts, and improve sentence structure. Here’s how to sharpen your verbal skills:
Practice reading complex passages: GMAT passages are dense, often covering topics such as economics, science, and social issues. Regularly reading articles from sources like The Economist or scientific journals will improve your comprehension and speed.
Focus on critical reasoning: Learn how to identify logical flaws in arguments, evaluate assumptions, and make conclusions. Practice these skills by reviewing sample GMAT questions and focusing on the reasoning behind each answer.
Strengthen grammar and sentence structure knowledge: For the sentence correction questions, brush up on grammar rules and common mistakes such as subject-verb agreement, parallelism, and modifiers.
4. Master Time Management
Time management is crucial for success on the GMAT Focus. With a limited amount of time to answer a significant number of questions in each section, staying on track is key. Here’s how to manage your time effectively:
Practice under timed conditions: Take full-length practice tests and simulate the actual test day environment. This will help you become comfortable with pacing yourself and knowing when to move on from a question.
Don’t get stuck on tough questions: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance. If you’re spending too much time on a difficult question, it could hurt your overall performance. Learn to skip and come back to tough questions if necessary.
Allocate time wisely across sections: With equal time given to each section (45 minutes), make sure you’re not spending too much time on one section at the expense of others. Practice balancing your focus between quantitative, verbal, and data analysis questions.
Karan Bagadiya, a GMAT prep expert with over 10 years of experience, shares how diagnostic tests can help you strategically plan your GMAT/GRE preparation. He also outlines a 4-month study plan to keep you on track for Round 1 applications.
5. Use High-Quality Study Materials
Investing in the right study resources will be one of the best ways to prepare for the GMAT Focus. While free resources can be helpful, high-quality prep materials will give you a deeper understanding of the test’s structure and help you hone your skills more effectively. Some top resources include:
Official GMAT Guide: The Official Guide to the GMAT Focus Edition includes real test questions and a study plan to guide you through each section.
PrepBooks and Online Courses: Manhattan Prep and Kaplan offer comprehensive study guides and courses that cover all sections of the GMAT Focus exam.
Practice Tests: Take official GMAT Focus practice exams available from the GMAT website. These practice tests will simulate the real test experience and help you gauge your readiness.
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6. Review Mistakes and Learn from Them
As you practice, it’s important to review every mistake thoroughly. Instead of just looking at the right answer, focus on understanding why you got a question wrong and what the correct approach would have been.
Identify patterns in mistakes: Are you struggling with a specific type of question, like data interpretation or sentence correction? Identify these areas and dedicate extra time to mastering them.
Analyze your reasoning: Sometimes, the correct answer may seem intuitive, but understanding the reasoning behind each answer choice will help you refine your approach and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
Achieving a high score on the GMAT Focus exam requires dedication, practice, and strategic planning. By understanding the new structure of the test, focusing on key areas like data insights and problem-solving, and managing your time effectively, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the GMAT Focus with confidence. Remember, consistent practice and a calm, methodical approach are essential for success.