All AnswersHow do I study for GMAT Quant if I'm really struggling with the basics?
Asked by Kritika Oberoi about 2 months ago
If GMAT Quant basics feel tough, the best approach is to relearn concepts one at a time, not revise everything at once.
Pick a topic like percentages or ratios and study it using simple explainer videos. Follow up by solving 5–10 basic questions daily until you stop making the same errors. Avoid full-length mocks too early. They don’t help if your foundation is weak. Instead, focus on mastering one topic before moving to the next.
Use beginner-friendly platforms like Mentr- me or TTP. These break topics down clearly and guide your progress gradually. Also, try spending 10 minutes a day on mental math. Apps like Math Tricks or simple pen-and-paper drills will help you improve speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Progress in GMAT Quant comes from consistency, not cramming. Stick to one goal at a time and build your way up.
Experienced Human Resources Specialist | Talent Acquisition | Employee Relations | HR Operations Expert
When the basics aren’t strong, don’t rush into full practice sets or mocks. GMAT Quant is about logic, not speed—so the first goal should be understanding, not finishing fast.
Start with foundational topics—fractions, equations, percentages. Use one platform that explains from scratch (like GMATWhiz, MENTR ME, or TTP) and go slow. Create a formula notebook—write down each rule with one example you fully understand. Review it daily for 10 minutes.
Spend at least 2–3 weeks doing untimed practice. Aim for 80–90% accuracy before introducing time limits. Use that phase to figure out why you’re making mistakes—wrong concept, careless error, or misunderstood wording.
Once your accuracy improves, start doing mixed-topic practice with light timing pressure (3–4 questions in 10 minutes). That’s when real improvement starts.
Chartered Accountant (CA)
If you're struggling with GMAT Quant basics, focus on building core concepts before moving to practice under time.
- Start with topic-wise videos for arithmetic, algebra, and number properties on platforms like GMAT Club or Target Test Prep.
- Keep a formula sheet and review it regularly.
- Practice only easy-level questions from the Official Guide or Magoosh until you're confident.
- Study one topic at a time to avoid confusion.
- Use an error log to track your weak areas and repeat mistakes.
Once you're comfortable, take Mentr Me’s sectional tests for targeted practice. These help you check progress without the pressure of a full-length test.
Focus on accuracy before adding speed. A structured, step-by-step approach works better than rushing through difficult questions.
Detail-Oriented Financial Analyst
If Quant basics feel shaky, the worst thing to do is jump straight into mocks or random problem sets. The right start matters more than speed.
Here’s what helps:
- Focus on one topic at a time—don’t try to “cover everything” daily
- Begin with untimed sets and watch detailed video solutions for each question
- Keep solving until you get at least 80% right consistently before moving to timed sets
- Don’t skip Data Sufficiency—practice these early with simple numbers to avoid fear later
- Maintain a mistake tracker and update it after every session
- After 3–4 weeks, switch to mixed-topic sets with a soft timer—around 2 minutes per question
Stick to 1 or 2 sources max to avoid getting lost in too many - methods
You don’t need to solve 50 questions a day. Solve 10, but solve them deeply. That’s what builds GMAT-level thinking.