How do I study for GMAT Quant if Im really struggling with the basics?

Question

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

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&ndash;10 basic questions daily until you stop making the same errors. Avoid full-length mocks too early. They don&rsquo;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.

J Bajwa · Answer

When the basics aren&rsquo;t strong, don&rsquo;t rush into full practice sets or mocks. GMAT Quant is about logic, not speed&mdash;so the first goal should be understanding, not finishing fast.
Start with foundational topics&mdash;fractions, equations, percentages. Use one platform that explains from scratch (like GMATWhiz, MENTR ME, or TTP) and go slow. Create a formula notebook&mdash;write down each rule with one example you fully understand. Review it daily for 10 minutes.
Spend at least 2&ndash;3 weeks doing untimed practice. Aim for 80&ndash;90% accuracy before introducing time limits. Use that phase to figure out why you&rsquo;re making mistakes&mdash;wrong concept, careless error, or misunderstood wording.
Once your accuracy improves, start doing mixed-topic practice with light timing pressure (3&ndash;4 questions in 10 minutes). That&rsquo;s when real improvement starts.

Sudheer R · Answer

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&rsquo;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.

B.K Sharma · Answer

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&rsquo;s what helps:

Focus on one topic at a time&mdash;don&rsquo;t try to &ldquo;cover everything&rdquo; 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&rsquo;t skip Data Sufficiency&mdash;practice these early with simple numbers to avoid fear later
Maintain a mistake tracker and update it after every session
After 3&ndash;4 weeks, switch to mixed-topic sets with a soft timer&mdash;around 2 minutes per questionStick to 1 or 2 sources max to avoid getting lost in too many
methods

You don&rsquo;t need to solve 50 questions a day. Solve 10, but solve them deeply. That&rsquo;s what builds GMAT-level thinking.

How do I study for GMAT Quant if I'm really struggling with the basics?