GMAT Arithmetic: Check Topics, Problems, Tricks, and Sample Papers

GMAT Arithmetic: Check Topics, Problems, Tricks, and Sample Papers

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Updated on, Feb 17, 2025

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

Started your GMAT preparation, and now you are facing a problem with the arithmetic section of the quant syllabus? You must know that GMAT syllabus has been updated, and has some major changes. GMAT quantitative syllabus consists of 2 major sections; algebra and arithmetic. Most GMAT arithmetic questions are straightforward and can be solved using some tips and tricks. If you are good at basic math and want to achieve a higher quant score, start your preparation by reading comprehensive books and solving sample papers.

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You must start preparing for the exam with the basic versions of GMAT books, but for the arithmetic section, you need to read books specifically for quant syllabus. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook, Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review, GMAT Advanced Quant By Manhattan Prep, and Total GMAT Math By Jeff Seckmaan are some of the best books that cover GMAT arithmetic topics along with the full quant syllabus. If you already started your preparation 6 months before the exam, then with good preparation you can easily achieve a 720+ GMAT score.

You will face in total of 21 questions on the quant section, and you will be allocated 45 minutes. GMAT quantitative reasoning section is specifically designed to measure your algebraic and arithmetic knowledge to solve problems. The perfect answers for GMAT arithmetic questions depend on your logical and analytical skills. Solving GMAT arithmetic practice questions regularly can help you understand the different types of questions. Practice arithmetic GMAT practice questions from books, official websites, and other reputed resources help you to ace the quant part of GMAT.

Arithmetic Concepts for GMAT

GMAT arithmetic consists of distinctive topics that were present in the high-school syllabus as well. Arithmetic and Algebra are the two main part of quantitative reasoning section of GMAT. It is necessary for the GMAT aspirants to get hold of the GMAT arithmetic questions PDF to understand its wide range:

Topics Sub -Areas
Average

Basic average

Weighted average

Decimals

Simplification

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and decimals

Descriptive statistics 

Comparing mean, median, mode, and standard deviation

Discount  Increase and decrease calculation
Fractions

Addition, multiplication, and division of fractions

Mixed numbers

Finding out equivalent number

Even and odd

Positive and negative

Prime numbers

Integers

Consecutive integers Mathematical operations

Addition and deduction, multiplication and division

Properties of the integer 0

Mixtures and allegations

Mixtures /blends problems

Mixing two or more liquids

Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixture

Multiple and factors

Use of unit digit

Finding out multiples and factors

Number Properties

Integers and whole number

Rational and irrational numbers

Prime number

Prime factorization

Absolute value

Orders of equations

Number system

Number theory

Permutation combination

Principle of multiplication

Factorial

Percentage 

Percentage increase and decrease in respect to the initial value

Equivalent Fractions of percentages

Percent changes as multipliers

Pipes, and cisterns

Time of filling a tank

Pipe leak and filling a reservoir

Partly filling of a tank with a leaking pipe

Power and Roots

Exponents – positive and negative

Multiplying and dividing exponents

Fractional exponents

Roots’ properties- radicals

Squaring and square roots

Probability

Studying basic examples of flipping a coin

Tossing a die

Drawing a card from a deck

Drawing marbles from a bowl

Drawing marbles from a bowl (second drawing)

Probability Rules – Disjoint or Mutually Exclusive Events

Profit and loss

Profit and loss

 Amortization

Loan

Payment

Ratio and proportion

Quantities 

Comparison

Real number: absolute value and properties

Set Theory

Overlapping sets

Elements of sets

Venn diagram

Sets as groups

Similarity and difference 

Part and whole

Simple and Compounded Interest

Increase and decrease

comparing simple and compound interest on the same principle

Speed, time, and distance

Calculating speed per hour

Calculating who is faster

Statistics Mean, median, mode, range
Work time

Working with more or fewer people

Completing the work faster

GMAT Arithmetic Problems and Majorly Scoring Areas

Arithmetic concepts for GMAT need to be very much clear in order to score high marks in the finals. If you want to achieve a good score on the quant section of GMAT syllabus, solving arithmetic problems can strenthen your math skills. The topics that GMAT arithmetic questions come are as follows:

GMAT Arithmetic Topics Explanations for Arithmetic Problems GMAT
Arithmetic operations

This section includes fundamentals like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Number properties This section includes even and odds, consecutive integers and multiples, prime numbers, positives and negatives, and more.
Fractions This section is very important and useful, as scoring in this section is easier than others. You need to remember some basic rules for solving fraction problems like adding and subtracting, multiplication and division.
Ratios and proportions Ratios are nothing but fractions in disguise. But to solve it you often need to compare the parts of a whole with each other.
Percentage  This section again is an easy one, just need to practice and remember the basic rules of solving it.
Power and roots Laws of Exponents and Roots will be helping throughout to solve this section. 
Statistics  This section includes- descriptive statistics and statistical significance. Generally, it can be solved out with mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation.
Counting methods( combinatorics) It is basically permutations and combinations. 
Discrete probability This section includes dice problems, card problems, and more.

GMAT Arithmetic Tricks

GMAT arithmetic tips and tricks is most important to solve the problems within a short time limit. Many coaching centers and websites offers effective GMAT preparation that covers the full exam syllabus. Arithmetic problems in GMAT will be simplified if you follow the below tricks.

  1. Review your math basics

    The GMAT main math concepts include – arithmetic, algebra, geometry. All of your major GMAT study guides include a section on review so don’t rush through this section, take the time to really relearn the material. For those concepts that will take a little more time to solidify in your brain, create flashcards. Use them whenever you have a few extra minutes.

  1. Practice, practice, practice!

Arithmetic is all about numbers. So, careful approximation will help you eliminate choices that will save your time. For that, you need to practice and be acquainted with the format and patterns.

For example,

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  1. Learn the shortcuts:

As calculators are not permitted for the quant section, hence you will have to memorize the shortcuts to solve certain sums. Like you will have to learn the squares and cubes of the number.

Like for example, 

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  1. Read the question carefully:

The GMAT test-takers rely on power and root questions.

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  1. Have a flexible approach:

You must know topics like number properties, fractions, rates, solving for x, and basic geometry beyond perfectly. Equally important are strategies such as plugging in, picking a number, and working backward, which can be used not only to save time but also to check your answers. Be flexible in your approach, as the more you practice, the more you will be able to recognize the kinds of problems that are going to come on the finals. For arithmetic sequence GMAT you need more GMAT arithmetic practice questions.

  1. Maintain timing:

You will have to solve 31 questions within 62 minutes, which means you get 2 minutes per question. GMAT arithmetic practice is more to know the types of questions that tend to take you longer than others. In case you don’t have a clue about a specific question, then guess or move on! You can’t get stuck on any one single problem for long.

GMAT Arithmetic Sample Questions

Here are a few sample questions of GMAT arithmetic for your practice:

GMAT arithmetic questions are a part of the quantitative reasoning section. You will face in total of 21 questions in the GMAT quantitative reasoning section, and that includes algebra and arithmetic questions. GMAT quantitative reasoning questions mainly contains high school-level math topics. Your academic skills and preparation materials is one of the most important things to achieve a good GMAT quant score.

FAQs

Ques: What is GMAT arithmetic?

Ans: GMAT arithmetic is a part of the quantitative reasoning section. You will get in total of 21 questions in GMAT quantitative section based on algebra and arithmetic topics.

Ques: What level of math is on GMAT?

Ans: GMAT math mainly contains high school-level math topics. Your academic skills and preparation material is one of the most important things to achieve a good GMAT quant score. 

Ques: Is the GMAT math hard?

Ans: Candidates with good academic knowledge, and effective preparation can easily achieve a good quantitative reasoning score. You can effectively prepare for the quant section by reading books and solving sample papers.

Ques: Is the GMAT mostly math?

Ans: GMAT syllabus is divided into three sections, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights. GMAT quantitative reasoning contains only math-related topics.

Ques: What is the arithmetic section of the GMAT?

Ans: GMAT arithmetic section contains questions related to solving arithmetic operations, number properties, fractions, integers, number properties, and many others.

Ques: How many arithmetic questions are on the GMAT?

Ans: Arithmetic questions are a part of GMAT quantitative reasoning section. You will face in total of 21 questions in the quantitative reasoning section, and that includes algebra and arithmetic questions.

Ques: Can we use calculator in GMAT?

Ans: You can not use a calculator in GMAT. You must read the guidelines of the test day before getting ready for the test center. 

Ques: Does GMAT have math questions?

Ans: GMAT quantitative section is designed to evaluate your knowledge of the math section. GMAT math mainly consists of algebra, and arithmetic types of math.

Ques: Has anyone scored 800 in GMAT?

Ans: According to the resources, fewer than 50 people out of more than 2,00,000 people who took GMAT the previous year scored a perfect 800. Candidates with a good academic knowledge and proper preparation can achieve a good GMAT score.

Ques: Is maths tough in GMAT?

Ans: GMAT math contains arithmetic and algebra types of questions. Regular practice with sample papers and effective preparation, you can easily achieve a good GMAT quantitative reasoning score. 

Ques: How can I practice math in GMAT?

Ans: You can practice GMAT math by taking practice tests and solving sample questions from books and other reputed resources. Most of the best books for quant cover the full syllabus, and also offers comprehensive study materials.

Ques: What level of math is the GMAT?

Ans: GMAT Math section will examine you based on your high school level math. Generally, algebra and arithmetic questions are included in GMAT math. 

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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