Introduction
The GMAT journey can feel daunting, especially for those who struggle with quant. But with persistence, strategy, and the right resources, success is achievable. This is the story of a student who went from struggling with quant to achieving a 715 overall score on the GMAT Focus Edition (99th percentile). If they can do it, so can you! The student managed to up from their score from 500+ to 700+ in GMAT Focus!
Background
For context, the student majored in business administration in university, which meant they took little to no math courses. Their academic background was stronger on the literacy side—in fact, they took the LSAT back in 2020. Professionally, they worked as a strategy consultant, which gave them a solid foundation in data visualization and interpretation. However, they were laid off in June 2024, about a month before the GMAT exam. While this was a tough moment personally, it gave them the chance to study full-time in that final stretch.
GMAT Timeline
First Attempt: GMAT Classic
January 2023 – April 2023
- Mocks: Scored 690 and 740 on two GMAT Classic mock exams.
- Official Exam: Scored 710 (48Q, 40V).
- Focus: The student dedicated about 60% of their time to quant and relied heavily on Target Test Prep (TTP).
Second Attempt: GMAT Focus Edition
February 2024 – July 2024
After deciding to retake the test with the GMAT Focus Edition, the student shifted gears significantly. They knew quant was holding them back, so they focused nearly 90% of their study time on improving in this area. Here’s how their mock scores progressed:
- 595: 78Q, 84V, 77DI
- 635: 78Q, 85V, 81DI
- 645: 79Q, 84V, 83DI
- 685: 81Q, 88V, 83DI
Official Exam: July 2024
- Score: 715 (82Q, 88V, 86DI)
- Section Order: Data Insights (DI), Break, Quant, Verbal
- Errors: 3 Quant incorrect, 5 Verbal incorrect, 2 DI incorrect
Study Strategies That Worked
For Quant
- Resource Variety: The student explored multiple resources to strengthen their quant foundation. Alongside TTP, they used official GMAT Focus questions, GMAT Club’s comprehensive quant review, and e-GMAT’s free questions.
- Personalized Help: They had a couple of tutoring sessions with a math-savvy friend, which helped clarify concepts they were struggling with.
- Repetition and Review: Regular practice and thoroughly reviewing mistakes became their mantra. Understanding why they got questions wrong was more valuable than just solving new problems.
For Verbal and Data Insights
- LSAT Materials: The student leveraged LSAT reading comprehension and critical reasoning materials from Khan Academy to sharpen their verbal skills.
- Balanced Focus: While quant was their main priority, they made sure to tackle verbal and DI questions every two weeks to stay sharp.
- Mock Exams: Taking frequent mocks allowed them to gauge their progress and adapt their strategies.
Exam-Day Experience
The GMAT Focus exam felt surprisingly manageable—a testament to how much the student’s preparation paid off. Here’s what stood out:
- Editing Answers: This feature worked in their favor. They corrected two quant answers, one verbal answer, and one DI answer during the exam. While they also changed one verbal answer incorrectly, the overall impact was positive.
- Quant Surprises: Despite quant being their weakest area, they only got three questions wrong, much fewer than expected. This confirmed that mastering foundational concepts and avoiding careless errors can make a big difference.
- DI Challenge: The data insights section included some unusual question formats (like a fully verbal data sufficiency statement), but staying calm and logical helped them navigate through.
Key Takeaways
- Quant Isn’t Impossible: If quant is your weak point, don’t despair. Dedicate focused time, use the right resources, and practice relentlessly. Improvement will come.
- Mock Scores Are Just a Guide: The student’s mock scores fluctuated, but they provided valuable insights into progress and areas to work on. Don’t let one bad score demotivate you.
- Use Resources Wisely: Tailor your study plan to your strengths and weaknesses. For this student, a mix of TTP, official questions, GMAT Club, and LSAT materials worked wonders.
- Keep Perspective: It’s easy to overthink your score. Remember, the GMAT is just one part of your MBA application. Celebrate your progress and focus on your overall profile.
Final Thoughts
Achieving a score of 700+ in GMAT Focus felt like an uphill battle at times, especially with quant being their Achilles’ heel. But this journey taught the student the value of persistence, adaptability, and self-belief. Whether you’re starting from scratch or aiming for that extra push to hit your target score, know that it’s possible with the right mindset and effort. Best of luck to everyone on their GMAT journey—you’ve got this!