FocusFlow LabHow the GMAT Focus Edition is built
GMAC lists three 45-minute sections, 2 hours 15 minutes of testing in all: Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (23 questions) and Data Insights (20 questions). You can take the sections in any order and take one optional 10-minute break. You can bookmark questions and change up to three answers per section.
The total score runs from 205 to 805, and the three sections count equally. Data sufficiency now sits in Data Insights, and Verbal no longer has sentence correction. Check mba.com for your test date.
Because sections count equally
Verbal, Quant and Data Insights each carry a third of the total, so your weakest section is usually the best place to add hours. Take one practice test first and rank the three.
Weeks 1 and 2: baseline and fundamentals
- Take a full practice test to see where you stand.
- Review quant basics: arithmetic, algebra, word problems. Work untimed.
- Learn the Data Insights question types: data sufficiency, table analysis, graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning and two-part analysis.
- Start an error log with the reason for each miss.
Weeks 3 to 5: build speed by section
- Do timed sets for each section, about two minutes a question on average.
- For Verbal, practise reading comprehension and critical reasoning, and note why wrong options are wrong.
- Learn to move on from a question that is costing too much time. You can only change three answers per section.
- Give extra sessions to your weakest section.
Weeks 6 and 7: full practice tests
- Take a full test each week at the time of day of your booking.
- Try different section orders to see which suits you.
- Spend as long reviewing as testing. Use official GMAC practice material where you can.
Week 8: taper
One last full test early in the week, then error-log review and short timed sets. Keep the last two days light, check your ID and test setup, and sleep.
How many hours?
Many students plan about 80 to 150 hours over 6 to 12 weeks. That is a common planning range, not an official figure. A high starting score or a modest target needs fewer; a long break from maths needs more.
Make it fit your dates
Not exactly 8 weeks? The free GMAT study plan generator builds a plan from your test date and daily hours.
Prefer paper? The GMAT 8-week planner has an exam map, weekly and daily pages and an error log for $5. It is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GMAC.
Source: GMAC. GMAT Focus Edition exam structure, mba.com.