What is GMAT Quant really about?

“I know all the concepts. I have spent close to six months studying quant. I have solved hundreds of questions, but I am not able to score well. WTF is going on?”

The above statement is a near-verbatim quote from a student frustrated by a recent 40th percentile performance in GMAT Quant.

Why is it that someone who has spent months learning concepts and solving questions is still struggling with Quant?

The answer may have something to do with the fact that GMAT Quant is a test of problem-solving ability rather than anything math-y. It is just that our problem-solving ability is being tested through the medium of high-school-level math.

In other words, GMAT Quant is not intended to be a “math test”. Of course, one needs to know the concepts well. One also has to practice a good number of questions to build comfort.

But beyond these, one has to be adept at problem-solving. There is a reason why these questions are bucketed under the category, “Problem-Solving” (PS). Because that is what GMAT quant is really about.

What does “problem-solving” mean, exactly?

It means being able to:

-> Understand the problem space – Identifying key information, constraints, and what needs to be solved.
-> Figure out possible solution paths – Recognizing multiple approaches to crack the problem (at least one!)
-> Make strategic decisions – Choosing the most efficient method, rather than defaulting to brute-force math. (If you’ve spent time on GMAT quant, you know exactly what I mean!)
-> Execute methodically – Solving with precision while avoiding traps and careless errors.
-> Adapt mid-solution (if needed) – Staying flexible, switching approaches if needed, and not getting lost in calculations.

The above skills do not get built automatically by brute-force question-solving for everyone. For many of us, they are muscles that need to be intentionally built.

So, if you're struggling despite knowing concepts, ask yourself:

-> Has your practice actually strengthened these problem-solving muscles?
-> Are you consciously training these skills with each question you solve?

Your quant improvement may depend on the above.

I’ll be breaking down these ideas further in future posts. Perhaps it will help :).

Harsha