Topic wise Distribution of Questions in Quant

[700+]

Could you please tell me approximately how many questions we could expect from each topic in the Quant section of GMAT? For e.g., max 1 or 2 questions in Combinatorics. Whats the current trend?

[StaceyKoprince]

Good question. They don't release the information specifically, but we can make good guesses about what's more comment and what's less common.

Combinatorics and probability combined are typically 0 to 2 questions (most of the time 0 or 1). Rates / work and ratios also aren't hugely common (a student recently told me he say 0 rate / work questions on his recent test). There, I'd expect maybe 1 rates/work and 1 ratios, on average.

Statistics Qs are a little more common - you'll almost certainly see at least 1 Q dealing with averages, maybe more than one, and possibly Qs dealing with median, consecutive integers, and other topics in that area.

You'll see many questions that require you to translate from words to math - those can fall into almost any content category. You'll also see what we call "theory" questions - you're not solving for one specific scenario with specific numbers, but rather trying to determine what "must be true" universally given certain parameters. Again, these can fall into any content area, though they are more common in number properties.

You should also expect multiple questions that require you to deal with exponents and roots, algebraic manipulations, and fraction / percent issues. There are also usually a decent number that touch on Number Properties issues (divisibility, positives and negatives, odds and evens). Often, there will be a "more advanced" problem (say fractions or algebra) that also includes something to do with number properties (say positives vs. negatives or divisibility).

You will see geometry problems, but probably not that many - typically maybe 3 to 5 total for all of geometry. Triangles / rectangles (polygons) and circles seem to be most common.

You may see a question or two that asks you to minimize or maximize some certain value.

And all of the above also has to take into account your scoring level. eg, at lower or medium scoring levels, an "averages" question would be more likely to test a normal average. Students at more advanced levels would be more likely to see, for example, a weighted averages question.

If you have any questions about specific content areas that we haven't addressed above, please let us know!

[sachin.w]

Hi Stacey,

Just wondering if it would be ok to skip studying combinatorics and probability if we are pressed for time?

Regards,
Sachin

[StaceyKoprince]

Please feel free to skip those topics. :)

Unless you're going for a 51 (the top quant score), you can skip combinatorics and probability. (And even if you are going for a 51, you still might be able to get away with not bothering with the hardest of combinatorics and probability.)

Note: when I say "skip," I'm specifically referring to harder ones. Do know the basics so that, if you get an easier one, you can answer it. Just know how to make a guess on harder ones.

Note #2: "harder" and "easier" are defined as "harder for you" and "easier for you," whatever your skills are. :)

[sachin.w]

Thanks, Stacey for the precise advice. :)

[StaceyKoprince]

you're welcome!