How to Prepare for the New GMAT Focus Edition 2023

How to Prepare for the New GMAT Focus Edition 2023

• 04-09-2023
• Posted By : Admin

Everyone is buzzing with a lot of excitement about the new version of the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition which will be released in Q4 2023, as announced by the Graduate Management Admission Council. In this article, you will get to know everything about the GMAT Focus edition and how to prepare for this new version of GMAT.

The GMAT Focus Edition brings substantial changes in the GMAT's format, content, and scoring. Nevertheless, the GMAT will continue to serve as a computer-administered standardized test used by business schools to assess the preparedness of MBA applicants. Thus, the proficiency required for success on the GMAT Focus Edition will largely overlap with the skills needed for the current GMAT.

Familiarize yourself with the rules of the game before you begin playing. It's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the new GMAT format before embarking on your preparation journey.

Structure of the GMAT Focus Edition

GMAT Focus Edition has three equally weighed sections with a total duration of 2 hours 15 minutes including an optional 10-minute break. This optional break can be taken after the first section or the second section. A total of 64 questions have to be answered in the focus edition.

Students have the flexibility to tackle the three sections of the GMAT Focus in any sequence they prefer. Prior to commencing the exam, students can select their desired order.

Section order preference options are as follows.

• QR – VR – DI
• QR – DI – VR
• VR – QR – DI
• VR – DI – QR
• DI – QR – VR
• DI – VR – QR

QR – Quantitative Reasoning; VR – Verbal Reasoning; DI – Data Insights

Review and Edit Feature on the GMAT Focus

The GMAT Focus edition introduces a highly beneficial feature that allows students to review and make edits to the questions.

• During the test, it’s possible to mark a question for later review.
• If time remains at the end of a section, you will encounter a question review and editing screen.
• This screen will display question numbers and highlight any bookmarked questions.
• Each question number is clickable and takes directly to the corresponding question.
• You can revisit questions of your choice and modify answers for up to three questions.

Take a Diagnostic Test

Once you've grasped the test format, you can commence your exam preparation. As your first step, consider taking a completely new GMAT mock test from the official prep source mba.com. Taking new GMAT practice tests and test analysis provide several advantages, such as:

• Gaining familiarity with the GMAT new pattern, including sections and question types.
• Assessing the difficulty level of the actual exam.
• Identifying the specific concepts or topics covered in each section of GMAT Focused.
• Gauging your time management skills for completing the sections.
• Recognizing areas where you may need to improve and areas where you can excel.
• Helps you to develop the GMAT Focus study plan.

Fix a Target Score

• Each section on the GMAT Focus edition is scored on a scale of 60-90 in 1-point increments.
• Total score of GMAT Focus is on a scale of 205-805, in 10-point increments.
• All three sections are equally weighed towards the total score.

You can see your score immediately after the test, before sending it to score recipients.

Considering your performance in the diagnostic test and aligning it with the score expectations of your desired college, have a realistic target score.

GMAT Focus Percentile Ranking of the Total score is as Follows.

GMAT focus edition comes with an enhanced score report with more insights on your test performance, at no additional cost.

Prepare for GMAT Focus – Quantitative Reasoning

It is wise to initiate your preparation with either quantitative reasoning or verbal reasoning. Have the data insights section at the last as it essentially encompasses elements from both quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning sections.

Before you start preparing for the quant section, have a sectional target for the GMAT focus quant section. Ensure to have a realistic target based on your diagnostic test score, your skill set, the time you have to practice, and the score required for your desired college.

The table below shows the quant score and the corresponding percentile ranking.

Quick facts on GMAT focus edition quantitative reasoning section:

GMAT Focus Edition Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus:

• Value Order and Factors – Numbers and Number line, Factors, Multiples, Divisibility and Remainders, Exponents, Decimals and Place value, Properties of Operations.
• Algebra, Equalities, and Inequalities – Algebraic Expressions and Equations, Linear Equations, Factoring and Quadratic equations, Inequalities, Functions, Measurement conversion.
• Rates, Ratios, and Percentages – Ratio and Proportion, Fractions, Percentages, Rate, Work and Mixture problems.
• Statistics, Counting, Probability, and Series – Statistics, Sets, Counting methods, Probability, Estimation, Sequence, and Series.

Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition Quantitative Reasoning Section:

• Go chapter by chapter; revise the basic concepts of each chapter.
• Prepare a formula sheet for quick revision before the test.
• Learn techniques and strategies for time management and accuracy.
• Practice GMAT-type questions for each chapter. Initially do untimed practice for high accuracy.
• Later do timed practice to pace you to the test.
• Solving the problems by writing on scratch paper/erasable noteboard helps to avoid mistakes.
• For wordier problems, take one step at a time, read each sentence, and convert mathematically.
• If a particular question consumes time or is difficult to solve, look for ways to eliminate answer choices or approximations. Don’t get stuck in one question for a long time.
• It’s important to complete the section.
• You can also look for new GMAT exam training to organize your preparation which also helps to stay motivated with your peers.

Prepare for GMAT Focus – Verbal Reasoning

Here is the percentile ranking of the GMAT Focus Verbal Reasoning section for you to fix your target score.

Quick facts on GMAT focus edition verbal reasoning section:

Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition Verbal Reasoning Section:

• The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT Focus measures your ability to read and comprehend, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to express ideas effectively in English.
• The Reading comprehension on the GMAT Focus tests the main idea, supporting idea, inference, application, logical structure, and style.
• Learn techniques and strategies for each question type for time management and accuracy.
• For Critical Reasoning questions, it’s advisable to read the question first before the text is given.
• Do a lot of untimed practice to lock down the strategies for accuracy.
• Later speed up to pace the test.
• It’s important to complete the test.

Prepare for GMAT Focus – Data Insights

Refer to the percentile ranking given below for the GMAT Focus Data Insights section, and fix your target sectional score.

Quick facts on GMAT focus edition verbal reasoning section:

Data insights question types and weight-age:

Tips to Prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition Verbal Reasoning Section:

• Questions in this section test math, verbal, data analysis, or all three. Hence it’s advisable to practice this section after quant and verbal.
• Work on one question type at a time.
• You can start with Graphical interpretation and Table analysis where you have to interpret the given graph (pie chart, scatter plot, line or bar graph, statistical curve distribution) or table-on-table analysis to work on the question.
• Multi-source reasoning has multiple sources such as a passage, table, graph, or all three. You have to interpret the given sources to answer multiple questions.
• You have to answer all the items correctly in a question to get a score. There is no partial scoring.
• Data sufficiency tests quant largely, while Two-part analysis tests your quant or verbal skills or both.
• Learn relevant strategies for each question type and do untimed practice to lock down the strategies.
• Later speed up to pace the test.
• It’s important to complete the section.

Take Practice Tests at Regular Intervals

• While you start your preparation with a new GMAT diagnostic test, ensure you take practice tests at regular intervals.
• GMAC’s official site provides 2 free practices and 4 tests for a cost.
• Ensure you take these tests in a full-length new GMAT format and replicate the test environment.
• Thoroughly review each test to analyze errors and identify weaker areas.
• Maintain an error log to record mistakes and devise strategies for improvement.
• Aim to avoid repeating the same errors and gradually increase your correct answers.
• Set and achieve small targets to track your progress.
• Once you achieve your desired score in practice tests, proceed to schedule the official exam.

In conclusion, preparing for the GMAT Focus edition is a journey that demands dedication, strategy, and continuous self-improvement. As we've explored in this blog, a structured GMAT study plan, beginning with a diagnostic test, is the cornerstone of success. Consistent practice, utilizing official GMAC resources, and mimicking real test conditions are key. However, the true differentiator lies in the meticulous review of your performance, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses, and tirelessly working to refine your skills. Maintain a positive mindset, stay organized, and remember that achieving your target score is not only about knowledge but also about smart, well-planned efforts. With determination, persistence, and the right approach, you can conquer the GMAT and unlock the doors to your academic and professional dreams. Good luck!