How to Prepare for the New GMAT Focus Edition 2023
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.
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.
Particulars | Quantitative Reasoning | Verbal Reasoning | Data Insight |
No of questions | 21 | 23 | 20 |
Duration | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
Question types |
|
|
|
Average time per question | 2.09 | 1.58 | 2.15 |
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 – Quantitative Reasoning; VR – Verbal Reasoning; DI – Data Insights
The GMAT Focus edition introduces a highly beneficial feature that allows students to review and make edits to the questions.
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:
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.
Total Score | Percentile Ranking (%) |
805 | 100 |
795 | 100 |
785 | 100 |
775 | 100 |
765 | 100 |
755 | 100 |
745 | 100 |
735 | 100 |
725 | 100 |
715 | 100 |
705 | 100 |
695 | 100 |
685 | 100 |
675 | 100 |
665 | 100 |
GMAT focus edition comes with an enhanced score report with more insights on your test performance, at no additional cost.
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.
Quant Score | Percentile Ranking (%) |
90 | 100 |
89 | 97 |
88 | 95 |
87 | 94 |
86 | 92 |
85 | 89 |
84 | 85 |
83 | 81 |
82 | 76 |
81 | 71 |
80 | 66 |
79 | 59 |
78 | 52 |
77 | 46 |
76 | 40 |
Quick facts on GMAT focus edition quantitative reasoning section:
No of questions | 21 |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Average time per question | 2.09 minutes |
Question types | Problem-solving questions (multiple choice questions with 5 answer choices) |
Topics tested | Algebra and Arithmetic |
Skills tested | Logical and analytical skills |
The level of math topics being tested | Math concepts learned till class 10 |
Calculator usage | The calculator is not allowed |
Here is the percentile ranking of the GMAT Focus Verbal Reasoning section for you to fix your target score.
Verbal Score | Percentile Ranking (%) |
90 | 100 |
89 | 100 |
88 | 99 |
87 | 99 |
86 | 98 |
85 | 96 |
84 | 91 |
83 | 86 |
82 | 79 |
81 | 70 |
80 | 60 |
79 | 51 |
78 | 42 |
77 | 33 |
76 | 25 |
Quick facts on GMAT focus edition verbal reasoning section:
No of questions | 20 |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Average time per question | 2.15 minutes |
Question types |
|
Refer to the percentile ranking given below for the GMAT Focus Data Insights section, and fix your target sectional score.
Data Insight Score | Percentile Ranking (%) |
90 | 100 |
89 | 100 |
88 | 99 |
87 | 99 |
86 | 99 |
85 | 99 |
84 | 98 |
83 | 96 |
82 | 94 |
81 | 90 |
80 | 86 |
79 | 79 |
78 | 73 |
77 | 66 |
76 | 58 |
Quick facts on GMAT focus edition verbal reasoning section:
No of questions | 23 |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Average time per question | 1.58 minutes |
Skills tested | Analyze and interpretation of data, Data literacy |
Calculator usage | On-screen basic calculator is allowed for this section. |
Data insights question types and weight-age:
Question types | Weight-age |
Data Sufficiency Questions | 20-40% |
Multi-source reasoning | 10-20% |
Table analysis | 10-20% |
Graphical interpretation | 20-30% |
Two-part analysis | 10-20% |
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!
14-09-2023
04-09-2023
01-09-2023
29-08-2023
21-7-2023
05-07-2023
01-07-2023
29-5-2023
29-5-2023
05- 05-2023