Maths—some love it, some fear it. However, when you are a GMAT examinee, you have no other option than to learn the basics of maths.
As a whole, Maths is such a wide subject that GMAT aspirants are often confused where to start their preparation of maths from. The GMAT syllabus of maths is not as simple as addition or subtraction; nor does the GMAT syllabus follow any particular university standard.
This makes preparation for GMAT maths section, popular as Quant section, a tough deal for GMAT examinees.
Here is shortlisting ten maths chapters that form the basic for GMAT quant section. Over the year, GMAT papers has been researched to pull out this list of ten maths chapters that are very important to be covered by any GMAT examinee.

Fractions
Picked from pure arithmetic books, in the fractions chapter begin with simple terminologies like ‘numerator’, ‘denominator’, ‘common fractions’, ‘mixed fractions’ or ‘improper fractions’. The GMAT fraction problems usually looks short in size, but are time consuming. Ample practice will help you pick right answer for fraction sums in GMAT easily.

Example:
Of the following, which is greater than ½ ?
a)2/5
b)4/7
c)4.9
d)5/11
e)6/13

Unitary method
Under the broad name of Unitary method, comes in different kinds of mathematical problems. Simple strategic calculation can lead way to the right answer of these Unitary method sums. Its recommended to refer to a high school level maths books, to get an idea of all probable kinds of unitary method sums.

Example1
If an object travels at five feet per second, how many feet does it travel in one hour?

Example2
In a class of 78 students 41 are taking French, 22 are taking German. Of the students taking French or German, 9 are taking both courses. How many students are not enrolled in either course?

Example3
Helpers are needed to prepare for the fete. Each helper can make either 2 large cakes per hour, or 35 small cakes per hour. The kitchen is available for 3 hours and 20 large cakes and 700 small cakes are needed. How many helpers are required?

Length, Height, Weight & Breadth
To solve this kind of GMAT maths problems, it’s important for students to learn the following table:

Example 1
12 litres of water are poured into an aquarium of dimensions 50cm length, 30cm breadth, and 40cm height. How high (in cm) will the water rise?
(1 litre = 1000cm³)

Example 2
A straight fence is to be constructed from posts 6 inches wide and separated by lengths of chain 5 feet long. If a certain fence begins and ends with a post, which of the following could not be the length of the fence in feet? (12 inches = 1 foot)

Example 3
After being dropped a certain ball always bounces back to 2/5 of the height of its previous bounce. After the first bounce it reaches a height of 125 inches. How high (in inches) will it reach after its fourth bounce?

Time & Age
The time and age sums that beholds connect with you school maths book, may seem easy to start with yet some, find it really tough to get the answer. Simple formulas and constant practice can make the time and age sums easy for GMAT examinees. Start solving more time and age related maths problems for greater idea about how to deal them.

Example
Six years ago Anita was P times as old as Ben was. If Anita is now 17 years old, how old is Ben now in terms of P ?

Square root
Students with science background are usually, used to square root sums. In primary school even, students spend time on square root related problems. So simply run back through your memory and list all formulas for solving square root problems. You are sure to find ways of solving square root sums faster during GMAT exam.

Example 1
?5 percent of 5?5

Example 2
( ?2 – ?3 )²

Arithmetic mean (AM) & Geometric Mean (GM)
If you had maths in plus two level, then it’s easier for you to deal AM and GM problems. AM and GM problems is not much a time consuming affair, if you can carry out all the successive steps one after the other. Going strategic and correct in very step helps to find the right answer of AM, GM related maths problems in GMAT exam.

Example
What is the average (arithmetic mean) of all the multiples of ten from 10 to 190 inclusive?

Ratio
Ratio related maths problems, especially those that come in GMAT exam are easy to do and helps to boast score. However, in the hurry to do it fast, do not opt for the wrong answer. Be patient, solve the problem and opt for the right answer. Guesswork is not really an option in case of ratio related maths problems.

Example
Jo’s collection contains US, Indian and British stamps. If the ratio of US to Indian stamps is 5 to 2 and the ratio of Indian to British stamps is 5 to 1, what is the ratio of US to British stamps?

Permutation & Combination
To understand permutation and combination thoroughly, a high school maths book can be considered as reference. Online web reference materials for quant section of GMAT exam also has a heavy portions covered about permutation and combination. Covering these two resources in details can prepare one for GMAT level permutation and combination maths problems.

Example
Amy has to visit towns B and C in any order. The roads connecting these towns with her home are shown on the diagram. How many different routes can she take starting from A and returning to A, going through both B and C (but not more than once through each) and not travelling any road twice on the same trip?

Geometry
Geometry is also a part of Quant section, GMAT exam. For preparation start from the theorems and you can rise above the ladder. Over constructions and diagrams, riders in Geometry is most favourite of GMAT examiners.

Example 1
One side of a triangle has length 8 and a second side has length 5. What will be the area of the triangle?

Example 2
A 3 by 4 rectangle is inscribed in circle. What is the circumference of the circle?

Example 3

Which of the following could be a value of x, in the diagram above?

Percentage
Learning Percentage for GMAT quant section helps in both, scoring good grades and applying them in real life. Practice percentage related mathematical problems with the help of maths questionnaires and books, are easy ways of learning this chapter.

Example 1
A circular logo is enlarged to fit the lid of a jar. The new diameter is 50 per cent larger than the original. By what percentage has the area of the logo increased?

Example 2
A dress on sale in a shop is marked at $D. During the discount sale its price is reduced by 15%. Staff are allowed a further 10% reduction on the discounted price. If a staff member buys the dress what will she have to pay in terms of D ?