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GMAT Focus: how is quant different from CAT quant?
Coming from CAT prep. How much does GMAT quant overlap, and what new question styles should I expect on the Focus edition?
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Coming from CAT prep gives you a strong foundation — roughly 60% of the topic list overlaps. Here's what's the same and what changes:
Common ground: arithmetic, percentages, ratios and proportions, algebra (linear and quadratic equations), word problems (profit/loss, speed-distance, work-rate), basic statistics (mean, median, range). If you've done CAT mocks, these won't feel new.
Key differences on GMAT Focus:
1. No geometry: triangles, circles, coordinate geometry are basically absent from Focus Edition quant. CAT invests heavily in these; don't spend prep time on them for GMAT.
2. Statistics gets more weight: standard deviation, distributions, sets and overlaps appear more frequently on GMAT Focus than on CAT.
3. Data Sufficiency has moved: on the Focus Edition, DS questions live in the Data Insights section, not Quant. Your CAT quant skills don't include this format — it's unique to GMAT and needs specific practice. The answer choices are always the same 5 options; learn them cold before you start solving.
4. Precision over tricks: CAT quant rewards clever shortcuts and speed. GMAT quant rewards careful reasoning and avoiding trap choices. Many GMAT questions have a 'too-easy' trap answer for students who calculate quickly but carelessly.
Recommended transition: 2–3 weeks of GMAT-specific practice using official materials (OG or GMAT Focus Official Practice) focused on question formats you haven't seen. Don't start timed practice until you've done 50–60 questions untimed to learn how each question type is structured.