GMAT Arithmetic Guide for Nepali Students

GMAT Arithmetic Guide for Nepali Students covers the current Quant foundations of integers, signs, factors, multiples, divisibility, remainders, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, rates, averages, exponents, roots and estimation. It also explains no-calculator methods, translation, pacing, error review and transfer practice for 21 Problem Solving questions.

Information checked on 25 July 2026 against official mba.com current Exam Content, Quantitative Reasoning strategies, sample questions and calculator policy. The official exam defines Quant around arithmetic and elementary algebra, so use current-edition resources.

Key facts at a glance

Learn arithmetic as reasoning

Current GMAT Quant measures arithmetic foundations applied to problem solving. The challenge is often choosing the right representation and operation.

Study rules together with the conditions under which they work.

Master integer signs

Review addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and powers with positive and negative numbers. Track sign separately from magnitude.

Use a number line or a short case table when a verbal condition makes signs ambiguous.

Understand zero

Zero is an integer, is neither positive nor negative and cannot be a divisor. Multiplication by zero erases magnitude while division by zero is undefined.

Check whether zero is allowed by the problem’s wording before testing it as a case.

Use odd and even properties

Learn how parity behaves under addition and multiplication. Translate an odd integer as 2k+1 and an even integer as 2k when useful.

Parity can eliminate choices without exact calculation, but it does not determine a unique value by itself.

Work with primes and factors

Distinguish prime numbers, composite numbers and the special role of 1. Use prime factorisation to expose divisibility.

A factor question often becomes simpler when each number is written as powers of primes.

Find GCF and LCM

Use minimum prime exponents for the greatest common factor and maximum exponents for the least common multiple.

Interpret the context: GCF often supports equal grouping, while LCM often supports repeating cycles.

Apply divisibility tests

Use reliable tests for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 where they reduce work. Know why a test is valid enough to avoid misusing it.

Combine tests only when all required conditions are satisfied.

Understand remainders

Write a division relationship as dividend equals divisor times quotient plus remainder, with the remainder at least zero and smaller than the positive divisor.

Test patterns using congruent values, not just one convenient example that may hide another case.

Compare fractions efficiently

Use common denominators, cross-products, distance from 1 or benchmarks such as one-half when valid.

For positive fractions, keep the effect of larger numerators and denominators clear; signs require additional care.

Operate on fractions

Add or subtract with a common denominator, multiply across and divide by multiplying by the reciprocal.

Cancel factors before multiplying to reduce no-calculator work and lower copying risk.

Use decimal place value

Align place value for addition and subtraction and track the decimal position through multiplication or division.

Estimate the order of magnitude first so a misplaced decimal is visible.

Convert among forms

Practise common fraction, decimal and percentage equivalents until conversion is automatic. Choose the form that makes the relationship easiest.

For example, a percentage change can be clearer as a multiplier while a probability may be clearer as a fraction.

Identify the percentage base

Write percent equals part divided by base times 100. Name the base before calculating because many errors use the new value when the old value is required.

Translate ‘of’ as multiplication only after identifying the correct whole.

Handle percentage change

Use change divided by original value for percentage increase or decrease. A rise and equal percentage fall do not normally cancel.

Use multipliers such as 1.20 or 0.80 to track successive changes.

Solve reverse percentage

When the final value and percentage change are known, divide by the multiplier to recover the original value.

Do not subtract the same percentage from the final number unless the base is genuinely the same.

Use ratios with labels

A ratio compares quantities in a stated order. Attach labels and determine whether the ratio is part-to-part or part-to-whole.

Scaling a ratio preserves the relationship but not the original total unless the problem supplies it.

Solve proportions

Set equal ratios with corresponding units in matching positions. Cross-multiplication is a tool, not the first conceptual step.

Check whether a direct or inverse relationship is intended before forming a proportion.

Manage rates and units

A rate compares quantities with different units, such as kilometres per hour or rupees per item. Carry units through every equation.

Convert time, distance or currency units before combining rates.

Handle work problems

Represent each worker’s rate as work per unit time and add rates when they operate together under constant independent conditions.

Do not add completion times directly. Verify whether a worker starts late or stops early.

Use weighted averages

An ordinary mean is total divided by count. A weighted average uses the contribution and weight of each group.

When group sizes differ, averaging the two group means without weights is generally wrong.

Learn exponent rules

Review products and quotients of like bases, powers of powers, zero exponents and negative exponents with valid nonzero bases.

Do not add exponents across addition or apply a power to only one term of a sum.

Understand roots

Relate roots to fractional exponents and perfect powers. Remember that the principal square root is nonnegative.

When solving an equation, both positive and negative values may square to the same number; check the original condition.

Estimate before exact work

Round in a controlled direction and inspect answer-choice spacing. Estimate sign, size and unit before detailed arithmetic.

An approximation is sufficient only when it separates the available choices.

Build no-calculator fluency

Memorise useful products, squares, powers and common percentage equivalents. Practise factor cancellation and compact written arithmetic.

Use a calculator only outside timed Quant practice when checking a reviewed solution, never as the method being trained.

Keep an arithmetic error log

Record the topic, representation, first wrong step, sign or unit issue, correction and a transfer problem.

Replace the label careless with a specific behaviour that can be prevented.

Mix arithmetic with translation

After isolated drills, practise arithmetic inside word problems, tables and business contexts. The exam measures application.

State the unknown and units before calculating to keep the story connected to the numbers.

Use bounds and benchmarks

Compare a value with zero, one-half, one, a power of ten or a nearby integer before exact calculation. Bounds can eliminate impossible options.

State whether the estimate is above or below the true value so rounding does not reverse the conclusion.

Handle successive changes

Represent each percentage increase or decrease with its own multiplier. Multiply the changes in sequence instead of adding percentage points.

Use an easy starting value such as 100 when only the relative effect matters.

Check integer constraints

A word problem may require counts, ages, items or people to be integers even when the algebra produces a decimal.

Carry divisibility, positivity and range restrictions from the wording into the final choice.

Practise data-based arithmetic

Current Problem Solving can require interpretation of numerical or graphical information. Read labels, scales, totals and units before using a value.

Separate information extraction from calculation so a chart-reading error is not misclassified as weak arithmetic.

Use current official practice

Read the official Exam Content page, Quant strategies and current sample questions.

Use the free Official Starter Kit for mixed practice and full simulations.

Follow a seven-step arithmetic plan

Diagnose topic gaps; repair rules; practise representations; solve transfer questions; build no-calculator speed; mix topics under time; then verify in official Quant sets.

Review every wrong, guessed and slow answer before adding more volume.

Connect arithmetic with applications

For programme research and overseas application planning, visit MKS Education. For guided GMAT arithmetic practice, explore MKS Prep.

Bring the diagnostic and error log to counselling so preparation time follows evidence.

Frequently asked questions