Thursday, November 6, 2008

Did You Hear About How to Use a Calculator on the GMAT?

By Scott Strepina

This is a very common question and the answer is simply no you can not use a calculator on the GMAT. Initially most people think this is a huge negative and believe they are now going to have to figure out how to multiply large numbers in there heads in less than 2 minutes.

Let me tell you why not being able to use a calculator on the GMAT is a good thing. First this limits the problems to answers that can be reasonably computed with out the use of a calculator. If you find yourself in a position where you need to multiply 1456 * 1987 you are probably headed down the wrong track and need to adjust your strategy.

On the GMAT you will still finding intimidating large numbers and lengthy decimals that will have you looking for your calculator but all that is actually needed is a good understanding of math fundamentals. There is often a quicker way in which you need to develop your skills to point out repeating digits after the decimal or to memorize basic fractions.

While this may seem basic you need to be sure that you can rattle of instantly that 3/8 = .375 every second counts when you are taking the GMAT.

While I know some people are desperately trying to find out how to use there calculator on the GMAT, the answer is a big no.

Practice, Practice, Practice is the way to a high GMAT score. You not only have to know how to solve a variety of problems you need to be able to complete them in a quick fashion. The only way to fine tune your skills for this is to complete a significant amount of problems before the exam. Not starting and then getting stuck and then moving onto something else but completing questions from start to finish. Overall it is not bad news that you can not use a calculator on the GMAT.


Find out more on why you do not need a GMAT Calculator Sign up for "The world Famous 21 Question Video Practice Exam" and have a GMAT expert walk you through 21 problems step by step over the web and in your in-box.

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