If you studied for the classic GMAT or are comparing study materials, knowing the key differences helps you focus your preparation correctly.
A) Removed Question Types
- Sentence Correction (SC) — Entirely removed from GMAT Focus. Do not spend any time on SC prep for the Focus Edition.
- Data Sufficiency in Quant — DS has moved to the Data Insights section. The Quantitative section is now 100% Problem Solving.
B) New / Expanded
- Data Insights section — A dedicated section combining DS, MSR, TPA, Table Analysis, and Graphics Interpretation. This is the biggest structural change and requires specific preparation.
- Section Order Choice — You can now choose which section to take first, second, and third.
- Score Scale — New 205–805 scale (replaced 200–800).
- Online Bookmark & Review — On the GMAT Focus you can bookmark questions and review/change answers within a section before time expires. This changes pacing strategy.
C) Bookmark & Review Feature
You can now flag questions during a section and return to them before time runs out. Best practices:
- Mark questions you are uncertain about and keep moving.
- Return to flagged questions with remaining time, but only if you have a genuine second approach — do not second-guess correct answers.
- The adaptive algorithm still selects the next question sequentially, so reviewing changes only your final answers, not the question selection process.
D) Shorter Test
Classic GMAT: 3 hours 7 minutes (with AWA and IR). GMAT Focus: 2 hours 15 minutes of scored content. The Focus Edition is meaningfully shorter, which reduces fatigue but also means every question counts more per-minute.
E) Analytical Writing Assessment
The AWA essay section has been removed. Admissions committees still value writing ability — demonstrated through application essays and interviews — but the GMAT no longer tests it directly.