Practice GMAT Questions: Sample Questions, Answers and Explanations

In this guide, we’ve brought together GMAT sample questions covering all three sections of the current exam: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. Each question includes answer choices, the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning involved, so you can understand how to approach similar problems in your own GMAT preparation.

These are illustrative practice questions informed by the formats and topics covered in resources such as GMAT Club. For authentic exam material, you should also use the official resources published by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

If you’re aiming for a competitive business school, our GMAT Tutors can provide personalised 1-to-1 preparation, helping you strengthen weaker areas, develop more effective problem-solving strategies and work towards your target GMAT score. Most recently, 99% of our surveyed admissions students got into their first or second-choice university after working with The Profs.*

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GMAT Sample Questions

• What Types of Questions Are on the GMAT Test?
• GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions
• GMAT Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions
• GMAT Data Insights Sample Questions
• Where Can I Find More Free GMAT Practice Questions?
• How Should I Use GMAT Practice Tests to Improve My Score?
• How Can The Profs Help With GMAT Preparation?
• Frequently Asked Questions About GMAT Practice Questions

What Types of Questions Are on the GMAT Test?

The current GMAT exam consists of three sections, each lasting 45 minutes. Across the full test, you will answer 64 questions in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, with an optional 10-minute break.

The GMAT tests more than your ability to recall a mathematical concept or understand a written passage. You must also demonstrate critical thinking, logical reasoning, quantitative analysis and the ability to interpret data efficiently.

The exam was previously known as the GMAT Focus Edition, following changes introduced in 2023. References to the GMAT Focus or Focus Edition in older preparation materials generally refer to the redesigned exam, which is now simply called the GMAT.

The following list of GMAT sample questions is divided by question type, allowing you to practise each skill separately before attempting timed practice tests.

GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions

The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your ability to apply arithmetic, algebra and mathematical reasoning to solve problems. You may encounter questions involving percentages, ratios, rates, number properties and statistics, often presented through practical scenarios.

Unlike the Data Insights section, GMAT Quant consists entirely of Problem Solving questions, and calculators are not permitted.

Q1. Jim and Beth are in a ticket line along with 43 other people, and Jim is ahead of Beth in the line. If there are 20 people behind Jim and 30 people ahead of Beth, how many people in the line are between Beth and Jim? 

A. 5
B. 7
C. 10
D. 13
E. 15

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

There are 45 people in the ticket line, including Jim, Beth and the 43 other people.

Since there are 20 people behind Jim, his position from the front is:

45−20=25

Jim is therefore 25th in line.

We also know that 30 people are ahead of Beth, meaning she is:

30+1=31

Beth is therefore 31st in line.

To find how many people are between Jim and Beth, subtract their positions and exclude one of the endpoints:

31−25−1=5

Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Q2. Rashid receives a commission of $15 for every phone he sells in a given month, plus $9 for every phone he sells above the sales target set for the month. Last month, he sold 85 phones above his sales target, and his average commission per phone sold was $16.80. Two months ago, he sold 16 phones above his sales target, and his average commission per phone sold was $15.30. How many fewer phones did Rashid sell last month than two months ago?

A. 55
B. 69
C. 75
D. 106
E. 124

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Let x represent his phone sales target last month and y his target two months earlier. His commissions were 15x + 24(85) and 15y + 24(16), respectively. We need to find y – x – 69.

15x +24*85= 16.8(x+85)
15y +24*16=15.3(y+16)

1.8x =(7.2)(85) so x=4*85=340
0.3y =(8.7)(16) so y=29*16=464

y – x =124
y  – x – 69= 124-69=55

Q3. When we roll three 6-sided dice, what is the probability that the sum of the numbers rolled is at least 11?

A. 1/5
B. 1/4
C. 1/3
D. 1/2
E. 1

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

A six-sided die has six possible outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

To calculate the average, add all six numbers together and divide by 6:

(1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6) ÷ 6 = 21 ÷ 6 = 3.5

So, the average value for 3 dice is 3*3.5=10.5

Because the possible sums are symmetrically distributed around 10.5, half of all outcomes have a sum below 10.5, while the other half have a sum above 10.5.

Since the sum must be a whole number, a sum of at least 11 includes exactly half of all possible outcomes.

Therefore, the probability is 1/2, or 50%

Q4. Two circles, one with a 10-inch radius and the other with a 4-inch radius, are tangent at point Q. Two insects begin crawling from point Q at the same time, each travelling around a different circle. The insect on the larger circle moves at a speed of 3π inches per minute, while the insect on the smaller circle moves at 2.5π inches per minute. How much time has elapsed when the two insects meet again at point Q?

A. 15 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 40 minutes
D. 1 hour
E. 1 hour and 20 minutes

Correct Answer: E

Explanation:

Larger circle circumference = 20 π
Smaller circle circumference = 8 π

Time taken by insect to travel one complete large circle = 20 π / 3 π mins = 20/3 mins
Time taken by insect to travel one complete small circle = 8 π / 2.5 π mins = 16/5 mins

Taking LCM of these times would give us the first time they would meet at Q again

LCM (20, 16) / HCF (3, 5) = 80/1 = 80 minutes = 1 hour and 20 mins

Q5. A bouquet contains 16 flowers, each of them either a rose, tulip, daisy, or daffodil. If no two types of flowers appear the same number of times in the bouquet, and there are more tulips than any other type of flower, what is the minimum number of tulips?

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
E. 8

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

4 cannot be the answer for tulips, as there will be at least 1 greater than or equal to tulips.
5 cannot be the answer for tulips. 16-5 = 11. There will be at least 1 other type equal or greater than tulips.
6 can be the answer since 16-6 = 10. For example tulips = 6, rose = 5, daisy = 3 and daffodil = 2. 6+5+3+2 =16

These examples illustrate how apparently straightforward GMAT math questions can test whether you understand the relationships between quantities. For additional practice, the GMAT Club question bank allows you to explore Problem Solving questions by topic and difficulty.

GMAT Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions

The Verbal Reasoning section assesses your ability to understand written information, evaluate arguments and draw logical conclusions.

There are two types of questions in this section: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Both require careful interpretation, but they assess different skills.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Q1. Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, such as tremors, are thought to be caused by low dopamine levels in the brain. Current treatments of Parkinson’s disease are primarily reactionary, aiming to replenish dopamine levels after dopamine-producing neurons in the brain have died. Without a more detailed understanding of the behaviour of dopamine-producing neurons, it has been impossible to develop treatments that would prevent the destruction of these neurons in Parkinson’s patients.

Recent research provides insight into the inner workings of dopamine-producing neurons and may lead to a new drug treatment that would proactively protect the neurons from decay. By examining the alpha-synuclein protein in yeast cells, scientists have determined that toxic levels of the protein have a detrimental effect on protein transfer within the cell. More specifically, high levels of alpha-synuclein disrupt the flow of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum, the site of protein production in the cell, to the Golgi apparatus, the component of the cell that modifies and sorts the proteins before sending them to their final destinations within the cell. When the smooth transfer of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus is interrupted, the cell dies.

With this in mind, researchers conducted a genetic screen in yeast cells in order to identify any gene that works to reverse the toxic levels of alpha-synuclein in the cell. Researchers discovered that such a gene does in fact exist, and have located the genetic counterpart in mammalian nerve cells, or neurons. This discovery has led to new hopes that drug therapy could potentially activate this gene, thereby suppressing the toxicity of alpha-synuclein in dopamine-producing neurons.

While drug therapy to suppress alpha-synuclein has been examined in yeast, fruitflies, roundworms, and cultures of rat neurons, researchers are hesitant to conclude that such therapies will prove successful on human patients. Alpha-synuclein toxicity seems to be one cause for the death of dopamine-producing neurons in Parkinson’s patients, but other causes may exist. Most scientists involved with Parkinson’s research do agree, however, that such promising early results provide a basis for further testing.

 It can be inferred from the passage that a yeast cell with toxic levels of alpha-synuclein will die because:
A. Low levels of dopamine will disrupt the flow of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus
B. The gene that suppresses alpha-synuclein is missing or is not functioning properly in such yeast cells
C. Drug therapy has proven to be ineffective in yeast cells
D. The normal distribution of proteins to the different cell components outside the Golgi apparatus will be affected
E. Alpha-synuclein is by nature a toxic protein.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

The second paragraph states that high levels of alpha-synuclein “disrupt the flow of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum […] to the Golgi apparatus.” It also states that “when the smooth transfer of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus is interrupted, the cell dies.”

Q2. Colour is, first, a sensory event. Every colour experience begins as a physiological response to a stimulus of light. Colours of light are experienced in two very different ways. The colours on a monitor screen are seen as direct light. The colours of the real world — of printed pages, physical objects, and the surrounding environment — are seen as reflected light.

The perception of colours seen as direct light is straightforward: wavelengths of light reach the eye directly from a light source. The experience of real-world colour is a more complex event. Real-world colours are seen indirectly, as light reflected from a surface. For tangible objects and printed pages, light is the cause of colour, colourants (like paints, inks, or dyes) are the means used to generate colour, and the colours that are seen are the effect.

Which of the following statements most accurately captures the main point of the passage?

A. Colours are a sensory event
B. Light and colour are important
C. The way light interacts with colour profoundly affects the way we see
D. Colours shape our world
E. Without light, there would be no colour

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C is the answer because light interacts with colourants and results in the colour that we perceive: “For tangible objects and printed pages, light is the cause of colour, colourants are the means used to generate colour, and the colours that are seen are the effect”.

Critical Reasoning Questions

Q1. Farmers are seeing a mild resurgence in the use of pesticides with high toxin levels, even though pesticides with high toxin levels cause more human illness than pesticides with low toxin levels. The advantage of using pesticides with high toxin levels is that they kill crop-destroying insects more effectively and allow farmers to make higher profits than they otherwise could.

Which of the following is information provided by the passage?

A. Use of pesticides containing high levels of toxins is not worth the risk to human health.
B. Use of pesticides containing high levels of toxins violates environmental protection laws.
C. Among farmers, use of pesticides containing high levels of toxins has in the past been both more common and less common than it is now.
D. Crop-destroying insects are less dangerous to human health than are pesticides strong enough to kill them.
E. Crop-destroying insects are no longer susceptible to pesticides containing low levels of toxins.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The passage states that the use of pesticides containing high levels of toxins is experiencing a mild resurgence among farmers. The word resurgence indicates that these pesticides were once more widely used, before their popularity declined. Their use is now increasing again, although the word mild suggests that this comeback is relatively small and does not necessarily mean usage has returned to its previous levels.

Q2. The universe as a whole necessarily tends toward greater disorder, or entropy. From this alone, it follows that the Earth’s biosphere has always been moving toward increased disorder as well, in spite of appearances to the contrary.

Which one of the following is most similar in its flawed reasoning to the argument above?

A. Wooded Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. This follows from the fact that the extensive system of interconnected lakes of which Wooded Lake is a part is one of the most beautiful systems of its type worldwide.
B. This has been the coldest April in this region in the last half-century. So, on any given day this April, it is likely that the weather was unseasonably cold.
C. The manifest indicates that every deck on that cruise ship houses some commercial cargo, even though on some decks the cargo storage areas are difficult to find. Hence every deck on the ship is devoted to commercial cargo storage, even though this is not immediately obvious.
D. Although Hopper claims to have been working in another part of the plant when the accident occurred, company records show that every person on the cleanup crew of which Hopper is a member was in the grain area at the time. Hence Hopper either has misremembered events, or is not telling the truth.
E. Two of the seven critical parts in that gear assembly are unsafe to use, even though this is not obvious upon a casual inspection. The assembly therefore is unsafe to rely on and ought to be repaired.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

The original argument makes a whole-to-part error. It assumes that because the universe as a whole has a certain property, one particular part of the universe must have that same property. A has the same flaw; the entire lake system is exceptionally beautiful, and the argument concludes that one particular lake within that system must therefore be exceptionally beautiful.

Q3. In America, cooking generally involves the use of vegetable oil while the French prefer butter overwhelmingly. Since butter comprises saturated fat while vegetable oil is mostly unsaturated fat, the French should suffer more frequently from cardiovascular troubles. However, the average American is far more prone to suffer from cardiovascular troubles.

Which of the following is an assumption involved in the argument above?

A. Consumption of unsaturated fat at a high rate leads to cardiovascular troubles.
B. Regular consumption of even a small amount of saturated fat leads to cardiovascular troubles.
C. Consumption of saturated fat contributes more to the development of cardiovascular troubles than the consumption of unsaturated fat does.
D. Human beings must be focused on self-preservation and, hence, should try to avoid cardiovascular trouble.E. Development of troublesome cardiovascular conditions is inevitable after a certain age has been attained.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Without this assumption, the argument would have no reason to expect the French, who use more butter, to suffer more cardiovascular trouble than Americans, who use more vegetable oil.

GMAT Data Insights Sample Questions

The Data Insights section tests how effectively you can interpret numerical, written and visual information, identify relationships between different sources and make informed decisions.

It contains five question types: Data Sufficiency, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Multi-Source Reasoning and Two-Part Analysis. Some questions require multiple responses, and an on-screen calculator is available for this section.

 Data Sufficiency Example Question

Unlike conventional Problem Solving questions, Data Sufficiency questions ask you to determine whether the available information is enough to answer a question. You do not necessarily need to calculate the final value.

Q1. In an office that employs 120 people, m% of the employees are male, and c% of the employees are members of the custodial staff. How many employees are females who are not members of the custodial staff?

(1) m + c = 50
(2) The number of female employees who are members of the custodial staff is four.

A. Statement 1 alone is sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not.
B. Statement 2 alone is sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not.
C. Both statements together are sufficient, but neither alone is sufficient.
D. Each statement alone is sufficient.
E. Neither statement is sufficient, even when combined.

Correct Answer: E

Explanation:

We know the number of males is (m/100)*120 and females is (1-m/100)*120. The number of custodial staff is (c/100)*120.

Statement 1:
We cannot relate m+c=50 to any of the information given (insufficent).

Statement 2:
Female custodial staff = 4 (insufficent).

Combined, there is still not enough information to relate any of the equations/info given, hence the answer is E.

Table Analysis Question

Q1. During 2025, a nationwide electronics retailer sold products supplied by six manufacturers. For each product category, the table shows Manufacturer A’s supply share, the percentage of all units supplied to the retailer that were supplied by Manufacturer A, and its sales share, the percentage of all units sold by the retailer that were Manufacturer A products. Both shares are rounded to the nearest whole percent. The table also gives Manufacturer A’s rank among the six manufacturers by number of units supplied and by number of units sold. There were no ties in either ranking, and rank 1 is the highest rank.

For each of the following statements, select Yes if the statement can be shown to be true based on the information in the table. Otherwise, select No.

Correct Answer:

Statement 1: No
Statement 2: Yes
Statement 3: No

Two-Part Analysis Questions

Q1. A manufacturer rejected 72 circuit boards after a quality inspection. Every rejected board had at least one of three types of defects: a solder defect, an alignment defect, or an insulation defect.

Of the 72 rejected boards:

• 42 had a solder defect.
• 38 had an alignment defect.
• 35 had an insulation defect.
• 18 had both a solder defect and an alignment defect.
• 16 had both a solder defect and an insulation defect.
• 15 had both an alignment defect and an insulation defect.

In the table, tick the number of boards that had all three types of defects under ‘All three defects’, and the number that had exactly one type of defect under ‘Exactly one defect’. Tick only two boxes, one in each column.

Correct Answer:

All three defects: 6
Exactly one defect: 35

Explanation:

Let x be the number of boards that had all three defects.

For three overlapping groups,

Total = A + B + C – (the pairwise overlaps) + (the triple overlap).

We first add A, B, and C. This counts boards that belong to two groups twice, so we subtract the pairwise overlaps. But a board that belongs to all three groups was originally counted three times and then subtracted three times, leaving it counted zero times. Therefore, we add the triple overlap once.

So, we get:

72 = 42 + 38 + 35 – (18 + 16 + 15) + x.

Thus, x = 6.

Therefore, All three defects is 6 (Option A).

Now determine the number of boards with exactly two defects.

The pairwise counts total

18 + 16 + 15 = 49.

A board with all three defects is counted in each of these three pairwise overlaps. Thus, each such board contributes 3 to the total of 49 rather than contributing to exactly two defects.

Therefore, the number with exactly two defects is

49 – 3 * 6 = 31.

Every rejected board belongs to exactly one of three nonoverlapping categories:

Total = (exactly one defect) + (exactly two defects) + (exactly three defects).

So, once we know that 31 boards had exactly two defects and 6 had exactly three defects, we can subtract those groups from the total to find the number with exactly one defect:

(exactly one defect) = Total – (exactly two defects) – (exactly three defects).

72 – 31 – 6 = 35.

Therefore, Exactly one defect is 35 (Option D).

Where Can I Find More Free GMAT Practice Questions?

Once you have worked through these GMAT sample questions, the next step is to build a broader practice routine using reputable question banks, diagnostic assessments and practice tests.

The resources below can help you find free GMAT practice questions, test individual skills and become more familiar with the exam’s timing and format.

GMAT Club is particularly useful for targeted practice, with hundreds of questions covering Problem Solving, Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and the Data Insights formats. However, the question bank contains material from different sources, including third-party providers and older versions of the exam. Check the source and format before assuming a question reflects the current test.

Other preparation providers, including e-GMAT and Magoosh GMAT, offer structured study resources, practice questions and, depending on the product, a free trial or introductory assessment.

For an accurate assessment of your performance, prioritise official GMAT practice alongside third-party resources. Official material is particularly valuable when you want to understand how your preparation translates into a realistic testing experience.

How Should I Use GMAT Practice Tests to Improve My Score?

Completing more GMAT practice questions does not automatically mean you are improving. The value comes from understanding why you answered a question correctly or incorrectly and using that information to guide your next study session.

Start with a GMAT diagnostic test or a free full-length GMAT practice test to establish your current performance. This will help you identify whether you need to focus on mathematical foundations, verbal reasoning, data interpretation or time management.

Once you know your weaker areas, organise your GMAT prep around them. For example, if you regularly struggle with reading comprehension questions, practise identifying an author’s main argument and distinguishing supported inferences from assumptions. If graphics interpretation questions are slowing you down, work on interpreting scales, percentages and relationships between different variables.

Timed practice is equally important. The current GMAT gives you approximately two minutes per question on average, although individual questions may require more or less time. Developing the judgement to recognise when a problem is taking too long can be just as valuable as improving your accuracy.

After each GMAT practice set, review your mistakes carefully. Consider whether you misunderstood the question, applied the wrong method, overlooked important information or simply ran out of time. Keeping an error log can help you identify recurring weaknesses and make your revision more productive.

As your preparation progresses, introduce regular mock tests under realistic conditions. A full-length GMAT practice test will assess your ability to maintain concentration and manage time across all three sections, which short GMAT quizzes cannot fully replicate.

The goal is to combine focused question practice with occasional full-test simulations, so you develop both the individual skills and the endurance needed for test day.

How Can The Profs Help With GMAT Preparation?

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Frequently Asked Questions About GMAT Practice Questions

Are These Official GMAT Questions?

No. The GMAT sample questions in this article are original practice examples designed to illustrate the question formats and reasoning skills assessed by the current exam. They are not official GMAT questions, nor have they been released or endorsed by GMAC.

For official questions, use the preparation resources available through mba.com.

Is There a Free GMAT Practice Test?

Yes. GMAC provides free official preparation resources, including two free full-length practice exams through its starter materials. These are particularly useful for familiarising yourself with the current test format, timing and scoring system.

How Many GMAT Practice Questions Should I Complete?

There is no fixed number of questions that every candidate should complete. Your preparation should depend on your starting ability, target score, available study time and performance on diagnostic assessments.

A smaller number of carefully reviewed questions may be more valuable than completing large practice sets without understanding your mistakes.

Is GMAT Club Good for Practice Questions?

GMAT Club is a useful source of free practice material, particularly if you want to focus on a specific question type or difficulty level. Its forums include explanations, community discussions and questions from a range of preparation providers.

However, not every question is official, and some material relates to older exam formats. Use the source filters carefully and combine GMAT Club practice with official preparation materials.

Is the GMAT Focus Edition Different From the Current GMAT?

The GMAT Focus Edition was the name used when the redesigned exam launched in 2023. It was subsequently renamed the GMAT Exam.

The current format contains Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. Older materials for the previous GMAT format may include Sentence Correction, geometry or Analytical Writing questions that are no longer part of the current exam.

Should I Take a GMAT Mock Test Before Studying?

Yes. Taking a GMAT mock test early in your preparation can help establish a baseline and reveal which areas require the most attention.

You can then use the results to organise your revision, prioritise weaker topics and measure your progress as you prepare to take the GMAT.

Can a GMAT Tutor Help Me Improve My Score?

An experienced GMAT expert can help you identify recurring mistakes, strengthen your understanding of difficult concepts and develop more efficient approaches to challenging questions.

At The Profs, our GMAT Tutors can provide targeted preparation across Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, helping you make the most of your study time and approach the exam with greater confidence.