What is the GMAT Focus Edition?

The GMAT Focus Edition replaced the classic GMAT in late 2023. It runs 2h 15m, has three 45-minute sections (Quant 21Q, Verbal 23Q, Data Insights 20Q), and uses a 205–805 score scale. Sentence Correction is removed; Data Sufficiency moved into Data Insights.

What GMAT score do top MBA programs require?

On the GMAT Focus scale, competitive scores are: Harvard / Stanford GSB / Wharton ~715+, Booth / Kellogg / Columbia / MIT Sloan ~695+, INSEAD / LBS / HEC ~685+. Strong scholarships at INSEAD and HEC often require 705+.

Do you tutor INSEAD and HEC applicants specifically?

Yes. Many of our applicants target INSEAD (Fontainebleau / Singapore / Abu Dhabi), HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, and LBS. Tutors have deep familiarity with those programs' standards.

GMAT Focus Edition tutoring

Online GMAT Focus Edition tutoring for MBA and MiM candidates.

Take a free GMAT Focus diagnostic across all three sections — Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights. You'll get an 805-scale estimate and a breakdown by section. Umer leads on Quant and Data Insights; Sam handles the Verbal side. Both have worked with admitted students at INSEAD, LBS, Wharton, and HEC.

Take the Free GMAT Diagnostic Request 1-Hour Free Trial

805GMAT Focus scale
685+Top MBA target
99+ %Sam's verbal percentile
2h 15mNew Focus length

Exam format

The GMAT Focus Edition in 60 seconds.

GMAC replaced the classic GMAT with the Focus Edition in late 2023. The biggest changes: Sentence Correction is removed, AWA is gone, and Data Sufficiency now sits inside the new Data Insights section alongside tables, graphs, and multi-source reasoning. The score scale runs from 205 to 805.

Quantitative — 45 minutes

21 Problem-Solving questions
Arithmetic, algebra, word problems, rates, percentages, number properties
No geometry on the Focus Edition

Verbal — 45 minutes

23 questions: Critical Reasoning + Reading Comprehension
No more Sentence Correction
Argument logic and inference-heavy passages

Data Insights — 45 minutes

20 questions blending DS, Tables, Graphs, Multi-Source, Two-Part Analysis
Tests business-style numerical literacy
Adcoms increasingly use Data Insights as a signal

Target programs

Where Boost Academy GMAT applicants apply.

M7 + Elite Europe

Harvard, Stanford GSB, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, Columbia, Kellogg, INSEAD, LBS, HEC.

Typical admit: 705–745 GMAT Focus, 5+ years experience, sharp story.

MiM & Master's in Finance

HEC MiM, ESSEC MiM, ESCP MiM, LBS MiM, LBS MFA, MIT MFin, IE MiM, Oxford MFE.

Typical admit: 685–715 GMAT Focus, 0–2 years experience.

EMBA & regional flagships

INSEAD Abu Dhabi, NUS EMBA, AGSM, IESE, IMD, IIM Ahmedabad PGPX, Wharton EMBA.

EMBAs often weight experience over GMAT, but 665+ avoids friction.

Pricing

Pay per session or in a 10, 20, or 40-hour package. We accept EUR, GBP, USD, AED, SAR, and SGD. Diagnostic review is included free with all packages.

Diagnostic Review

€55 / hr

≈ AED 220 · SAR 225 · SGD 80 · USD 60

For applicants starting out

1-hour 1-on-1 results walkthrough
Section-by-section reality check
4–8 week plan to a realistic Focus target
Free 1-hour trial credit toward a package

Why this price: below a single hour at any premium Gulf or Asia-Pacific GMAT centre. This tier exists to start the relationship with a credible target and a realistic timeline.

Intensive 1-on-1

€95 / hr

≈ AED 380 · SAR 388 · SGD 140 · USD 105

Recommended for most applicants

Dedicated lead tutor (Umer for Quant + Data Insights, Sam for Verbal)
Tutor-maintained error log + custom homework
WhatsApp / email support between sessions (24h reply)
Weekly written progress note
Priority booking near the test date

Why this price: private 1-on-1 GMAT tutoring at Manhattan Prep / Veritas / e-GMAT premium runs $150–250/hr; in-person Dubai or Singapore centres run AED 500–800/hr. Our Intensive is 30–50% cheaper with a dedicated 99+ percentile tutor and full method discipline.

Premium Mentor Track

€135 / hr

≈ AED 540 · SAR 550 · SGD 200 · USD 150

For M7 / INSEAD applicants on tight timelines

Everything in Intensive
24-hour response from your lead tutor, off-session
2 application essays reviewed per package
MBA-school shortlist conversation included
Score guarantee: miss the agreed target, extra hours are free

Why this price: dedicated MBA-admissions consulting alone runs $200–500/hr at boutiques. Our Mentor Track bundles GMAT Focus tutoring with essay review and shortlist work at SGD 200/hr — purpose-built for Harvard / Stanford GSB / Wharton / INSEAD / LBS applicants.

Multi-hour packages

10 hours5% off the per-hour rate
20 hours · most popular10% off the per-hour rate
40 hours15% off — best per-hour rate

Examples: 40 hours of Intensive = €3,230 (~AED 12,920). 40 hours of Premium Mentor = €4,590 (~AED 18,360). Hours roll over within the package window. All packages include the Diagnostic Review session free.

Frequent questions

GMAT questions MBA applicants ask first.

Is GMAT Focus required if I have a GRE score?

Most M7 and INSEAD/LBS/HEC programs accept both. The decision is school-specific. Tutors will help you choose based on your strengths: stronger verbal/RC → GRE often wins; stronger data interpretation → GMAT Focus often wins.

How does GMAT Focus scoring compare to the classic 800?

The new 205–805 scale is calibrated so that, roughly, a 645 Focus is the new 700 classic, a 685 Focus is the new 730 classic, and a 705 Focus is the new 740–745 classic. Compare carefully — older score charts no longer apply directly.

Can you help with R1 applications this cycle?

Yes — if your test date is at least 6–8 weeks away. For tighter timelines, we'll be honest about what's realistically achievable and may recommend R2 instead.

Do you tutor for the Executive Assessment (EA)?

Yes. The EA is shorter and used for EMBA programs. Several of our EMBA applicants prep for the EA rather than the full GMAT Focus.