I find some tricks i learned from Princeton review helpful especially in getting rid of trap answers and getting a reasonable guessing chance on questions i just dont know... Any tricks you guys use or it is just straightforward solving>?
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"Mental Math" is about as tricky as I get.

I suppose tricks might be helpful to bail you out of 1 question, but I wouldn't put much weight on them.
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There are no tricks.

One problem I know people run into: not studying effectively. You could spend HOURS on HOURS studying and not benefit. Giving studying its due time requires both the correct amount of time and the correct approach. The key to using the strategies offered by the various prep companies is having the needed technical information supplementing the strategies (or the technical info is supplement by the strategy, either way).

Have you taken the free practice GMAT offered by MGMAT? If not, take it and use that to build your action plan.
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Strategy Discussion Thread | Strategy Master | GMAT Debrief| Please discuss strategies in discussion thread. Master thread will be updated accordingly. | GC Member Write Ups

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I'd like to point out that I, as a 750+ scorer, power my way through the exam, never stooping to pick numbers or resorting to backsolving. All questions can be solved within 40-60 seconds.

I'd be lying through my teeth!

I can't speak for all 700+ scorers, but I can say that every time I have done the exam, I have used methods that GMAC might not consider optimal (backsolving, picking numbers, estimating, focusing on the unit's digit, looking at consecutive choices). I get stuck on several questions each time I do the exam. The difference may lie in being able to get the rest of the questions right as quickly as possible, so it helps to be adept to using shortcuts.

Many problem solving questions (even hard ones ) can be solved by picking numbers. A question about areas of similar triangles may be made trivial by looking at the isosceles right triangle
You can sometimes use the answers to guide you: for example if a question requires that you calculate 14^4 + 14^3, you could look for an answer that has a units digit of 0.
If you are asked for which function f(a - b) = f(a) - f(b), you could narrow the choices down by choosing a = b = 1 or a= 1 and b= 0.
If a PS question doesn't say what Sally's salary is, try a salary of $1. If the salary were important, the question would have to state it.
For DS questions involving remainders, it is helpful to look at consecutive examples.
Backsolving is often helpful, as is approximating.
Try to draw geometric figures to scale.
With which of the following questions, start with the choice that is easiest to evaluate, as doing so may well shed light on what is needed.
PLEASE don't stare at a geometric figure for 1 minute, hoping to come up with the answer. Draw it immediately!
Rather than write the information down, organize it or your paper! charts, venn diagrams, trees

In the 12th edition, look at PS 6, 11, 13, 16, 23, 26, 32, 34, 36, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 59, 74, 80, 82, 84, 112, 116, 117, 123, 127, 130, 138, 149, 163, 165, 170, 179, 185, 194, 206, 213, 224, 227. How many of these questions can you do using these alternative approaches?


As for SC, you get a sixth sense of things to look out for.

I always feel relief when I see one of the following words or symbols:

: (may precede a list- parallel structure)
; must separate two complete sentences

Although (check if but or while or however appears later, so you can eliminate)
,which
all of them/ all of which

it they its their (especially if not underlined)
due to
such as / like
consider (no as)
Regard (as)

subjunctive triggering verbs: urge, request, dictate, demand, mandate

either/only/not/not only/even/both placement
modifying phrases at the beginning of a sentence

so (adjective) that
such (noun) that

Are the ones above types to eliminate? Like ,which?


What about these? they the correct ways in a SC?
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These are not to be eliminated automatically, as they are often correct and often wrong. It's good to know the rules governing them, so that you can work quickly and successfully through SC, saving time for RC and CR

kevincan you da man. Anywhere where I can find info on how you got your 790?