BMeloche wrote:
I have been preparing so far with MGMAT study guides and the official guide. While they're great resources, there isn't much guidance on how to actually approach the problems from a logistics standpoint.
My question: When starting a PS (or DS to a lesser extent) problem, do you recommend jotting down the given information, including word translations, as you read, or reading through the stem once completely and then going back to collect the info?
I find reading it through once, then going fishing for the info tends to waste a little more time with long question stems since you're essentially reading it twice or more; however, it seems to be a more accurate approach as it gives you "big picture" sense of what the question's asking before you begin breaking down the given info, assigning variables, etc...
Is there a generally accepted approach or is this one of those "whatever works for you" topics?
Looking forward to your input; thanks in advance
B
Every GMAT discussion ends with "whatever works for you". It is a test of aptitude and reasoning so different people use different approaches quite successfully. You will figure out what works for you after some practice. For a lot of people, brute force and logic work splendidly well for almost every GMAT question. Many others swear by a step by step algebraic process.
I just replied on a link (
a-number-when-divided-successively-by-4-and-5-leaves-138035.html). It has 2 very different approaches but both work effectively. What you choose to use is your call.
On long question stems, I work one statement at a time. First reading and then re-reading is a waste of time in my opinion. Anyway, if the stem is too long, it's hard to remember everything the first time round so you will go one by one in the second round. Why not do it without wasting any time?
Here are some links which show you how.
car-b-starts-at-point-x-and-moves-clockwise-around-128215.html?hilit=long%20question%20stemeach-of-the-30-boxes-in-a-certain-shipment-weighs-either-85074.html?hilit=long%20question%20stemAs for 2 line questions, jot down info only if you really need to. Try to un-learn the habit of writing everything down on paper if you can. The numbers are right there in front of your eyes. Work on them with your mind. try to keep your hands out of the picture. Practice well ahead of your exam. In your exam, if you must, no harm in putting in extra 10 secs - don't get the question wrong just to save some secs per question.
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