I wrote a review between the two prep programs I tried (it's posted in that section). Here I'll post how I got there (excluding the essay sections).
Quant:
I've always been pretty strong in quant. type problems/classes. My biggest issue on standardized tests is the question doesn't always ask you to solve for the unknown. It wants you to take the unknown and extrapolate out some other value. Knowing people will short read the problem, the answer to the unknown is often one of the answers (this is only true for concrete answers, not variables in solutions). To resolve this - SLOW DOWN. Try to budget an average of 2 mins per question (using the time provided here). Some questions you will use more time and some you will use less. The goal is to make sure you don't get *stuck* for too long and MAKE sure you answer what the question is asking.
You can solve all the math problems with Algebra, if you want to spend a lot of time on the problems. Rehashing number properties (probability, exponents, etc.), geometry, simply trig, will help you get through tough problems is a reasonable amount of time. I made sure I memorized the following:
General rules for quadrilaterals
General rule for other polygons
Rules for right triangle (especially the special ones)
Squares through 15
(and maybe a few other things I'm not recalling right now. I'll edit this post if anything changes).
Data Sufficiency:
The problem can usually be reduced to something simpler.
i.e. If the question is asking "if X and Y are both integers, is x-y-5 > x+y+3?"
You might look at the problem and say "ok, I have two variables so I either need to equations or two variables." The problem is you can reduce the inequality as follows:
Subtract X from both sides ------->
(-x)+x-y-5>(-x)+x+y+3 = y-5>y+3
Add Y to both sides ------->
(+y)-y-5 > (+y)+y+3 = -5>2y+3
Add 5 to both sides ------->
(+5)-5 > (+5)+2y+3 = 0 > 2y+8
You know have "if X and Y are both integers, is 0 > 2y+8?"
X is irrelevant now. All you need to know is y and you can solve for the inequality.
Reducing the equation lets you know "what do I really need to solve this"
Also, problems can always be set up in this fashion
AD | or | BD
BCE | |ACE
If the answer is not A, it cannot be D (or if you start with b and if not B, it can not be D). Then, go through the elimination process to eliminate the remaining choices among ACE or BCE. This will improve your chances of guessing on the more difficult questions you get stuck on.
Verbal:
I was pretty strong on reading comprehension and critical reasoning to begin with. One of my captain obvious problems on verbal was I could not be captain obvious. If I found a problem where the solution was essential verbatim of what was in the passage/argument, I would rule it out as being "too obvious". Often, I was wrong on those. Please note: the solution MUST be verbatim for this to be the case. Some solutions change slight wording (sometimes/always/never/etc.) and is NOT a verbatim rehash of what was in the passage or argument.
My main weakness verbal was sentence correct. I am Ralph Wiggum from the Simspons (cartoon here in the US ("Me fail English, that's unpossible")). The following strategy worked for me:
- Ensure pronouns have clear antecedents (must BE very clear, and some pronouns, like "which" have very specific rules).
- Ensure the number agree (i.e. singular subject, singular verb)
- Make sure the sentence makes sense (order of operation, things listed, present perfect, past participle, etc.)
Also, a similar strategy exists between both Data Sufficiency and Sentence Correction: You can usually knock off 2-3 wrong answers very quickly (within one minute). This, again, will help your chances with the high level (700-800) problems when you need to guess.
For critical reasoning:
I would list out the options (A,B,C,D,E) and use some to make's relationship to that statement/argument (i.e. "a +" if it strengthens the argument, or "a -" if it weakens the argument). Again, on the very difficult problems, you could quickly reduce two or three options and increase your chances on the upper level problems).
Hope this helps, please post any questions.
-Muhamad
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