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This series of emails and PMs focuses on situations that many Test Takers face during their studies. The names of the original posters have been changed to protect their identities.
RC Passage Subjects on Test Day
Hi Rich,
Not sure if this question even make sense, but just wanted to check. Which RC topic most frequently appears on the actual GMAT? I noticed that I get stumped when I come across RC with topics related to History and Economics. Wanted to see the probability of getting similar RC topics on the exam.
Ah
Hi Ah,
You're going to see 4 RC passages on Test Day. You're likely to see 1 "Business" passage and 1 "Science" passage, but the other 2 passages can come from a variety of categories: Art, Humanities, History, Other Sciences, etc. As you do better and better in the Verbal section, you're more likely to see additional science passages, but the adaptive (and Random) nature of the Test can lead to "tough" passages from other non-science subjects.
The method for dealing with RC passages does NOT change though, regardless of the subject, so make sure that you’re consistent with how you approach the reading and note-taking process. You should be able to answer the questions correctly and pick up the points.
“Digit” Questions in the Quant Section
Rich,
I am getting absolutely pummeled by Digits & Decimals type of questions. I have read through several books, I've done a fair amount of practice problems and I went through Foundations of GMAT math guide, and I seem to not have improved at all. My current proficiency is approx 40% and it looks like there is no improvement in site. How can I get better on these types of questions?
Be
Hi Be,
Digit/Decimal questions are generally built on paying very careful attention to the "details" involved. For example, if a question states that "X is a two digit number", then that means that X can be any integer from 10 to 99, inclusive (NOT 1 to 99). It’s important to take notes and NOT try to ‘juggle’ information in your head. The individual details are not that difficult to understand, but if you're not noting and understanding all of the details, then you'll likely make a silly mistake (and usually 1 or more of the wrong answers is the RESULT of a specific silly mistake that a Test Taker could make).
How to Determine Factors of an Integer
Dear Rich,
I have this problem with factors of numbers.
For example 12 has 3 and 4 as its factors. But I have seen factors of 12 mentioned as 1, 3, 4, and 12.
If "N" is a number, then are 1 and N factors of N?
If "2N" is a number, then are 1, N, 2 and 2N factors of 2N?
Is there any generalization in this?
Se
Hi Se,
By definition, on the GMAT, a "factor" is any positive integer that divides EVENLY into a larger positive integer.
So, the factors of 12 are 1 and 12, 2 and 6, and 3 and 4.
By extension, if "N" is an integer, then both 1 and N are factors of N.
**As an aside, 1 is a factor of EVERY integer**
Working forward, if 2N is an integer then we still need to know a bit more about N (because N might not actually be an integer).
If n = 1/2, then 2n = 1 and the only factor of 1 is 1
If n = 3, then 2n = 6 and the factors are 1, 6, 2 and 3
In questions that ask about factors (or multiples) and involve variables, you'll find that TESTing VALUES is an easy way to figure out the possibilities.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
