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14 Jan 2025, 09:41
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I was looking at Manhattan Prep's latest version of Advanced Quant (2024 Edition) and comparing that with the previous editions (2020 and 2015). In the older version, there used to be two chapters (Chapter 3 and 4) dedicated to Data Sufficiency Principles/Strategies and Tactics. However in the 2024 Edition, these two DS chapters seem to be taken out.
Would it be possible that someone from Manhattan Prep clarify what is the rationale? Are these two chapters no longer relevant?
The reason I asked is because, there are relatively scarce resources for DS and I was planning to use these two chapters from the older Advanced Quant book. But if they are no longer relevant/applicable in GMAT FE, I am not sure I should still use them.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Would it be possible that someone from Manhattan Prep clarify what is the rationale? Are these two chapters no longer relevant?
The reason I asked is because, there are relatively scarce resources for DS and I was planning to use these two chapters from the older Advanced Quant book. But if they are no longer relevant/applicable in GMAT FE, I am not sure I should still use them.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
16 Jun 2026, 14:05
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Great question! When the GMAT updated the exam in 2023, they did two things: They moved Data Sufficiency (DS) to the Data Insights section and they removed “pure math” DS problems. That is, DS now tests just what are called “applied” scenarios, which is basically stories.
This book is called Advanced Quant (ie, the Quant section of the test). Since the Quant section no longer tests Data Sufficiency problems, the latest edition of the book also no longer has DS problems in it.
Next, about 80-90% of the *old* edition chapters 3 and 4 are no longer relevant due to that other change I mentioned (removing all the pure math). If you already have that book, here are the things you could still use (but I can’t recommend buying that book, even at used-book-prices, because not very much is still useful on today’s GMAT):
Another way to learn about DS is to attend one of our Free GMAT Trial Classes, which include an in-depth intro to build strong foundations for Data Sufficiency.
Best,
This book is called Advanced Quant (ie, the Quant section of the test). Since the Quant section no longer tests Data Sufficiency problems, the latest edition of the book also no longer has DS problems in it.
Next, about 80-90% of the *old* edition chapters 3 and 4 are no longer relevant due to that other change I mentioned (removing all the pure math). If you already have that book, here are the things you could still use (but I can’t recommend buying that book, even at used-book-prices, because not very much is still useful on today’s GMAT):
- Chapter 3 Body: The opening two pages on overall DS strategy and setting up your scratch work are good. After that, *nothing* is still relevant to the current GMAT. Every problem in the body of chapter 3 is pure math / no longer tested in DS form.
- Chapter 3 End-of-Chapter Problem Set: Problem #1 is a story problem. All of the others are pure math.
- Chapter 4 Body: The opening page on overall DS strategy is still relevant where it applies to story problems. The In-chapter Try-It problems #4-2 problem, #4-10, #4-12, and #4-14 are stories, so still relevant. All other in-chapter problems are pure math / no longer relevant.. The discussion of hidden constraints is still relevant, as is some of the discussion of advanced guessing tactics, but note that most of the examples shown to illustrate these tactics are pure math, so the examples shown are no longer relevant.
- Chapter 4 End-of-Chapter Problem Set: 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are still relevant. All of the others are pure math.
Another way to learn about DS is to attend one of our Free GMAT Trial Classes, which include an in-depth intro to build strong foundations for Data Sufficiency.
Best,
17 Jun 2026, 08:13
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Hi Allison,
Thanks so much for your detailed reply. This was posted when we just begun the GMAT journey. We later decided to purchase the most recent Manhattan All the GMAT bundle. The latest DS chapter in GMAT All the Quant + DI book is actually a very nice rework from the DS 101 and DS 201 chapters in 2019 edition of GMAT All the Quant, with some concepts from the Advanced Quant book thrown in. Given that DS questions are now only around 1/4 to 1/3 of the DI section, I think it's fair that they now occupy only one chapter in the book, as are all the other DI question types.
Still I feel the two DS chapters in the Advance Quant book are written really well for people already good at quant to learn a bit of advanced DS thinking. I'm sure what you've laid out here will help people navigate these materials in the future, in case they already have access to the book and are willing to invest a bit of time (over-)preparing.
Thanks again.
Thanks so much for your detailed reply. This was posted when we just begun the GMAT journey. We later decided to purchase the most recent Manhattan All the GMAT bundle. The latest DS chapter in GMAT All the Quant + DI book is actually a very nice rework from the DS 101 and DS 201 chapters in 2019 edition of GMAT All the Quant, with some concepts from the Advanced Quant book thrown in. Given that DS questions are now only around 1/4 to 1/3 of the DI section, I think it's fair that they now occupy only one chapter in the book, as are all the other DI question types.
Still I feel the two DS chapters in the Advance Quant book are written really well for people already good at quant to learn a bit of advanced DS thinking. I'm sure what you've laid out here will help people navigate these materials in the future, in case they already have access to the book and are willing to invest a bit of time (over-)preparing.
Thanks again.
AllisonBell
