Data Insights is that one GMAT Focus section that looks deceptively innocent but punches way above its weight.
If you’ve ever stared at a 3-tab MSR, questioning the sanity of the GMAT test makers and then silently Googled
“why is GMAT DI so hard” mid-practice: you’re exactly where you need to be. You're halfway through a chart question, the timer’s smirking like it knows something you don’t, and the final sub-question is already slipping through your fingers. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
This discussion isn’t about silver bullets but it’s about practical, tested steps that work. I’m going to break this beast down with strategies that are battle-tested, beginner-friendly and something that can help you get to that coveted D82+.
Why DI Matters (Yes, Even More Than You Think)When the GMAT Focus Edition was announced, Data Insights quietly slid in like, “Hey, I’m just here to help.” Fast forward to test day and suddenly it’s, “Surprise! I’m the boss level now.”
What makes DI tricky isn’t just the content but it’s the
format and the
mind games. You’re juggling multi-tab tables, wild charts, and layered logic puzzles
while a timer breathes down your neck. It’s like being asked to solve a murder mystery during a speed-dating round.
Let’s break down why DI actually deserves your attention:
- It’s 1/3rd of your score. Yep, a full 33%. You can’t “Quant your way out of it.” If DI tanks, so does your composite.
- It’s NOT just a data section. It’s part Critical Reasoning, part Reading Comprehension, part Quant, part Excel wizardry. Think of it as GMAT’s Swiss Army knife.
- It’s new. It’s weird. It’s misunderstood. And that’s exactly why mastering it gives you an edge. Most test takers underprepare, assuming they’ll wing it. You won’t.
- Timing’s a killer. You’ve got 20 questions in 45 minutes. That’s roughly 2:15 per question, not per sub-question. If you’re still skimming a paragraph trying to find your bearings, time’s already slipping.
So if you're feeling like DI is that one friend who always complicates the group trip plan, you're absolutely right. But the good news? You
can learn to speak its language and maybe even tame it.
Know Thy Enemy: The 5 DI Question Types and What Makes Them Nasty1. Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR)
MSR hands you multiple tabs - emails, charts, policies, mysterious conversations - and expects you to connect the dots faster than your brain wants to. It’s like open-book detective work, except the book’s in three pieces and the clock is screaming.
Trap: Wasting time toggling and re-reading.
Survival Tip: Skim all tabs first. Don’t dive into questions blind but get the lay of the land.
2. Table Analysis (TA)
Looks innocent - just a table with data, right? Until each question asks you to evaluate statements as “Yes” or “No” based on slicing and dicing data just right.
Trap: Misreading the data or missing a subtle condition in the question.
Survival Tip: Use the sort tools as they’re your secret weapon. Don’t trust your gut; double-check the question and the data. Scan columns like you're booking a last-minute Airbnb - fast, filtered, and strictly business.
3. Graphics Interpretation (GI)
Bar charts, scatter plots, oddly-shaped diagrams, and dropdowns with math logic. It’s where test-takers often overcalculate and under-interpret.
Trap: Getting lost in math rather than focusing on logic.
Survival Tip: Focus on what the chart shows, not just how to crunch it. Read titles and axes like your life depends on it.
4. Two-Part Analysis (TPA)
This one feels like a Quant + Verbal fusion. You solve two variables, but it might involve equations, logical conditions, or even CR-style argument analysis.
Trap: Jumping straight into solving without checking how the options interact.
Survival Tip: Leverage the answer choices - they often guide your path. Treat both parts as connected, not independent.
5. Data Sufficiency (DS)
Seasoned test-takers might recognize a familiar face: DS. Yep, it's back and it’s now part of DI. Except here, it could use funky charts or tables as the setup.
Trap: Forgetting basic DS strategy under pressure.
Survival Tip: Revisit core DS logic - eliminate options, test sufficiency
only, not exact answers.
Step Zero: Diagnose Before You PrescribeBefore you jump into more practice sets or binge another question bank, take a breath. You don’t need
more work but you need
smarter work. And that starts with a diagnosis.
This is where 90% of test takers go wrong. They practice random DI questions, hoping brute force will improve their score. But GMAT Focus isn’t testing how much
you’ve done, it’s testing how much
you’ve learned. So stop spraying and praying. Let’s go scalpel, not shotgun.
How to Run a Diagnosis1. Start with Your
Official Practice Test Report2. You’ll see your scaled DI score (e.g., D75) and your performance across question types. Pay attention to:
- Which types are dragging you down? (TPA? MSR?)
- Is timing consistently bad in one type?
- Are you missing early questions (indicating concept gaps) or late ones (suggesting fatigue or panic)?
3. Log What You Missed and Why
- Was it a careless error?
- Misinterpreted a chart?
- Didn’t read the full tab?
- Solved something fully but still got it wrong?
This is your goldmine. Don’t just track what you got wrong but also try to figure out
why you got it wrong.
4. Start a Simple DI
Error Log. You can use Excel sheet, Google Doc or GMAT Club inbuilt
Error Log. Key fields:
- Question Type (MSR, TA, GI, TPA, DS)
- Time Taken (slow or fast)
- Error Reason (timing, misread, trap answer, concept gap)
- Fix Strategy (e.g., “Skim tabs before starting MSR” or “Revisit graph axis interpretation”)
Review, Don’t Rinse and Repeat. Re-attempt 5–10 missed questions from your log
after a few days. The goal is
retention, not revenge.
This step alone will fix 20–30% of issues. Why? Because you’re turning mistakes into personalized strategy. No $1,000 course needed, just a bit of honest analysis.
Taming the Timer: How to Solve DI Under Pressure Without Losing Your MindAh, timing is the silent assassin of the DI section. You start strong on a MSR, read a question, open a tab, switch to another tab and... 6 minutes are gone. And you're still halfway through your first question. Welcome to the beautiful chaos of Data Insights. But don’t worry as we’re going to bring order to this madness.
First, let’s do the math:
- 20 questions in 45 minutes
- That’s 2 minutes and 15 seconds per question and not per sub-part.
But remember, MSR and TA questions can have 3 sub-questions. So, if you’re spending 5+ minutes there, guess what? You’re toast by Q12.
The Common Timing Traps (and How to Dodge Them)Trap 1: Reading Everything“I’ll just read each tab in full before starting.”This is the equivalent of reading War and Peace before answering a trivia question.
Fix: Skim tabs for structure and keywords. You need the
map, not the full novel. Dive deep only when the question demands it.
Trap 2: Solving Without Scanning Options“I’ll calculate both values just to be sure.”No. Especially in TPA and GI, often one look at the answer choices tells you what
not to solve.
Fix: Glance at the dropdowns first. Eliminate absurd ones quickly and work backward where applicable.
Trap 3: Getting Emotionally Attached“I’ve already spent 4 minutes on this MSR. I can’t quit now.”You’re in a toxic relationship with this question. Walk away.
Fix: Use the 2.5-minute rule. If you're not halfway through or still stuck, mark and move. Remember: One question can’t tank your score, but bad time management will.
Trap 4: Overcalculating in GI and DS“Let me just plug in all values and be sure.”This isn’t Quant. This is logic with data seasoning.
Fix: Don’t solve everything. Look for trends, relative differences, or eliminations. Use estimation wherever possible.
Mental Shifts That Help - Practice skipping: Yes, SKIPPING. Train yourself to make a call and move on. It’s a skill.
- Use 30-second checkpoints: After 30 seconds, ask: Do I know what I’m doing? If not, pause and redirect.
- Train with a timer overlay: Visual timers force you to stay honest. Try browser extensions or GMAT Club’s timer-based practice questions.
Pro Tip: Your biggest time loss isn’t from one slow question but it’s from the mental spiral that follows. One messy MSR can ruin your next 3 if you’re panicking.This section is all about mindset meets strategy. With smart habits and brutal honesty, you'll not only finish the DI section on time but you might even have seconds to spare.
Training Smart: What to Practice, When, and HowYou don’t need to do
more DI questions. You need to do the
right ones, in the right way, at the right time. Let’s break down how to build a routine that actually moves the needle from D75 to D82 and beyond.
Phase 1: Build the Fundamentals (Days 1–15)This is the “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” phase. You’re not racing the clock here but you’re building muscle memory.
What to do:
- Go question type by question type - start with GI, then TA, DS, TPA, and leave MSR for last.
- For each type:
- Do 5-10 questions/day (no timer yet).
- After each, write why the correct answer is right and why you got it wrong if you did.
- Start noting patterns in your errors. Did you misread? Miscalculate? Panic?
Where to practice:
Phase 2: Add Speed and Realism (Days 15–30)Now that your basics are in place, let’s bring in pressure.
What to do:
- Start timed mini sets (5 questions in 10–12 minutes).
- Mix up question types (just like the real exam).
- Focus on decision-making under pressure, not perfection.
Key rule: After every set, spend more time reviewing than solving. Ask yourself:
- Did I spend too long toggling tabs?
- Did I guess just to save time?
- Did I fall for a trap?
- Did I even read the chart title? (be honest)
Phase 3: Full-Length Integration (Day 30+)You’re almost battle-ready. Time to stitch DI into your full test rhythm.
What to do:
- Take a full-length practice test every 5–7 days.
- Simulate test-day conditions if possible.
After each mock:
- Evaluate DI separately: Was it accuracy or timing that hurt more?
- Track your percentile, raw score, and compare across mocks.
Extra Tools That Help
- Error Log: Keep tracking mistakes by type. Your weak link will show itself.
- DI-Specific Timer Practice: Use GMAT Club’s Forum Quiz or DI Sectional Tests to build confidence with pacing and question flow.
- Buddy Accountability: Pair up with someone also working on DI. Share strategies, vent frustrations, maybe even race each other.
Don’t Forget: Practicing DI is mentally exhausting. You’re not dumb for needing breaks. You’re human. Work in 45–60 minute sprints, max. No need to pretend you’re a robot.By now, your prep is no longer a random walk through question sets. It’s a focused, strategic ascent. You're not just reacting but you’re now controlling the game.
Mock Tests, Postmortems & The Last PushYou’ve drilled questions, fixed your timing, and stared at enough tabs to qualify for a junior data analyst role. Now it’s time to seal the deal with full-length mocks and postmortems - the real make-or-break phase.
1. Run 2–3 Mocks Under Real ConditionsNot just DI-only mocks but full GMAT Focus mocks. Why? Because your DI performance is tied to mental stamina. If you’re exhausted from Quant and Verbal, DI will punish you. Checklist:
- Official Practice Tests (use wisely, don’t burn through all 6!)
- No pauses, no music, no snacks
- Use exact breaks and structure
2. Post-Mock Autopsy: Go Beyond AccuracyDon’t just look at what you got wrong. Dig into:
- Time per question type: Are MSRs eating 8+ minutes? Is GI being solved under 90 seconds but still wrong?
- Mental fatigue points: When did your accuracy start to dip?
- Repeated trap patterns: Are “Yes/No” TA questions tricking you with conditions? Is DS confusion consistent?
Add findings to your DI
error log (yep, still your best friend).
3. Focused Last-Mile Fixes (a.k.a. The Final Score Patch)Now’s when you laser in on your problem children. Here’s one of the last week wrap-up structure you can follow:
- Day 1–3 → Review all errors from OG, retake select questions
- Day 4–8 → Attempt remaining Official Mocks
- Day 8–9 → Review all errors from Official Mocks
- Day 10 → Light warm-up, then rest up for test day
Pro tip: If possible, try solving only official questions from OG, DI Review or Official Mocks in your last days.4. Maintain Confidence, Not PerfectionRemember you are not aiming for 100%. DI is about strategic correctness, not compulsive completion. If you’re getting 70–80% right in practice with control and confidence, you’re in the D82+ game.
Test Day Mindset: Taming the DI Beast Under PressureAlright, you've practiced, analyzed, rage-quit and come back stronger. But test day? That’s a whole different animal. Your job now isn’t just to
solve DI but it’s to stay calm when the clock’s yelling, your cursor’s twitching, and the third tab looks like your worst nightmare. Here’s how to go in like a pro:
1. Warm Up the Brain, Not Just the BodyDon’t jump into DI cold. Do 3/4 questions 30 minutes before your test to “grease the gears.” Just like you wouldn’t deadlift 200 lbs without warming up (hopefully), don’t go solving MSR blind at 9 AM.
2. Scout Before You SolveEven Sherlock Holmes scans the crime scene before he points fingers.
Especially for MSR and GI, skim the layout first. Before diving into question 1, spend 15–20 seconds understanding:
- How many tabs are there?
- What data do you have?
- What kind of logic or setup is being used?
This isn’t wasted time. It’s how you buy back minutes later.
3. Fight the Urge to Finish Every Sub-questionNo one gets a gold star for stubbornness. If a sub-question feels like quicksand, mark it and move on. There’s no partial penalty. Smart skipping = higher score.
4. Pacing Plan for the Win20 questions in 45 minutes is tight. Here’s a basic structure:
- GI/TA/DS: ~1.5–2 mins
- TPA: ~2–2.5 mins
- MSR: Budget ~8 mins total per question set
Build a mental clock. If you’re stuck after 2 minutes, move.
5. Expect the Mental Dip and Surf Through ItAt question 8 or 9, you’ll feel it: the mental fog. You’re staring at numbers. Your brain’s negotiating with time. That’s normal.
What helps?
- Close your eyes for 5 seconds.
- Take a deep breath.
- Tell yourself: “Next one is a reset.”
It works. Reddit threads and debriefs are full of people who salvaged DI by not letting one question spiral their whole section.
Play the Test, Not the EgoYou don’t need to out-brain the GMAT but you need to out-strategize it. DI rewards smart decision-making, not brute intelligence. So, breathe, stay sharp, skip smart, and walk into test day knowing you’ve tamed the wildest section on the Focus Edition.
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