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18 Mar 2017, 00:08
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I post this topic to ask for advice on how to solve Data Sufficiency problem.
I did pretty well in Algebra but I literally failed 90% of the DS. And one of the problem is that I don't really understand the question. Any tips or related posts where I can read about DS?
For example, there is one question saying:
"If x and y are integers and x<y, what is the value of x + y?"
(1) x^y = 4
(2) |x|=|y|
I can understand the answer by reading the explanation, but then were I to bump into another DS question. I did it wrong again, or I just went clueless.
I am very very worried, honestly because I'm taking GMAT within 20 days and ironically enough my score is extremely low...
Thank you all so much!
I did pretty well in Algebra but I literally failed 90% of the DS. And one of the problem is that I don't really understand the question. Any tips or related posts where I can read about DS?
For example, there is one question saying:
"If x and y are integers and x<y, what is the value of x + y?"
(1) x^y = 4
(2) |x|=|y|
I can understand the answer by reading the explanation, but then were I to bump into another DS question. I did it wrong again, or I just went clueless.
I am very very worried, honestly because I'm taking GMAT within 20 days and ironically enough my score is extremely low...
Thank you all so much!
18 Mar 2017, 02:45
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Bookmarks
linhmiu
I post this topic to ask for advice on how to solve Data Sufficiency problem.
I did pretty well in Algebra but I literally failed 90% of the DS. And one of the problem is that I don't really understand the question. Any tips or related posts where I can read about DS?
For example, there is one question saying:
"If x and y are integers and x<y, what is the value of x + y?"
(1) x^y = 4
(2) |x|=|y|
I can understand the answer by reading the explanation, but then were I to bump into another DS question. I did it wrong again, or I just went clueless.
I am very very worried, honestly because I'm taking GMAT within 20 days and ironically enough my score is extremely low...
Thank you all so much!
I did pretty well in Algebra but I literally failed 90% of the DS. And one of the problem is that I don't really understand the question. Any tips or related posts where I can read about DS?
For example, there is one question saying:
"If x and y are integers and x<y, what is the value of x + y?"
(1) x^y = 4
(2) |x|=|y|
I can understand the answer by reading the explanation, but then were I to bump into another DS question. I did it wrong again, or I just went clueless.
I am very very worried, honestly because I'm taking GMAT within 20 days and ironically enough my score is extremely low...
Thank you all so much!
You are probably not the only one who faces such a dilemma.
1- Make sure you know exactly what the choices A,B,C,D,E individually mean. In early days of practice, you can often spend time recalling what these options entail and even choose wrong.
2- As a consequence of 1, you can get delayed and the delay subconsciously makes you hurry towards a solution and this can lead you to miss the common traps. If you fix 1, you will see a noticeable improvement in your results, more than you think it can help improve (provided you face the problem 1).
3- Know the split AD and CBE. If you know that equation 1 can sufficiently solve the problem, the choice can only be between A (1 alone is sufficient) and D (1 and 2 are sufficient individually). If 1 is not sufficient, cross both A and D and solve 2 with only CBE in mind. Ruling these out can make you a bit more efficient.
4- The most obvious answer is almost never the answer, keep that in mind.
5- In early days, you may need to be patient with yourself. Only Math wizards can tell by guessing how many variables are required and how many are missing. For someone not adept at GMAT maths, it is always advisable to do the full maths (while prepping for the exam) to just rule out that little bit of doubt.
6- When you go through a question like the one you posted and you get it wrong, read the similar questions showing up in suggestions below the thread and make sure you attempt those to master the topic like modulus and inequalities. As boring and needless as it sounds, it can help you master that. Once you are done with those, try expanding it to suggestions in the suggestions threads. A good indicator is the number of posts/replies in that thread to know it is an interesting and tough question.
These of course are my personal suggestions and not part of any preparation manual. Best get a good book from a GMAT prep guide to improve on this.
18 Mar 2017, 12:15
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Hi linhmiu,
Many Test Takers find DS questions to be challenging at some point - since those questions are unique to the GMAT and it takes time to properly train to handle them. To that last point, I'd like to know a bit more about how you've been studying:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
Thankfully, DS questions - and the GMAT as a whole - is consistent and predictable, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Many Test Takers find DS questions to be challenging at some point - since those questions are unique to the GMAT and it takes time to properly train to handle them. To that last point, I'd like to know a bit more about how you've been studying:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
Thankfully, DS questions - and the GMAT as a whole - is consistent and predictable, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
