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29 May 2025, 19:21
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Hi Experts/Peers,
I have been preparing for the GMAT for quite some time. In my last attempt, I scored a 675 (Q90, D80, V80). I don't think this score reflects my true potential. I'm planning to retake the GMAT. My Quant skills are strong due to my engineering background, but I need a better framework to master DI. Conceptually, I'm comfortable — time management is where I might be falling short. Most of my earlier attempts in the Classic edition, I scored in Q51, IR 8.(2 years back)
Target score : 705+ (Planning for M7, MBAi from Kellogg/ Tech MBA from Kellogg/Cornell. MBA Tepper/Ross/Fuqua/Tuck)
My DI strategy:
My QA strategy:
For QA, my strategy is to split the 21 questions into 3 sets of 15 minutes each, with time checks after every 15 minutes. I recheck my answers to avoid silly mistakes. If a question takes more than 3–4 minutes, I guess and move on.
Q1 : 1-7 (15min)
Q2 : 8-14 (15min)
Q3 : 15-21(15min)
Any excess time is for reviewing the skipped questions.
This Quant strategy has worked well for me. I tried applying the same to DI, but due to tighter time constraints, I haven’t been able to recheck my answers. Even after skipping the MSR questions in DI, I don’t get enough extra time to come back.
Sequence: QA → DI → Break → VA
I use the momentum from QA to get a head start in DI, then take a strategic break to reset before VA. Is this break strategy ideal? Some suggest to take break in between QA and DI as both are intensive sessions.
FYI, I’ve been preparing for the GMAT for 1–2 years, with a 1-year break in between. This is my second attempt post-Focus Edition.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this long post. Any suggestions or guidance in this area would be truly helpful in pushing my score beyond the current plateau.
bb GMATNinja Bunuel MartyTargetTestPrep
I have been preparing for the GMAT for quite some time. In my last attempt, I scored a 675 (Q90, D80, V80). I don't think this score reflects my true potential. I'm planning to retake the GMAT. My Quant skills are strong due to my engineering background, but I need a better framework to master DI. Conceptually, I'm comfortable — time management is where I might be falling short. Most of my earlier attempts in the Classic edition, I scored in Q51, IR 8.(2 years back)
Target score : 705+ (Planning for M7, MBAi from Kellogg/ Tech MBA from Kellogg/Cornell. MBA Tepper/Ross/Fuqua/Tuck)
My DI strategy:
- Graphs: Attempt only if I'm able to understand the graph at a high level. If it's cluttered or hard to correlate, I skip it within 1–2 minutes.
- Tables: I generally attempt these, as I find them easier. I aim for 100% accuracy here.
- TPA: I comfortably attempt math-based TPAs, but I’m cautious with non-math TPAs as they can be time-consuming.
- MSR: I attempt quant-based MSRs (case-related or otherwise) if I have enough time. Otherwise, I skip or mark them for review — especially if they appear in the first half.
- DS: I try to maximize accuracy here, but sometimes I spend 2–3 minutes on a few questions. My target is 85%+ accuracy.
My QA strategy:
For QA, my strategy is to split the 21 questions into 3 sets of 15 minutes each, with time checks after every 15 minutes. I recheck my answers to avoid silly mistakes. If a question takes more than 3–4 minutes, I guess and move on.
Q1 : 1-7 (15min)
Q2 : 8-14 (15min)
Q3 : 15-21(15min)
Any excess time is for reviewing the skipped questions.
This Quant strategy has worked well for me. I tried applying the same to DI, but due to tighter time constraints, I haven’t been able to recheck my answers. Even after skipping the MSR questions in DI, I don’t get enough extra time to come back.
Sequence: QA → DI → Break → VA
I use the momentum from QA to get a head start in DI, then take a strategic break to reset before VA. Is this break strategy ideal? Some suggest to take break in between QA and DI as both are intensive sessions.
FYI, I’ve been preparing for the GMAT for 1–2 years, with a 1-year break in between. This is my second attempt post-Focus Edition.
Thanks for taking the time to read through this long post. Any suggestions or guidance in this area would be truly helpful in pushing my score beyond the current plateau.
bb GMATNinja Bunuel MartyTargetTestPrep
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31 May 2025, 12:19
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For better performance in DI:
- Practice DS until you are fast and accurate. You could do streaks method practice until you're achieving streaks of 40 or more DS questions correct in a row.
- Learn to deal with freakier graphs by practicing Graphics Interpretation and getting accustomed to the process of seeing a freaky graph, analyzing it, realizing it's not actually as complex as it first appears, and answering the questions.
- Get better at Verbal TPA and MSR by first working on CR Inference and LSAT Inference questions until you're very strong in those. Then, practice with official TPA and MSR questions.
You have room for improvement in Verbal as well. So, I think you should work on Verbal too.
For insights into how to increase your Verbal score, see this post.
How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal
- Practice DS until you are fast and accurate. You could do streaks method practice until you're achieving streaks of 40 or more DS questions correct in a row.
- Learn to deal with freakier graphs by practicing Graphics Interpretation and getting accustomed to the process of seeing a freaky graph, analyzing it, realizing it's not actually as complex as it first appears, and answering the questions.
- Get better at Verbal TPA and MSR by first working on CR Inference and LSAT Inference questions until you're very strong in those. Then, practice with official TPA and MSR questions.
You have room for improvement in Verbal as well. So, I think you should work on Verbal too.
For insights into how to increase your Verbal score, see this post.
How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal
02 Jun 2025, 18:08
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Hi HarshaBujji,
When students struggle with DI questions, the first thing I always ask is whether they have fully completed their quant and verbal prep. Not doing so can really affect how well you handle DI questions, as many of those questions involve quantitative and verbal concepts. So, would you say you are in that boat?
In addition, one way to improve each individual DI question type is to engage in topical practice. Doing so lets you pinpoint your weak areas in JUST ONE question type. For example, when practicing TPA questions, perhaps you see a pattern that you struggle with 3-part ratios or weighted averages. If you can find those micro weaknesses, you can fix them in real-time and thus improve your accuracy in DI questions..
Lastly, when working on DI questions, for the time being, make sure to practice them untimed so you can focus on JUST accuracy. As you become more familiar with these question types and get more accurate, better timing will follow.
For more advice, check out this article: How to Prepare for GMAT Data Insights
Feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
When students struggle with DI questions, the first thing I always ask is whether they have fully completed their quant and verbal prep. Not doing so can really affect how well you handle DI questions, as many of those questions involve quantitative and verbal concepts. So, would you say you are in that boat?
In addition, one way to improve each individual DI question type is to engage in topical practice. Doing so lets you pinpoint your weak areas in JUST ONE question type. For example, when practicing TPA questions, perhaps you see a pattern that you struggle with 3-part ratios or weighted averages. If you can find those micro weaknesses, you can fix them in real-time and thus improve your accuracy in DI questions..
Lastly, when working on DI questions, for the time being, make sure to practice them untimed so you can focus on JUST accuracy. As you become more familiar with these question types and get more accurate, better timing will follow.
For more advice, check out this article: How to Prepare for GMAT Data Insights
Feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
