In a certain game there are 8 steps, referred to as step 1,

Question

In a certain game there are 8 steps, referred to as step 1, step 2,
and so on with the final step being step 8. The steps are played
one after the other. In each step a score of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 is obtained.
Andrea played the game, getting at least one score of each of 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, and never getting the same score in consecutive steps. What is
the greatest possible score that Andrea could have gotten?

A. 28
B. 29
C. 30
D. 36
E. 40

OE to follow

A. 28
B. 29
C. 30
D. 36
E. 40

OE to follow

Gnpth · Answer

I go with C.

Here we need to get atleast one of 1,2,3,4,5...in each step.

To get greatest possible value and also no same score in consecutive steps. we can use 5 as many times as possible.

So 5+4+5+3+5+2+5+1= 30

Bunuel · Answer

There are two conditions:
1. Andrea got at least one score of each of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
2. She never got the same score in consecutive steps.

Taking that into account, the greatest possible score that Andrea could have gotten is 5 + 1 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 4 = 30.

Answer: C.

avohden · Answer

Official Explanation

Answer C   - To maximize the score, we want to maximize the number of steps where a score of 5 was obtained. Let's alternate the score of 5 with a score other than 5, each time the other score being a different number from among the scores 1, 2, 3, and 4. Since there are 8 steps, we will be able to maximize the number of steps where a 5 was obtained and also have at least one score of each of the scores 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
This is a sequence of scores for steps 1 through 8, respectively, which will lead to the greatest possible score.
The greatest possible score that Andrea could have obtained is 5 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 5 + 1 = 30. (C) is correct.

Hope this helps.

pacifist85 · Answer

Our conditions are:
1. Andrea got at least one score of each of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
2. She never got the same score in consecutive steps.

Just using a visual aid: I started adding the 5 points (5 as we need the greatest score), because they had to have at least one point of a different value between them.

A_B_C_D_E_F_G_H --> 8 games
5_1_5_2_5_3_5_4 --> addition gives 30 points,  ANS C

So, both conditions are met: all numbers from 1-5 exist at least once and no number is the same as the 2 numbes next to it.

mvictor · Answer

picked C
she might have gotten:
5, 4, 5, 1, 5, 2, 5, 3, 5
this satisfies the condition: 1,2,3,4,5 - present. 8 steps, never a score is repeated in consecutive steps.

total - 30

Ripery · Answer

Here is my answer 5 + 1 +5 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 30
Easy :D

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi All,

To answer the given question, you have to think about how to maximize the number of 5s that Andrea could have scored (keeping in mind that she scored each of the five numbers at least once AND she never got the same score back-to-back). There are a variety of different orders to maximize the score, but they all include the maximum possible number of 5s (which would be four):

5, 1, 5, 2, 5, 3, 5, 4 
Sum = 30

Final Answer:  C

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, 
Rich

kapstone1996 · Answer

Have to be cautious to not overthink the prompt. Take into account what the prompt tells you:

1) Consecutive order of steps (Step 1 - Step 8)
2) Points able to achieve; 1 (min) - 5 (max) 
3) she gets 1,2,3,4,5 - so that is concrete and 5 steps are already completed & never gets the same score in order.

Now, you have to max the score, but recall 5 is the highest possible score, so have to think, is there any pattern to incorporate that is within the given constraints?

So any mix of 5,1,5,2,5,3,5,4 = 30

Ayushmnitj · Answer

why is the answer not 36 i.e., 5+4+5+4+5+4+5+4=36

Bunuel · Answer

Because of the highlighted part: Andrea got at least one score of each of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

In a certain game there are 8 steps, referred to as step 1,

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

In a certain game there are 8 steps, referred to as step 1,

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards