Low Accuracy in DS despite regular practice

Question

Hi! I had taken a diagnostic test the previous month and found low accuracy on DS questions. I have been practicing DS questions (20 Qs/day - a mixture of hard & easy ) since then but the accuracy seems not to improve (remains 60-70% on 2 min avg). Any suggestions/tricks on how may I improve my accuracy.

PS - Quant is easy for me. Accuracy low because of careless mistakes and unable to think the solutions through under time pressure. I can solve even 95%ile questions without time pressure.

shameekv1989 · Answer

Since you already know the basics, I think you may want to look for the pattern in the questions you get incorrect during the timed quizzes. I think what is most important in Quant is reviewing the questions we get incorrect and not mark them as "Silly mistakes", rather identifying the patterns in our inaccuracy.

It could be due to not taking notes of the constraints in the DS question, such as whether a variable is an integer, whether it is restricted to positive/negative or it can be fractions as well. May be the mistakes you make is the calculations. But identifying them is the first step and working proactively towards not making them again is the second.

For eg. I used to get incorrect because I didn't use to take notes of the constraints and that led me to proactively write them as say "x = +ve I"

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vineetm,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you've been studying for just 1 month, then you should not expect to have mastered any of the concepts or question types just yet. That having been said, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level (and that will likely require some changes to how you 'see' - and respond to - the Exam).

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

vineetm · Answer

Hello Rich,

Thanks for your reply.

Here is the information you require -

Studies

1) I have been studying since 1 month. I am able to dedicate 15-20 hours each week.
2) I have been solving questions only from OGs. I haven't used any material for DS section since I know the basics. 
3) I took only one diagnostic scoring 590. Also, I took untimed diagnostic test from OG scoring average on SC and DS and above average on PS,RC and CR. I planned to improve upon my weak area by taking timed quizes of 20Qs everyday and maintaining error log. I am referring MGMAT guides for verbal sections to know the basics on SC.

Goals

1) Overall goal score is around 720.
2) I am planning to take GMAT on the last dates of June.
3) I am planning to apply to Indian business schools - like IIMs (pgpx courses)/ISB.

Posted from my mobile device

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

For Data Sufficiency (DS) questions you must have a very strong understanding of the Number Properties, Fractions, Decimals, and Percents, Word Problems, Algebra and Geometry concepts because DS questions test you on these concepts. At the same time just knowing these concepts might not be sufficient.

Things to keep in mind:-

1) Read and make a note of all the important information given in the question stem. For e.g. note whether only an integer is mentioned, or positive integer, negative integer, a non negative integer or nothing is mentioned. Your success in getting to the right answer majorly depends upon how well you read the question stem and relate your basic math knowledge to the question in hand.

2) If you understand what is given in the question stem clearly then you will avoid a lot of silly mistakes.

3) Don't carry the information provided in one statement to another statement while evaluating either statement individually.

4) If possible try to rephrase the question in simple words. This will help you analyze the statements relatively easily.

5) Start with the easier statement and then tackle the difficult statement.

6) Maintain and review the error log to avoid the same mistakes again and again.

7) General prep strategy for Data Sufficiency (DS) questions is that there is no need to solve the equations or do the math. But sometimes, especially in case of quadratic equations and same equations (parallel lines), completing the calculations might be useful. Only where you are confident that there cannot be a trap here then you don't need to do the complete calculations.

8) Reviewing the basic concepts again and again for DS questions is very important. Laying a strong math foundation is very important to evaluate various scenarios. Try to draw tables/scenario chart for evaluating various possibilities.

9) Test numbers systematically. Use a standard set of numbers during your practice sessions so that this becomes a habit. After reading the constraints mentioned in question stem and the 2 statements, you could test for (assuming no constraints) -2,−3/2,-1,−1/2,0, 1/2, 1, 3/2 and 2.

Last but not least, regular Practice and Learning from your mistakes is the key to become more and more successful for data sufficiency questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vineetm,

If it's been at least 2 weeks since you took your first practice CAT/mock, then you should plan to take a NEW CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend). Seeing how you perform under timed, realistic testing conditions is far more relevant to assessing your overall skills than working through 20 question sets is. In addition, we need to better define how you're performing in the Verbal section, since a Score Goal of 720+ will require that you perform well in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Once you have that next score, you should post back here (or you can feel free to PM me directly) and we can discuss the results and how to best proceed with your studies.

1) On your first CAT (the 590), what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi vineetm,

I see that you have been studying for only one month, so as you continue to improve your overall GMAT quant skills, you’ll organically improve your DS skills. Here is some further advice you can follow to improve those skills.

First off, when solving Data Sufficiency questions, you need to adjust how you approach those questions versus how you attack problem-solving questions. For example, you need to understand that Data Sufficiency questions do not have to be solved out to the “bitter end.” Take a look at  example 10 here . Notice that the goal of the problem is to determine the mean grade for the left-handed students. If you look at the solution for statement two, it’s clear that we can determine the value of L well before we actually do. So, taking that mentality when solving DS questions should greatly help your accuracy and your timing.

There are definitely certain nuances or traps to be aware of when solving Data Sufficiency questions. One of those traps is the dreaded “C Trap.” In C-trap questions, you’ll be baited into choosing answer choice C because C so clearly and obviously seems to be the correct answer. DON’T TAKE THE BAIT!! For instance, take a look at  example 9 here . Upon first glance, choice C seems like a logical answer, right? Yet, if you properly attack the problem, you’ll see that you can determine the value of x using statement one alone.

Once you further develop your general Data Sufficiency skills, whether you correctly solve DS questions will be based more on your topical knowledge than on anything else. For example, if you are given a DS question testing you on “units digits,” such as  example 1 here , but you are not skilled in working with units digits and do not know that the base of 7 has a units digit of 1 when raised to an exponent that is a multiple of 4, then how can you expect to correctly answer that particular DS question, right? To improve, you would have to spend time reviewing not Data Sufficiency concepts but concepts related units digits patterns.

In summary, yes, there are some general Data Sufficiency skills that you could use to avoid being trapped or wasting time doing unnecessary math. At the same time, if you thoroughly master each GMAT quant topic, then you should not have any major issues with Data Sufficiency questions.

Lastly, you may find it helpful to read the following article:

How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success

Feel free to reach out with further questions. Good luck!

vineetm · Answer

Thanks  ScottTargetTestPrep  for your response. You are right in a way that I need to improve my DS skills regardless of how strong my math is. I was mindlessly giving timed quizzes hoping one day my accuracy would improve.

PS - I am from a modest financial background, hence I am looking for only free resources available on the internet to improve my skills. I found your blogs quite insightful and appreciate the links you have sent.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I'm glad you enjoyed the blogs! Also, you should sign up for the TTP course giveaway: https://gmat.targettestprep.com/giveaway

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Low Accuracy in DS despite regular practice

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