hamidmax wrote:
Hi,
After reading 5 math books of Manhattan (for 3 times) as well as both math books of Bible, I have really problem with those math questions of
OG 13 which come after No 100.
So I got astonished and surprised since I know all rules,formulas,.. mentioned in Manhattan and Bible books, even I can answer lots of those book`s questions easily but for questions after No 100 in
OG 13 I get stuck.
Is it natural? Is it correct that those questions are really hard or there is something wrong with me?
I have 7 weeks left to take the exam, please advise me.
Thanks in advance
Dear
Handimax,
I'm happy to respond.
To tell you the truth, what you say is not surprising in the least. A formula-based, rule-based approach will work well in easier problems, but the more challenging problems on the GMAT demand flexible out-of-the-box thinking ---- those problem will actually punish an approach that is too rule-based and formula-based. Here are a few blogs on this topic:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/mathematic ... -the-gmat/https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/how-to-do- ... th-faster/https://magoosh.com/gmat/2013/how-to-stu ... gmat-math/Moving to the next level of mathematical thinking is a difficult leap. That second blog will help you a little if you develop a right-brain perspective. With the more challenging problems, it becomes crucial to study the solutions carefully ----- even if you get the question correct!! You are looking for --- how does the solution "frame" the problem? what are the initial logical steps the solution takes? You have to learn to rely less on formulas and more on the logic that underlies formulas. One good practice would be to derive each formula --- i.e. show where the formula comes from, starting from the basic mathematical logic of the situation. For the harder problems on the GMAT, pretty much any formula is useless if you don't understand where it comes from.
Does all this make sense?
Mike
_________________
Mike McGarry
Magoosh Test PrepEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)