Need help improving Verbal and DI

Question

Hi this is Shlok here
Joined a group a little late but just wanted some guidance 
I have the OG guide from 25-26 and have completed all Qs from the book entirely, although still not getting a good score in mocks
Quant is my strongest section while Verbal and DI are mixed..
Would like to get clarity on certain concepts and tricks for these 2 sections specifically 
Got 100% accuracy for the quant practice sets of phase 1 (easy level)
Should I try sets from a higher difficulty or move onto verbal/DI for now?

hr1212 · Answer

Hi  Shlok02 ,

If you have already gone through the OG guide and feel confident about Quant with good accuracy, it may be better to shift your focus to Verbal and DI.
I would need a bit more detail to understand exactly what you need to work on in these two sections, but a general suggestion would be to first analyze whether you need a concept refresh or more practice applying those concepts correctly.

For example, in CR it is helpful to work topic by topic until you build strong confidence in an untimed setting and have clear clarity on how to approach those questions before moving to another type. Once you are comfortable at that stage, you can transition to timed practice.
You can also use Marty’s method to refine your approach, as it helps you think more clearly and avoid careless mistakes.

Once your concepts are strong in Quant and Verbal, you will naturally start to see improvements in your DI accuracy as well. You will still need some focused practice on 
managing data efficiently, and I have written a few posts on that which you can check out for more details.

dp1234 · Answer

Hi. Just sharing my experience. I too solved the OG questions with ease, but my first mock didn't go well. But i improved my score (trying to make it even better now) using following approach. I would suggest you give diagnostic tests/Free mock by GMATClub to get a better picture. Based on the diagnostic test/mock you may plan and target sections accordingly. For QR (if needed) - For each sub-topic, do 2 timed sets of 15Q each - from easy level. Target 80% (or more) in each set. Start with lowest level and move to next level only when target score is achieved. For VR - As mentioned by hr1212, target CR topic wise. Once understanding and approach is clear (may refer books such as Manhattan CR or Powerscore CR)- practice timed sets. Initially, practice topic wise (strengthen, weaken, assumption, etc) only to grasp concept and develop process. For DI - same approach. Practice topic wise (TPA, DS, MSR, Graph, TA)- here you may do 5Q set for each topic. I would suggest to do timed sets from the beginning in DI. Error Log- Great post by BB here -> https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-revie ... l#p1327974

pintukr · Answer

You may attempt various difficulty level questions using the Forum quiz. All the Best.

Shlok02 · Answer

thank you everyone for the feedback. My main areas of weakness are the following
1. DI - Really struggle with timing in MSR questions. Takes me quite sometime to understand all the tabs and then get to the question. Even after that, accuracy is mixed
2. Verbal - find CR more challenging as compared to RC, specifically in Assumption related questions.
Would appreciate any resources/threads/videos that I can use to first get some conceptual clarity before revisiting the questions

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

One of the most important aspects of preparing for Data Insights is getting comfortable with the many ways the test-makers can present information (graphs, scatterplots, tables, multi-source, etc.) and the different ways they can test you on that information. So, a good approach is to study one graphic type at a time so you can learn the common patterns and pitfalls associated with that format. The more familiar you are with each presentation style, the less time you’ll spend simply interpreting the data.

Also, for now, make sure to practice DI questions untimed so you can focus on accuracy first. DI speed is largely a byproduct of familiarity. Once you’ve built confidence and consistency across question types, timing will improve naturally.

When you get a DI question wrong, identify what went wrong. Did you make a careless mistake, or misread the data? Did you miss a required concept/strategy? Did you fall for a trap, and if so, what was the nature of the trap and how can you avoid similar traps in the future? By analyzing your mistakes this way, you can address weaknesses directly rather than doing more unfocused practice. Over time, this is what leads to real improvement.

Finally, since time management plays a major role in DI, here are a few general strategies to keep in mind:
- Skim the given information to understand the type of information provided. Don’t get bogged down in the details. Just get a sense of what the data is conveying.
- Use the answer choices to your advantage. In many cases, the answer choices will be so spread apart that you can quickly answer the question through approximation rather than precise calculations.
- Use the process of elimination when possible. Narrow down choices by identifying clear inconsistencies or irrelevant options in the data.
- Stay organized. Jot down quick notes or calculations to keep track of information to avoid rereading the same data multiple times.

- Prioritize quick decision-making. If a question seems too time-consuming, it’s better to make an educated guess and move on rather than get stuck. Developing this type of decision-making mindset will help you better navigate the section

For more information, check out these articles:
- [How to Prepare for GMAT Data Insights](https://blog.targettestprep.com/how-to- ... -insights/)
- [Data Insights Timing Strategy](https://blog.targettestprep.com/data-in ... -strategy/)

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Shlok02,

I've put an entire CR course up on YouTube. Here's the session on assumption:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiluhG2JJiU

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