Need help in DS preparation

Question

I have started my GMAT preparation on 15th April 2015.First i focused on QUANT(PS and DS).
Books:OG13 completed till now(PS and DS)- Solved them 50 in bunch within time frame.

During my preparation,while solving the DS questions from OG13 i made many mistakes like almost 80 incorrect out of 174 DS questions.

On 1st May 2015 as per my plan i appeared for a QUANT CAT test (Veritasprep) there i scored 40 in QUANT.

After analysis of the test i found the thing that gave me this low score is DS,i got most of the DS incorrect .

I need your help and suggestions/plan in tackling this DS section .

Note:  I am aware of the basic DS strategies like separately analyzing the options and rule of elimination etc.

KarishmaB · Answer

It seems that your problem is not "Math" (since you manage PS well) but DS format. We have a DS specific book which, fortunately, is available free of cost (the pdf version) on our website. Check it out here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/ The "Download one of our 12 GMAT prep course lesson books" link is a link to the pdf version of our DS book. I am sure you will see a big improvement in your DS accuracy.

EgmatQuantExpert · Answer

Dear satosys You are not alone in this struggle with the DS question format.

More than 50% of the GMAT aspirants who come to attend our Number Properties Free Classroom session (conducted online every 3 weeks) feel equally challenged by DS questions. So, in our Free Session, we walk them, step-by-step, through the right process of solving DS Questions. After introducing our 5-step process to the class, we make them practice this process on 10 GMAT 700+ level questions (all from Number Properties), hand-holding them throughout the session at the steps they need help in. By the end of this 2-hour session, most attendees feel empowered and confident of their ability to think through any DS question. You can get access to the recording of this free session simply by writing to support@e-gmat.com.

Wish you an enjoyable journey towards your GMAT goal score! Best Regards Japinder

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi satosys,

The OG13 is NOT designed to teach you tactics, strategies, pattern-recognition or any of the 'secrets' that help make dealing with DS questions easier. For all of that knowledge and expertise, you'll need to invest in other GMAT products.

When are you planning to take the GMAT?

I ask because the amount of time that you have before Test Day will impact the amount (and type) of study that you should focus on to improve in this area (and perhaps in others).

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

satosys · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

I am planning to give GMAT in Aug-2015.

By May 30th -2015 , I am planning to finish the Quant.
June- Mid July for Verbal and rest for tests and revision.

Please suggest if this plan is fine or you see any change to it.
 As of now my main concern is DS as i find it confusing.

Please suggest any study material which you think would be efficient for tackling DS Section.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi satosys,

With an August Test Date, you have plenty of time to continue studying. You didn't mention any of these points in your posts, so I'm curious about a couple of other things:

1) What is your goal score?
2) Have you taken any FULL CATs yet? If so, then what were your scores (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

The big issue that I see in your study plan is that you're taking an "all Quant, then all Verbal" approach. If you're having trouble with the Quant section, then what will happen to those skills while you're focused on Verbal for 1-2 months? You'll find it far more beneficial to 'mix' your studies a bit - some Quant and some Verbal each week.

I'll be happy to make some recommendations once I know your score goal and a recent CAT score. Without that information, I would only be able to give you general advice and not the specific advice that you're probably looking for.

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

satosys · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

My goal score is 750+

I am willing to shift my exam date if I need more time for the preparation.

Yes i had taken a full CAT : Score 590(Q-45. V-25), this was without any preparation.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi satosys,

A 590 is a good 'baseline' CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). It sounds like you took that CAT about 1 month ago, so now would be a good time to take another FULL-LENGTH CAT. In that way, we can get a sense of your progress. If possible, you should take that CAT this weekend, then report back here with your scores.

To score 750+ you need to improve your Verbal score FAR MORE than you need to improve your Quant score, so putting some emphasis on that 'side' of the Test is a must.

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi satosys,

You could try the following approach: 1 write out what you need to know - if it is a word problem try to translate what you need to know into mathematical language. At this point you may also need to rearrange the expression you're given in the prompt so that a solution will be easier and more apparent. 2 Determine what is missing 3 Examine the answer choices one at a time (many make the mistake of evaluating both statements at the same time from the start.) Prior to evaluation, translate the statements into mathematical language, too, where applicable.

Keep in mind that the goal is not to solve the problem but just to know that you can solve the problem. Once you see the route to solving the problem don't waste time actually solving it. Also, many people accidentally answer "not sufficient" when the information is sufficient, but the answer to the yes/no question type is "no." Being able to answer the question affirmatively or negatively is an answer either way. In the case of testing out numbers, always try more than one number and type of number (negative, fractions, zero, etc unless told otherwise). Finally, remember that one exception is enough to say that the information in the statement is not sufficient.

I hope that helps!

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