Permutations/Combinations and Probability : how many to expect?

Question

Hi

I am weak in PnC and Probability. Generally based on your GMAT writing experiences, How many Problems out of 37 can we expect in these topics.
I am hitting Q49 in quants and would love to extend it to Q50.

pls advice.

Thanks.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

The answer to your question will depend heavily on how you perform in the Quant section on Test Day. The categories - Permutations, Combinations and Probability - are some of the rarest on the GMAT, so you won't see too many of any of them. As a general rule, you will almost certainly see 1 of each. As you score higher and higher, and the Test adapts to you, there's a greater chance of seeing more of those questions (but not that much more - up to 2 or 3 of each); however, there are plenty of questions in the 'pool' that are considered upper-level, so The Randomizer might give you additional advanced multi-shape Geometry or advanced Algebra instead of Permutations, Combinations or Probability.

There's also the 'level' of the question to consider. Some Permutations, Combinations and Probability questions are actually rather straight-forward and easy-to-handle; to score at the higher levels in Quant, you'll be expected to handle those easier variations.

Since you mentioned scoring a Q49, I assume that you've done that on at least one FULL-LENGTH CAT. When you reviewed the Quant section of that CAT, how many questions did you get wrong...

1) because of a silly/little mistake?
2) because the question was too hard?

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

There is no set answer for your question here. Probability and PnC questions are considered to be higher in difficulty level. So at your scoring level, you should see 2 - 3 questions from the two topics.

Balajikarthick1990 · Answer

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I got a full length gmat prep test with IR and AWA Included. 
The main problem i faced was I didnt look at the timing. Eventually at the end, 15 minutes was left and I had approx. 12 Questions to answer.
Last 8 out of 10 questions were wrong. Totally, I dont remember the no of incorrects. But I believe that If I bring in the timing stuff and do one more test, I may get the correct scenario.

Also, I would like to mention that first 8 questions were correct for me.

Thanks. My AIM is Q50. I have 85 days for the test. Is it realistic?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

With 85 days before your Official GMAT, you have plenty of time to study and improve. As you continue to study, you should put a certain amount of your efforts in to learning and practicing Tactics for the Quant and Verbal sections, including pattern-matching and other skills.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What materials have you been using?
3) What is your overall score goal?

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

Balajikarthick1990 · Answer

I have been studying for the past 2.5 months and I use OG 12,16, OG 16 Quant and Verbal Reviews, E-Gmat verbal course and GMAT Club resources.

My Target is 700 +
In the first GMAT PREP , I scored Q49 V30 ..... I am currently working on improving my verbal score. I would love to hit the maximum score in my forte which is quants and try to perform decently (V36/37) in verbal.

Do I still have the time (or) can I postpone my test further ? ( I am giving it on May 31)
I am kind of weak in Critical Reasoning and I am working on it.
I can spend 2 Hrs on weekdays and 4 hours on weekends.

Please advice. 
Thank you so much !

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

You mentioned taking your first practice CAT, but WHEN did you take that CAT? And have you taken any other CATs over the last 2.5 months?

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

Balajikarthick1990 · Answer

I took that 3 weeks back (i.e). After 2 months of study.

Thanks

EducationAisle · Answer

Actually as has already been pointed above, you can typically expect 2-3 questions in Probability, permutations and combinations. However what might seem surprising is that you need not necessarily be performing at "higher level" in the exam, to get questions from this topic.

Many of our students have reported that they actually got a question in this category among the initial few questions in the Quant section. However, the question that they got in this topic during the initial stages of the quant section, was a relatively easy one in this topic.

Hence my suggestion would be that even if this area is not an area of strength for you, make sure that you do not completely ignore this topic because you might actually be facing a relatively easy question in this topic during the initial stages of Quant section. As you would know, the way the adaptive algorithm works, if you get that easier question wrong then your scoring graph might dip significantly!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

You should plan to take FULL-LENGTH CATs on a more regular basis (1 FULL CAT every 1-2 weeks). Since it's been 3 weeks since your last CAT, you should plan to take one soon (perhaps this weekend) and report back here with your score results. In that way, we can better assess whether your current studies are helping you to improve (or not) and what you might do to adjust your study plans.

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

Balajikarthick1990 · Answer

As you suggested, I took 1 more prep test. Result is very disappointing.

GMAT PREP 2 - 600 (Q47, V26)

Below is the detailed split up:

1. Quants (11 incorrect)

Incorrect Questions : 1,2,17,21,23,27,30,32,33,37

Can u tell (Out of first 20 questions, only 3 is incorrect). But still I dont see Q49?

2. Verbal (15 incorrect)

2,4,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,23,24,25,26,32,35 (5 incorrect each in CR,SC,RC).

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Balajikarthick1990,

You still have lots of time to study, so you shouldn't be too worried about these recent results. The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. It takes into account a number of different factors - more than just the number of correct answers. As such, you shouldn't be spending time trying to figure it all out. You'd be better served working on building up your skills.

Of the 11 wrong answers in the Quant section that you noted, how many of them did you get wrong because of a silly/little mistake? As far as your OVERALL score goals are concerned, you'll have to make some big improvements to how you handle the Verbal section to hit your goal, so focusing too much on the Quant right now isn't really a good use of your time.

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

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Permutations/Combinations and Probability : how many to expect?

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