Struggle with how to start on problems

Question

I have hit an issue that is plaguing me during practice problems; a very large portion of the time I cannot figure out how to start on a problem however once I see the first step I am able to do the remaining 95% of the problem.

For example if a problem has 5 steps, even if the 1st step is incredibly simple, I will know the problem involves steps 2,3,4 and 5 but for some reason am really struggling to remember the first step that allows me to do the remaining steps and it's one of those things where I see the first step and get mad at myself because I knew that was the step how could I have forgotten it.

Let me add that I'm not a necessarily brilliant individual so my theory is that this is likely just a case of simply not knowing the material well enough yet? I was hoping some of you all might possibly confirm the reason behind this and more importantly tips on how I should go forward?

I'm consistently scoring in the mid 600's on mocks and only have 2 weeks to go before my test but have 6+hrs a day to devote to studying and feel like this may be something I'm just on the cusp of it "clicking" on some of these. But regardless of that any 2 week prep tips also very appreciated, current plan is mostly mocks and analyze what I'm doing wrong/weaknesses.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi redfield,

With the situation that you're describing, taking lots of practice CATS will likely NOT 'fix' the issue. With two weeks of study time remaining, you should probably take 2 more CATs (1 per week), but the bulk of your time should still be spent on general review, pattern matching and practice.

Since you've been studying for some time, it's not clear what you mean when you say that you don't "remember" the first step to solving a problem. The first step is not something that you should be focused on remembering - it's something that you should 'spot'/determine based on whatever information the prompt gives you. As a hint, it's almost always easier to define that first step if you're taking notes while you read through the prompt. By extension, those notes should remind you of work that you've done before (on questions that you've already answered correctly) - in that way, you're really just looking for a pattern in the design of the prompt. Since there are only so many 'first steps' that are possible (use a Tactic, calculate, simplify, etc.), there really aren't that many options that the first step could possibly involve.

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

redfield · Answer

I'll give a very simple example that can hopefully illustrate what I mean:

You're given the problem 2x+3 = 16 + x so the simple steps are

1. subtract by 3
2. subtract by x
3. divide 16 by 2
4. x = 8

Now for something this simple I"ll recall the first step but say this were a more complicated problem I would know right away steps 2,3, and 4, but for some reason I forget how to set up the problem on that step 1 so that I can continue on to steps 2,3 and 4 and then in review when I see "subtract by 3" as the solution I have a "duh" moment where i'm shocked I forgot that that was the first step.

I see what you mean by patterns and I can believe that that is my problem, an inability to associate the steps with the problem type and such but it just kills me that I'm forgetting how to set up problems I've done before and now how to do just kind of get stuck on one aspect of the problem.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi redfield,

The example that you're using emphasizes the 'math work' that you have to do in many Quant questions, so if your math skills are a bit rusty, then you'll certainly want to hone those skills. To score at a high level in the Quant section, you'll need more than just math skills though - the Quant section of the GMAT is based heavily on Tactics, patterns, logic, Number Properties, etc., so those other areas also have to be accounted for.

For free math practice and help, I recommend that you set up an account at Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). The site is completely free and makes the learning a bit more fun and 'game-like' (as opposed to the dry academic approach taken by most books). While the site is vast, you should limit your studies to basic Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. After spending a little time re-building those skills, you can start your GMAT studies.

1) How have you been scoring on your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) What is your goal score?

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

redfield · Answer

Hi Rich,

I've been scoring around 650 with an even 39/39 split on Verbal and Quant. The verbal I'm naturally good at and imagine I can quickly get into the 42-44 range with a good 15-20hrs of condensed studying/refreshing; it's the quant I so incredibly seem incapable of digesting. My resources are GMAT PIll (more known for verbal) a couple MGMAT books, the OG, GMAT Club tests, and then I occasionally use Khan Academy when I need a refresher on a simple concept like negative exponents.

I have a fairly lofty GMAT goal of 710-740 as my undergrad GPA is bottom 20%-30% for the majority of my target schools and as such I need to be close to the TOP 20-30% for GMAT to try and balance it out. I have a very few obligations at the moment beyond the GMAT so I can devote 4-6hrs on weekdays and 10hours (with breaks of course) over the weekends. My plan is perhaps pick a section like geometry/combinatorics/etc. and devote an entire day maybe 2 with a cat every few days to analyze progress.

My flaw seems to be I know how to do factorials, distance problems, geometry, etc. but when I see a problem I fail in my approach (and also fully grasping the concepts rather than knowing them) and my hope is that in the next 2 weeks (with close to 80hrs of time devoted to studying) I can parlay my basic math understanding into a practical ability in the quant through specified focus days and repetition in practice. and hopefully end up with somewhere in the mid to high 40's (realistically I don't think I have a shot at the 90th percentile in quant).

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi redfield,

With your strong Verbal performances, you could score 710+ with a variety of Quant and Verbal 'combinations', so you don't necessarily have to raise your Quant Scaled Score that much higher to achieve your overall score goals. If the Q39 is consistent, then you're likely making little mistakes throughout the Quant section and missing out on a bunch of strategy-based points (in both PS and DS).

On your last CAT, of the questions that you got wrong in the Quant section, how many did you get wrong because...
1) of a silly/little mistake?
2) the question was too hard?
3) you were low on time and had to blindly guess?

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

redfield · Answer

While I can appreciate the benefit of increasing verbal as well as quant; I also appreciate the concern an upper echelon school may have towards such a low percentile quant score especially from someone with a non-quant heavy background. So while it is very much harder for me to improve on quant than in verbal; it is equally as important that I do so.

on the CAT I'd say

1) of a silly/little mistake?
 I missed a couple from simple misread/mistake. However if you consider the subject of this thread as a silly/little mistake (forgetting a single but crucial step in a long list of steps) then that is my primary problem.

2) the question was too hard?
 Ever other miss if not attributed to silly mistakes is attributed to this. While it depends what you mean by "hard", again if it's me forgetting a step here and there or struggling to know how to start my approach towards a problem despite knowing necessary formula's and processes then this accounts for a majority

3) you were low on time and had to blindly guess?
 None my timing has not been an issue yet (granted I have to guess more often than I'd like and that can speed up the process)

So in summary let's rephrase it to this:

1) silly mistakes
 25%
2) Problem too hard/not remembering a step:
 75%

I apologize Rich for being so verbose; I'm not particularly skilled in being succinct.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi redfield,

If you've been studying for any appreciable length of time (2-3 months or more), then you're likely gotten 'stuck' at this current scoring level - and it might be difficult to make the necessary adjustments to how you handle the Quant section with just 2 weeks to go before your GMAT. From what you describe, you want to score 710+ AND you want a much higher Quant Scaled Score. You could conceivably accomplish that first goal in the time that you have, but the second will likely take more time than that.

1) Do you have the flexibility to push back your Test Date?
2) What are the exact application deadlines that you're facing?

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

redfield · Answer

Hi Rich,

I agree I might be stuck it just feels like I'm stuck right on the cusp of "getting it", i.e having my knowledge and understanding of the test actually click more than just going through the motions that being said:

1) Do you have the flexibility to push back your Test Date?
 I do and I likely will; I will be unable to study much for a 10day period Jan 6th to Jan 17th but will then again have several weeks to study if necessary. There is a $50 fee to reschedule outside of a week before the test so I will take see how I'm going in 6 or 7 days and if it feels like I'm just banging my head against a wall not making progress and stuck well below my target score I will bite the bullet and reschedule for a month later (rather than spend 250 knowing I won't get the score).
2) What are the exact application deadlines that you're facing?
 I am 1 year out of undergrad so plan on applying this time next year so I have months and months, this is more a matter of the GMAT has been in my life for far too long now and distracting me from fully focusing on other things and I need to get this done.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi redfield,

The fact that you planned this far ahead so that you could focus on your GMAT was a smart choice. To that end, you have to continue making smart choices. Rescheduling your Test Date will give you far more time to properly 'fix' the issues that you're facing - and while that might feel a little disappointing, you shouldn't lose sight of the REAL goal - locking up an outstanding GMAT score now so that you can focus on your applications later.

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

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