Time Management - Especially in Data Insights

Question

Hi, Wanted to go over my strategy for answering the Data Insights section. Is it preferable to maximise the number of questions you get correct in the first 15 questions and do educated guesswork for the last 5 questions (as you will be short on time) or aim to solve all 20 questions and try for increased accuracy overall. Have given around 12 GMAT mocks (90% official ones/ GMAT Club ones), and while overall DI average is 78.25, have received 82-84 consistently in the last 4 tests where I have adopted the strategy to skip/guess a question if it takes more than 2:30 min, and then come back to it later if time permits.

ManifestDreamMBA · Answer

Your recent performance suggests your current strategy is working well. Just be mindful of having a streak of guesses or incorrect answers toward the end, as that can significantly hurt your score.

CorpLawyer18 · Answer

Thanks. Really appreciate it.

yc168 · Answer

Hi, here is a great post on DI strategy, including a helpful section on DI timing:
 How to Improve Your Data Insight

Also, in the Youtube video linked below, there is a section on DI timing strategy (starting 34:42), which I found quite insightful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pWMY14Yvps

CorpLawyer18 · Answer

Hey thanks. These are quite insightful.

yc168 · Answer

Sure. I feel the effectiveness of your timing strategy needs to be looked at in the context of GMAT scoring algorithm and your score goal, hence the algorithm video.

Also, I felt that maybe you can refine your strategy a little bit, by being able to identify questions that can be time-consuming or are in your weakness area and then letting go of them during the section as they appear, instead of focusing primarily on the first 15 questions or so. This would make your timing strategy a bit more dynamic.

Lastly, another timing strategy article with a section specifically for DI for your reference:
 Time Management Strategies on GMAT Focus

CorpLawyer18 · Answer

Understood. Makes sense. Thanks a lot, much appreciated. Have had a look at the article!

CorpLawyer18 · Answer

Understood. Makes sense. Thanks a lot, much appreciated. Have had a look at the article!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi CorpLawyer18,

Struggling to complete the GMAT Data Insights section within the time limit is a common challenge. One thing I have noticed is that when a student struggles with DI timing, they have not quite completed their quant and verbal prep. Not doing so can really hurt how quickly you can attack DI questions because many of those questions are made up of quant and verbal concepts. Would you say you are in that boat?

In addition, one way to improve each individual DI question type is to engage in topical practice. Doing so lets you pinpoint your weak areas in JUST ONE question type. For example, when practicing TPA questions, perhaps you see a pattern that you struggle with 3-part ratios or weighted averages. If you can find those micro weaknesses, you can fix them in real-time and thus improve your speed and timing in DI questions.

Lastly, 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 on DI timing, check out this article:  Data Insights Timing Strategy

Feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

CorpLawyer18 · Answer

Hi Scott,

I personally do not think the lack of clarity in basics in quant and verbal played a huge role in affecting my DI scores but yes there were some cues in the verbal portions which did affect them or rather contribute in lowering my DI scores every now and then. But the points you have made make a lot of sense and in fact are some of the aspects I have tried working on in the past couple of weeks. Can say that it has helped me improve time management in more ways than one. Appreciate you taking out time to offer such valuable insight. Thank you!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I'm happy to help. Feel free to reach out if you need me.

Time Management - Especially in Data Insights

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