Data Sufficiency Books or Guides?

Question

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew of any books that specifically tackle data sufficiency questions?

I am really struggling with this part of the GMAT, everything else seems fairly straight forward but I feel like I just don't have the correct approach to tackling these questions and I try to avoid them.

I want to focus only on this section for a while - could anyone recommend books or guides specific for Data Sufficiency

Thanks,
Sefwow

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

You're not alone; almost everyone EVERYONE struggles with Data Sufficiency (DS) questions at first. Keep in mind that this question type is unique to the GMAT, so it's totally foreign territory.

It just takes time for the concepts and strategies to become secondary, at which point you may come to find that DS questions are actually easier/faster than Problem Solving questions.

Here are some videos that might help (Click Spoiler Link below to reveal 16 DS Videos)  
 Introduction to GMAT Data Sufficiency
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MaEqnSnK-s

The Elimination Method: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amhxP9My_pU

Avoiding Common Mistakes - Part I: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACq36scVYQ

GMAT Data Sufficiency Strategies - Part I: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep09hi1OJpI

Summarizing Information: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK9PR3SLsSA

Rephrasing the Target Question: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyG1K3ee69w

The Table Method: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfTiRIG_k4

Choosing Good Numbers: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu-WhqM0j1Q

Geometry Data Sufficiency Questions: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wetqSGMdY7Y

Useful Contradictions: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkK9IHSV8yA

Avoiding Common Mistakes - Part II: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEBRAR5jXlY

Common GMAT Data Sufficiency Myths - Part I: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJwUKVn37To

Common GMAT Data Sufficiency Myths - Part II: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SCrYMCA88A

Choosing a Statement: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m4CQXZaxkQ

Guessing Strategically: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbLSVRwORA

GMAT Data Sufficiency Strategies - Part II: 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOLCDhG7QiA

sefwow · Answer

Thanks a lot brent, was wondering if you knew of any written material too that would aid my study?

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Sorry, I can't think of anything.

Cheers,
Brent

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Sefwow,

Data Sufficiency is a question type that is unique to the GMAT - and it's probably unlike any type of question that you've had to answer before - so it's understandable that you might be having some difficulty with it (especially if you're early-on in your studies). Thankfully, DS questions are more about proper 'process' and not about high level 'math skills', so once you get used to doing the proper 'steps', then you'll likely pick up a lot of easy points in this area. Print materials generally cover several subjects (or several subsets of a subject), so you might find it difficult to find a print source that is just focused on DS. As it stands though, you don't really need a print resource to get good at DS - you need to learn the proper steps, then you need to practice them until they become natural.

I'd like to know a bit more about how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

SUPERSARS · Answer

I think practice is the best way to understand how DS questions are designed and answered. Just try to attempt various DS questions in the forum and start with the easy ones first

sefwow · Answer

Sure. I'll do that - I had a look at Bunel's questions but they were too hard - guess will start with easy ones and work my way through them

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