Tips to improve DI skills

Question

Hi, I need a score of 600. I already did two practice tests and scored 590 and 595 respectively. While I’m very good at verbal reasoning (around 85% percentile), my data insights and quantitative skills are significant worse which prevents me from getting my desired score. While I had no time pressure in both tests in the verbal and quant section (only needed around 35 min for each section), in data insights however I really struggle with time. Do you have any tips for me to quickly improve my skills in data insights/quant if I’m planning to take the Gmat in 5 days?

yc168 · Answer

To potentially answer your question more specifically, can you share a bit more information:
1. What are your sectional scores in your practice tests?
2. What topical area(s) are you weak in the Quant section?
3. How's your accuracy in each DI question type? Which question type(s) in DI did you spend more than 2.5/3 minutes per question?

You can look up your score report to find answers to the above questions.

Srrishti · Answer

be a little smart in choosing where to spend time in di , do you due diligence and solve

Joni1 · Answer

1. Score Quant: 79
 Score Data insights: 76
 Score Verbal: 83

2. I'm especially weak in algebraic equations and percentages/ mixtures

3. My accuracy is really weak in two part analysis (acc.40%) and data sufficiency (50%). What I find really difficult is answering Data Sufficiency questions where both statements together are sufficient or both aren't sufficient. In most cases I'm just guessing between these two answers.

On MultiSource Reasoning I spent on average 3 minutes, but at least my accuracy is high there. My timimg on the other question types is fine.

Gmat750aspirant · Answer

In DI, for the questions if you feel you are not able to do it, guess and leave it, and use that time for other questions

NextstopISB · Answer

Try to have error log and practice that particular concepts which will increase the score

yc168 · Answer

It seems that your good Verbal skills helps you in the MSR, while some holes in your quant skills may be dragging you down in DI as well.

TPA is difficult for almost every one. I don't think you should prioritize them given the short time you have. You should focus on topics/question types where you have a higher chance to improve. This also applies to your timing strategy during the real test - you should let go of the questions that you know you are not going to be able to solve within reasonable time, and just guess and move on.

For DS, maybe the strategies that Bunuel summarized in the post linked below may help you:
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/ultimate-gmat-quantitative-preparation-guide-244512.html#p1886499 
(Scroll down a little bit to get to the "   3. Strategies and Tactics for DS Section   ")

The other suggestion might be to drill on your weak areas in Quant, from  GMAT Club question bank , especially those topics that are often tested in the DI section as well, such as Percents, Weighted Averages, Statistics, and Estimation techniques... etc.

Good luck.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Joni1,

When students struggle with DI questions, the first thing I always ask is whether they have fully completed their quant and verbal prep. Not doing so can really affect how well you handle DI questions, as many of those questions involve quantitative and verbal concepts. So, 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 accuracy in DI questions..

Lastly, when working on DI questions, for the time being, make sure to practice them untimed so you can focus on JUST accuracy. As you become more familiar with these question types and get more accurate, better timing will follow.

For more advice, check out this article:  How to Prepare for GMAT Data Insights

Feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

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