Requesting tips on DI Section

Question

I'm currently preparing for the GMAT and finding the Data Insights section particularly challenging, especially when it comes to managing time across different question types.
What strategies, resources, or practice techniques helped you improve your DI score? Any tips for tackling Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, and Data Sufficiency questions more efficiently would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your insights

Edskore · Answer

DI was the section that ate the most of my prep time too, mostly because it isn't really one skill, it's four or five smushed together and each one wants a different pace. What actually moved the needle for me was timing by question type instead of by section. MSR sets eat time if you try to read every tab up front, so I trained myself to skim the tabs first just enough to know what's there, then dive back in only when a question actually needs that info. Table Analysis is really just sorting and filtering with extra steps, so get fast at the sort function in your head instead of manually scanning rows once you can sort by the column that matters. Data Sufficiency inside DI still rewards the same discipline as regular DS, write down what you actually need before you touch the statements, because it's way too easy to over-solve. I'd also say don't split practice evenly across the DI question types, spend more reps on whichever one is costing you the most time, mine was MSR. You're already sitting on a DI79, so this is more about shaving seconds than relearning concepts. Keep grinding, it clicks faster than it feels like right now.

AllisonBell · Answer

Hi!

Managing time across the different question types is really tricky. It’s helpful that  generally, you’re looking to average around 2 minutes per question across the board . For Two-Part Analysis, you could give yourself a little longer — up to 2:30 — and for MSR, you’ll want to add about 1:30 to read the prompt.

That said, it’s really hard and distracting to monitor your time per-question throughout the section. Generally,  an overall section benchmarking strategy  was really helpful for me in managing time on DI.  Break the section into chunks of four questions, trying to solve those four in eight minutes, and adjusting by taking a skip or educated guess if you’re running behind . The strategy and benchmarks are outlined in detail in   Everything You Need to Know About GMAT Time Management  .

Happy studying!

SarfrazAP · Answer

I just replied to someone who is also struggling for time on DI. Copy pasting that reply below. see if this helps.

Requesting tips on DI Section

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