I've been posting and searching like crazy on here. I was up until 4 am last night posting. To give you an idea, at this point I average 9.86 posts per day over the last 2 1/2 months I've been a member. Being active really makes a difference.
I'm going back over the last 50 DS problems in my OG Quant Supplement. I'm doing the last 50 CR problems too. I'm looking at the errors I make and creating a plan for approaching each problem to make sure I do not make the same mistakes again.
Example:
On DS questions when we have to know is x > y? And (1) x^2 < y^2 {off the top of my head example} I've created a list in my head of numbers I have to try ever single time. That list is {-2, -1, -1/2, 0, 1/2, 1, 2} I'll occasionally throw in -10 and 10 just to try and catch those equations that only act a certain way once you get to larger numbers.
Also, I have a check list on Quant problems. Every single problem (mainly DS) I ask my self about the possible types of numbers that can be used:
1. Can I use just any number? {\(\sqrt{3}\), 1, 1.5, -10, -3.14, etc}
2. Are the numbers limited to positive numbers? Negative numbers? Can x or y = 0?
3. Are only even numbers used? Only Odd Numbers? {Definitely important in a sequence problem.}
#4 - ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be sure you know EXACTLY what the question asks you to solve. I can't think of how many times i've computed how quickly Jon can type 20 pages of text when I was really being asked how fast Sam types. It's like running a marathon in the lead the whole time and tripping in the last meter and losing! Uuuughhh!
One tip for SC. Follow grammar rules. The writers of the GMAT have to make this test where non-native English speakers can also do well. If the SC were about what "sounded" correct, it would be a pointless verbal exam.
I compare it to algebra. We are trained to recognize \(x^2 + 2xy + y^2 = (x + y)^2\). If we read it and our only reason for saying it is correct is that it "sounds" right, we might not catch it if we saw \(x^2 + 4yx + y^2 = (x + y)^2\) which is incorrect....but the difference in the way it "sounds" is very little.
HTH
