Foundations in Arithmetic, CR & DI

Use the built-in error log tracker above, the Analytics portal, or a customized Excel/Google Sheets spreadsheet, whichever you'll actually keep up with.

• Topic:

  fractions, ratios, percent, CR conclusion, etc.

• Error type:

  concept gap / setup error / calculation slip / rushed reading.

• Trigger:

  what in the prompt pulled you off track.

• Fix:

  one-sentence rule you will apply next time.

• Accuracy by topic: which sub-skills are still under 80%.
• Timing by topic: where you're consistently over 2 min/question.
• The trend across your last few sessions, not just one bad day.

• Quant:

  no calculator, focus on clean setup and accuracy first

• Timing ramp:

  start untimed, then soft-timed, then normal pacing only after accuracy stabilizes

• Review:

  keep an error log from Day 1 (details below)

• Group standard:

  when you share a question, post your full attempt before reading explanations

1. Learn · 30 to 60 minutes

   reading or video

2. Practice · 45 to 90 minutes

   small sets

3. Review · 20 to 40 minutes

   error log + redo

• Official Guide and Review Guides mba.com
• All the Quant + DI Manhattan Prep · Amazon
• All the Verbal Manhattan Prep · Amazon
• PowerScore CR Bible Amazon

• What it is:

  a point counter attached to your account that goes up as you use the site. You do not sign up for it and there is nothing to opt into. It is already running

• You earn most of it by doing this plan:

  1 point a day for a timer attempt, 1 point a day for a post, 1 point every 3 days for joining chat, 2 points for starting a topic, and 5 points when a post of yours picks up 5 kudos. That is the daily workflow above, unchanged

• A few are one-time and take a minute:

  2 points for completing your profile, 3 for adding 3 schools to your Decision Tracker, 5 for writing a review, 5 for posting a debrief when you are done. Do the profile one now while you are thinking about it

• What it buys:

  49 points turns the Forum Quiz from 5 questions a day into unlimited, and points also open GMAT Club Tests. At roughly a point a day from the timer alone, that is under two months of ordinary practice for something people pay $19.99 a month for

• Tiers:

  Bronze at 10, Silver at 100, Gold at 200, then Platinum, Diamond and Legendary. Cosmetic, but they tell you at a glance how consistent you have been

• Rewards dashboard what you have earned and what is left to claim

Worth opening once now so you know what it looks like, then forgetting about it until Week 4 or so.

• Study Buddy chat find someone on your timeline
• GMAT Questions chat post a question you are stuck on
• General GMAT chat everything else
• GMAT Test Takers WhatsApp community the same thing on your phone

Pick one, not all four. A study partner who is two weeks ahead of you is worth more than three rooms you skim. Joining chat also earns a rewards point every 3 days, so it pays for itself.

By the end of Week 1, you should be able to:

• Translate ratios and percent into equations without freezing
• Stop making silly arithmetic mistakes (or at least catch them)
• Hit 90% accuracy on easy questions because that’s non-negotiable
• Feel calmer when you see numbers instead of annoyed

• Arithmetic basics
• Fractions & ratios overview
• Percent deep dive

So before we touch Weaken, Strengthen, or fancy question types, we’re going to slow down and learn:

• How GMAT builds arguments
• How conclusions hide in plain sight
• Why tempting answer choices feel right even when they’re wrong

By the end of the week, you should be able to:

• Clearly identify conclusion, premises, and assumptions
• Tell the difference between what’s stated and what’s implied
• Read CR arguments without feeling rushed or overwhelmed
• Explain why an answer is wrong, not just why one is right

• Ultimate CR Guide for Beginners
• Why LSAT CR helps GMAT CR

Choose whichever style clicks for you.

1. Underline the conclusion

2. List the premises

3. Ask: What must be true for this to work?

Before moving on, ask yourself honestly:

• Can I spot conclusions faster than before?
• Do I understand why some answers are “out of scope”?
• Am I reading CR more calmly?

If yes then you’re ready for CR practice weeks. If not then you should reread one guide and slow down further.

Next Verbal update, we’ll start applying this foundation:

• Assumption, Strengthen, and Weaken
• Proper pre-thinking
• Why eliminating wrong answers is often safer than hunting for the right one
• RCs are coming up in the upcoming weeks, so sit tight.

1. 2 Data Sufficiency questions (focus only on answer choice logic)

2. 1 Table Analysis

3. 1 Graphics Interpretation

4. 1 Multi-Source Reasoning

5. 1 Two-Part Analysis

• Topic

  (fractions, ratios, percent, CR conclusion, etc.)

• Error type:

  concept gap / setup error / calculation slip / rushed reading

• Trigger:

  what in the prompt pulled you off track

• Fix:

  one sentence rule you will apply next time

• Redo every missed question after a fixed frequency (recommended after each week) without looking at the solution.

Need feedback, not sure whether you're ready to move on, or just stuck? Post these stats in your study group and a Moderator will give you an evaluation of your progress.

Reading sources & Time spent:
Quant questions solved:
Quant accuracy: fractions & ratios __% | percent __%
One question link I want discussed (include your full attempt):

• Quant:

  post your equation setup and why you chose it

• CR:

  label conclusion and premises, then state your predicted gap

• Do this before reading explanations