Unlike Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency is a question-type unique to the GMAT. Data Sufficiency questions demand their own logic and their own strategies. Sample Data Sufficiency questions from the blog Below are links to seven different blog articles, each with at least two Data Sufficiency sample questions. The solutions are given at the end [...]
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GMAT Data Sufficiency Tips
Probably on every standardized test you have taken in your life, you have had multiple choice math problems — that’s exactly what the Problem Solving questions are. No big surprise there. The other type of question, though, Data Sufficiency, is a beast unique to the GMAT. I would argue that the Data Sufficiency section is [...]
GMAT Math: The Many Meaning of Minus
First of all, for warm-up, a practice Data Sufficiency question. The symbol What does this symbol mean in math? Technically, this symbol, typographically a dash, has three different meanings in mathematics, viz.: a) a subtraction sign b) a negative sign c) an opposite sign The subtraction sign When the dash appears between two terms [...]
GMAT Math: Possibilities for Variables
How do we know what the possible values for a variable on the GMAT are? First of all, consider this DS problem 1) Is P > Q? Statement #1: P = 5*Q Statement #2: P = Q + R For folks who are not as comfortable with math, or are a bit rusty with math, [...]
Five Common GMAT Math Mistakes
A good deal of success in math is simply about careful detail management. If you are, by nature, someone already comfortable with math, highly organized and detail oriented, probably none of these mistakes will plague your work. This is a post for folks who may be a little rusty in math, and need to be [...]
GMAT Data Sufficiency: Congruence Rules
Learn how to use these formal Geometry rules to your advantage on the GMAT Data Sufficiency section! A reminder about Data Sufficiency If this question format is new to you, read this post. If you have done DS questions for a while, it’s still worthwhile to remind yourself of the basics. You don’t actually [...]
Sequences on the GMAT
Understand how to handle these tricky upper level Quant problems! Definitions A sequence is a list of numbers that follow some mathematical patterns. More formally, a sequence is a function whose inputs are limited to the positive integers. Terms are denoted by a letter for the whole sequence, and in the subscript, the index, which [...]
A Geometric and Visual Approach to GMAT Math
Sometimes, the best choice from among two options is neither of them! Approaches to the GMAT Quantitative Section Many quantitative problems contain numbers and demand numerical calculations. Others contain variables, and one can use either an algebraic approach or a numeric approach. See this blog post for more on that choice. Folks are often [...]
Variables in GMAT Answer Choices: Algebraic Approach vs. Numerical Approach
Fact: On GMAT Problem Solving, some of the prompts will state quantities in terms of variables, and then expect you to answer in terms of those variables. Such questions are known as “variable in the answer choice” questions (or VICs in some circles). Fact: There are two basic strategies you can use to solve these: [...]
Breakdown of GMAT Quant Concepts by Frequency
Magoosh’s very own Mike McGarry, GMAT/Math Teacher/Tutor/Foosball player extraordinaire, went through 5 different sets of Official GMAT Practice Material and tallied questions based on the subject material they tested to find the most common GMAT questions. Here are the samples of Official Material he used to figure out the GMAT Quant breakdown: 1.GMAT Official Guide [...]
