GMAT Math Tip: What is the most important thing to remember when solving multiple inequality expressions for the same variable?
When presented with multiple inequalities for the same variable, you may need to combine the inequalities into a single expression to answer the question. When doing so, the most important step is to draw the number line. Shade-in the values which are “covered” by the inequalities and circle-out the specific values which are excluded. This …
GMAT Math Tip: How to spot GMAT problems for which brute force is the best solution approach.
We learn so many formulas and shortcuts and rules that we sometimes forget the timeless tradition of brute-forcing an answer. It is crude, it is not elegant, and in most cases very time consuming, but for certain GMAT problems it is the best and quickest method to arrive at a solution. A tell-tale sign that …
Good, Better, Best: Overcoming Tricky Weak Answers in GMAT Critical Reasoning
When going through answer choices, and this is especially true in Critical Reasoning, be careful not to dismiss weak or convoluted answers. If you cannot find a “fatal flaw” with an answer choice, make a small mark next to that letter on your scratch pad but do not eliminate the choice completely. Continue reading the …
GMAT Prep Best Practice: How to use the GMAT Official Guide (OG) to get the most out of your GMAT preparation
So you’re already using the GMAT Official Guide (OG) to study for the GMAT – great! This is the best source of practice material for the GMAT. As you may already know, the questions in each OG section are sorted from easiest to most difficult. I have a special way for practicing the questions in …
How Much Time One Should Spend on Each GMAT Question
Timing is as important on the GMAT as answering the questions correctly. So, how long should you spend on each question? I offer the following guidelines: On the math section, you have roughly 2 minutes for each question. Some of the easier DS (data sufficiency) problems can be near-obvious, and let you gain some valuable …