Data Sufficiency

Ever heard of a Math problem that you actually don't have to solve. If you have just started your GMAT prep, then this can be confusing. Don't worry! With some practice, your mind will be trained to think like a DS Wizard. Follow these 10 tips and you will be on your way to mastering GMAT Data Sufficiency.

1. Familiarize with the Answer Choices

No excuses: On Data Sufficiency, they’re always the same! Know in the blink of an eye what choice C is. On test day, if you find that Statement 1 is insufficient, be able to cross out choices A and D without hesitation.

During GMAT Preparation, Critical Reasoning and Data Sufficiency sections require a great deal of adjustment compared to GMAT Reading Comprehension and Sentence correction. The linear thinking that involve variables, data substitution, rules, and logical thinking might not completely work for 700+ GMAT CR and DS sections. Here is Why!

To score 700+ on the GMAT, test takers must develop a strategy to answer the Quant questions in 2 minutes and Verbal questions in 1 minute & 20 seconds.

Data sufficiency questions can be solved well within the 2-minute mark, most likely in 1 minute and 30 seconds if the conditions and question are rephrased.

Learn how to rephrase GMAT DS Questions and Improve your speed

Once GMAT test takers have learned about the fundamental concepts tested in the exam, focus should be on saving time for each question. GMAT Data sufficiency follows a format where a question is followed by two statements, labeled as (1) and (2), and five answer choices. Process of Elimination techniques will allow you to complete the GMAT DS questions in less than one and half minutes. Learn more about GMAT Data Sufficiency POE Technique.

GMAT test takers are more inclined to pick Answer Choice C in Data Sufficiency just as they would choose choice A in Sentence Correction. This trap in assumption is obvious to test creators, and they formulate the two statements carefully to force you to pick the wrong answer choice.

Watch out for this trap and know that the following three factors influence our ability to solve GMAT data sufficiency questions.

Learn the concepts behind volume and surface area before you start solving GMAT Solid geometry problems. All solid geometry problems come down to this - length, breadth and height.

For data sufficiency questions, look out for values of l, b and h. if any of them are missing then it would be easy to eliminate answer choices. Here is How!

Even if you fear statistics by its reputation, it is one of the easiest sections in the GMAT because a standard set of questions is asked and anyone who understands the fundamentals that I shall describe will be able to ace the questions. Learn the GMAT Statistics Fundamentals.

True to their name, Data Sufficiency questions ask you to determine when you will have enough information to make a conclusive decision.  In doing so, these questions can assess your ability to plan ahead for a task; to elicit an effective return-on-investment (remember, you can’t use both statements if one of them is, alone, sufficient), to find flaws with conventional wisdom, and to think flexibly. Find out why contradicting yourself can lead to errors in GMAT Data Sufficiency.

Perhaps no GMAT item is as symbolic of the test as is a Data Sufficiency question.  It is an iconic question format, unique to the GMAT and true to the aims of this specific test: to reward those who show the higher-order reasoning skills that will lead to success in business.

Find out how to prove that the statement is sufficient

Data Sufficiency questions are supposed to be hard; more so than any other question type they tend to represent a chess match between you and the author, as the author has two chances to get you to make a mistake.  Find out how to spot obvious answer trap.