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During GMAT Preparation, Critical Reasoning and Data Sufficiency sections require a great deal of adjustment compared to GMAT Reading Comprehension and Sentence correction, as the latter follows a format that you have seen in Computer Adaptive Tests, undergraduate level tests, and other job interview evaluation. The linear thinking that involve variables, data substitution, rules, and logical thinking might not completely work for 700+ GMAT CR and DS sections.
Let us look at a simple example that will show how our logical minds work, and the assumptions that come into play while solving a problem. An L-Shaped object has 4cm and 2 cm sides.
How do you divide this L-Shaped object equally? Immediately our mind will parse towards vertices that can divide this object. And as you might have guessed it, a line from Point A to the opposite vertex divides the L-Shaped object equally.
Dividing the Object into Two Equal Parts
Now if you are asked how to divide the object into three equal areas. How you go about it? Again, the focus is first on the surface area and then the vertex that will allow you to complete the goal. The focus is back to Point A.
Dividing the Object into Three Equal Parts
Here is how GMAT test creators use our faulty assumptions to create 700+ DS and Critical reasoning questions. The process of elimination might work well for most question types, but it can also force us to make assumptions about the right answer.
If we ask you to divide the L-Shaped object into four equal parts, how will you go about it?
THINK…THINK…DONE?
If you are like rest of the test takers, the focus will be back on Point A, and other vertices. But in fact, the answer is in finding points within the L-Shaped object or conceptualizing a square and dividing it into four equal parts.
Dividing the Object into Four Equal Parts
Next Step
There are other critical reasoning flawed thinking that we are used to, especially with Syllogism. Read How to overcome flawed thinking in GMAT Critical Reasoning.
