Even though Data Sufficiency questions test the same math content as Problem Solving questions, most GMAT students find that they can’t use the same strategies on both question types. One of the common errors students make in their approach to Data Sufficiency questions is jumping to the two statements without analyzing the question first and figuring out what information is missing. You wouldn’t start hunting for a jigsaw puzzle piece without first looking at the shape of the hole you’re trying to fill, would you? Most Data Sufficiency questions can be simplified with the Pieces of the Puzzle approach, and some would be nearly impossible to solve without it.

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The best way to think of inequalities is as equations with slightly less specific information. Instead of providing an exact location, they provide a range of locations, all of which are satisfactory. With “=” instead of“<”, we can solve for the exact number. In an inequality, that number will be used as an endpoint.

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FACT: So many students get caught up in the idea that one must solve a problem to get the correct answer.  Well that is not the case for many questions on the GMAT.  Sometimes it actually slows you down to fully work out a problem.

Let’s go to the board to check out my point with DATA SUFFICIENCY.

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If the GMAT Quantitative section were 3 hours, all of our lives would be easier. We could take our time, work through each solution, check our choice, and sharpen our pencil before each question. Since we are not afforded this luxury, we must take back every second we can. Data Sufficiency questions are a great place to start, since most students take too much time solving the problem instead of assessing whether it’s possible to solve the problem. Here we’ll look at common DS time-saving techniques through the lens of systems of linear equations.

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An exponent is a fancy way of writing the value of a number multiplied several times (up to infinity) by itself. 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 can also be written as and can be expressed as “three raised to the fourth power” or “three to the fourth”. The large number (3) is called the base and the little number (in this case 4) is called the exponent. Where the exponent is an integer, exponentiation corresponds to repeated multiplication, whereas multiplication corresponds to repeated addition.

There are several properties and rules to keep in mind with exponents:

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If an official looking man with a clipboard (clipboards automatically make the kookiest of the kooky look official) were to stop you on the street corner and ask for a number, what would you say? If you’re like most people, you would probably respond by saying 2 or 5 or, maybe, 12. Having given your response, you’d be happy to wander off to attend to your business.

But instead, let’s watch Clipboard Guy for a bit longer. For whatever reason, he’s been standing on that street corner asking passersby for a number for a long time now. He’s dutifully written each person’s response down. He’s gotten a lot of expected responses and is starting to get a little bored with his task. Suddenly, he asks his question and the respondent says, “1/2”. Clipboard Guy smiles and writes down the number.  Feeling rejuvenated, he stays on the street corner a while longer asking his question. Eventually, a respondent says “pi”. Clipboard Guy chuckles and writes the number down.

So, what does the story of Clipboard Guy have to do with GMAT Data Sufficiency questions? I’m glad you asked. Data Sufficiency questions often take advantage of standard ways that most people think about math.

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In many ways, Data Sufficiency is like a high-stakes poker game.  The key to winning is to guess what your opponents want you to do – and do the exact opposite.  In this case, your opponents are the GMAT test writers, and by understanding a few of the bluffs and scams they try to run on you, you can guess the right answer on a Data Sufficiency question – even if you actually have no idea how to solve the problem. Here are a few of their favorite set-ups:

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Data sufficiency questions are typically not as straightforward as regular quantitative questions. Here are some strategies for eliminating definitively wrong answers:

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