Problem Solving

Hi Jonna89,

Many Test Takers put an unrealistic expectation on themselves regarding pacing. You are NOT expected to answer every question in under 2 minutes, so trying to do so is a mistake. Instead, your goal should be to do error-free work, in an organized, efficient way. Certain questions REQUIRE 3 minutes of time (and that's if you know what you're doing), so you should not get too upset that you can't answer every word problem in under 2 minutes.

How long have you been studying?
Since you're concerned about your pacing, how is your pacing when you take CATs?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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Jonna89 wrote:Hi guys!

I'm starting to think that word problems put the "a s s" in "massive problems." I'm having a really hard time solving these word problems under 2 minutes. Does someone have any tips for me? My exam is on April 11 of this year, and I do not know if I will be ready by 4/11 because I feel that these word problems are going to be a huge impediment. In particular, I am having problems with rates, distance, and VIC's (sadly I think those three items make up word problems). Anyway, please let me know what I can do to improve!!

Best,
Jonna

Word problems are tricky for A LOT of students. One of the hardest steps is creating the corresponding equation(s). In many cases, I like to create a "WORD EQUATION" as an intermediary step.

Here's an article I wrote about this strategy: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2014/09/ ... -equations

Here are a few questions where I've used a word equation:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/insurance-t278612.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/equation-t107935.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/speed-distan ... 80473.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/stuck-with-m ... 63906.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/rate-distanc ... 21963.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/distance-wor ... 81078.html

In particular, I am having problems with rates, distance, and VIC's (sadly I think those three items make up word problems). Anyway, please let me know what I can do to improve!!

One idea is to use BTG's tagging feature to focus on one question type at a time. While doing so, be sure to spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the various Experts on this site. They model the steps one should take when tackling math problems.

Here are all of the questions tagged as speed/distance questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... eddistance

Here are all of the questions tagged as work/rate questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... s/workrate

There isn't a tag for VIC questions, but here are a few to start with:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/ps-rate-times-t276107.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/help-me-solv ... 81418.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/to-find-the- ... 73338.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/what-mistake ... 76293.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/car-dealer-s ... 74136.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/a-better-exp ... 79396.html

Also, I recently wrote two articles about solving VIC questions:
https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/var ... approaches
https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/var ... 93-part-ii

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent