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How can I improve on Number Properties?

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How can I improve on Number Properties?

by jamie_700 » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:25 am
Hi all, I'm currently preparing for the Maths part of the GMAT. With under 5 weeks to go before my actual GMAT test date, I've almost completed my Kaplan GMAT course and I realise that I'm still very weak in Number Properties.

Questions on integers and lengthy worded questions in particular, unsettle me the most.

I'm currently going through easier data sufficiency questions from the Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT, and I've gone through the first 100 questions on data sufficiency from the OG 11th edition as I understand that a large proportion of the data sufficiency questions are on Number Properties but I'm still struggling and getting roughly 70% of these Number Properties questions correct.

Would really appreciate some tips or guides in how to improve on Number Properties. (I'm looking to hit the 700 mark) Thanks!
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by mp2437 » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:14 am
I haven't used it, but hear great things on Manhattan GMAT's Number Properties book. Why not give that a try. Any users of the book care to elaborate further on your thoughts?
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by KapTeacherEli » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:07 pm
Hi Jamie,

You're in a Kaplan course, so you've got some options. Remember, we've got a Math Intensive section in the back of our lesson book, the Pocket Reference Guide, and our Quiz-Bank. Also, although you've been through your Number Properties lesson at this point, remember that Kaplan give you every single lesson available On Demand, so you can revisit it to work on it once more!

Also, the best resource Kaplan can offer you is your teacher. He or she can talk to you in detail about your results and your classroom experience. Don't hesitate to send an email.

Finally, it's great that you've identified Number Properties as a weak spot, but don't get TOO focused. Make sure you spend at least a little bit of time on all your other maths (Kaplan's CATs are a great opportunity for this!) to stay sharp on subjects you've already mastered!
Eli Meyer
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www.kaptest.com/gmat

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by jamie_700 » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:37 pm
Thanks mp2437 and Eli! I've also heard some good remarks on Manhattan GMAT's number properties flashcards so I'll probably give that a try.

Eli, thanks for the reminder on the Maths Intensive part at the end of the Kaplan coursebook but I've found those questions on Number Properties to be very similar to the ones that I've either completed from the online quiz banks or from the actual coursebook. Is there any other resources that you could recommend? I've read through the pocket reference a good couple of times already and have been making notes along the way of the Number Properties questions that I've gotten wrong but I still see limited improvement in this area. Would really appreciate further advice. Thanks!
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by KapTeacherEli » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:42 pm
In terms of the specific, content, not particularly. My experience has been that the Pocket Reference is a great guide, and that beyond that, just plugging away at problems is the best way to get that practice.

I will say this, however: Make sure you're taking your time. You naturally don't want to be slowing yourself down. But frequently when I see people having trouble with Number Properties, it's not that they don't KNOW the properties, so much as not NOTICING the properties. Taking a few seconds to identify the task on any given question can make it clear to you WHICH rules to apply.

Also, remember that a lot of number properties, such as Odds/Evens and Factors/Multiples, can be cracked by picking numbers to test the rules. How often are you using strategies to bypass the trickier properties?
Eli Meyer
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by negah » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:22 pm
Hello Jamie,

I have the exact same problem . I have practiced a lot but I do not see significant improvement in Data Sufficiency number properties. Have you found any good solutions? If so, I really appreciate if you could share it with me. Thanks,
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by jamie_700 » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:30 pm
A useful tip that I've come across is to keep in mind the most common number properties concepts and use it whenever you come across any number properties question - Positives/Negatives/0/1/Fractions

From my experience, the key is to figure out what concepts the question is testing you on, and for you to figure out if there are any exceptions to the rule given from the information provided.

Hope this helps!
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