rakeshrajagopal wrote:Hi.
I am just not able to crack DS. I did 2 mock tests last week and in both the tests out of 11 questions of DS I got 10 wrong. Kindly please help me with this.
Rakesh
Rakesh, my friend DS are not supposed to be barrier for successful GMAT attempt. DS type of questions should even consume less time than problem solving questions.
See how I tackled DS from 0% accuracy rate at the beginning. I will list ABCs for DS and then flow towards total murder of this staff
DS is a question which must be answered on GMAT. All DS questions ask you for 2 answer categories:
1) Yes/NO
or
2) Value
1) When you see Yes category do not forget that DS question may ask either Yes or Yes/No. The same, DS may ask you to confirm No only or leave you with the choice to introduce an alternate Yes/No. When you practice DS please carefully note this feature with the questions. Tip: never keep in mind Yes or No only, this will hurt the delivery of your correct solution for question to correctly marking its answer on A...D.
2) Value, this category of DS requires you to apply the same concepts as you would do for Problem Solving. The difference here is that you eliminate tedious calculations and just pick up the statements needed for solution only.
Before you begin tackling DS, read the stimuli (question text without statements). If it says 2x/3=12/4^2 then this stimuli is taking away your attention and you must simplify this beforehand. 2x*4^2=3*12 >>>> 2x*4=3*3 >>>> x=9/4 here you go the DS 2x/3=12/4^2 is equivalent to x=9/4 forget the cumbersome initial staff (slap ETS here!)
when you see DS do not feel any fear, many statements (1) and (2) are either simple linear equations, FDPs or exponents. Try to link your revised stimuli (x=9/4) to the statements given...
Always start with statement (1). If a question says x=9/4 see whether the question mark was placed after an expression, like x=9/4? If this is the case, do not assume that x=9/4 is an expression that you can use for pairing it to the statement (1). Follow your logic here; if the value is given without any question mark, then count it. Leave your solution choice with the statement (1) only for this moment. In case you could not find a solution for DS question with the statement (1) look up the statement (2).
Statement (2), the same rules as for the statement (1) apply here.
Next, If the statements (1) and (2) separately do not allow for the solution, take them together to help you answer the question.
If not any possible solution was found, select 'E' bravely. Tip: watch your progress for DS, if your incorrect answers for DS questions tend to be 'E' more times than 'C' or 'A', etc. then you are either weak in math concepts or do not put much effort for the question's solution.
After you read my suggestions for DS, practice with theory and practice of math on each topic by doing DS questions.
