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General question about DS section

Expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by theCodeToGMAT » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:25 pm
richardle wrote:If you find that Statement (1) is not sufficient but Statement (2) is sufficient, is the correct answer always B?
Yes, "B"

What if you combine Statements (1) and (2) and the statements together are sufficient?
We always give priority to Statement 1 & 2 "alone". After testing Statements 1 & 2 "alone" we find that we can conclude an answer.. we mark "A" or "B" or "D"(if both statements are sufficient").
If we cannot find any concrete solution from statements separately, then we combine.. if combining results in concrete answer.. mark "C".. else "E"


A --> When only Statement 1 is sufficient
B --> When only Statement 2 is sufficient
C --> When both the statements combined are sufficient
D --> When both the statements alone are sufficient
E --> When combining of the statement still doesn't provide any concrete answer
R A H U L
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by mevicks » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:42 pm
Always use AD/B/CE approach for DS questions:

Here is a quick flowchart for the same:
Direct Link: AD/B/CE approach
(let me know if you need some more elaborate steps)

Key points: Always start with statement (1), Figure out the target question before hand, Simplify the given information if possible.

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richardle wrote:If you find that Statement (1) is not sufficient but Statement (2) is sufficient, is the correct answer always B?

What if you combine Statements (1) and (2) and the statements together are sufficient?
So referring to the above flow chart, the moment you reach an ANSWER you have to stop. If (1) is NOT SUFFICIENT and (2) is sufficient you stop at B.
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by [email protected] » Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:36 pm
Hi richardle,

Both Rahul and mevicks have provided information that you can use to assess DS questions/answers.

The short answer to your question is this: If EITHER of the Statements is SUFFICIENT on its own, then you DON'T need to combine them.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:48 am
If you're interested, we have a free video on The Elimination Method that mevicks posted: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... cy?id=1096

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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by richardle » Sun Oct 20, 2013 5:46 pm
Thank you all
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