BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATBootcamp Starts Sep 21
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE BOOTCAMP

Live Online Bootcamp Class with Top GMAT Expert Chris Peckover

Sep 21 to Oct 9, 2026

Schedule
Mon to Fri · 7:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
Live classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class
  • 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included
View bootcamp & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

GMAT Prep Test Question 1 - Standard Deviation

Expert replies
by moshema » Wed Dec 09, 2009 4:50 am
A certain list of 100 data has an average (arithmetic mean) of 6 and a standard deviation of d, where d is positive. Which of the pairs, when added to the list, must result in a list of 102 data with standard diviation of less than d

a) -6 and 0

b) 0 and 0

c) 0 and 6

d) 0 and 12

e) 6 and 6

Can someone crack this for me. It was my first GMAT question and it through me off-guard that the rest of my exam was spoilt!
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by druski » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:35 am
I would imagine it would be option E) 6 & 6.

if you had a set of 5 numbers (1,2,3,4,5) the mean would be 3, and the standard deviation would be the sqrt of 2, or roughly 1.4. If you added two data points, both equal to the mean, the set would become 1,2,3,3,3,4,5, the mean would be 3 still, but the standard deviation would now be the sqrt of 10/7, or roughly 1.19.

Basically, adding more data points that are equal to the mean decreases the standard deviation, which makes sense. To use probably wholy incorrect math lingo, you could say the more points equal to the mean the less the average (standard) difference (deviation) from the mean is.

Any other number would increase or maintain the current standard deviation as the number would be greater/less than the mean.
Join the discussion

by MBAorBust » Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:00 pm
Agreed. E is the answer because standard deviation is a measure of the distance away from the mean essentially. So if you add two numbers that don't deviate from the mean, the standard deviation will go down for the set of numbers.
Join the discussion