DS HELP

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

DS HELP

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:34 am

I've been trying to master this topic for almost a month now and have yet to fully grasp the concept. Its not the math part, I just don't like the question type. Any pointers on how to get a full understanding for test purposes. I take the exam in 3 months.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency | Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:34 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:37 am

Your situation is very common among people preparing for the GMAT. The truth of the matter is that EVERYONE struggles with Data Sufficiency (DS) questions at first. Keep in mind that this question type is unique to the GMAT, so it's totally foreign territory.

It just takes time for the concepts and strategies to become secondary, at which point you may come to find that DS questions are actually easier than Problem Solving questions.

I could start listing dozens of DS strategies and common mistakes (like confusing the answer to sufficiency question to the answer to the target question), but it's easier to just direct you to our free set of 16 videos that cover everything you need to know to tackle DS questions: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-data-sufficiency

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:46 am

I've reviewed those videos more than 4 times each and still can't grasp the concept. I've worked the additional practice and took numerous practice test and focused solely on the DS questions. I'm becoming discouraged and at this point even reconsidering going to grad school since I have to take this test.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:51 am

Okay, I also suggest that you spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the Experts on this site. They often model the steps one should take when tackling DS questions.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:54 am

I've been doing that as well. I get the verbal and math questions daily. I also go through the forum and look at other questions and expert responses to these questions. I can follow along on how you came up with the answer, but when I try a problem myself 50% of the time I get them wrong. I will go through the videos again. I also have the 60 day study guide that I have been trying to keep up with to get extra help.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 11:57 am

Is there a certain topic or question type that is giving you the most trouble?

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:00 pm

inequalities

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:01 pm

I can take the GRE or GMAT. I asked around and most people said that the GMAT was easier except for this question type.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:04 pm

ravnking89 wrote:inequalities

Those can be killers.
Have you watched our free videos on inequalities?

Part I - https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/979
Part II - https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... /video/982

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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ravnking89: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:32 am

by ravnking89 » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:09 pm

I've watched those, but I will watch all the DS videos and those you recommended again and practice more. Do you think that the 60 day study guide is effective. Also, I have the Kaplan book. Do you have a better recommendation?

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:13 pm

ravnking89 wrote:I can take the GRE or GMAT. I asked around and most people said that the GMAT was easier except for this question type.

Not sure I agree with that.
The math is similar, but the verbal is much different.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Nov 12, 2015 12:19 pm

ravnking89 wrote:Do you think that the 60 day study guide is effective.

I think it's effective - we've heard great things from students who have followed it.
If you're looking for additional resources, the Veritas Prep books and the Manhattan GMAT books are great.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com