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
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! We’ve been nominated, and we’d love your vote!

We’ve worked incredibly hard to build TTP into the best test prep experience possible, and it would mean a lot to us to win Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep. If TTP has helped you, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & 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
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
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
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

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

Plug in number strategy help....

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:31 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 3 times
by shayam » Sat Oct 08, 2011 2:33 pm
Hey All,

I am just getting started.
Now,I understand that plugging in numbers is a key strategy for many type of problems and this technique comes out from exp or practice, but I am trying to create a flash list of key methods..
Request your help by adding methods not listed here...or correct me if I am wrong..

* Plug in smart numbers
for percents .. plugging in 100
for work problems - plugging in 1
for fractions .. plugging in LCM of all denominators.
for speed problems plugging numbers like 100,1000

* For word problems in general choosing smaller numbers to start offf. say.. 0,1,2,3,4 so that multiplication,exponent/division gets easier.
* Plugging in answer choices(numbers) into the problem.
* Some articles stated that I should not plug in 0,1. in certain problems. Do you guys see any problem in pluggin 0,1
* If multiple numbers are to be plugged in.. choosing prime numbers for each..
* In case of VICS.. if the question stem has defined numbers to variable .. then we should not plug in numbers..


Thanks in advance...

cHEErs
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 509
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:08 pmFollowed by: 85 members
Location: Irvine, CA
Thanked: 199 times
GMAT Score:750

by tpr-becky » Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:24 am
I would actually suggest somewhat different criteria:

For percents use 100

for work problems use a multiple of the common factors (you don't want to deal in fractions if you don't have to)

for fraction problems - use a multiple of the Greatest common factor (again, it is easier to work with whole numbers instead of fractions)

If the word problem is short or has few actions - use small prime numbers - if it is longer choose a number between 10 and 100.

Do not use 0, 1 or numbers from the answer choices - this often creates multiple correct answers and you either get it wrong or you have to re-do the problem.

Plugging in the answers is a similar but completely different technique to be used in different circulstances (i.e. when the algebra gets too hard for you personally to manipulate confidently you should use the answers) However, if there are variables in the answers you should always plug in a number.
Becky
Master GMAT Instructor
The Princeton Review
Irvine, CA
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1