Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
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.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
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 Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart 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

Probability: Sibling Pairs

Expert replies
by tvd04c » Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:35 pm
A certain junior class has 1,000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there are 60 sibling pairs, each consisting of 1 junior and 1 senior. If 1 student is to be selected at random from each class, what is the probability that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair?

a. 3/40,000
b. 1/3,600
c. 9/2,000
d. 1/60
e. 1/15

According to the OG 11th edition, the answer is the probability of selecting sibling pairs in the junior class multiplied by the probability of selecting a match in the senior class. 60/1,000 x 1/800 = 3/40,000.

My question is why isn't the answer:
the probability of selecting sibling pairs in the junior class AND the probability of selecting a match in the senior class
OR
the probability of selecting a sibling a pair from the senior class AND the probability of selecting a match in the junior class.

(60/1,000 x 1/800) + (60/800 x 1/1,000) = 3/20,000.
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:17 pm
tvd04c wrote:A certain junior class has 1,000 students and a certain senior class has 800 students. Among these students, there are 60 sibling pairs, each consisting of 1 junior and 1 senior. If 1 student is to be selected at random from each class, what is the probability that the 2 students selected will be a sibling pair?

a. 3/40,000
b. 1/3,600
c. 9/2,000
d. 1/60
e. 1/15

According to the OG 11th edition, the answer is the probability of selecting sibling pairs in the junior class multiplied by the probability of selecting a match in the senior class. 60/1,000 x 1/800 = 3/40,000.

My question is why isn't the answer:
the probability of selecting sibling pairs in the junior class AND the probability of selecting a match in the senior class
OR
the probability of selecting a sibling a pair from the senior class AND the probability of selecting a match in the junior class.

(60/1,000 x 1/800) + (60/800 x 1/1,000) = 3/20,000.
You're double-counting the sibling pairs.
Since each pair consists of 1 junior and 1 senior, it doesn't matter whether we select first from the junior class and then from the senior class or first from the senior class and then from the junior class: either way, we'll be counting the same sibling pairs.

Another approach:

P(sibling pair) = (total number of sibling pairs)/(total number of possible pairs).

Total number of possible pairs:
There are 1000 juniors and 800 seniors.
Total number of ways to combine 1 junior with 1 senior = 1000*800 = 800,000.

Total number of sibling pairs = 60.

P(sibling pair) = 60/800,000 = 3/40,000.

The correct answer is A.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion