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

Seven students are trying out for the school soccer team, on

Expert replies
by alanforde800Maximus » Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:16 am
Timer
00:00
Your answer
Difficulty–

right wrong

Pick an answer to see how members did

Seven students are trying out for the school soccer team, on which there are three available positions: fullback, sweeper, and goalie. Each student can only try out for one position. The first two students are trying out for fullback. The next two students are trying out for sweeper. The remaining three students are trying out for goalie. However, the fourth student will only play if the second student is also on the team, and the third student will only play if the fifth student is on the team. How many possible combinations of students are there to fill the available positions?

A 3
B 5
C 7
D 10
E 12
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by fskilnik@GMATH » Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:32 am
alanforde800Maximus wrote:Seven students are trying out for the school soccer team, on which there are three available positions: fullback, sweeper, and goalie. Each student can only try out for one position. The first two students are trying out for fullback. The next two students are trying out for sweeper. The remaining three students are trying out for goalie. However, the fourth student will only play if the second student is also on the team, and the third student will only play if the fifth student is on the team. How many possible combinations of students are there to fill the available positions?

A 3
B 5
C 7
D 10
E 12
$$\left. \matrix{
{\rm{Full}}\,\,\,{\rm{:}}\,\,\,\,{\rm{2}}\,\,{\rm{students}}\,\,\left( {A,B} \right) \hfill \cr
{\rm{Swee}}\,\,\,{\rm{:}}\,\,\,{\rm{2}}\,\,{\rm{students}}\,\,\left( {C,D} \right) \hfill \cr
{\rm{Goal}}\,\,\,{\rm{:}}\,\,\,{\rm{3}}\,\,{\rm{students}}\,\,\left( {E,F,G} \right)\,\, \hfill \cr} \right\}\,\,\,\,\,{\rm{with}}\,\,{\rm{restrictions}}\,\,\,\left\{ \matrix{
\,D\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,B\,\,\,\left( * \right) \hfill \cr
\,C\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,E\,\,\,\left( {**} \right) \hfill \cr} \right.$$
$$?\,\,\,:\,\,\,\# \,\,\left( {{\rm{Full}}\,,\,\,{\rm{Swee}}\,,\,{\rm{Goal}}} \right)\,\,{\rm{choices}}$$

$${\rm{?}}\,\,\,{\rm{:}}\,\,\,{\rm{manual}}\,\,\underline {{\rm{organized}}} \,\,{\rm{work}}\,\,{\rm{technique}}\,\,\,\,\left\{ \matrix{
\,\left( {A,C,E} \right)\,\,\,\left( {**} \right)\,\,\,1. \hfill \cr
\,\left( {A,D,{\rm{no!}}} \right)\,\,\,\left( * \right) \hfill \cr
\,\left( {B,C,E} \right)\,\,\,\left( {**} \right)\,\,\,2. \hfill \cr
\,\left( {B,D,E} \right)\,\,\,\,\left( * \right)\,\,\,\,3.\, \hfill \cr
\,\left( {B,D,F} \right)\,\,\,\,\left( * \right)\,\,\,\,4. \hfill \cr
\,\left( {B,D,G} \right)\,\,\,\,\left( * \right)\,\,\,\,5. \hfill \cr} \right.\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,? = 5$$

This solution follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
Fabio.
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Dec 17, 2018 3:56 am
alanforde800Maximus wrote:Seven students are trying out for the school soccer team, on which there are three available positions: fullback, sweeper, and goalie. Each student can only try out for one position. The first two students are trying out for fullback. The next two students are trying out for sweeper. The remaining three students are trying out for goalie. However, the fourth student will only play if the second student is also on the team, and the third student will only play if the fifth student is on the team. How many possible combinations of students are there to fill the available positions?

A 3
B 5
C 7
D 10
E 12
To keep track of the number of options for each position, draw a TREE.
Start with the MOST RESTRICTED position, which is SWEEPER.
If Sweeper = 3, then Goalie = 5.
If Sweeper = 4, then Fullback = 2.
Here's the tree so far:
Image

Now complete the tree, drawing the number of options for the remaining position in each case:
Image

The number of ways to choose the players is equal to the number of boxed outcomes on the right.
Total ways = 5.

The correct answer is B.
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

by [email protected] » Mon Dec 17, 2018 12:17 pm
Hi alanforde800Maximus,

This question uses what's called "Formal Logic" (a concept that you would see repeatedly on the LSAT, but rarely on the GMAT). You can answer it with some drawings and careful note-taking.

Based on the information in the prompt, we have seven players (A,B,C,D,E,F,G). We're asked for the total groups of 3 that can be formed with the following restrictions:

1) Only 1 player per position
2) A and B are trying out for fullback
C and D are trying out for sweeper
E, F and G are trying out for goalie
3) D will only play if B is also on the team
C will only play if E is also on the team

The big restrictions are in the two 'formal logic' rules....
-We can put E with ANYONE, but we can only put in C if E is ALSO there.
-We can put B with ANYONE, but we can only put in D if B is ALSO there.

By extension....
D can NEVER be with A (because then B would not be in the group)
C can NEVER be with F or G (because then E would not be in the group)

As such, there are only a few possibilities. We can have...
ACE
BCE
BDE
BDF
BDG

Final Answer: B

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Join the discussion