Hi iambillgate2,
You mentioned Isosceles triangles specifically, so when you say "the base", do you mean "the side that does NOT match the other 2 sides?"
An Isosceles triangle does not necessarily "point up", so you have to be open to the idea that the base of the triangle is one of the 2 matching sides.
When a GMAT question mentions an Isosceles triangle, it may tell you which 2 sides are the Isosceles sides, but it may try to test your understanding of Isosceles triangles by giving you OTHER pieces of information (e.g. angles, perimeter/area, etc.) to see if you can figure out which 2 sides are Isosceles.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich