How to improve in Data Sufficiency

[gracehwang]

Help! Does anyone know how to get better at DS? In terms of Quant, I think I've got PS down. But for some reason, it seems as if I get every DS question wrong. Most specifically, I answer number properties DS incorrectly. Any help on how to improve in DS would be great! Thanks.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

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

[[email protected]]

Hi gracehwang,

DS questions are unique to the GMAT, so Test Takers of need some time to learn how to properly deal with them. Thankfully, DS questions are just as predictable and standardized as any other part of the GMAT, so you can train to perform better and score higher.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What resources have you been using?
3) Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH practice CATs yet? How have you scored (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[gracehwang]

Thanks Brent@GMATPrepNow and [email protected]!

These are the answers to your questions, [email protected].

1. I've been studying for about a year. The studying has been upped over the last 6 months.
2. I have the OG13, Quant and Verbal Review, MGMAT prep books, and I've taken an in-person MGMAT class (September 2014).
3. I've taken all the MGMAT exams with a score in the 590-630 range. Quant is usually 50-ish percentile.

[[email protected]]

Hi gracehwang,

Since you've been studying for so long, and you can't seem to make any progress with DS, it's likely that you've developed some sort of psychological 'block' against these types of prompts (and likely some 'bad habits' that will take some time to 'fix'). To improve in how you handle DS questions (and by extension, to improve your Quant Scaled Score and Overall Score), you have to change how you 'see', and respond to, DS questions. We have a number of free resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com) that you'll probably find quite helpful in this regard.

1) What is your overall score goal?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich