If you google for GMAT tips and tricks for quant and verbal there are almost unlimited links out there. So in this blog post I am going to only state the top tips and tricks i found useful.
Quant:
1. Learn when number N is divisible by X :
In particular in N divisible 2, 3, ,... 9 . This will save you time. For example N is divisible by 2 only if last digit is divisible by 2. N is divisible by 3 only if sun of all digits of N are a multiple of 3. etc
2. Every positive number has positive and negative square root, however if the radical sign (square root sign) is used it means only positive root
3. is fraction a/b > c/d ?? cross multiply (a*d and c*b) and the greater product is the bigger fraction
4. If consecutive numbers are evenly spaced then average is the same value as the median
5. N! is divisible (has factors) all numbers between 1 and N
6. In counting, permutations/ combination questions alway ask are they asking for unique/distinct values or not.
Verbal:
Sentence correction:
1. Learn the idioms, these are rules of grammar and hence every sentence must comply
2. Every sentence must have a main subject and a verb corresponding to the main subject.
3. The sentence MUST be grammatically correct
4. For answer choices that are grammatically correct, we must choose the answer that makes the most logical sense (conveys what the sentence is trying to say) in the most concise manner (avoid wordiness). In general active voice is preferred over passive, remove redundant info,
Reading comprehension (RC)
Every passage in the EA has a specific purpose, the author of the passage is stating some points of view and has some views that the passage is supporting. So while reading make a map of what was being said in each paragraph in your own words and when finished reading try to loosely state what the purpose the passage was. Each RC passage will have typically 3-4 questions so its worth taking a couple of mins to read and digest the passage.
Tip: In EA you can skip ahead to see how many questions are there for the passage, so you can budget time accordingly
Critical Reasoning: This is also similar along the lines of RC, do active reading and summarize the points in own words. Typically these are single questions so you need to be efficient.
Integrated Reasoning
1. Multi-source reasoning: Typically 1-3 screens of questions are asked, Tip: look ahead and see how many questions are there so you can budget time. For this question remember to look at all the tabs and note what data is presented in which tab and short summary what each tab is stating. Don't get too hung on specifics though, because you want to move onto the questions promptly
2. Table analysis: remember you can sort the columns so used that feature.
3. Graphs: try to summarize high level what the graphs are presenting, and do read the explanations that the EA provides for the data so that it matches your understanding
4. Two part analysis: There is no tip i can provide since its a large variety
5. Use the calculator as a last resort, you will need it only if two answer choice are very close. Otherwise, calculator is not needed, there is some logic that can get the answer quickly.
Overall Exam Tips:
1. Do the IR section well, that sets the tone. If you get stuck on first question (3 mins have gone by) take a guess and move on and flag it. If you have time you can try and revisit but its important to set the momentum from question 1.
2. Make sure you really pay attention to the question, sometimes we think they ask greater than x, but maybe its less than x. Make sure that you verify that you are marking the correct choice, which may seem silly but in our time pressure rush, mistakes happen.
3. I personally like to leave 3 mins for the last question of each section, just to avoid panic, so i budget my time accordingly.
4. Final tip, remember to not panic, if at the time you can't think of how to solve just take a guess and move on. The EA is just one of the criteria and goal is not to score perfect but hit the minimum bar set by your school of choice.
Quant:
1. Learn when number N is divisible by X :
In particular in N divisible 2, 3, ,... 9 . This will save you time. For example N is divisible by 2 only if last digit is divisible by 2. N is divisible by 3 only if sun of all digits of N are a multiple of 3. etc
2. Every positive number has positive and negative square root, however if the radical sign (square root sign) is used it means only positive root
3. is fraction a/b > c/d ?? cross multiply (a*d and c*b) and the greater product is the bigger fraction
4. If consecutive numbers are evenly spaced then average is the same value as the median
5. N! is divisible (has factors) all numbers between 1 and N
6. In counting, permutations/ combination questions alway ask are they asking for unique/distinct values or not.
Verbal:
Sentence correction:
1. Learn the idioms, these are rules of grammar and hence every sentence must comply
2. Every sentence must have a main subject and a verb corresponding to the main subject.
3. The sentence MUST be grammatically correct
4. For answer choices that are grammatically correct, we must choose the answer that makes the most logical sense (conveys what the sentence is trying to say) in the most concise manner (avoid wordiness). In general active voice is preferred over passive, remove redundant info,
Reading comprehension (RC)
Every passage in the EA has a specific purpose, the author of the passage is stating some points of view and has some views that the passage is supporting. So while reading make a map of what was being said in each paragraph in your own words and when finished reading try to loosely state what the purpose the passage was. Each RC passage will have typically 3-4 questions so its worth taking a couple of mins to read and digest the passage.
Tip: In EA you can skip ahead to see how many questions are there for the passage, so you can budget time accordingly
Critical Reasoning: This is also similar along the lines of RC, do active reading and summarize the points in own words. Typically these are single questions so you need to be efficient.
Integrated Reasoning
1. Multi-source reasoning: Typically 1-3 screens of questions are asked, Tip: look ahead and see how many questions are there so you can budget time. For this question remember to look at all the tabs and note what data is presented in which tab and short summary what each tab is stating. Don't get too hung on specifics though, because you want to move onto the questions promptly
2. Table analysis: remember you can sort the columns so used that feature.
3. Graphs: try to summarize high level what the graphs are presenting, and do read the explanations that the EA provides for the data so that it matches your understanding
4. Two part analysis: There is no tip i can provide since its a large variety
5. Use the calculator as a last resort, you will need it only if two answer choice are very close. Otherwise, calculator is not needed, there is some logic that can get the answer quickly.
Overall Exam Tips:
1. Do the IR section well, that sets the tone. If you get stuck on first question (3 mins have gone by) take a guess and move on and flag it. If you have time you can try and revisit but its important to set the momentum from question 1.
2. Make sure you really pay attention to the question, sometimes we think they ask greater than x, but maybe its less than x. Make sure that you verify that you are marking the correct choice, which may seem silly but in our time pressure rush, mistakes happen.
3. I personally like to leave 3 mins for the last question of each section, just to avoid panic, so i budget my time accordingly.
4. Final tip, remember to not panic, if at the time you can't think of how to solve just take a guess and move on. The EA is just one of the criteria and goal is not to score perfect but hit the minimum bar set by your school of choice.
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