A Counter-intuitive way to improve on DS

by 09:35 0 comments
Why should you worry so much about Data Sufficiency questions? Because, even if you knew all the formulas and even if you had all the backup methods in place, DS can still stump you.

The effective way to solve DS questions is to really work on your process of elimination. But first, we need to revisit what various choices mean on a DS question:

DS gives you two solutions (1) and (2) and you need to determine if

A. Only Solution (1) is sufficient in order to solve the question.
B. Only Solution (2) is sufficient in order to solve the question.
C. (1) and (2) together are sufficient.
D. Either choice is sufficient individually.
E. Neither choice is sufficient.

Let us look at the magical word: "Sufficient"


Here is how the GMAT Mind Games are played on you when it comes to DS questions:

You approach DS questions by first looking at choice (1). You think about whether this choice is really sufficient to solve the question. Then, you methodically move on to choice (2). But wait, now your sub-conscious mind is already biased because of choice (1). So, you may end up thinking that the choice is really C, when it may be D or even E.

Why?


Because, the human mind is designed that way. We can't help associating two separate pieces of information. Also, we can't help going sequentially, i.e. we have to take a look at choice (1) first and only then would we look at choice (2).

The test makers know that! And they do everything in their power to make sure you DO get confused.

So what can we do against the Powers that Be?


Start with choice (2). That's right. Always start with choice (2) no matter what. Your mind won't be confused, because that is how to the question have been designed. The second choice is usually the kind that you can eliminate or associate without bias.

Once you check choice (2) and find that it is sufficient, you know that the answer can eliminate A and D.

If (2) is irrelevant, then you can eliminate C as well.

So you are able to immediately narrow down your choices.

The key is to start from the second choice. I never got a single DS question wrong in practice once I started using this technique. I consider this technique to be one of 2 main reasons why I could easily score 700+.

So... try this technique and let us know what you think.

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