GMAT Math Skills

PROBLEM SOLVING | DATA SUFFICIENCY | WORD PROBLEMS

Kaplan Method for Problem Solving Dealing With Word Problems

1) Study the question stem and the answers. The key to solving word problems is translation: turning English into math.
Rather than having an equation set up for you, you have to decide what
2) Determine what the question asks.
arithmetic or algebraic operations to perform on which numbers.
3) Choose an approach, or combine approaches:
a) Use a strategy. Your job is to translate the problem from English into math. A phrase like
i) Picking Numbers “three times as many as John has” can be translated as 3 j; the phrase
“four fewer than Susan” can be translated as “s – 4.”
ii) Backsolving
b) Do the straightforward math.
c) Guess strategically. Here’s a general approach to any word problem:

i) Use logic to eliminate answers.

1. Read through the whole question once, without lingering over details,
ii) Estimate the value of the correct answer. to get a sense of the overall problem.
iii) Be wary of answer choices that are structurally different from
others. 2. Identify and label the variables or unknowns in a way that makes it
easy to remember what they stand for.
iv) On Roman numeral questions, try to verify or disprove one or
more statements and any related answer choices.
3. Translate the problem into one or more equations, sentence by
v) On “which of the following” questions, be partial to the latter sentence. Be careful of the order in which you translate the terms. For
choices. example, consider the phrase: “5 less than 4 x equals 9.” The correct
4) Read the question again, making sure your answer makes sense. way to translate it is: “4 x – 5 = 9.” But many students make the
mistake of writing the terms in the order in which they appear in
words: “5 – 4 x = 9.”
Kaplan Method for Data Sufficiency
1) Preview the question stem, determine what type of information would 4. Solve the equation(s).
be needed to answer the question.
• Determine whether the question 5. Check your work, if time permits.
requires a “yes/no” answer or a “value” answer.
• If the stem contains an algebraic
expression, see if the STRATEGIES AND TEST-DAY TIPS
expression can be put in a
simpler form. Picking numbers: DATA SUFFICIENCY
• Determine what type of Pick numbers that are permissible and manageable. 1 (A) #1 is Suff.; #2 is Not Suff.
information would be needed 2 (B) #2 is Suff.; #1 is Not Suff.
to answer the question. Backsolving: T (C) #1 is Not Suff.; #2 is Not Suff.; #1 AND #2 are Suff.
Start with choice (B) or (D). E (D) #1 is Suff.; #2 is Suff.
2) Evaluate each statement N (E) #1 is Not Suff.; #2 is Not Suff.; #1 AND #2 are Not Suff.
separately. Equations and Variables:
• For yes/no questions, seek to n distinct linear equations are needed to solve for n variables.
find a single answer to the
question. OTHER FORMULAS AND THINGS TO KNOW:
• For value questions, seek to Distance Sum of the terms Total Distance Quantity of A
find a single value. Speed = Average = Average Speed = Rate =
Time Number of terms Total Time Quantity of B
• Determine the sufficiency of
one statement. New Amount – Original Amount Original Amount – New Amount
% Increase = × 100% % Decrease = × 100%
• Determine the sufficiency of Original Amount Original Amount
the other statement.
• Keep track of your options as EXPONENT RULES: RADICAL RULES: NUMBERS:
you go. a b ab
x•x=x 2
(x ) = x a b ab 0 is an even integer.
• If (2) is insufficient, the answer 1 is not prime.
1 x a
a a
must be (A), (C), or (E). x –a = a = xa b
= 2 is the lowest prime number.
• If (2) is sufficient, the answer x xb b b
Mode: the most common number(s) in a set
must be (B) or (D). x0 = 1 (negative) odd
= negative a c + b c = ( a + b) c
Median: the middle term in a set of
• If (1) is insufficient, the answer xaxb = xa+b (negative)even = positive a+ b ≠ a+b
must be (B), (C), or (E). ascending or descending numbers;
( a )2 = a when the set has an even number of
• If (1) is sufficient, the answer
must be (A) or (D). numbers, the average of the two

• Do not let information from MISCELLANEOUS: middle terms.

one statement influence your Only (odd) × (odd) and (odd) + (even)
ab + ac = a(b + c) –x = x
decision about the other yield odd numbers.
statement.
x% of y = y% of x a+b a b
+
3) Evaluate the statements in c c c
combination, if necessary.
4) When combining the statements,
treat them as one long statement.
 GMAT Verbal Skills GMAT AWA Essay Skills
READING COMPREHENSION | CRITICAL REASONING | SENTENCE CORRECTION ISSUE ESSAY | ARGUMENT ESSAY

Kaplan Method for Reading Comprehension Kaplan Method for an Issue Essay
1) Read the passage, write a Passage Map, and note Topic, Scope, and 1) Take the issue apart.
Purpose. • Determine the conclusion and the (offered or implied) counter-
2) Read the question stem, determining which type of question it is. conclusion.
3) Answer the question, following the Kaplan strategies for that question • Consider the circumstances under which the conclusion would be
type. true/untrue.
a) On Global questions, use your Passage Map, Topic, Scope, and 2) Select the points you will make. Decide whether to agree or disagree,
Purpose/Main Idea to prephrase an answer. naming 2–4 reasons.
b) On Detail questions, use your Passage Map to locate the relevant 3) Organize:
text in the passage. If necessary, read that portion of the passage • Paragraph 1: Restate the issue, agree/disagree, and state two to
again. Then prephrase a response. four reasons.
c) On Inference questions, search for the answer choice that follows • Paragraphs 2–4: Elaborate on reasons, using evidence, testimony,
from the passage. and anecdotes.
d) On Logic questions, determine the author’s intentions in a particular • Second to last paragraph: Present and refute an alternative
part of the passage, and prephrase an answer. argument.
• Last paragraph: Summarize your points.
KAPLAN METHOD FOR CRITICAL REASONING 4) Type your essay.
1) Preview the question stem. 5) Proofread.
2) Read the stimulus.
3) Try to prephrase an answer. Kaplan Method for an Argument Essay
a) For an Assumption question, find the conclusion, evidence, 1) Take the argument apart.
and central assumption(s), then prephrase an answer.
• Determine the conclusion, evidence, and assumptions.
b) For a Strengthen or Weaken question, find the conclusion, • Consider the circumstances under which the assumptions are
evidence, and central assumption(s), then prephrase an valid/invalid.
answer that confirms (strengthens) or denies (weakens) a
• Consider what would strengthen/weaken the argument.
central assumption.
c) For a Flaw question, find the conclusion, evidence, and 2) Select the points you will make. What weaknesses/strengths of the
central assumption(s), then prephrase a choice that argument are critical? For which of those can you marshal evidence?
indicates the logical fallacy of the assumption. 3) Organize:
d) For an Explain question, search the answer choices for a • Paragraph 1: Demonstrate that you understand the argument, list
statement that, if true, could explain how the statements in weaknesses, and describe what could strengthen the argument.
the stimulus could all be true. • Paragraph 2: Detail assumptions on which the argument hinges,
e) For an Inference question, accept that the stimulus is true describe what would be required to validate the assumptions, and
and locate the answer choice that must follow from the list gaps between existing evidence and what’s necessary.
stimulus. • Paragraph 3: Discuss poorly defined terms, and their effect on the
4) Choose an answer. argument.
• Final paragraph: Discuss what could strengthen the argument, and
summarize your points.
Kaplan Method for Sentence Correction 4) Type your essay.
1) Read the original sentence carefully, looking for errors. 5) Proofread.
• Look for classic errors.
• If you find an error in the sentence, eliminate choice (A),
COMMON GMAT IDIOMS
which repeats the underlined part.
• Eliminate any other answer choice that contains the same able to (ability to) credit with on the GMAT. If is
error you found. reserved for conditional
among vs. between (Use different from
“if–then” statements.)
• Realize that the sentence is sometimes correct as written, among to refer to 3+
distinguish between . . .
making choice (A) correct. items; between to refer to like vs. such as (Such as
and . . .
2 items.) is far more common than
2) Scan the answer choices. distinguish . . . from . . . like on the GMAT.)
as vs. like (Use like to
• Scan vertically for differences in the wording that will help you compare nouns; as to each other vs. one more than
zero in on the types of errors being tested. compare actions) another (In GMAT English,
neither . . . nor . . .
each other is used to refer
• Once you know what wording is at issue, determine which associate with
to 2 things; one another is not only . . . but also . . .
alternative is preferable. at least as . . . as used for 3+.)
not so much . . . as . . .
3) Eliminate choices until only one remains. between . . . and . . . either . . . or . . .
perceive as
• As soon as you find one error, eliminate that answer choice. compare to vs. compare extent to which
prohibit from
with (Compare with is (common on the GMAT)
• Eliminate other answer choices that repeat the error. more common than regard as
fewer vs. less (Fewer
• Scan the remaining choices for other differences by which you compare to on the GMAT.)
describes countable so . . . as to be . . .
can zero in on other errors. connection between things; less describes an
so . . . that
• If you have to guess, go for the shortest answer that’s clear consequence of
uncountable quantity.)
and unambiguous. superior to
if vs. whether (Whether is
continue to
• Confirm your answer by reading your choice back in the far more common than if use as
sentence.