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GMAT Cram Sheet
Quantitative: Problem Solving
- Topics covered: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems, number properties, statistics, combinatorics
- Number theory: prime factorization, GCD, LCM, remainder and divisibility rules, even/odd, positive/negative interactions
- Exponents: a^m * a^n = a^(m+n); (a^m)^n = a^(mn); a^0 = 1; negative exponents = reciprocals
- Algebra: solve linear equations; systems by substitution or elimination; quadratic factoring; inequalities
- Geometry: triangle angles sum 180 degrees; Pythagorean theorem; area formulas for common shapes
- Statistics: mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation (conceptual); weighted averages; percentiles
- Combinatorics: permutations nPr = n!/(n-r)! (order matters); combinations nCr = n!/[r!(n-r)!] (order does not matter)
- Backsolving: plug answer choices into problem — often faster; start with middle answer (C or B)
Quantitative: Data Sufficiency
- Answer choices (ALWAYS these 5): (A) Statement 1 alone sufficient; (B) Statement 2 alone sufficient; (C) Both together sufficient; (D) Either alone sufficient; (E) Neither sufficient
- AD/BCE split: if Statement 1 works, answer is A or D; if not, answer is B, C, or E — test Statement 1 first
- Sufficiency test: a statement is sufficient if it gives ONE definitive answer — not just additional information
- Yes/No DS questions: sufficient if ALWAYS yes, or ALWAYS no — 'sometimes yes, sometimes no' = insufficient
- Value DS questions: sufficient if you can find exactly ONE specific value for the unknown
- Do not solve fully: recognize when a statement WOULD give a unique answer without actually computing it
- Trap: assuming a statement is sufficient because it looks like enough info — test with different valid values
- Combined (C) trap: do not jump to C — always test each statement alone before combining
Verbal: Critical Reasoning
- Question types: Strengthen, Weaken, Assumption, Inference, Evaluate, Flaw, Bold-face, Paradox, Complete the Passage
- Identify argument structure: find the conclusion (therefore, thus, hence, so), premises (evidence), and gap (unstated assumption)
- Assumption Negation Test: negate the assumption; if the argument collapses, it is a necessary assumption
- Strengthen questions: correct answer makes conclusion more likely; adds evidence or closes gap between premise and conclusion
- Weaken questions: correct answer makes conclusion less likely; introduces scenario that challenges the conclusion
- Inference questions: conclusion must follow directly from stated premises; no outside knowledge — provable from stimulus only
- Bold-face questions: identify the role each bold statement plays — conclusion, counter-premise, premise, or background
- Pre-phrase: before reading choices, predict what the correct answer would say — prevents seductive wrong answers
Verbal: Reading Comprehension & Sentence Correction
- RC passage types: business, science, social science; 250-350 words; 3-4 questions per passage
- RC strategy: read for structure — main idea, author's purpose, tone, and how paragraphs relate to each other
- RC question types: main point, supporting detail, inference, author's tone, function of a paragraph
- SC error categories: subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, verb tense, parallel structure, modifiers, idioms, comparisons
- SC strategy: read sentence; identify error type; eliminate ALL choices with that error; check remaining for secondary errors
- Subject-verb agreement: find the true subject; ignore prepositional phrases; collective nouns take singular verbs
- Parallel structure: items in a list must be grammatically identical — all infinitives, all gerunds, or all noun phrases
- Conciseness: GMAT SC rewards clarity and brevity — eliminate redundant or overly wordy answer choices
Data Insights (DI) Section
- New in GMAT Focus Edition: Data Insights replaces Integrated Reasoning; tests data analysis and reasoning under uncertainty
- Question types: Data Sufficiency, Multi-Source Reasoning, Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis
- Multi-Source Reasoning: 2-3 tabs of data (text, tables, charts); synthesize info across sources to answer questions
- Table Analysis: sortable spreadsheet; identify trends, compare values, draw conclusions from rows and columns
- Graphics Interpretation: chart or graph; fill in sentence stems using data from the graphic — precision matters
- Two-Part Analysis: two-column answer grid; two related choices must both be correct simultaneously
- Scoring: DI contributes equally to total GMAT Focus score (205-805 scale) along with Verbal and Quant
- Calculator allowed: basic on-screen calculator available for DI section — unlike Quant and Verbal sections
GMAT Test Structure & Scoring
- GMAT Focus Edition (current): 2 hours 15 minutes total; three sections of 45 minutes each
- Three sections: Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (23 questions), Data Insights (20 questions)
- Scoring scale: 205-805 in 10-point increments; calculated from all three section scores combined equally
- Computer-adaptive: GMAT is adaptive within and between sections; harder questions = higher potential score
- Section scores: each section scored 60-90; all three contribute equally to the total score
- Score percentiles: 655 = ~75th percentile; 705 = ~85th; 755 = ~95th; 805 = top 1%
- Bookmark feature: in Focus Edition, you can bookmark and return to questions within a section
- Score reporting: scores valid 5 years; send to up to 5 programs per attempt; can cancel before seeing score
Key Strategies & Test-Taking Tips
- DS answer choices memorization: know A/B/C/D/E meanings cold — you cannot afford to re-read them during the test
- CR pre-phrasing: predict the correct answer type before reading choices — prevents distraction by compelling wrong answers
- Time management: 45 min per section; ~2 min per question; do not spend more than 3 min on any single question
- Bookmarking: bookmark tough questions; come back after answering easier ones; do not leave questions blank
- SC elimination strategy: identify the error in original sentence; eliminate ALL choices with that error; compare remaining
- Quant: estimate when possible: eliminate clearly unreasonable answers; often narrows to 1-2 choices quickly
- DI: read what's needed: for Multi-Source Reasoning, only read tabs relevant to the question asked — save time
- Focus Edition changes: no AWA section; section order is fixed (Quant - Verbal - DI); no experimental questions
GMAT Score Improvement Plan
- Target by school: Harvard/Stanford/Wharton: 730+; Top 10 MBA: 700+; Top 25: 660+; Regional programs: 580-640
- Official Diagnostic: take GMAT Focus Official Starter Kit (free from mba.com) — includes 2 free full practice tests
- 3-month plan: month 1 concept review (OG + GMAT Club); month 2 section drills + error log; month 3 full tests + targeted review
- Official Guide (OG): GMAT Official Guide from GMAC — best source of authentic practice questions; use all 3 volumes
- GMAT Club: free community with question banks, detailed explanations, and study plans — essential for advanced prep
- Paid resources: Target Test Prep (Quant), e-GMAT (Verbal/SC), Manhattan Prep GMAT, Magoosh GMAT
- Error log strategy: every wrong answer — record type, why you got it wrong, concept tested, and how to fix it
- Retake policy: wait 16 days between attempts; up to 5 attempts per year; 8 total lifetime attempts
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