The Data Sufficiency Section

Introduction
GMAT test writers use data sufficiency questions to test your ability to "reason quantitatively." This stands in sharp contrast to the problem solving section, which is designed to test how well you manipulate numbers. If you find yourself doing a lot of number crunching on the data sufficiency questions, you are doing something wrong.

Math Concepts You Should Know

The data sufficiency questions cover math that nearly any college-bound high school student will know. In addition to basic arithmetic, you can expect questions testing your knowledge of averages, fractions, decimals, algebra, factoring, and basic principles of geometry such as triangles, circles, and how to determine the areas and volumes of simple geometric shapes.

The Answer Choices

GMAT data sufficiency questions will all have the exact same answer choices. Memorize these answer choices before you take the exam. It will help you better utilize your time in the quantitative section. The answer choices are summarized below as you will see them on the GMAT exam. A. Statement 1 alone is sufficient but statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. B. Statement 2 alone is sufficient but statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked. C. Both statements 1 and 2 together are sufficient to answer the question but neither statement is sufficient alone. D. Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question. E. Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements.

Use Process of Elimination

If statement 1 is insufficient, then choices A and D can immediately be eliminated. Similarly, if statement 2 is insufficient, then choices B and D can immediately be eliminated. If either statement 1 or 2 is sufficient on its own, then choices C and E can be eliminated.

A Simple 4 Step Process for Answering These Questions

Many test takers make the mistake of not arming themselves with a systematic method for analyzing the answer choices for these questions. Overlooking even one step in the process outlined below can make a big difference in the final quantitative score you will be reporting to your selected business schools. 1.) Study the questions carefully. The questions generally ask for one of 3 things: 1) a specific value, 2) a range of numbers, or 3) a true/false value. Make sure you know what the question is asking. 2.) Determine what information is needed to solve the problem. This will, obviously, vary depending on what type of question is being asked. For example, to determine the area of a circle, you need to know the circle's diameter, radius, or circumference. Whether or not statements 1 and/or 2 provide that information will determine which answer you choose for a data sufficiency question about the area of a circle. 3.) Look at each of the two statements independently of the other. Follow the process of elimination rules covered above to consider each statement individually. 4.) If step 3 did not produce an answer, then combine the two statements. If the two statements combined can answer the question, then the answer choice is C. Otherwise, E.

Data Sufficiency Tips and Strategies

Use only the information given in the questions. The GMAT CAT seeks to measure your ability to distinguish facts from careless assumptions. Do not rely on a visual assessment of a diagram accompanying a geometry question to determine angle sizes, parallel lines, etc. In addition, do not carry any information over from one question to the next. Each question in the data sufficiency section of the GMAT stands on its own. You can count on seeing at least a few questions where a wrong answer choice tries to capitalize on this common fallacy. Do not get bogged down with complicated or lengthy calculations. As we stated before, these questions are designed to test your ability to think conceptually, not to solve math problems. Use process of elimination. This GMAT section lends itself perfectly to using the process of elimination. If time becomes an issue, you can always look at the 2 statements in either order. Remember, the order you analyze the two statements in doesn't matter, so long as you begin by looking at them individually. If you find statement 1 confusing, you can save time by skipping to statement 2 and seeing whether it can help you eliminate incorrect answer choices. Be on the lookout for statements that tell you the same thing in different words. When the 2 statements convey the same exact information, you will know, through

process of elimination, that the correct answer choice is either D or E. A favorite ploy of GMAT testers is to mix ratios and percentages. Here is an example where Statement 2 simply states backwards the exact same information provided by Statement 1. 1. x is 50% of y 2. the ratio of y:x is 2:1 Make real-world assumptions where necessary. You must assume that, in certain abstract questions such as "What is the value of x?", that x might be a fraction and/or a negative number. Practice, practice, practice. The more time you spend practicing data sufficiency questions, the better able you will be to internalize the tips and strategies given above. You will also become very comfortable with the type of questions from this portion of the test, and will quickly realize if there are any math areas, such as geometry or algebra where you need to brush up your skills. When it comes time to sit for the GMAT, you will want to know key math formulas and data relationships off the top of your head.

Determining Sufficiency Does Not Require Solving

One common mistake individuals make on data sufficiency questions is solving equations completely instead of simply determining whether sufficient data exist to answer the question. Remember that data sufficiency questions do not require you to find a value-they require you to determine definitively whether sufficient data exist to answer the question. In order to answer a data sufficiency question, you do not need to determine the solution to each equation (e.g., x = 7 and y = 6). Rather, you need to have a definitive answer (e.g., x is a single value). Consider the following example: If a, b, and c are positive integers, what is the value of a9 + b8 + c6? 1. a3 = 8, b = 18, and c = 28989 2. a = 2, b8 = 11,019,960,576 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C) sufficient.

D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: A Hide Hint Try plugging in values for the variables and determining whether you can find a definitive value for the expressiona9 + b8 + c6. Hide Technique 1. In evaluating Statement (1), we know definitive values for a, b, and c. Consequently, we have sufficient information to find a definitive value for a9 + b8 + c6. 2. Note that we do not need to determine what the exact value of a9 + b8 + c6 is. We simply need to know definitively that one-and-only-one value for the expression a9 + b8 + c6 can exist given the information in Statement 1. Statement (1) is SUFFICIENT. 3. In evaluating Statement (1), we can perform the following algebraic substitutions: =(a)9 + b8 + c6 =(2)9 + 11,019,960,576 + c6 4. Since we cannot definitively determine that there will only be one value for c6, we cannot definitively determine that there will be only one value for the entire expression a9 + b8 + c6. (Note that we do not need to determine what the exact value is.) Statement (2) is NOT SUFFICIENT. How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Statements (1) and (2) Do Not Contradict

Statements (1) and (2) will NEVER contradict each other. Consequently, if you are simplifying or solving statements and the result is a situation where Statements (1) and (2) contradict each other, you made an error. For example, if after simplifying the information in the statements, you are left with Statement (1) x = 10 and Statement (2) x = 19, you must go back and re-do your calculations as you made an error.

In A Time Crunch, Evaluate the Easier Statement and Guess

If you are in a time crunch, look at the statements and see which one is easier to evaluate and act accordingly. By evaluating one statement, you improve your odds of guessing the correct answer significantly. If x is an integer, is x3 > 0? 1. x5 + x3 + x + 15 = 298

2. x5 + 10 > 15 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C) sufficient. D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: D Hide Hint Know that the question is asking whether x is positive or negative. Seek to determine quickly the answer sign. Hide Technique 1. When you raise an integer to an odd number, it does not change the sign of the expression. In other words, if x is negative, x3 will be negative. Likewise, if x is positive, x3 will be positive. 2. The question can be simplified to: "is x positive?" 3. If time is short and Statement (1) looks complicated, move on and evaluate Statement (2) first and rule out clearly wrong answers. 4. Evaluating Statement (2): x5 + 10 > 15 x5 > 5 x must be positive. Statement (2) is SUFFICIENT. 5. Since Statement (2) is sufficient, you can quickly rule out answer choices A, C, and E. You have now quickly improved your chances of choosing the correct answer from 20% to 50% (i.e., you are now choosing from 2 answer choices instead of from 5). 6. In evaluating Statement (1), begin by simplifying: x5 + x3 + x + 15 = 298 x5 + x3 + x = 283 7. Since raising a number to an odd exponent does not change the sign of the number, the sign of every term in Statement (1) must be the same (i.e., x5, x3, and x all have the same sign.) 8. Logically, x must be positive since it is impossible to add together only negative numbers and arrive at a sum that is a positive number. In other words, if you add any two negative numbers, you will have a negative number with a larger absolute value. Since x5 + x3 + x adds up to a positive number (i.e., 283), it is impossible for x to be negative (otherwise, x5 + x3 + x would be negative). x is positive and Statement (1) is SUFFICIENT. 9. It turns out that x = 3.0227, meaning Statement (1) is SUFFICIENT because the information in it produces one-and-only-one value for the expression above.

10. Note, however, that the test would never ask you to solve an equation such as the one in Statement (1). This complicated equation is used simply to elucidate the technique. How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Symmetry Amongst Statements (1) and (2) --> D or E

Parallelism or symmetry in the two statements means that D or E is the correct answer. In other words, if you rephrase the statements and you discover they are saying the same thing, you can immediately rule out A, B, and C. This is best illustrated by an example: What is the value of x + 15? 1. x3 = 27 2. x5 = 243 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C) sufficient. D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: D Hide Hint Seek to determine if x is a unique value. If x is unique, x + 12 will be unique and the information will make the statement sufficient. Hide Technique 1. Evaluate Statement (1). x3 = 27 x=3 2. Evaluate Statement (2). x5 = 243 x=3 3. Since Statements (1) and (2) provide the same information, answer choices A, B, and C cannot be correct. Consequently, answer choices D or E must be true. 4. Statements (1) and (2) are each SUFFICIENT alone because x + 15 will always be 18. How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Avoid Unwarranted Assumptions

In intermediate to difficult questions, the GMAT test-writers try to trap test-takers by getting them to make unwarranted assumptions. Consider the following examples of unwarranted assumptions:

A jar contains 10 marbles. If there are 4 red marbles in the jar, how many blue marbles are in the jar? Unwarranted Assumption: There are 6 blue marbles in the jar. There could be 5 blue marbles and 1 yellow marble. Do not assume that there are only two colors of marbles in the jar. If x > 10 and x < 12, what is the value of x? Unwarranted Assumption: x is 11. You cannot assume that x is an integer. Nothing in the given information said that x must be an integer. Consequently, x could be 10.5 or 11.5. If Ms. Watson's 4th grade class has 20 students and 50% of these students have blonde hair, how many girls in Mrs. Watson's class have blonde hair? Unwarranted Assumption: There are 10 students with blonde hair so 50% of these must be girls. Consequently, 5 girls have blonde hair. You cannot assume that the ratio of the number of boys to girls is 1:1, or 50%.

Beware of Even Exponents

Whenever dealing with even exponents, you must be cognizant that an even exponent hides the sign of the base. In other words, if x2 = 4, x = 2 AND -2. Consider the following example where forgetting this would take you to the wrong answer. What is the value of x + 1? 1. x2 = 16 2. x3 = 64 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C) sufficient. D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: B Hide Hint Find out whether a definitive value can found for the expression in the question. Hide Technique

1. In evaluating Statement (1), many beginning and intermediate-level test-takers automatically assume that since x = 4, Statement (1) is sufficient because 4 + 1 is always 5. 2. However, Statement (1) is NOT SUFFICIENT because x also equals -4 since (-4)2 = 16. Consequently, x + 1 also equals (-4) + 1 = -3 3. In evaluating Statement (2), we find that Statement (2) is SUFFICIENT because there is only one possible value for x, 4. Negative four is not a possible value given the information in Statement (2) since (-4)3 is not 64 but -64. Therefore, there is only one possible value for x + 1, 5. 4. Since Statement (1) alone is NOT SUFFICIENT and Statement (2) alone is SUFFICIENT, answer B is correct. How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Statements Producing Two Values Are Not Automatically Insufficient

This is probably one of the dirtiest tricks the GMAT test-writers can pull on a mediumlevel test-taker. Just because a statement, when simplified, yields two values does not mean the statement is automatically insufficient. Those two values could produce the same value for the question, in which case the statement is sufficient. Consider the following example: If x is an integer, what is the value of x2 + x - 12? 1. x = 3 2. x = 3, x = -4 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C) sufficient. D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: D Hide Hint Try all possible values and seek to determine whether there is a single defintiive answer to the question. If yes, the statement is sufficient. If no, the statement is not sufficient. Hide Technique

1. Since Statement (1) gives a single definitive value that can be plugged in to x2 + x - 12, Statement (1) is SUFFICIENT since we will be able to determine for sure the value of the expression. 2. To see this more clearly, plug in x = 3 and see that it produces one definitive answer to the question: x2 + x - 12 32 + 3 - 12 = 9 + 3 - 12 = 0 3. Evaluate Statement (2). At this point, some are tempted to say that since Statement (2) provides two values for x, Statement (2) is not sufficient because two different values of x (i.e., 3 and -4) will produce two separate values of the equation in the question. However, this is not always true. Two separate values of x can produce the same value. Evaluate x = 3 x2 + x - 12 32 + 3 - 12 = 9 + 3 - 12 = 0 Evaluate x = -4 x2 + x - 12 (-4)2 -4 - 12 = 16 -4 - 12 = 0 4. Since the information in Statement (2) provides one definitive value for the expression in the question (i.e., 0), Statement (2) is SUFFICIENT. 5. Since Statement (1) alone is SUFFICIENT and Statement (2) alone is SUFFICIENT, answer D is correct. How helpful was this explanation? Report Typo Report Content Error

Two Equations With Two Variables Does Not Necessarily Mean Sufficiency
In high school math, most students learned that if two equations have two separate variables, then a definitive solution exists. Although this is technically true, the GMAT plays upon this and seeks to trick test-takers by providing two equations that look different but are actually the same. The GMAT test writers hope that test-takers will assume that a solution exists for the equations. However, under the GMAT's scheme, there is only one unique equation with two variables, so a solution does not need to exist. Consider the following example: If x and y are integers, is x > 0 and y < 0? 1. 4x + y = 8 2. x - 2 = -y/4 A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is C)

sufficient. D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient. Statement (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question E) asked, and additional data are needed. Hide Answer Correct Answer: E Hide Hint Minuplate the equations in Statements (1) and (2) and see whether a unique equation exists. Hide Technique 1. Most test-takers realize that Statement (1) alone and Statement (2) alone are NOT SUFFICIENT. 2. However, the tests' authors hope that test-takers, when evaluating answer choice C, will assume that there are two unique equations with two variables and, as a result, there is a unique solution for x and y and the question can be definitively answered. 3. But, the above assumption does not hold in this question because there are not two unique equations. The equation in Statement (2) is the same as the equation in Statement (1). Start with: 4x + y = 8 Subtract 8 from each side: 4x - 8 + y = 0 Subtract y from each side: 4x - 8 = -y Divide each side by 4: x -2 = -y/4 So, there is only one unique equation with two variables. Consequently, it is impossible to solve for the value of x and y. Both Statements (1) and (2), even when taken together, are NOT SUFFICIENT.