GMAT StrategySheet

GMAT

*

Strategies and Test Day Tips: Picking Numbers: Pick numbers that are permissible and manageable. Backsolving: Start with choice (B) or (D). Equations and Variables: n distinct linear equations are needed to solve for n variables.

STRATEGY SHEET Use this sheet to help you remember your math content. Be sure also to make use of the Kaplan Methods on the reverse side.

Triangles:

DATA SUFFICIENCY 1 (A) #1 is Suff.; #2 is Not Suff. 2 (B) #2 is Suff.; #1 is Not Suff. T (C) #1 is Not Suff.; #2 is Not Suff.; #1 AND #2 are Suff. E (D) #1 is Suff.; #2 is Suff. N (E) #1 is Not Suff.; #2 is Not Suff.; #1 AND #2 are Not Suff.

Angles:

b°

x + y + z = 1808 (Interior angles) a + b + c = 3608 (Exterior angles)

b° a°

a = y + z; b = x + z; c = x + y

c°

l1

y°

b°

height

a°

d°

c°

a°

x°

z°

d°

d°

a + b = 180

Sum of any 2 sides  3rd side

c°

l1 and l2 are parallel l2

1 ​  base  height Area = __ 2

d°

c°

c°

base

Right Triangles:

60°

c

a

Equilateral

b

x 2

60°

x

d

a2 + b2 = c2

45°

Circles:

Side Ratios (Pythagorean Triples) 3:4:5 5:12:13 7:24:25 8:15:17 9:40:41

2x 30° x 3

x

Isosceles

Quadrilaterals: Sum of interior angles = 360°

B C

n° O

r

d = 2r C = 2πr or πd A = πr2 360° around

x

45°

A

n Arc ABC = = 360 Circum.

Area of sector OABC Area of circle O

Order of Operations:

FOIL:

PEMDAS—Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction

First, Outer, Inner, Last

Other Formulas and Things to Know: Quantity of A of the    terms ​ Average Speed = ​ ____________ Total Distance _______________ Speed = ________ ​ Distance  ​   Average = ​ Sum     ​ Rate = ​ ___________     ​ Time Quantity of B Total Time Number of terms

w

New Amount – Original Amount Original Amount – New Amount % Increase = ​ ___________________________         ​ 100% % Decrease = ​ ___________________________         ​ 100% Original Amount Original Amount

l A = lw

s A = s2

Exponent Rules: (x a)b = x ab



a __ ​ ​x​ ​  ​= x a – b

x–a = ___ ​  1a  ​  x

h

h



x • x = x2

b1



(negative)odd = negative

_

x ax b = x a + b (negative)even = positive

Uniform Solids: r

h

0 is an even integer. 1 is not prime. 2 is the least prime number. Mode: the most common number(s) in a set Median: the middle term in a set of ascending or descending numbers; when the set has an even number of numbers, the average of the two middle terms Only (odd) × (odd) and (odd) + (even) yield odd numbers.

_

___

_

(​√ a ​ )2 = a

Miscellaneous:

Work Formula:

+ ​ b = __ b ​  _____ ab + ac = a(b + c) ​ a ​ ac ​  + ​ __ c   c

T = _____ ​  ab     ​ a+b

x% of y = y% of x

_

b)​√ c ​ 

​√ a ​ + √ ​ b ​ ≠ ​√ a + b ​ 



b2 A = 1 (b1 + b2 )h 2

b A = bh

Numbers:

__ _ _ ​√ a ​ √ ​ b ​ = √ ​ ab ​  _ _ ​√_ a ​  a  ​ ​  ​ ____   ​= ​ ​ __ b ​√ b ​  _ _ a​√ c ​ + b​√ c ​ = (a +

√

x​ b​ ​

x0 = 1

Radical Rules:

|–x| = |x|

h

l V = πr h SA = 2πr2 + 2πrh 2

w

V = lwh SA = 2(lw + lh + wh)

Coordinate Plane: In the xy-plane, the y-axis is vertical, and the x-axis is horizontal.

y2 – y1 Slope = ​ ______ x – x  ​  2

1

*GMAT is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council.

The Analytical Writing Assessment

Do not let information from one statement influence your decision about the other statement.

The Kaplan Method

Combine statements only if each is insufficient individually. When combining statements, treat them as one long statement.

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Take apart the argument/issue. Select the points you will make. Organize using Kaplan’s essay template. Type your essay. Proofread your work.

Kaplan Argument Essay Template: Paragraph 1: Show that you understand the argument by putting it in your own words. Paragraph 2: Point out one flaw in the author’s reasoning; explain why it is questionable. Paragraph 3: Identify another source of the author’s faulty reasoning; explain why. In additional paragraphs, describe other points of fault, as time permits. Second to last paragraph: Describe evidence that would—if it were provided—strengthen the argument. Final paragraph: Conclude that without such evidence, you’re not persuaded.

Kaplan Issue Essay Template Paragraph 1: Restate the issue. Agree or disagree. Paragraph 2: Introduce a point of agreement/disagreement, with relevant detailed support. Paragraph 3: Add a second point of agreement/disagreement, with relevant detailed support. Continue to bring in points of agreement/disagreement as time permits. Second to last paragraph: Address an opposition to the argument and refute it with relevant detailed support.

The Verbal Methods The Kaplan Method for GMAT Reading Comprehension 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Read the passage strategically. Analyze the question stem. Research the relevant text in the passage. Make a prediction. Evaluate the answer choices.

Kaplan Reading Comprehension Strategies: Global questions: Use Topic, Scope, and Purpose, and your Passage Map to predict the correct answer. Detail questions: Use your passage map to target your research. Inference questions: Use clues in the question stem or answer choices to research; the correct answer will follow from the passage. Logic questions: Use your passage map and keywords to determine why or how the author uses the reference.

The Kaplan Method for Critical Reasoning 1) 2) 3) 4)

Identify the question type. Untangle the stimulus. Predict the answer. Evaluate the choices.

Kaplan Critical Reasoning Strategies: Assumption: Identify the conclusion, and evidence; and determine the central assumption; predict the answer.

Last paragraph: Conclude with a final statement about your stance on the issue.

Strengthen or Weaken: Identify the conclusion and evidence; determine the central assumption; predict the answer that confirms (strengthens) or denies (weakens) the central assumption.

The Quantitative Methods

Flaw: Identify the conclusion and evidence; determine the central assumption; predict a choice that describes the logical fallacy of the assumption.

The Kaplan Method for GMAT Problem Solving 1) 2) 3) 4)

Analyze the question. State the task. Approach strategically. Confirm your answer.

The Kaplan Method for GMAT Data Sufficiency 1) 2)

Analyze the question stem. • Determine Value or Yes/No. • Simplify. • Identify what’s needed to answer the question. Evaluate the statements using 12TEN.

Explain: Search the answer choices for a statement that, if true, could explain how the statements in the stimulus could all be true. Inference: Accept the statements in the stimulus as true; locate the answer choice that must follow from the stimulus. Bolded Statement: Identify the purpose of every sentence in the stimulus and select the answer that matches your desription of the bolded statements.

The Kaplan Method for Sentence Correction 1) 2) 3)

Read the original sentence carefully, looking for errors. Scan and group the answer choices. Eliminate choices until only one remains.

Kaplan Data Sufficiency Strategies:

Six Classic Sentence Correction Errors:

For Value questions, seek to find a single value.

Verbs: Check for meaning and number agreement.

For Yes/No questions, seek to find a definite answer to the question. Keep track of your options as you go. • If (1) is sufficient, the answer must be (A) or (D). • If (1) is insufficient, the answer must be (B), (C), or (E). • If (2) is sufficient, the answer must be (B) or (D). • If (2) is insufficient, the answer must be (A), (C), or (E).

Pronoun: Check for antecedent and number agreement. Modification: Check for proper placement and intended reference. Parallel Structure: Be consistent; use parallel constructions. Comparisons: Use parallel construction; make sure items are logically comparable. Usage/style: Avoid redundancy and passive voice; use idioms correctly.