How can I improve my GMAT critical reasoning

Is it possible to get all the Critical reasoning questions correct?

Yes it is possible to get all of the CR questions correct in the GMAT. 

I have tutored students since 2008. Some of them get all the questions correct. They also get the questions correct in less than a minute.

So what strategy did they use?

Almost all of them used to diagram..

In my previous posts I spoke about Diagramming. 

I teach students to diagram math problems as well as reading comprehension passages. 

Diagramming helps students analyse the question better. Students can 

• break down a complex problem
• identify the essential information
• eliminate the unnecessary data

Lets try this question 

This is an assumption question

spend 1 minute reading the paragraph

Now what sort of diagram will you draw for this question???

I teach students to draw diagram like this for assumption  questions

For assumption questions.You have to focus on the conclusion and the reason why the scientist makes the conclusion.

The conclusion -  

great apes have a capacity for self-awareness unique among nonhuman species. 

So I will draw a circle and write capacity for self awareness..

Now whats the reason? Why did the scientist say this?

Reason: 

animals recognize the reflection as an image of self -mirror self-recognition (MSR)

This i will represent as another circle. 

In the middle I  will put a black box.. In that box.. you have to put each answer option and check if the answer option gives additional information which can lead to the conclusion..

In this question only Option B gives a valid reason 

the scientist assumes that if animal doesn't have capacity for MSR, then it doesn't have the capacity for self awareness.  Only then we can say great apes have a capacity for self-awareness unique among nonhuman species. If we are given that they have capacity for self awareness, then conclusion fails.

Other options don't give a valid reason.

You can use diagramming to break down any problem.

Happy learning.

How can I get Q 51 in GMAT math

First, some popular questions..

I have a non math background... Can I get Q  51 (99 percentile) in math?

Yes you can.....I have helped people, who had a fear of math (before they met me), score Q 51.  So it is possible for a person with a non math background score high.

Remember - The GMAT quantitative section tests your math skills as well as your reasoning skills....

I am good at math... Yet in my mocks, I am not able to score above Q 45.. Why?

Your concepts may be good, but there is a still big gap in your preparation. I will explain the missing link below.

I know the concepts.. I can solve the questions.. But I take a long time.. How can i solve the question faster..... in less than 30 seconds?

You will be able to solve many of the sums in the GMAT, if you have 2 hrs for the math section. But you have only 62 mins to do 31 questions.

That works to 2 minutes or less..per question. There is a lacuna in your preparation. I will explain the missing link below.

I have been teaching GMAT since 2008. I have sat with a number of students . I explored their thought process. Some students are good at grasping concepts and applying the concepts in a math sum. Others go blank. They are not able to start the problem solving process.. why???.. 

There is something missing....

The missing link is mathematical reasoning..

some of the students have it in them.. others do not. 

here is a list of math concepts which are tested in GMAT

Knowledge of math concepts will help you.. But from my analysis you need more..

Here are list of additional skills

Math concepts + math skills = success in the exam.

This tutorial video will explain some of these skills.. Feel free to ping me if you need more info on these skills. 

To reach me:

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT

Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand

Math reasoning skills can help you solve questions in less than 30 seconds..

Check this sum and follow the series

Check the solution here

http://letsgmat.blogspot.com/2020/07/gmat-math-thinking-skills-3.html

How to improve your accuracy in the GMAT critical reasoning section in 20 days?

Good news...........

You can improve your score in the GMAT critical reasoning section quickly. 

in less than 20 days...

You must know that in GMAT CR section, there are 15 question types.

For each question type there is a specific strategy.

Lets take an assumption question.

I teach my students this strategy 

1. Identify  the conclusion of the argument. Also identify the evidences,which the author uses to arrive at the conclusion.

2. Use the answer options

3. The correct answer option will be the reason ....... leading to the conclusion.

This strategy can be used for any assumption question. 

Like this, each question type has a specific strategy. 

Feel free to contact me if you want help in CR..My contact details is here

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT

Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand

Now lets discuss the problems, which might hamper your accuracy rate.

1. You are not able to identify the question types  

When you read the question, you may not be able to identify  if the question is assumption or weaken the argument or find the conclusion…. When you observe the question stems, you can observe the clue words and classify the questions..

Here is a simple activity which can help you identify the question stems..

Take any GMAT Official guide. Go to the CR questions. Classify the questions based on the question stems. 

For example assumption based questions can have clue words like

• author assumes
• presupposes..
• additional evidence required...

You can use the explanations, at the end of the CR section, to identify the question stems...

Classify the questions based on the question stems… Don’t attempt to solve it..

Learn to identify the questions correctly. Once you identify then question type, then only you can apply the logic.

2. You forget the approach

Most of the time, students tackle a CR question by feel. They will be able to rule out 3 options. Then they toy with the last 2 options. This strategy is not reliable.

I would recommend that you remember the approaches for each question type.  Maintain a rule book. Mug up the approaches. 

3. You are not able to apply the concept/strategy into a question

 This is a common problem.

You might know the approach, but you might struggle to apply this approach into questions 

There is no shortcut. CR questions test your logical thinking. Logical thinking takes time to build  

At the end of the day,  While preparing for GMAT you are in the process of self discovery. The more questions you ask yourself.. more answers you will get.. 

Sometimes you will get the logic the very first time.. others might get it 5 times or 10 times later. 

Yes, you have to break your head and crack it.. 

just don’t give up.. 

because everyone eventually gets it. 

The activity i recommend:

Take any GMAT official guide...

Take 20 assumption questions from the OG. They will be scattered among the 250+ questions. Do them one after another using the assumption approach. Check your accuracy rate.

If accuracy is above 95% and above and you are able to easily eliminate all the options using logic..then you are fine

 

If accuracy is below 95%.. then you have to revise the strategy and work on all the questions again. For each question you have to derive the logic correctly. If you don’t get the logic, then revisit the questions. If you are not able to get the logic.. then seek help.

Feel free to ping me, I will guide you.

Remember getting the answer is insufficient. You must understand the logic. 

You must also understand why the other options are wrong. 

Note:  

Remember CR unlike SC and RC, is not a volumes game. If 10 assumption questions you understand properly then all the assumptions you can do..because the logic is the same.

 

Repeat this activity for each question type.... You will be able to spot your weakness.

Only when you can identify your weakness..you can work on them....

Happy learning.

GMAT math thinking skills 6

 

Many students get stumped when they see a math problem. They do not know how to start and how to proceed. They read the question many times, trying to spot the clues. Sometimes the clues are hidden in the questions. Some times they are explicit.  

If you fall into this category.. Fear not.. There is an approach which can help you approach  math questions better.

Follow this 3 step problem solving process.

1. Collect the data given

2. Diagram the problem.

Break the question into segments. Do not read the entire question. After reading a segment, jot down the data on paper. Represent the data in the form of a table or any diagram.

3. Recall a math formula/concept which you can apply and solve

Let us use this approach and solve this problem

Step 1: Collect the data given

Data: 

1. 60 people are there
2. No two rank the same
3. (3/5) of 60 ranked vanilla last = (3/5)x 60 =36
4. (1/10) of 60 ranked vanilla before chocolate = (1/10)x 60 =6
5. (1/3) of 60 ranked vanilla before strawberry = (1/3)x 60 =20

Step 2. Diagram the problem.

Lets diagram the data. I have ranked the data 1,2,3

36 people ranked V(vanilla) last

6 people ranked V before C(chocolate). There are two cases here.  V is ranked 1 or 2.

20 people ranked V before S(Strawberry). There are two cases here. V is ranked 1 or 2.

If you observe 

Out of 60, 36 people ranked V last. Balance  = 60-36 =24 

There are 24 people..

6 people marked V before C (group 1) and 20 people marked V before S(group 2). Hence there should be some people common to both groups ( as 20+6 is not 24) These people should have ranked V first

3. Recall a math formula/concept which you can apply.

Set theory can be used to represent data which is common in two groups

20 is group 1.. 6 is group 2. X represents the number of people, who are common to both groups.

Formula: A union B =A+B-A intersection B

24 =20+6-x

x= 2

Follow this 3 step process. and remember to diagram data. 

This approach makes life easier in the GMAT.

How to study for GMAT reading comprehension

You will get 12 - 13 reading comprehension questions in GMAT.

One important skill you have to develop, to master this section, is critical reading. 

so ,what is critical reading?

Critical reading means the reader applies certain 

1. Process
2. Models
3. Questions
4. Theories

which results in enhanced clarity and comprehension.

Generally students merely “skim” a passage. i.e the reader superficially reads the text, without noticing the

• tone
• organization
• logical consistency 

of the passage. 

"Skimming" doesnt help much in GMAT, as questions are mostly inference based questions. 

Critical reading help you tackle inference based questions easily.

So, what does it take to be a critical reader? Here are few ways to build this skills

1. Read slowly

During the preparation phase, you should spend 20 to 30 mins on a passage. Only when you read slowly you will notice the

• tone
• organization
• logical consistency 

of a passage.

Do not worry about speed.at this stage of your preparation

When you master this reading style, your speed improves. Albeit gradually.

While attempting the GMAT, you should attempt to read and answer the questions in 6 to 8 mins. 

Does this sound intimidating?

Feel free to contact me… we can chalk out a plan. I usually conduct reading aloud sessions with students. In that way they understand how my mind works. and how to read. 

To reach me 

My facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT

My linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

2. Use the dictionary

During GMAT preparation, use a dictionary to understand words. 

Keep in mind, the meaning of the word, changes in context.  

So you have to very careful while reading the passage.

I usually give students a list of commonly tested words in the GMAT

3. Make notes.

Jot down notes. Summarize ideas.

When you read a line, see if it is related to the previous line or paragraph..

• Is it an explanation? 
• Is it contrasting the information given earlier
• Is it supporting the information?
• ….

Note down the main ideas in a paragraph.

• Is the author making a claim?
• Is he giving supporting reasons to the claim?

Also note the tone of the opinions.. 

is it mildly supporting or overtly supporting or moderately supporting or vociferously supporting?

Note the degree - mildly/overtly/moderately/vociferously….

I will show you how to do this in another blog post..

4. Make a passage map.

Make a rough passage map from memory: test what you can recall from your reading of the text

• Make headings of the main ideas and note supporting evidence in dot points.
• Include your evaluation: the strengths and weaknesses.
• Identify gaps.

While answering questions.. refer your map.. go to that particular paragraph and reread those lines and then you can arrive at the answer.

5. Practice..practice

Practice makes perfect. 

I would recommend reading upto 150 GMAT passages..

Critical reading takes time to master.. 

On an average students take 1.5 months to see progress in this section 

Keep in mind........

Critical reading involves using logical and rhetorical skills. Identifying the author's thesis is a good place to start, but to grasp how the author intends to support it is a difficult task. 

More often than not an author will make a claim (most commonly in the form of the thesis) and support it in the body of the text. The support for the author's claim is in the evidence provided to suggest that the author's intended argument is sound, or reasonably acceptable. 

What ties these two together is a series of logical links that convinces the reader of the coherence of the author's argument: this is the warrant. If the author's premise is not supportable, a critical reading will uncover the lapses in the text that show it to be unsound.

Happy learning...