The GMAT Data Insights section excels at creating problems that frustrate folks who try to get through math by memorizing formulas.   It excels at creating out-of-the-box problems that really demand folks use logic and number sense to dissect the problem.   Here are four out-of-the-box Data Sufficiency problems to consider. 1) Peter went to the store to buy paint.  Small cans cost $30 and larger cans cost $80.  How many small cans of paint did he buy? Statement #1: Peter spent $220 on paint. Statement #2: Peter bought four cans of paint in total. 2) In a card game ..read more

Among other things, this post is a case study of an OG DS question: OG 12th Edition, Data Sufficiency Practice Problem #23 Here is the problem that appears in the OG: 23) If p1 and p2 are the populations and r1 and r2 the number of representatives of District 1 and District 2 respectively, the ratio of the population to the number of representatives is greater for which of the following districts? (1) p1>p2 (2) r2>r1 (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 i ..read more

Unlike Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency is a question-type unique to the GMAT.  Data Sufficiency is part of the Data Insights section on the GMAT. GMAT Data Sufficiency Practice Questions 1. Maggie is 15 years older than Bobby.  How old is Bobby? Statement #1: In 3 years, Maggie’s age will be 50% larger than Bobby’s age. Statement #2: Years ago, when Maggie was 25 years old, Bobby was 10 years old. 2. By abc we denote a three digit number with digits a, b, and c.  Is abc divisible by 3? Statement #1: The product of (a) times (b) is a number divisible by 3 Statement #2: c = 3 3 ..read more

Avoid the Frankenstein Essay by being thoughtful about how you get help! After nearly 20 years of reading, assessing, revising, and consulting on personal statements, I have seen every variety of mistake an applicant can make. More importantly for you, though, is that I am pretty good at identifying the upstream source of the problem and providing guidance on how to fix it. One of the most common mistakes might seem counterintuitive: the author sought too much help… or at least too much of the wrong kind! Once you’ve finished your personal statement, you may feel a little apprehensive about wh ..read more

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” B-school candidate. It’s far more common for MBA applicants to have some form of “weakness” or “flaw” they must address head-on in their application. This might include: Out-of-Reach School Selection Standing Out from the Crowd Being an Older or Younger MBA Applicant Low GMAT/GRE Score Mistakes Such as a DUI or Honor Code Violation Failing Grades or Low GPA Regular listeners of the B-Schooled podcast are familiar with host Chandler Arnold‘s advice to MBA applicants: be open, be real, and be daring.  Chandler believes that almost everyone h ..read more

Many GMAT test-takers vaguely remember a rule from high school, that it’s possible to solve for two variables if and only if you’re given two equations, and generally that it’s possible to solve for n variables if and only if you’re given n equations. Unfortunately, that rule isn’t quite correct as written, and even the correct rule isn’t always relevant. Applying the rule incorrectly causes quite a few errors on the quant section, particularly with Data Sufficiency questions. Sometimes, two equations aren’t enough to allow us to solve for two variables, or even for one. That is, sometimes, in ..read more

How important are travel and education experiences abroad to achieving success in the global economy? That’s almost a trick question since the answer is a resounding v-e-r-y. The ability to work well with an array of people and cultures other than your own has never been more critical. Studying abroad during your MBA is one of the best stepping stones to cross-cultural competence. Such experiences offer MBA students a unique opportunity for personal growth and development. Immersing yourself in a new culture gives you a firsthand understanding of international business practices. This exposur ..read more

There are twelve practice questions in this set. You should feel free to use a calculator here because an on-screen calculator will be available during the Data Insights section. The chart above shows the technology capabilities of the 20 existing high schools in Grangerville.   Questions 1) If a Grangerville high school is chosen at random, the probability that it will be public high school with a dedicated computer lab is: (A) 20% (B) 33.3 % (C) 40% (D) 42.9% (E) 44.4%   2) If a Grangerville high school with either a dedicated computer lab or a computer in every classroom is chose ..read more

As another MBA admissions season comes to a close, our team has heard from a number of Round 2 applicants who didn’t get the news they were hoping for on decision day. These rejected MBA applicants came to us looking for answers on where they went wrong and what they can do differently if they decide to reapply again next year. Our feedback varies just as much as the applicants do – each person has their own challenges. But over time, a few patterns have emerged. So, let’s take a closer look at three key lessons we’ve learned from rejected MBA applicants this year, and how you can avoid the s ..read more

Data Insights (DI) was introduced in 2023 when GMAC released a new version of the GMAT. Your performance on the Data Insights section will account for one third of your total GMAT score. You’ll have 45 minutes to answer 20 Data Insights questions, which will involve a ton of data analysis, critical thinking, and quantitative reasoning. When you first encounter DI question types, you might wonder just how one possibly navigates all that information. But! By preparing early and practicing a whole lot of questions, you’ll be ready to take on whatever DI throws at you on test day. What is GMAT Dat ..read more