Welcome to the first week of your new GMAT life! (if you haven’t read the intro please start here)
GMAT QUANT
Table of Contents
In this first week let’s make sure that all of the basics are solid. If you have forgotten how to do long division get it figured out! Get all of those basic math skills back and working smoothly again. These skills are fundamental to a great GMAT score. Part of improving your GMAT score is about eliminating all careless mistakes. Your arithmetic needs to be ROCK SOLID!!! If you feel shaky on something make sure that you figure out a method that works for you.
The first week of the GMAT schedule we will also get started on the other major building block: Algebra. This is the time to get those basic algebra skills back in shape: setting up an algebraic equation from a word problem, grouping like terms, isolating variables, and solving simultaneous equations. Stay organized with all of your problem solving. Develop good habits now!
At the start you may find Data Sufficiency (DS) very challenging. That makes sense: It is completely new. Once you understand how to organize the information, DS will be far easier; you may just prefer it to problem solving because in DS you don’t have to do as much arithmetic. In my mind the Quant section is won and lost with DS, so practice DS early and often.
In addition to the targeted sets you will be working on a mix of easy questions from the Questions Pack 1 software. This will give you a variety of questions so that you can take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses.
GMAT VERBAL
In this first week we will focus on assumption based arguments. Learn how to identify the components of an argument (premises/conclusions). Learn how to identify assumptions. This will be tough at first and takes some time to really understand how to do. One thing that can help: all GMAT assumption based arguments are flawed. They all need help. So as you read a GMAT critical reasoning passage remind yourself that there is something wrong. There is always something missing (the assumption(s)). If you’re finding the process of identifying assumptions really challenging try to slow down your reading so that you really understand the given information. The passage is your friend. The answers are there to trick you. Oh, and quick reminder to read the Economist every day!
DAY 1 Arithmetic
Fractions: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing, Converting to decimal and mixed numbers, Memorizing common fractions (1/2-1/10). Remainders. Rounding. PEMDAS.
GMAT Quantitative Review 2nd Edition
Problem Solving 8, 14, 17, 27, 29, 45, 48, 58, 59, 60, 65, 93, 118, 176
DAY 2 Critical Reasoning Approach (Assumption Based Arguments)
Official Guide 13th Critical Reasoning: Strengthen/Weaken
1, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 30, 32, 37, 40, 43, 50, 52, 58, 62, 64, 67, 71, 73, 79
Official Guide Review 13th
Problem Solving: 15, 27, 41, 42, 46, 48, 97, 226
DAY 3 Algebra/Word Problems I
Solving algebraic equations/Simplifying algebraic expressions/Algebraic Translation/Systems of Equations
OFFICIAL GUIDE REVIEW 13TH
Problem Solving: 1, 4, 8, 11, 19, 21, 29, 47, 49, 52, 71, 79, 83, 84, 88
Quantitative Review 2nd
Problem Solving: 2, 3, 5, 6, 13, 19, 25, 28, 40, 41, 51, 52, 61, 62, 69, 75, 77
DAY 4 Data Sufficiency Approach
The answers choices, Translating/simplifying the given information, Defining the real question, Keeping the statements separate.
Official Guide 13th
Data Sufficiency 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 25, 28, 37, 40, 44, 54, 60, 131
Quantitative Review 2nd
Data Sufficiency 2, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 23, 26, 27, 29, 33, 48, 50
Verbal Review 2nd – Critical Reasoning/Strengthen and Weaken
2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27
DAY 5 GMAT Holiday!
DAY 6
VERBAL REVIEW 2ND – CRITICAL REASONING/STRENGTHEN AND WEAKEN
29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 39, 41, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50
The first half of all easy problem solving and data sufficiency from the Question Pack 1 software (34 questions).
DAY 7
All easy CR from Question Pack 1 (22 questions)
The second half of all easy problem solving and data sufficiency from the Question Pack 1 software (35 questions).
Ready for week 2 of the GMAT Study Schedules?