Data Sufficiency

GMAT
Introduction, Tips & Strategies

11/19/2011
Data Sufficiency
Introduction:
Data Sufficiency which is part of the quant section tests the same concepts as tested in Problem Solving
section. The good thing about GMAT Data Sufficiency is the structure. It is the same for every Data
Sufficiency question. Although the concepts are the same as that of Problem Solving, there are
challenges in solving Data Sufficiency questions. The challenges may be due to the assumptions we have
or due to the incomplete understanding of a particular subject.

Data Sufficiency Structure:

Mark Choice 4) and move

Check if you can solve with on
statement (A) alone
Yes

Check if you can solve with

Yes statement (B) alone

No
No

Check if you can solve with Mark Choice 1) and move

statement (B) alone on

Mark Choice 2) and move

Yes
on

No

Check if you can solve with

statements (A) & (B)
together

Mark Choice 3) and move

Yes
on

No

Mark Choice 5)
Let’s look at a sample question to understand how it works.

If x + 2y = z, what is the value of x?

(1) 2.6y = 3.9 + 1.3z

(2) Y = 2

The question actually tests your knowledge in basic equations. General theory says, to find out the
value of a variable uniquely among three variables you need three equations involving those variable.

But let’s see if we can follow the structure presented above and solve this question.

First, the question asks you to find the value of x and provides you with one equation. Let’s combine
with the first statement.

The first statement can be rewritten as

2y = 3 + z (by dividing by 1.3 throughout)

Now, substitute this value in the equation provided in the question. We get,

X+3+z =z

X = -3.

So with statement (1) alone we can solve this question.

Now we should not stop here. We need to find if we can solve this question with statement (2) alone.

If we substitute y =2 in the equation of the question, we will have multiple values of x which is
dependent on x. Hence we can’t solve for unique value of x.

Answer will be Choice 1.

There are several such concepts tested in every topic in GMAT Data Sufficiency. We will deal with that in
our online classes.