Contents:
- How to Prepare for Graphics Interpretation Questions
- How to Prepare for Table Analysis Questions
- How to Prepare for Two-Part Analysis Questions
- How to Prepare for Multi-Source Reasoning Questions
- Strategy for Preparing for GMAT IR
- Build a Strong Foundation
- Approach During Practice
- Approach During the Exam
How should one prepare for GMAT IR such that they get the perfect 8? Solving 12 questions in 30 minutes should ideally be quite simple and doable right? It’s not. This is because each graph or prompt has multiple questions. Further, you must answer the question completely before moving on, since you cannot go back to a question after answering it.
IR is also challenging for many because it tests the skills garnered from both, the quant and verbal section. Thus, even though it does not add to the total GMAT score, it is vital to include GMAT IR in your overall GMAT preparation strategy. To know why is IR important for business schools, read The GMAT IR Basics You Need to Know.
Here are some important strategies to prepare for the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section to ace it:
How to Prepare for Graphics Interpretation Questions
- Each graph has two multiple-choice questions associated with it. You have to select a correct statement from a drop-down list based on your interpretation of the data in the given graph or chart. These charts could range from bar charts, scatterplots, and flowcharts, to other types of graphs.
- Familiarize yourself with the different types of graphs and how data is presented in them.
- As you read the question, pay attention to the trends, inverse or direct relationships, and units of measurement demonstrated in the data.
How to Prepare for Table Analysis Questions
- Table Analysis requires you to categorize the given table’s data in certain ways to ascertain answers to the questions.
- Carefully read the titles of the columns and accompanying text, noting the units of data and calculations used to derive certain values in the table.
- Once you have noticed the minute details, understand the bigger picture that the data is trying the portrait.
- Focus on sorting the data for each statement in the best way possible to prevent manually hunting for the answer causing time waste and silly mistakes.
How to Prepare for Two-Part Analysis Questions
- Two-Part Analysis questions may be quant-based or verbal based. Scan the question carefully and summarize the information. For verbal-based, identify the premises and conclusion.
- Only use the information provided in the question to solve the question, especially in case you are familiar with the subject matter. Please note that the GMAT does not need you to apply any external knowledge but only what is given along with the question.
How to Prepare for Multi-Source Reasoning
- In this section, you either answer one MCQ or examine the validity of three separate statements, choosing the answer between yes/no, true/false, etc.
- Multi-source reasoning questions resemble RC/CR sections. Since these questions are most wordy, reading the question carefully is a must.
- While reading, look for answers to the questions and try summarizing key information, similar to the strategy followed in the RC section. However, do not stop reading to answer a question before completing the first reading, since the lower part of the prompt may have some useful information that would impact your answer.
Strategy for Preparing for GMAT IR
Now that you have the sections of GMAT IR under your belt, let’s go over the strategy to prepare for the IR section overall. We have divided the strategy into three phases – the foundation, practice, and during the exam:
Build a Strong Foundation
- IR combines the concepts, formulas, and skills that you obtain during your quant and verbal study. Consequently, for a firm grasp of the GMAT IR, you should have the fundamentals of these two sections in place. Incorporate daily IR preparation into your regular GMAT prep once you are two-thirds of the way through your preparation timeline.
- Get used to interpreting data presented visually in business magazines and websites
- Build familiarity with each question type because it helps solve questions faster and trains your eye where to look first in every type of graph/table/chart.
Approach During Practice
- Never skip the IR section while giving a full-length mock test to ensure that you have complete familiarity with the section questions. This will also ensure that you have developed the instincts for efficiently reading the data and sorting what is relevant and what is irrelevant.
- Simulate the GMAT test conditions as accurately as possible.
- Maintain an error log so that you do not repeat your mistakes
- 30 minutes for 12 questions means 2.5 minutes per multi-part question which may have an elaborate set of data. Thus, it is imperative that you time yourself strictly during practice.
- Develop a pacing strategy for GMAT IR that plays to your strengths and is realistic about your weak spots.
Approach During the Exam
- Read the question stem carefully and remember to distinguish between numbers, percentages, and rates given in the question. Be mindful of the units used and any conversions you may have to do for the question.
- Remember that it is not necessary that all information given in the question is useful. Learn to quickly sort the relevant information required by the question.
- Utilize the sorting functionality and screen calculator provided during the exam.
- Follow a step-by-step approach to questions since the solution to some questions may be dependent on the answer to a previous part.
Conclusion:
GMAT Integrated Reasoning is a challenging section not because of any extraordinary complexity but the quick interpretation and synthesis of the data that is required. A score above 6, while not contributing to the total GMAT score, will still give an additional boost to your b-school applications. With smart and sincere preparation, keeping the above-mentioned strategies in mind, you are bound to ace the section.
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