skip to main content
home>avoiding common ds mistakes
mike mcgarry
lesson by mike mcgarry
magoosh expert

summary
the content focuses on common mistakes made by test-takers on the gmat data sufficiency (ds) questions and provides strategies to avoid them.
  • don't overcalculate: focus on determining if you have sufficient information rather than finding the exact answer.
  • treat each ds statement separately: analyze statements independently without carrying over information from one to the other.
  • avoid confusing the prompt question with the sufficiency question: a definitive 'no' to the prompt question can still mean you have sufficient information.
  • practice with specific examples to understand the application of these strategies.
  • remember, the goal is to assess sufficiency, not to solve for a specific answer.
chapters
00:04
avoiding overcalculation
01:39
analyzing statements independently
05:49
distinguishing between prompt and sufficiency questions

related blog posts