gmat preparation courses
left image spacer Table of Contents spacer Find Classes & Tutoring spacer 24 Hour Tutor spacer GMAT Forums spacer GMAT Home spacer right image

    GMAT Math Introduction
  Section 1: Introduction  
  Section 2: 8 Math Strategies  
    1. Plow  
    2. Don't Do That Math!  
    3. Backsolving  
    4. Plug-In - Testing Numbers  
    5. Ballpark  
    6. Experiment  
    7. Find Patterns  
    8. Ladder of Difficulty  
  Section 3: 5-Step Method  
spacer
   GMAT Prep Course
spacer
spacer
spacer nav GMAT Guide Contents spacer
spacer
spacer nav Application Essay Guide spacer
spacer
spacer nav GMAT Essay Guide spacer
spacer
spacer nav 5 GMAT CAT Tests spacer
spacer
spacer
   GMAT Resources
spacer
spacer
spacer nav GMAT Classes & Tutoring spacer
spacer
spacer nav Use the Test Pacer spacer
spacer
spacer nav Essay Grading Service spacer
spacer
spacer nav 24 Hour Tutor Support spacer
spacer
spacer nav GMAT Home spacer
spacer
 





   
Section 2.8: Math Strategies (Advanced)
 
  Print out chapter  

Note: these strategies are intended for advanced students. Use them if you have done some GMAT preparation already or have very good math skills. If not, review some math chapters and return to this page later.


1. Plow
2. Don't Do That Math!
3. Backsolving
4. Plug-In (Testing Numbers)
5. Ballpark (Possible Range Strategy)
6. Experiment
7. Find Patterns
8. Ladder of Difficulty





Plow means to simply run the numbers and start doing calculations. This is time intensive. There is little in the way of tricks here; you are simply putting marker pen to dry-erase paper and grinding out calculations.

There are two times when you Plow:

1) When you first read a question it often helps to start writing out the numbers. This process of simply translating the question into numbers will stimulate your brain and help you get a handle on the question. If this fails, start playing with the numbers and see if you see any patterns or anything that might help you get a conceptual handle on the question.

2) If you do have a game plan and know how to answer the question, Plow is just the tedious process of crunching answers and solving the question. Often this process can get feverish if you are running behind pace.

Sometimes you will read a problem and you’ll realize that it is labor-intensive, but you KNOW that it is do-able.  This is a time when plowing may be an effective strategy.  You might have to work a bit harder and longer, but it is a “guaranteed” correct answer. Remember that there will be some problems on the test that appear impossible to you, with a low probability of your answering it correctly;  a plowing problem, though tedious, will be one more correct answer on the test!

Obviously, be very wary of investing too much time mindlessly on calculations, which brings us to our next strategy...

 

  GMAT Math Introduction Chapter 1: Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction
  Section 2: 8 Math Strategies (advanced)
   1. Plow
   2. Don't Do That Math!
   3. Backsolving
   4. Plug-In (Testing Numbers)
   5. Ballpark (Possible Range Strategy)
   6. Experiment
   7. Find Patterns
   8. Ladder of Difficulty
  Section 3: 5-Step Method (advanced)
 
Don't Do That Math!

 Have a question or a problem? Contact us.

1. Introduction 2.2 Don't Do That Math!