GMAT CAT Data Sufficiency Overview

The quantitative section has just 37 questions, and about half of them are presented in a unique form called data sufficiency. These questions aren't particularly hard if you understand how to approach them before you walk into the testing center. However, if you don't know much about these questions, getting confused and making careless mistakes are easy.

The data sufficiency questions cover math that nearly any college-bound high school student will know. In addition to basic arithmetic, you can expect questions testing your knowledge of averages, fractions, decimals, algebra, factoring, and basic principles of geometry such as triangles, circles, and how to determine the areas and volumes of simple geometric shapes.

Answer Choices in GMAT Date Sufficiency

GMAT data sufficiency questions will all have the exact same answer choices. The answer choices are summarized below as you will see them on the GMAT exam.

1. Statement 1 alone is sufficient but statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
2. Statement 2 alone is sufficient but statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
3. Both statements 1 and 2 together are sufficient to answer the question but neither statement is sufficient alone.
4. Each statement alone is sufficient to answer the question.
5. Statements 1 and 2 are not sufficient to answer the question asked and additional data is needed to answer the statements.

Step Approach to solve Data Sufficiency Questions in GMAT CAT

Take a methodical approach to answering data sufficiency questions. Follow a series of steps:

1. Evaluate the question to make sure you know exactly what you're supposed to solve, and if you can, decide what kind of information you need to solve the problem.
2. Examine one of the statements and determine whether the data in that one statement is enough to answer the question.
3. Examine the other statement and determine whether it has enough information to answer the question.
4. Evaluate what you've written on your notepad.
   • If you recorded yes for both statements, choose D.
   • If you recorded yes for (1) and no for (2), click on answer A.
   • If you recorded no for (1) and yes for (2), choose answer B.
   • If you've written no for both statements, go on to the next step.
5. Examine the statements together to determine whether the data given in both is enough information to answer the question.
   • If the answer is yes, choose answer C.
   • If the answer is no, choose answer E.

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Related Topics

GMAT Math Arithmetic | GMAT Math Algebra | GMAT Math Geometry | GMAT Math Data Sufficiency | GMAT Math Problem Solving