The Ultimate GMAT Cheatsheet

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║ GMAT Total Score     ║ Percentile      ║ Business Schools   ║
╠═════════════════════╬═════════════════╬════════════════════╣
║ 770-805             ║ 99th            ║ M7 (HBS, Stanford) ║
║ 730-760             ║ 96th-98th       ║ M7 borderline      ║
║ 700-720             ║ 88th-94th       ║ Top 15 programs    ║
║ 660-690             ║ 76th-85th       ║ Top 25 programs    ║
║ 630-650             ║ 68th-74th       ║ Strong regional    ║
║ 600-620             ║ 56th-65th       ║ Average program    ║
║ 550-580             ║ 40th-52nd       ║ Below average      ║
║ Below 550           ║ Below 40th      ║ Needs improvement  ║
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DATA SUFFICIENCY FRAMEWORK
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Step 1: Understand the question (what is being asked?)
Step 2: Analyze Statement (1) ALONE
Step 3: Analyze Statement (2) ALONE
Step 4: Analyze BOTH statements TOGETHER

Answer Choices (FIXED — memorize!):
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient
(C) BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient
(D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient
(E) Statements (1) AND (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient

KEY STRATEGIES:
• Don't solve for the actual value — just check if you CAN solve
• Statement (1) is always evaluated before (2)
• If (1) is sufficient, answer is A or D only
• If (2) is sufficient, answer is B or D only
• Look for special cases: 0, 1, negative, fraction, prime

ESSENTIAL GMAT FORMULAS
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• Work Rate: 1/T₁ + 1/T₂ = Combined rate
• Speed: S = D/T; Relative speed (same dir) = |S₁ - S₂|
• Interest: SI = PRT/100; CI = P(1+r)^t - P
• Mixtures: (High - Avg)/(Avg - Low) = Low qty/High qty
• Probability: P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A∩B)
• Combinations: nCr = n! / (r! × (n-r)!)
• Permutations: nPr = n! / (n-r)!
• Distance formula: d = √((x₂-x₁)² + (y₂-y₁)²)
• Quadratic roots: x = (-b ± √(b²-4ac)) / 2a
• Sum of AP: n/2 × (2a + (n-1)d)
• Sum of GP: a(r^n - 1) / (r - 1)
• Percent change: ((New - Old) / Old) × 100

CR QUESTION TYPES & STRATEGIES
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1. STRENGTHEN THE ARGUMENT
   → Find option that makes conclusion MORE likely
   → Eliminate irrelevant or mildly related options
   → Look for: additional evidence, rule out alternatives

2. WEAKEN THE ARGUMENT
   → Find option that makes conclusion LESS likely
   → Look for: alternative explanation, counter-evidence
   → Show that cause-effect relationship is flawed

3. ASSUMPTION
   → Find unstated link between premise and conclusion
   → Negation test: if negation destroys argument → it's the assumption

4. INFERENCE / MUST BE TRUE
   → What MUST be true based on given information
   → Avoid: extreme statements, new info, reversals

5. FLAW IN REASONING
   → Identify logical error in the argument
   → Common flaws: correlation≠causation, sample bias, circular reasoning

6. BOLD FACE
   → Describe the role of bolded statements
   → Is it evidence, conclusion, counter-evidence, intermediate conclusion?

DATA INSIGHTS STRATEGY
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MULTI-SOURCE REASONING
• Read ALL tabs before answering (don't skip)
• Take notes: key data points, relationships, exceptions
• Cross-reference information across tabs
• Watch for: conflicting data, time-sensitive info

TABLE ANALYSIS
• Sort columns to find patterns quickly
• Use estimated calculations for speed
• Look for: outliers, trends, missing data
• Compare rows and columns for relationships

GRAPHICS INTERPRETATION
• Read axis labels and units FIRST
• Note: scale, legends, data ranges
• Estimate values when exact reading is hard
• Watch for: multiple data series, time periods

TWO-PART ANALYSIS
• Both parts must be correct for credit
• Consider relationships between the two parts
• Work backwards from options if needed

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║              GMAT SECTION ORDER STRATEGY                       ║
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║                                                               ║
║ OPTION 1: Quant → Verbal → DI (Most Popular)                 ║
║   → Start strong with your best section                       ║
║   → Build confidence before harder sections                   ║
║   → Best if: Quant is your strongest                          ║
║                                                               ║
║ OPTION 2: Verbal → DI → Quant                                 ║
║   → Tackle reading-heavy sections while fresh                 ║
║   → Math last when mental energy is lower                    ║
║   → Best if: Verbal is your strongest                         ║
║                                                               ║
║ OPTION 3: DI → Quant → Verbal                                 ║
║   → Get DI done early (newest, most unfamiliar)              ║
║   → Best if: DI is your weakest — do it while fresh          ║
║                                                               ║
║ TIME PER QUESTION GUIDELINE                                   ║
║   Quant:    ~2 min/Q (easier: 1.5 min, harder: 2.5 min)     ║
║   Verbal:   ~2 min/Q (RC: 1.5 min/Q, CR: 2 min/Q)           ║
║   DI:       ~2.25 min/Q                                       ║
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