Other competencies are analysis, attention to the right details, pattern recognition, and translating statement problems into math (paraphrasing).
Question Format
- Solve the problems and choose the best answer
- All figures lie in a plane except when noted. All numbers used are real numbers. Flat figures and a lack of imaginary numbers simplify analysis
Basic Principles
You can use a simple four-step process to tackle all the problems in this section. Analysis
- Identify the type of problem: algebra, permutation, standard deviation, overlapping sets, etc. This will tell you what formulas and/or rules to use
- See if you can simplify the problem
- Scan the answers to select the approach: if they’re numerical values, can you put them back into the question (backsolve), or if they’re widely spread, can you estimate?
Problem-solving strategies
Backsolving
In this method, you solve the problem backwards by starting with the answer choices and putting them in the given equations to determine which one works.
Example
A rectangular door is twice as long as it is wide. If its perimeter is 20 feet, what are the rectangle’s dimensions?
- 16/2 by 7/2
- 20/2 by 10/2
- 10/2 by 5/2
- 20/3 by 10/3
- 9 by 6
Answer
Perimeter = 2(L+W), so you need to see which answer can make the perimeter equal to 20 feet. Also note that L:W :: 2:1. You can eliminate ‘A’ because 16/2 is not twice 7/2. You can similarly rule out E because two times six is not nine. Move to B. 2[(20/2)] + 2[(10/2)] = 30, so wrong answer. Move to C. 2[(10/2)] + 2[(5/2)] = 15, so wrong answer. So the right answer has to be D. Confirm it. 2[(20/3)] + 2[(10/3)] = 60/3 = 20
Picking numbers In this method, you select numbers that meet the conditions/requirements of the question, perform certain operations on them, and then compare them against the answer choices.
Example
The revenue of a company increased 20 percent and then decreased 25 percent. What was the final change in revenue relative to the original revenue?
- 5% increase
- 5% decrease
- 10% decrease
- 10% increase
- No change
Answer
Given the percentage values, picking 100, i.e., assuming the original revenue to be $100, can aid quick calculations. A 20% increase brings the revenue to $120. A 25% decrease from $120 brings the revenue down to $90. At this amount, the net change in revenue is negative 10% [($90 – $100)/$100]
Estimation
GAT questions are not designed for lengthy, complex calculations, which means you can estimate to arrive at the right answer.
Common problem-solving mistakes
- Over solving problems: Some problems are designed to trap you into unnecessary calculations. Don’t solve more than what is necessary, or you’ll only end up wasting time.
- Rushing too fast: Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s okay to start a little slow to understand the problem correctly and avoid confusion.
- Getting confused: This includes confusing units of measurement, a percent increase with an absolute percent (100 percent of 60 is not the same as a 100 percent increase from a base of 60), volume left versus volume removed, or distance traveled versus distance remaining.
- Getting intimidated by the numbers: As you’re not allowed a calculator, the numbers given will be easy to work with. So focus on acing calculations without fear.
- Not reading questions carefully: A classic mistake test takers make is answering the question they thought they read versus what it actually asked. What’s more, test writers tend to deliberately include answer choices that answer misinterpretations of the questions.