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If you’re planning to take the GMAT to apply to business schools, you may be wondering how to prepare for GMAT Data Insights. The Data Insights section has unique challenges that you need to handle well to score high on the exam. Accordingly, knowing how to improve GMAT Data Insights performance is a key aspect of effective GMAT preparation. So, in this article I’m going to discuss how best to prepare for Data Insights to master the section and achieve your target GMAT score.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- The Data Insights Section of the GMAT Focus Edition
- Prepare for Data Sufficiency Along With Quant
- Prepare for “IR-Style” Questions After Quant and Verbal
- Preparing for Graphics Interpretation
- Preparing for Table Analysis
- Preparing for Two-Part Analysis
- Preparing for Multi-Source Reasoning
- What Resources Help Improve Data Insights Skills?
- Which Strategies Work Best for GMAT Data Insights Problems?
- How Important Is Data Insights on the GMAT?
- In Summary: How to Effectively Prepare for GMAT Data Insights
- What’s Next?
Let’s begin our discussion of Data Insights preparation by reviewing the basics of the section.
The Data Insights Section of the GMAT Focus Edition
The GMAT Focus Edition tests MBA applicants’ math, reading, critical reasoning, and data literacy skills using three sections. Those three sections are the Quantitative section, the Verbal section, and the Data Insights section. Each section has equal weight in GMAT Focus Edition scoring, and test-takers have 45 minutes to complete each section.
The Data Insights section is focused on testing skill in analyzing and interpreting data to make informed decisions. It is composed of 20 questions of five main types.
Data Sufficiency: These questions test skill in determining the relevance and sufficiency of information by asking a question, providing information, and asking whether the information is sufficient for answering the question.
Graphics Interpretation: These questions present information in graphical form and test skill in interpreting and using information in that form.
Table Analysis: These questions present information in tables and test skill in sorting a table, determining which information is relevant, and making inferences from the information.
Two Part Analysis: These questions are quant- or verbal-based and add additional complexity by requiring test-takers to identify two correct answers, which often depend on each other.
Multi-Source Reasoning: These questions involve many types of information and formats seen in other GMAT question types, to test skill in analyzing and employing information from multiple sources.
In a given Data Insights section, around a third of the questions will be Data Sufficiency questions. Questions of the other four types make up the rest of the section.
KEY FACT:
The Data Insights section tests skill in analyzing and interpreting data to make informed decisions.
Now that we understand what is in the Data Insights section, let’s discuss some key GMAT Data Insight tips for preparation. We’ll start with an approach to mastering Data Sufficiency.
Prepare for Data Sufficiency Along With Quant
Historically, GMAT Data Sufficiency questions appeared in the Quant section of the test. So, when people prepared for the Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning sections of the GMAT, they studied Data Sufficiency (DS) when preparing for Quant.
Now, the GMAT Focus Edition combines DS with Integrated Reasoning in the Data Insights section. Nevertheless, it still makes sense to prepare for DS along with Quant when preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition. Here’s why.
Data Sufficiency questions can involve any of the topics that appear in Quant questions. Meanwhile, the best way to master answering Quant questions is to focus on one topic at a time. So, you’ll prepare most efficiently by learning to answer DS questions that involve each Quant topic alongside Quant questions that involve that topic.
So, to master DS, as you work on each GMAT Quant topic, such as Exponents and Roots or Absolute Value, do DS practice questions as well. By preparing that way, you’ll master DS, and you’ll develop even stronger Quant skills because you’ll be getting extra practice by answering DS questions.
For more on how to prepare for Data Sufficiency, check out our article on GMAT Data Sufficiency questions.
TTP PRO TIP:
Your studying will be most efficient if you prepare for GMAT Data Sufficiency as you prepare for Quant.
Let’s move on to the next of our tips for Data Insights success.
Prepare for “IR-Style” Questions After Quant and Verbal
This next tip will save you lots of time and trouble in your quest for Data Insights score improvement. Prepare for Quant and Verbal before studying GMAT Data Insights question types other than Data Sufficiency. Here’s why.
Other than DS questions, Data Insights questions include what are called “Integrated Reasoning” questions. What the name Integrated Reasoning (IR) signifies is that answering these questions involves using various types of information and skills at the same time. So, in the context of the GMAT exam, Integrated Reasoning questions require using math, data analysis, and verbal skills. What this means is that GMAT Quant and Verbal preparation is, essentially, GMAT Data Insights preparation.
For example, to answer Two-Part Analysis questions, you may need to use Quant Linear Equations or Quant Rates concepts. To answer Multi-Source Reasoning questions, you may need to use Critical Reasoning Inference or Reading Comprehension Specific Purpose strategies. These and other concepts and strategies that you’ll need for IR-style questions are all things you learn through Quant and Verbal prep.
TTP PRO TIP:
Prepare for Quant and Verbal before studying GMAT Data Insights question types other than Data Sufficiency.
So, you can see that preparing for Quant and Verbal before IR-style questions makes mastering Data Insights on GMAT exams much easier and faster.
Study Graphics Interpretation and Table Analysis Before Multi-Source Reasoning
When you do reach the phase of your studies in which you’re learning how to tackle IR-style questions, it’s wise to study Graphics Interpretation and Table Analysis before Multi-Source Reasoning. This sequence works best because Multi-Source Reasoning prompts often include graphs or tables. So, by studying Graphics Interpretation and Table Analysis before Multi-Source Reasoning, you’ll develop skills you’ll use for Multi-Source Reasoning as well.
TTP PRO TIP:
For best results from your Data Insights preparation, study Graphics Interpretation and Table Analysis before Multi-Source Reasoning.
Let’s now talk a bit about studying each of the Data Insights Integrated Reasoning question types.
Preparing for Graphics Interpretation
Graphics Interpretation (GI) prep involves three main tasks. The first is to learn to read the various types of graphs that appear in GI questions. The second is to learn strategies for answering GI questions. Of course, the last is to practice GI to learn to answer the questions efficiently and correctly.
In most cases, the types of graphs that appear in Graphics Interpretation questions will be quite familiar to you. Nonetheless, by going over all the types of graphs in advance and practicing reading them, you’ll be much quicker on test day. And of course, learning the ins and outs of answering GI questions will help you maximize your score.
One key caveat about the graphs in Data Insights is that they aren’t always very easy to read. The question writers sometimes make seeing what the graphs indicate challenging or use confusing wording in labels. So, it’s good to gain practice in being very careful in reading the graphs, so that you don’t miss questions just because you didn’t read a graph right.
TTP PRO TIP:
A key aspect of effective Graphics Interpretation prep is learning how different types of graphs work and how to read them.
Preparing for Table Analysis
The main skills you need to develop for Table Analysis (TA) are skill in sorting the tables optimally and skill in determining what data is relevant for answering a particular question. A good GMAT prep resource, such as the Target Test Prep GMAT Course, will help you develop these skills quickly.
Then, Table Analysis questions can involve Quant topics such as averages or rates or involve making inferences, as in Verbal questions. So, once you’ve developed the general TA skills, mastering TA is mostly a matter of learning to use tables to answer various types of quant- and verbal-based questions.
TTP PRO TIP:
The main skills you need to develop for Table Analysis are skill in sorting the tables optimally and skill in determining what data is relevant.
Preparing for Two-Part Analysis
Two-Part Analysis (TPA) questions are basically GMAT Quant and Verbal questions with two answers instead of one. So, your main task in preparing for Data Insights TPA questions is to learn strategies associated with dealing with two answers.
One key strategy you’ll need to master is identifying answers by determining which choices work together. You’ll need to learn this because, in some TPA questions, more than two choices work individually. In such cases, the only way to choose two answers is to determine which choices are the only two that work with each other.
In addition, there are some TPA question types, such as Complete the Statement, that you won’t have seen in your Quant or Verbal prep. So, it’s important to learn about these types of questions, so that you’re ready for them on test day. Once you’ve learned how these types of questions work, practice with plenty of TPA Data Insights practice questions to develop skill in answering them.
TTP PRO TIP:
Your main task in preparing for Data Insights Two-Part Analysis questions is to learn strategies associated with dealing with two answers.
Preparing for Multi-Source Reasoning
As we’ve discussed, Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) requires you to use various types of information to answer the questions. So, your main task in preparing for MSR is learning to use information of various types from different sources together.
The information in MSR questions appears on two or three tabs in the prompt. Accordingly, to master MSR, you’ll need to develop skill in the following:
- knowing what type of information is on each tab
- using keywords to locate information in the prompt
- telling the difference between relevant and irrelevant information and finding the information you need without getting distracted by other information
- answering math questions using formulas, procedures, or values found in the prompt or question stem
- working step by step to execute well
TTP PRO TIP:
Your main task in preparing for Multi-Source Reasoning is learning to use information of various types from different sources together.
Let’s now answer some common questions related to GMAT Data Insights prep.
What Resources Help Improve Data Insights Skills?
The best resources for improving Data Insights skills are those that include comprehensive explanations of the concepts and strategies you need for Data Insights. In addition, your resources should include plenty of practice questions with answer explanations you can learn from.
One such resource is the Target Test Prep GMAT Course. The Quant section of the course includes Data Sufficiency prep. Then, the Data Insights section of the course has a chapter covering each of the other four types of Data Insights questions. Also, the course includes plenty of Data Insights sample problems for developing strong skills.
Which Strategies Work Best for GMAT Data Insights Problems?
Most of the best GMAT Data insights strategies are the same ones we use to answer GMAT Quant and Verbal questions. For example, the strategies for answering ratio and weighted average questions in GMAT Quant and the strategies for eliminating answer choices in GMAT Verbal apply in Data Insights as well.
At the same time, there are some other strategies that we should learn for Data Insights. They include reviewing graph, table, and other information before going to the questions, and sorting tables to group relevant information. They also include testing answer choices in Two-Part Analysis questions and checking constraints step by step in Multi-Source Reasoning. By using a good GMAT prep resource and practicing effectively, you can learn these key strategies and more.
How Important Is Data Insights on the GMAT?
On the GMAT Focus Edition, Data Insights is one of three equally weighted GMAT sections. So, your performance on Data Insights accounts for one third of your GMAT score. Thus, it’s quite important!
Let’s now wrap up by summarizing what we’ve discussed.
In Summary: How to Effectively Prepare for GMAT Data Insights
Here is what we’ve seen with regard to GMAT Data insights preparation.
- GMAT Data Insights tests skill in analyzing and interpreting data to make informed decisions.
- There are five Data Insights question types: Data Sufficiency, Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Two-Part Analysis, and Multi-Source Reasoning.
- It’s most efficient to prepare for Data Sufficiency along with GMAT Quant.
- Preparing for Quant and Verbal before Data Insights questions other than Data Sufficiency can save you time and trouble.
- It works best to prepare for Graphics Interpretation and Table Analysis before Multi-Source Reasoning.
- In general, to prepare for GMAT Data Insights, learn how to use the various types of information involved in the questions and practice to develop accuracy and efficiency.
What’s Next?
Now that you know how to prepare for Data Insights, you can learn how to prepare for the other GMAT sections from our post on GMAT Quant preparation and our post on how to score high on GMAT Verbal.
