{"id":27178,"date":"2020-03-24T13:04:49","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T07:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=27178"},"modified":"2023-12-11T18:14:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T12:44:12","slug":"six-process-skills-to-master-gmat-quant-section","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/six-process-skills-to-master-gmat-quant-section\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Process Skills to master the GMAT Quant section"},"content":{"rendered":"A <\/span> 6<\/span> min read <\/span><\/span>

I am going to start this article by making a statement, and I want you to tell me if you agree with it. The mantra to master GMAT quant or GMAT Math is to learn the concepts<\/u> that are typically tested on the GMAT and then practice as many questions as one can<\/u>.<\/p>\n

I am very confident that you would wholeheartedly agree with the above statement.\u00a0 After all, that is the way we have been learning all our lives.\u00a0 So why should GMAT Quant be any different?<\/p>\n

\"gmat<\/p>\n

Well, the truth is that the mantra described above not only is very inefficient but also does not always produce favorable results. And this is the reason why, at e-GMAT, we follow a different mantra, which is woven into the very fabric of our verbal and quant courses.<\/p>\n

Here is the e-GMAT mantra marked up from the above one.\u00a0 Notice the highlighted changes.<\/p>\n

The e-GMAT<\/span> mantra to master GMAT Quant is to learn the concepts that are typically tested on the GMAT, master the process skills that are required to solve GMAT questions<\/span> and practice only the required number of questions to reach one\u2019s target ability in every sub-section<\/span>.<\/p>\n

As you can see, there are two main points of difference:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The e-GMAT mantra includes the mastery of process skills<\/u> that are absolutely essential to solve GMAT questions.<\/li>\n
  2. Per the e-GMAT mantra, one does not need to solve as many questions<\/u> as possible. On the contrary, one needs to solve only those many questions<\/u> that are necessary to reach one\u2019s target ability.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This article explores the first point of difference \u2013 the \u201cprocess skills.\u201d\u00a0 Our goal is to help you recognize the value of the process skills.\u00a0 And once you do understand the importance of these skills, we will guide you about how you can build these skills so that you reach your target score in Quant.<\/p>\n

    To summarize this section, we will mathematically present the e-GMAT mantra to success in Quant.<\/p>\n

    Mastering GMAT quant = conceptual knowledge + mastery of process skills.<\/p>\n

    Here are a few tips to score Q50+ on the GMAT<\/a><\/p>\n

    Did you know a\u00a0GMAT score of 730+ yields incremental $500K in ROI<\/a>? Start your GMAT Preparation by\u00a0Signing up for our FREE Trial<\/a>\u00a0and get access to FREE online GMAT preparation resources. We are the\u00a0most reviewed GMAT preparation company on GMATClub<\/a>\u00a0with more than 1870 reviews.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Process Skills to ace GMAT Quant<\/h2>\n

    Before we go into the \u201cwhat\u201d of the process skills, let me explain the \u201chow\u201d- i.e., how do process skills help you reach your target score.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s set some background – I think it will be fair to assume that all of us know the importance of learning the concepts.\u00a0 So, for the sake of this discussion, let\u2019s assume that your conceptual knowledge is solid.<\/p>\n

    Now, I want you to ponder about these two questions:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Have you ever wondered why you make a mistake despite having the conceptual understanding?<\/li>\n
    2. Have you ever wondered why it is that you need to solve thousands of questions to master GMAT Quant?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Here are the answers:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. You make a mistake not because you don\u2019t know the concept, but because you do not know how to apply that concept.<\/li>\n
      2. Likewise, you need to solve so many questions to reach that level of ability despite knowing the concepts since you have not learned the method to apply those concepts to solve GMAT questions, and that is why you need to practice and practice with the hope that you will reach your target score. And you know by experience that this approach is a hit or a miss.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        So how do you solve this problem of \u201capplication\u201d?<\/p>\n

        This is where \u201cprocess skills\u201d come into the picture.\u00a0 To learn how to APPLY these concepts, you need to learn these process skills. And as you master these process skills, your ability to answer GMAT questions improves.<\/p>\n

        After thousands of hours researching the official content, we have formulated six process skills that you need<\/u> to master to solve difficult quant questions with ease and accuracy.<\/p>\n

        Here are the six process skills to prepare for GMAT Quant section:<\/h3>\n
          \n
        1. Infer<\/li>\n
        2. Translate<\/li>\n
        3. Simplify<\/li>\n
        4. Visualize<\/li>\n
        5. Consider all cases<\/li>\n
        6. Apply constraints<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          \"6<\/p>\n

          In this article, we will outline each of these skills, and then over the next few weeks, we will delve into each process skill in detail.<\/p>\n

          Six process skills to master GMAT quant are Infer, Translate, Simplify, Visualize, \u2018Consider all Cases\u2019, and \u2018Apply Constraints.\u2019<\/p>\n

          Applicability of Process Skills<\/h3>\n

          These process skills are applicable across all sub-sections of Quant and both types of quant questions \u2013 PS and DS.\u00a0 So, as you master them in the context of one sub-section, you will notice that your proficiency in those skills will improve in the other sub-sections. \u00a0\u00a0To offer a simile, building these process skills is akin to building a muscle, as you build a muscle in the context of one sport say tennis, your performance also improves in other sports, such as racquetball or squash.<\/p>\n

          Mastery of process skill in one sub-section carries forward to other sub-sections.<\/p>\n

          Learning Process Skills to master GMAT Math<\/h3>\n

          Before I explain each of the process skills, I want to make sure that you do not feel burdened by the prospect of learning something brand new.\u00a0 In fact, it\u2019s quite the opposite.\u00a0\u00a0 Mastering process skills is a very logical activity, one that focuses on re-channeling your existing resources \u2013 i.e., your conceptual knowledge – to maximize their output.<\/p>\n

          Mastering process skills is a logical process that re-channels your conceptual knowledge to maximize your ability to solve GMAT Math questions.<\/p>\n

          Process Skill 1 \u2013 Infer<\/h2>\n

          \u201cInfer\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          Given the information in the question and your conceptual knowledge, what can you deduce so that you come closer to the solution of the question.<\/p>\n

          One needs to continually infer or deduce throughout the solution \u2013 not just in the beginning, not only in the middle, and not just in the end.\u00a0 As you learn to apply this process skill, you learn to stay actively engaged while solving the questions.\u00a0 This, in turn, helps with the timing aspect of the test.<\/p>\n

          We will take an example to demonstrate this process skill to you.\u00a0 Solve this 700-level question.<\/a><\/p>\n

          Process Skill 2 \u2013 Translate<\/h2>\n

          \u201cTranslate\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          Converting English into Mathematical form and vice versa, utilizing your conceptual knowledge.<\/p>\n

          Primary function of GMAT Quant questions is to test your quantitative ability.\u00a0 But they also test<\/u> your understanding of English language in the context of how comfortably you can convert English to Math and Math to English.<\/p>\n

          Naturally, given the nature of this process skill, it is applied usually in the beginning of the solution to convert the English to Math or towards the end of the solution to convert the Math to English.<\/p>\n

          We will take an example to demonstrate this process skill to you.\u00a0 Solve this 700-level question<\/a>.\u00a0 This question is from the Official Guide Advanced book.<\/p>\n

          Process Skill 3 \u2013 Simplify<\/h2>\n

          \u201cSimplify\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          Converting complicated-looking expressions into a simple form.<\/p>\n

          Solving a question in a methodical manner requires that we convert complex looking expressions into simpler forms and that is why mastering this skill is very important.\u00a0 In fact, this is a key skill to succeed in life as well.\u00a0 Breaking down complex situations or problems into simpler small problems facilitates effective solutions!<\/p>\n

          We will take an example to demonstrate this process skill to you.\u00a0 Solve this 700-level question<\/a>.\u00a0 This question is from the Official Guide Advanced book.<\/p>\n

          Process Skill 4 \u2013 Visualize<\/h2>\n

          \u201cVisualize\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          Putting information in a visual form such as a figure, a table, a chart, a venn diagram, etc. to make the analysis easier.<\/p>\n

          This skill is very essential, especially when the given information appears to be an overload on our mental faculties. \u00a0In some way, we are \u2018simplifying\u2019 the complex information in a visual form so that we can make better sense of that information.<\/p>\n

          We will take an example to demonstrate this process skill to you.\u00a0 Solve this 700-level question<\/a>.\u00a0 This question is from the Official Guide.<\/p>\n

          Process Skill 5 \u2013 Consider all Cases<\/h2>\n

          \u201cConsider all Cases\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          While evaluating a relationship, we must consider all the applicable cases that could impact our evaluation of that relationship.<\/p>\n

          This skill is very essential while solving both PS and DS questions.<\/p>\n

          We will take an example to demonstrate this process skill to you.\u00a0 Solve this 700-level question<\/a>.\u00a0 This question is from Official Guide Advanced book.<\/p>\n

          Process Skill 6 \u2013 Apply Constraints<\/h2>\n

          \u201cApply Constraints\u201d Definition<\/h3>\n

          Consciously identify the constraints on variables in the question, based on the information in the question statement and based on your conceptual understanding.<\/p>\n

          There are two kinds of constraints that one needs to be cognizant of.<\/p>\n