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Are you preparing for the GMAT? Struggling with the geometry questions? Do not worry, we will list a couple of tips and strategies you can use to solve GMAT Quant geometry questions easily.
The GMAT Quantitative Reasoning section tests your mathematical knowledge. It also tests your ability to solve problems using mathematical formulas and decipher graphic data. The GMAT Quant section consists of 31 questions that you have to complete within 62 minutes.
The Quant section consists of two types of question types—Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency. To attempt these two question types with ease, you need to learn some basic concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, numbers, and geometry. About a third of the GMAT quant questions are based on geometry. The geometry concepts or topics you must be thorough with are circles, triangles, coordinate geometry, lines and angles, and quadrilaterals. Preparing for the GMAT Quant can be challenging as you have to solve all the questions within the given time frame. This can prove to be overwhelming and nerve-wracking. Hence, we will list some tips and strategies to help you attempt the GMAT quant geometry questions with ease.
Tips and Strategies for GMAT Quant: Geometry Questions
Preparing for the GMAT Quant section can be an arduous process. We will list a few tips and strategies to make the preparation process easier. The tips and strategies you can use when preparing for the GMAT quant geometry questions are as follows:
Basic Concepts
The first and foremost tip when preparing for the GMAT Quant section is that you must be thorough with the fundamental concepts. The geometry questions will require you to be familiar with properties and theories. You can solve any question within minutes if you are thorough with the fundamental concepts.
Formulae
To attempt the Quant section with ease, you must know all the mathematical formulas at your fingertips. However, learning and remembering all the formulas can be difficult. An easy way to remember all the formulas is to create a cheat sheet and put down all the formulas you need to learn on it. You can then place the cheat sheet anywhere which is visible to you regularly. This will ensure that you go through the cheat sheet regularly and eventually remember all the formulae.
Learn the Properties
When solving geometry questions you need to be thorough with the rules and properties of each geometrical figure. For example, when you are solving the questions based on circles, you need to be familiar with the properties and rules of circles to be able to solve the question. There is no shortcut to learning these rules or strategies you have to make to memorize them thoroughly.
Apply the Properties
Once you are familiar with the rules and properties, you need to learn to apply them to various geometry questions. You can do so by practising with sample geometry questions. Additionally, you can also use GMAT previous year papers to practice.
Make Use of the GMAT Scratch Paper
Some of the geometry questions you attempt can be rather complex, for example, there might be a figure containing a circle within a triangle. If you are feeling stuck or unable to solve a complex geometry question, you can always redraw the diagram on your GMAT scratch paper to understand it better. Do not hesitate to make use of the GMAT scratch paper as it might help you decipher complex geometry questions.
Detailed Approach
When attempting any geometry question, you must pay attention to the details provided in the question. You may overlook some minute details at first glance, hence, make it a point to read through the question at least twice and make note of the details on your GMAT scratch paper. This will help you make sure you are making use of all the values and information given in the question to solve it with ease.
Visualise
Some of the geometry questions will not have a figure or diagram for you to refer to. Such questions are not only testing your mathematical skills but are also testing how well you can visualise the description they have given you. In such a scenario, you have to visualise and draw your own diagram on your scratch paper. Doing so will help you understand the question better, making it easier for you to solve it.
Look for Connections
When a geometry question has multiple figures or a figure within a figure, solving it can be challenging. However, in such a scenario, you must look for connections between the two. One of the figures might convey some information about the other. For example, the diameter of the circle might be the same as the diagonal in a quadrilateral. This connection becomes the key to solving the question. Hence, make it a point to look out for any possible connections.
GMAT Quant Geometry: Sample Question
We have listed the tips and strategies to prepare for the GMAT Quant Geometry section efficiently. Now, here is a sample GMAT geometry question to help you acquaint yourself with the same.
Question:
Note: Figure not drawn to scale
In the right triangle ABC, BC = 20 and BD = 16, which could be the area of the triangle ABC?
- 320
- 160
- 96
- 80
- 60
Answer: D
Explanation: Given, BC = 20
BC = BD + DC
So,
DC = 4
Important property: In a right triangle, perpendicular to the hypotenuse will always divide the triangle into two triangles with the same properties(similar triangles) as the original triangle.
Thus, the perpendicular AD divides right triangle ABC into two similar triangles ADB and ADC (which are also similar to big triangle ABC). Now, in these three triangles the ratio of the corresponding sides will be equal (corresponding sides are the sides opposite the same angles).
So, AD/BD =DC/AD
AD2=BD*DC
AD2=16*4
So,
AD = 8
So, area of triangle ABC = ½* BC * AD = ½ * 20 * 8 = 80
Hence, the answer is D.
We hope you are now aware of some preparation tips and strategies for the GMAT Quant: Geometry section. Incorporating these tips into your study plan will help you prepare for the GMAT Quant section effectively and efficiently. So, start preparing now and ace the GMAT Quant section.
All the best!
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