GMAT Test Strategy: Segregating Integrated Reasoning

By Jonathan Taves Updated Sep 04, 2015

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Introduction
Table analysis (TA)
Graphical interpretation (GI)
Multi-source reasoning (MSR)
Two-part analysis (2PA)

Since your score on GMATIntegrated Reasoning (IR) is less important to admissions committees than your scores on quant and verbal, you should try to spend as little energy as possible on it. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try or should be happy with a 2.0, but it does mean that you should come prepared with a strategy. Veritas Prep suggest that, unless you’re an integrated reasoning wizard, you should attempt to solve 10 questions and quickly guess on two in order to stay within the GMAT time limits.

This will give you almost three minutes per integrated reasoning question. To not show admissions committees a red flag, you only need to score a 6.0 or higher in this section of the GMAT. Adopting this strategy will give you more than enough time to correctly answer the seven or eight questions necessary to do so. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so choose which question type you want to quickly guess on test day. Below is an analysis of each:

Table analysis (TA)

Number of answers per question: About three with two choices each
Probability of answering correctly: About 13%
Test strategy: Answer

Before you read the individual table analysis questions, first read the prompt to familiarize yourself with the table. Then sort the table according to what the question is asking you to find. This is critical: make sure you know exactly what the question is asking. Since little math or reasoning is necessary in this question type, the key to table analysis is focus. With a 13% probability of choosing the correct answer and little skill needed, table analysis is a must to answer.

Graphical interpretation (GI)

Number of answers per question: About two with three choices each
Probability of answering correctly: About 11%
Test strategy: Answer

Before you read the individual graphical interpretation questions, first read the prompt to familiarize yourself with the graph. Pay special attention to the axes and make sure that you understand what’s being presented. Then carefully read individual questions so that you can use the graph to answer the right question - like TA, focus is critical on graphical interpretation. By definition, graphs don’t require much mathematical skill to read and with an 11% probability, graphical interpretation is another must to answer.

Multi-source reasoning (MSR)

Number of answers per question: About three with two choices each
Probability of answering correctly: About 13%
Test strategy: Answer

The GMAT reading comprehension’s (RC) sister question type, MSR can be a difficult section for some students. However, since this question type usually appears in sets of three related questions, the work you do reading the tabs and understanding the prompt on one question will pay off on the questions that come next. For that reason, like it or not, MSR isn’t a candidate for a quick guess. That said, MSR doesn’t have to be difficult: read each tab and take notes. Then apply critical reasoning’s (CR) ‘must be true’ lens to each question. If the statement isn’t directly supported by the information provided, then it can’t be inferred.

Two-part analysis (2PA)

Number of answers per question: Two with five choices each
Probability of answering correctly: About 4%
Test strategy: Guess

In theory, 2PA shouldn’t be difficult. You’re given a CR or problem solving-type (PS) question and need to answer it two ways. For example, think of a CR question that asks you to choose a statement that supports the conclusion and one that weakens it. However, the necessity of answering two questions with five choices at once dramatically reduces your probability of answering correctly. In comparison to TA, for example, you are about 70% less likely to select the correct answer. Therefore, this question type is an excellent candidate for a quick guess. Depending on which side you favor, CR or PS, guess accordingly.