GMAT Kolaveri

Michael earns $6.00 per hour for the first 40 hours he works per week, and twice this rate for overtime. If Michael earned $324 last week, how many hours did he work?

    43
    44
    45
    46
    47
Source: https://www.freequestionaday.com/gmat

Conventional way [Timetaken > 1 min]
write an equation and solve for x
40 * 6 + 12*X = 324
X=(324 - 240)/12
X=84/12=> 7

Backsolving [Less than 1 min ]
It is best to start with B or D and NOT EXTREMES (A or E).
start with B. 240 + 4*12 = 288 < 324
288 is less than 324 hence jump to D.
240 + 6*12 = 312

D option is still less than 324. You can confidently select E and move to the next question.
This is because options in the GMAT are ALWAYS ordered in ascending order.

GMAT Approach:[less than few seconds]
4 is the units digit in 324.
$12 is the rate paid for the extra hours. 12 * units digits of expected AO = 4 ( as in 324)
3*2=6
4*2=8
5*2=0
6*2=2
7*2=4 [Correct AO]

Takeaways:

1. when preparing for Quant always try to find different (easier,quicker ways) ways to solve a problem.

2. Few seconds saved on each question is very important.

3. Try to use knowledge from different chapters in the problem you are solving. Here we used Unit’s digit concept from number properties on Work rate problem.

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GMAT Critical Reasoning tip: Spend more time in the argument than in Answer options

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The most important thing when attempting a Critical Reasoning question is “Pre-thinking” or “Paraphrasing” your version of the answer (strengthen, weaken, assumption )to the question. This is because critical “Reasoning” tests your reasoning skills not your problem solving skills. In problem solving, the test taker can immediately jump into the Answer options and start eliminating options. Most test takers follow the same approach in verbal section especially in CR section. The test takers immediately jumps into the answer options after reading the argument and looks at AOs to eliminate incorrect options. The time taken to do the above (eliminating incorrect and finding the correct option) can be reduced by “para phrasing” your version of the answer.

Tips:

1. Personalize and engage in the argument to kick-start pre-thinking and to the best “para-phrase” of the answer option.

2. Pause for a moment after reading the argument. If you have played basketball, you know the important of “the pause and the jump” before the shoot.

3. Practice topic wise.

4. Knowing common incorrect options on specific type of CR questions helps. GMAT use a “Cost Angle” answer option or “Opposite” to the question(Analyze the OG and VR questions ) But paraphrasing your version of the answer is more important.

5. Use the correct resources for practice.

Basics: Powerscore CR bible.

Practice: Official Guide AND Verbal Review

Note: Do you find my tips to be helpful. Please leave your comments.

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