What is integrated reasoning?
The GMAT Integrated Reasoning section is a new section on the GMAT, and will be introduced on June 1st, 2012. Instead of making test takers suffer even longer, GMAC, the writers of the GMAT, have decided to replace one of the essays with the Integrated Reasoning section.
As the section implies there is a fair amount of reasoning involved – most will be quant-based though there will be some verbal-based reasoning as well.
Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- You must answer a question before moving on
- Once you answer a question you can’t go back to it
- A graph or prompt may have multiple questions
- You will have 30 minutes to do 12 questions
- There will be an onscreen calculator for this new section (but not for the rest of the exam!)
What are the different parts?
- Graphics Interpretation – “Interpret the graph and select the option from a drop-down list…”
Venn Diagrams, Bar Charts, Pie Graphs thrown in the mix…any of these is possible on the integrated reasoning section.
But don’t worry – at least from what mba.com offers, none of the graphs are beyond what could show up in Problem Solving Question. More good news – the drop-down list offers four choices.
- Two-part Analysis – “Select One Answer from each column to solve a problem with a two-part solution.”
Each two-part analysis question will come with two columns. You are to pick one answer for each column.
So far it looks like each column will have one in six-possible answer choices.
Assuming that each column has a different answer, the probability of guessing correctly on this two-part question is 1 in 30. Nowhere near as favorable as the 1 in 4 chance in Graphics Interpretations.
- Table Analysis – “Sort the table to organize the data so you can determine whether certain condition are met.”
A table analysis reminds me of the tables I encounter in dry non-fiction reading. So if you are used to reading business books this section should look familiar.
Basically, the tables are a list of different items ranked according to some metric. You have to answer yes/no questions based on the information.
- Multi-source reasoning – “Click on the page to reveal different data and discern which date you need to answer the question.”
Imagine an e-mail exchange between two members of a project. Now imagine being asked three yes/no inference questions based on this change. This is an example of the set-up of the multi-source reasoning question offered on mba.com.
Essentially this section will ask you to compare a few written sources. There This section stands out for being devoid of math. Those with strong verbal skills should do well.
How should I prepare?
As of April 1st, GMAC will release the 13th edition of its Official Guide. Contained within will be practice problems for the Integrated Reasoning Section. Until, then Magoosh will be offering up practice Integrated Reasoning questions on our blog, so stay tuned!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This post was written by Chris Lele, GMAT Expert at Magoosh GMAT Prep, and originally posted here.
