GMAT PREMIER 2016 ® with Practice Tests BOOK + DVD + ONLINE + MOBILE SCORE HIGHER WITH 1,300+ Practice Questions 200 Question Quiz Bank 130+ of Video Tutorials • MASTER the test with expert strategies, realistic practice, and in-depth review • REINFORCE critical concepts with video tutorials • IMPROVE your performance with instant online analysis and feedback • PREP ON THE GO with mobile study resources HIGHER SCORE GUARANTEED* * Or your money back Conditions apply See inside for details GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council™ Kaplan materials not contain actual GMAT items and are neither endorsed by nor affiliated in any way with GMAC PREMIER GMAT 2016 ® GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product This publication is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered as of its publication date, with the understanding that knowledge and best practice constantly evolve The publisher is not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting, or other professional service If medical or legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought This publication is not intended for use in clinical practice or the delivery of medical care To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the Editors assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of the material contained in this book © 2015 by Kaplan, Inc Published by Kaplan Publishing, a division of Kaplan, Inc 395 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 All rights reserved The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher Printed in the United States of America 10 ISBN: 978-1-62523-135-2 Kaplan Publishing print books are available at special quantity discounts to use for sales promotions, employee premiums, or educational purposes For more information or to purchase books, please call the Simon & Schuster special sales department at 866-506-1949 C o n te n t s How to Use This Book ix Part one: The GMAT Chapter 1: Introduction to the GMAT Gmat Format Gmat Scoring Gmat Attitude Gmat Checklist Chapter 2: Understanding the CAT 13 The Cat Explained 13 Are the First Questions More Important? 15 The Importance of Pacing 16 Other Cat Strategies 17 Part two: PreTest Chapter 3: GMAT Pretest 21 How to Take This Test 21 GMAT Pretest Answer Sheet 23 Chapter 4: Pretest Answers and Explanations 61 How to Review This Test 61 Answer Key 63 Pretest Scoring Tool 64 Quantitative Section Explanations 65 Verbal Section Explanations 83 iii Contents Part three: Verbal Section and Strategies Chapter 5: Verbal Section Overview 105 Composition of the Verbal Section 105 Pacing on the Verbal Section 106 How the Verbal Section Is Scored 108 Core Competencies on the Verbal Section 108 Introduction to Strategic Reading 113 Chapter 6: Critical Reasoning 117 Previewing Critical Reasoning 118 Question Format and Structure 119 The Basic Principles of Critical Reasoning 120 The Kaplan Method for Critical Reasoning 125 Critical Reasoning Question Types 128 Advanced Strategies: Three Special Cases 166 Critical Reasoning Quiz 180 Answers and Explanations 186 Gmat by the Numbers: Critical Reasoning 231 Chapter 7: Reading Comprehension 233 Previewing Reading Comprehension 234 Question Format and Structure 236 The Basic Principles of Reading Comprehension 236 The Kaplan Method for Reading Comprehension 246 Reading Comprehension Question Types 254 Reading Comprehension Quiz 268 Answers and Explanations 284 Gmat by the Numbers: Reading Comprehension 335 Chapter 8: Sentence Correction 341 Previewing Sentence Correction 342 Question Format and Structure 343 The Kaplan Method for Sentence Correction 343 Commonly Tested Grammar on the Gmat 348 Answers and Explanations 400 Gmat by the Numbers: Sentence Correction 467 iv Contents Part four: Quantitative Section and Strategies Chapter 9: Quantitative Section Overview 471 Composition of the Quantitative Section 471 What the Quantitative Section Tests 472 Pacing on the Quantitative Section 473 How the Quantitative Section Is Scored 474 Core Competencies on the Quantitative Section 475 Chapter 10: Problem Solving 481 Previewing Problem Solving 482 Question Format and Structure 484 The Kaplan Method for Problem Solving 485 The Basic Principles of Problem Solving 489 Problem Solving Strategy 495 Answers and Explanations 523 Gmat by the Numbers: Problem Solving 547 Chapter 11: Data Sufficiency 549 Previewing Data Sufficiency 550 Question Format and Structure 551 The Kaplan Method for Data Sufficiency 552 The Basic Principles of Data Sufficiency 558 Data Sufficiency Strategy 568 Answers and Explanations 577 Gmat by the Numbers: Data Sufficiency 597 Chapter 12: Algebra on the gmat 599 Previewing Algebra on the Gmat 600 Translating Words into Expressions and Equations 602 Isolating a Variable 607 Quadratic Equations 614 Systems of Linear Equations 619 Special Cases in Systems of Linear Equations 623 Functions and Symbolism 625 Answers and Explanations 630 Gmat by the Numbers: Algebra 649 v Contents Chapter 13: Arithmetic on the GMAT 651 Previewing Arithmetic on the Gmat 652 Arithmetic Basics 654 Fractions and Decimals 655 Exponents 665 Radicals 669 Absolute Value 673 Inequalities 677 Answers and Explanations 682 Gmat by the Numbers: Arithmetic 699 Chapter 14: Number Properties on the GMAT 701 Previewing Number Properties on the Gmat 702 Integers and Non-Integers 703 Odds and Evens 707 Positives and Negatives 710 Factors and Multiples 715 Remainders and Primes 719 Sequences 724 Answers and Explanations 728 Gmat by the Numbers: Number Properties 747 Chapter 15: Proportions on the GMAT 749 Previewing Proportions on the Gmat 750 Applying Fractions to Proportions 753 Ratios 757 Percents with Specified Values 764 Mixtures 772 Answers and Explanations 776 Gmat by the Numbers: Proportions 791 Chapter 16: Statistics on the GMAT 793 Previewing Statistics on the Gmat 794 Median, Mode, Range, and Standard Deviation 796 Sequences of Integers 801 Combinations and Permutations 805 Probability 813 vi Contents Answers and Explanations 820 Gmat by the Numbers: Statistics 839 Chapter 17: Math Formulas on the GMAT 841 Previewing Math Formulas on the Gmat 842 Averages 844 Rates and Speed—Converting Rates 849 Rates and Speed—Multi-Part Journeys 854 Combined Rates and Combined Work 860 Interest Rates 866 Overlapping Sets 871 Answers and Explanations 880 Gmat by the Numbers: Math Formulas 913 Chapter 18: Geometry on the GMAT 915 Previewing Geometry on the Gmat 916 Lines and Angles 919 Triangles 926 Polygons 935 Circles 941 Multiple Figures 948 Solids 954 Coordinate Geometry 960 Answers and Explanations 966 Gmat by the Numbers: Geometry 999 Part five: Analytical Writing and Integrated Reasoning Sections Chapter 19: Analytical Writing Assessment 1003 Essay Format and Structure 1004 The Basic Principles of Analytical Writing 1004 How the Awa Is Scored 1007 The Kaplan Method for Analytical Writing 1009 Breakdown: Analysis of an Argument 1011 Gmat Style Checklist 1016 Practice Essays 1018 vii Contents Chapter 20: Integrated Reasoning 1025 Section Format and Structure 1025 The Integrated Reasoning Question Types 1027 Conclusion 1067 part six: Test Day and Business School Chapter 21: Take Control of Test Day 1071 Mental Conditioning 1071 Stress Management 1073 Stress Management Quiz 1075 The Week Before Test Day 1079 On Test Day 1079 Cancellation and Multiple Scores Policy 1081 Chapter 22: Business School Admissions Myths Destroyed (Before They Destroy You!) 1083 Myth #1: The Admissions Committee Wants a Specific Type 1084 Myth #2: My High Gmat Score Will Get Me in 1085 Myth #3: My Supervisor Graduated from HBS—He Knows 1085 Myth #4: If I Did Not Go to an Ivy, I’m Not Getting In 1086 Myth #5: If I Have a Gap in My History, I’m Not Getting In 1086 Myth #6: If I Have No Managerial Experience, I’m Not Getting In 1087 Myth #7: I Must Submit in Round 1088 Myth #8: Writing My Own Recommendation Puts Me in the Driver’s Seat 1089 Myth #9: HBS Is for Everyone 1089 Myth #10: If My Application Has a Typo, I’m Not Getting In 1090 part seven: Appendices Appendix A: How Much Can a GMAT Score Change? 1093 Appendix B: A Closer Look at GMAT Scoring 1097 viii How to Use This Book WELCOME TO KAPLAN’s GMAT PREMIER 2016 Congratulations on your decision to pursue an MBA or other graduate management degree, and thank you for choosing Kaplan for your GMAT preparation You’ve made the right choice in acquiring this book—you’re now armed with a comprehensive GMAT program that is the result of decades of researching the GMAT and teaching many thousands of students the skills they need to succeed You have what you need to score higher; the next step is to make the commitment to your study plan, which, according to the GMAT testmaker, averages about 100 hours of preparation for 600+ and 700+ scorers Let’s start by walking you through everything you need to know to take advantage of this book and your Online Center Your Book There are two main components to your GMAT Premier study package: your book and your Online Center This book contains: •• Detailed instruction covering the essential verbal, math, and writing concepts •• Time-tested and effective Kaplan Methods and strategies for every question type •• A pretest (Chapter 3) featuring full-length Quantitative and Verbal sections, designed to help you diagnose your strengths and weaknesses •• Over 350 practice questions, followed by detailed answer explanations ix ... Percentile Score Percentile Score 97% 51 60 99% 45–51 88% 50 98% 44 79% 49 96% 42 74% 48 94% 41 68 % 47 91% 40 66 % 46 89% 39 63 % 45 85% 38 58% 44 83% 37 56% 43 81% 36 Some Percentiles vs Scaled Scores... schools accept students with an average GMAT score of 720, the 94th percentile Percentile Score 99% 760 –800 94% 720 89% 700 77% 65 0 67 % 62 0 48% 560 Some GMAT Percentiles vs Total Scores The total... One The GMAT Ch a p t e r Introduction to the GMAT ·· GMAT Format ·· GMAT Scoring ·· GMAT Attitude ·· GMAT Checklist Let’s start with the basics The GMAT is, among other things, an endurance test