Computers and Scratch Paper a ‘Taking a standardized test on a computer is an unusual experience, The natural tendency to mark up the page is thwarted since you cannot write on the computer screen. Consequently, using scratch paper is an important aid to smooth test performance. Several sheets of scratch paper will be supplied by the test administrator, and more sheets can be requested during the exam. ‘Daring the pre-test tutorial, use part of the scratch paper to quickly draw out the following chart: clo] ala > rephrasing ie the GMAT version oF the old adage, ‘An ounce of es cure: All high-scoring test talere are active and aggressive. Fassve test takers tend tobe less invelved In ‘the exam ara ‘therefore more prone to make errors.Student 1 (using Contender/Loser) Answer choice A: considers this answer for 15 seconds, keeps itas a Contender. Answer choice B: considers this answer for 10 seconds, eliminates it as a Loser. Answer choice C: considers this answer for 20 seconds, eliminates it as a Loser. Answer choice D: considers this answer for 20 seconds, keeps itas a Contender, and mentally notes that this answer is preferable to (A). Answer choice E: considers this answer for 15 seconds, would normally keep as a contender, but determines answer choice (D) is superior. After a quick review, Student 1 selects answer choice (D) and moves to the next question. Total time spent on the answer choices: 1 minute, 20 seconds (irrespective of the time spent on the stimulus). Student 2 (considering each answer choice in its entirety) Answer choice A: considers this answer for 15 seconds, is not sure if the answer is correct or incorrect. Retums to stimulus and spends another 20 seconds proving the answer is wrong. Answer choice B: considers this answer for 10 seconds, eliminates it. Answer choice C: considers this answer for 20 seconds, eliminates it. Answer choice D: considers this answer for 20 seconds, notes this a good answer, then spends an additional 10 seconds returning to the stimulus to prove the answer correct. Answer choice E: considers this answer for 15 seconds, but determines answer choice (D) is superior. After a quick review, Student 2 selects answer choice (D) and moves to the next question. Total time spent on the answer choices seconds, minute, 50 Comparison; both students answer the problem correctly, but Student 2 takes 31 more segonds io answer the question than Studeat |.Question Approach RevicW ‘Take a moment to review the methods discussed in Chapters Two and Three. “Together, these recommendations form a cohesive strategy for attacking any Critical Reasoning question. Let us startby reviewing the Primary Objectives? Primary Objective #1: Determine whether the stimulus contains an atgument or ifitis omly asct of factual statements. Primary Objective #2: Ifthe stimulus contains an argument, identify the conclusion of the argument. Ifthe stimulus contains a fact set, examine each fact. Primaty Objective #3: If the stimulus contains an argument, determine if the argument is strong or weak. Primary Objective #4: Read closely and know precisely what the author said. Do not generalize! Primary Objective #5: Carefully read and identify the question stem. Donot ‘assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain question types Primary Objective #6: Prephrase: after reading the question stem, take a moment to mentally formulate your enswer to the question stem. Primary Objective #7: Always tead each of the five answer choices. Pri jective #8: Separate the answer choices into Contenders and Losers After you complete this process, review the Contenders and decide which answer is the correct one. jective #9: Lfall five answer choices appear to be Losers, return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.highlight one mental trap you must avoid at all times in any GMAT section: the tendency to dwell on past problems. Many students fall prey to “answering” @ problems, and then continuing to think about it as they start the next problem. Obviously, thisis distracting and creates an environment where missing the next problem is more likely. When you finish a problem, you must immediately putit out of your mind and move to the next problem with 100% focus. If you let -vout mind wander back to previous problems, you fall into a deadly trap.