Executive Assessment Principles > Quantum - Data Sufficiency > Flashcards

Quantum - Data Sufficiency Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the goal in Data Sufficiency?

A

NOT to solve the problem fully. The goal is to determine whether the information provided is enough to answer the question uniquely. You are judging sufficiency, not computing answers.

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2
Q

What are the five answer choices in Data Sufficiency?

A

(A) Statement 1 alone is sufficient (B) Statement 2 alone is sufficient (C) Both together are sufficient (D) Each alone is sufficient (E) Even together are not sufficient. Memorize this pattern. It never changes.

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3
Q

What is the correct order to test statements?

A

1️⃣ Test Statement 1 alone. 2️⃣ Test Statement 2 alone. 3️⃣ Only then test both together if needed. Never combine too early.

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4
Q

What does “sufficient” mean?

A

You can determine exactly one answer. If multiple answers are possible → insufficient.

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5
Q

If the question asks “What is the value of x?” what qualifies as sufficient?

A

You must get one exact value of x. Not a range. Not two possibilities. Exactly one.

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6
Q

If the question asks a Yes/No question, what qualifies as sufficient?

A

You must get a definitive Yes OR No. If answer could be Yes in one case and No in another → insufficient.

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7
Q

What is the biggest DS mistake?

A

Solving fully instead of testing variability. The key question is always: “Could it be different?”

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8
Q

What mental question should you ask after testing a statement?

A

Can I create another valid scenario that gives a different answer? If yes → insufficient.

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9
Q

Why should you avoid over-calculating?

A

Because DS is about logical sufficiency, not numeric precision. Often logic eliminates answers faster than algebra.

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10
Q

What is the fastest elimination shortcut in DS?

A

If Statement 1 is sufficient alone → eliminate B, C, E immediately.

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11
Q

If Statement 2 alone is sufficient, what can you eliminate?

A

Eliminate A, C, E immediately.

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12
Q

When should you plug in numbers in DS?

A

When variables are abstract and conditions allow multiple possibilities. Testing values exposes hidden insufficiency.

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13
Q

What kinds of numbers should you test in DS?

A

Positive numbers Negative numbers Zero Fractions. Many DS traps hide in neglected cases.

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14
Q

Why must you test zero explicitly?

A

Zero often changes multiplication/division logic. Many statements fail at zero.

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15
Q

Why test negative numbers?

A

Inequalities and absolute values often reverse behavior with negatives.

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16
Q

If multiplying or dividing by a negative in inequality, what happens?

A

The inequality sign flips. This is a common DS sufficiency trap.

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17
Q

If statement gives x² = 9, is x uniquely determined?

A

No. x = 3 or −3. Multiple values → insufficient.

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18
Q

If statement gives x > 0 and x² = 9, is it sufficient?

A

Yes. Now x = 3 only.

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19
Q

If statement says x > 5, can you determine x?

A

No. Infinite possible values → insufficient.

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20
Q

If you can narrow x to a range (e.g., 2 < x < 4), is that sufficient?

A

No. Unless the question only asks a Yes/No that range resolves.

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21
Q

When can a range be sufficient?

A

If the question asks something like “Is x > 0?” And the entire range satisfies the condition.

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22
Q

When should you combine statements?

A

Only after testing each independently. Never assume they must work together.

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23
Q

If each statement alone gives multiple values but together give one value, answer is?

A

(C)

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24
Q

If each statement alone gives one unique answer, answer is?

A

(D)

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25
If both statements together still allow multiple possibilities?
(E)
26
What is a classic DS trap with absolute value?
Forgetting ± possibilities.
27
What is a ratio trap in DS?
Ratios determine relationship, not absolute values.
28
What is a common geometry trap?
Assuming diagram is drawn to scale. Never assume visual accuracy.
29
What is a common average trap?
Mean does not determine individual values uniquely.
30
What is a typical percentage trap?
Percent without base value often insufficient.
31
If statement gives two equations and two unknowns, is it sufficient?
Often yes — if independent equations. But check for dependent equations.
32
What is a dependent equation?
One equation is a multiple of the other. No new information added.
33
What is the goal in Data Sufficiency?
NOT to solve the problem fully. The goal is to determine whether the information provided is enough to answer the question uniquely. You are judging sufficiency, not computing answers.
34
What are the five answer choices in Data Sufficiency?
(A) Statement 1 alone is sufficient (B) Statement 2 alone is sufficient (C) Both together are sufficient (D) Each alone is sufficient (E) Even together are not sufficient. Memorize this pattern. It never changes.
35
What is the correct order to test statements?
1️⃣ Test Statement 1 alone. 2️⃣ Test Statement 2 alone. 3️⃣ Only then test both together if needed. Never combine too early.
36
What does “sufficient” mean?
You can determine exactly one answer. If multiple answers are possible → insufficient.
37
If the question asks “What is the value of x?” what qualifies as sufficient?
You must get one exact value of x. Not a range. Not two possibilities. Exactly one.
38
If the question asks a Yes/No question, what qualifies as sufficient?
You must get a definitive Yes OR No. If answer could be Yes in one case and No in another → insufficient.
39
What is the biggest DS mistake?
Solving fully instead of testing variability. The key question is always: “Could it be different?”
40
What mental question should you ask after testing a statement?
Can I create another valid scenario that gives a different answer? If yes → insufficient.
41
Why should you avoid over-calculating?
Because DS is about logical sufficiency, not numeric precision. Often logic eliminates answers faster than algebra.
42
What is the fastest elimination shortcut in DS?
If Statement 1 is sufficient alone → eliminate B, C, E immediately.
43
If Statement 2 alone is sufficient, what can you eliminate?
Eliminate A, C, E immediately.
44
When should you plug in numbers in DS?
When variables are abstract and conditions allow multiple possibilities. Testing values exposes hidden insufficiency.
45
What kinds of numbers should you test in DS?
Positive numbers Negative numbers Zero Fractions. Many DS traps hide in neglected cases.
46
Why must you test zero explicitly?
Zero often changes multiplication/division logic. Many statements fail at zero.
47
Why test negative numbers?
Inequalities and absolute values often reverse behavior with negatives.
48
If multiplying or dividing by a negative in inequality, what happens?
The inequality sign flips. This is a common DS sufficiency trap.
49
If statement gives x² = 9, is x uniquely determined?
No. x = 3 or −3. Multiple values → insufficient.
50
If statement gives x > 0 and x² = 9, is it sufficient?
Yes. Now x = 3 only.
51
If statement says x > 5, can you determine x?
No. Infinite possible values → insufficient.
52
If you can narrow x to a range (e.g., 2 < x < 4), is that sufficient?
No. Unless the question only asks a Yes/No that range resolves.
53
When can a range be sufficient?
If the question asks something like “Is x > 0?” And the entire range satisfies the condition.
54
When should you combine statements?
Only after testing each independently. Never assume they must work together.
55
If each statement alone gives multiple values but together give one value, answer is?
(C)
56
If each statement alone gives one unique answer, answer is?
(D)
57
If both statements together still allow multiple possibilities?
(E)
58
What is a classic DS trap with absolute value?
Forgetting ± possibilities.
59
What is a ratio trap in DS?
Ratios determine relationship, not absolute values.
60
What is a common geometry trap?
Assuming diagram is drawn to scale. Never assume visual accuracy.
61
What is a common average trap?
Mean does not determine individual values uniquely.
62
What is a typical percentage trap?
Percent without base value often insufficient.
63
If statement gives two equations and two unknowns, is it sufficient?
Often yes — if independent equations. But check for dependent equations.
64
What is a dependent equation?
One equation is a multiple of the other. No new information added.
65
What is a hidden dependency trap?
Statements appear different but algebraically reduce to same constraint.
66
If question asks for sign (positive/negative), what must you test?
Test all possible signs allowed by statements.
67
If question asks “Is x > y?” what must you determine?
Definitive yes or definitive no. If could be either → insufficient.
68
What is the elite DS habit?
Actively try to break the statement. Don’t try to prove it works — try to prove it fails.
69
What is the mental trigger phrase for DS?
“Could it be different?”
70
If algebra becomes messy, what is smarter?
Strategic number testing.
71
If both statements seem weak individually, what must you avoid?
Assuming combination automatically works.
72
What is emotional trap in DS?
Feeling relief when you find one working example. You must check for counterexample.
73
Ideal time per DS question?
~2 minutes. If stuck past 2.5 → strategic elimination.
74
Should you fully solve before checking sufficiency?
No. Stop once uniqueness is established.
75
When can estimation determine sufficiency?
When numeric precision irrelevant to uniqueness.
76
What is the best elimination order logic?
Test 1 → eliminate Test 2 → eliminate Then consider C/D/E.
77
Why memorize answer choice pattern?
It allows instant elimination shortcuts under pressure.
78
Why must you test fractional values?
Some algebraic relationships behave differently with fractions.
79
Why must you test extreme values?
Edge cases often reveal insufficiency.
80
If statement gives equation with squared variable, what must you consider?
Positive and negative roots.
81
If statement gives inequality involving absolute value, what must you consider?
Multiple interval solutions.
82
If statement says x ≠ 0, does that help much?
Often not. It eliminates only one value.
83
What separates high scorers in DS?
Comfort with ambiguity and logical testing.
84
What is the executive analogy for DS?
You are deciding whether information is enough to make a decision.
85
If both statements together give equation but still multiple solutions, what is answer?
(E)
86
If statement determines sign but not value, is it sufficient for value question?
No.
87
If question asks value of expression, must you find each variable?
Not necessarily — only enough to determine expression uniquely.
88
When can symmetry simplify DS?
When swapping variables gives same outcome.
89
What is the most dangerous DS assumption?
Assuming diagram or algebra implies hidden constraints.
90
When is diagram helpful in DS?
To visualize relationships — but never assume scale.
91
What is final DS decision rule?
If more than one valid scenario exists → insufficient.
92
Ultimate DS mindset?
You are not solving math. You are stress-testing information.
93
What is a hidden dependency trap?
Statements appear different but algebraically reduce to same constraint.
94
If question asks for sign (positive/negative), what must you test?
Test all possible signs allowed by statements.
95
If question asks “Is x > y?” what must you determine?
Definitive yes or definitive no. If could be either → insufficient.
96
What is the elite DS habit?
Actively try to break the statement. Don’t try to prove it works — try to prove it fails.
97
What is the mental trigger phrase for DS?
“Could it be different?”
98
If algebra becomes messy, what is smarter?
Strategic number testing.
99
If both statements seem weak individually, what must you avoid?
Assuming combination automatically works.
100
What is emotional trap in DS?
Feeling relief when you find one working example. You must check for counterexample.
101
Ideal time per DS question?
~2 minutes. If stuck past 2.5 → strategic elimination.
102
Should you fully solve before checking sufficiency?
No. Stop once uniqueness is established.
103
When can estimation determine sufficiency?
When numeric precision irrelevant to uniqueness.
104
What is the best elimination order logic?
Test 1 → eliminate Test 2 → eliminate Then consider C/D/E.
105
Why memorize answer choice pattern?
It allows instant elimination shortcuts under pressure.
106
Why must you test fractional values?
Some algebraic relationships behave differently with fractions.
107
Why must you test extreme values?
Edge cases often reveal insufficiency.
108
If statement gives equation with squared variable, what must you consider?
Positive and negative roots.
109
If statement gives inequality involving absolute value, what must you consider?
Multiple interval solutions.
110
If statement says x ≠ 0, does that help much?
Often not. It eliminates only one value.
111
What separates high scorers in DS?
Comfort with ambiguity and logical testing.
112
What is the executive analogy for DS?
You are deciding whether information is enough to make a decision.
113
If both statements together give equation but still multiple solutions, what is answer?
(E)
114
If statement determines sign but not value, is it sufficient for value question?
No.
115
If question asks value of expression, must you find each variable?
Not necessarily — only enough to determine expression uniquely.
116
When can symmetry simplify DS?
When swapping variables gives same outcome.
117
What is the most dangerous DS assumption?
Assuming diagram or algebra implies hidden constraints.
118
When is diagram helpful in DS?
To visualize relationships — but never assume scale.
119
What is final DS decision rule?
If more than one valid scenario exists → insufficient.
120
Ultimate DS mindset?
You are not solving math. You are stress-testing information.
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