First 30 seconds

Question 1

First 30 seconds (or less) - Data Sufficiency

(What do I need to recognize/look for?)

Answer 1

• Is the problem story/mathy/geo?
• Are there Content Clues?
  
  • key words/terms/images
• Where is it tangled?
  
  • question stem / statements / both?
• Are the statements different or similar?
• What Strategies might work?
  
  • where can I rephrase (simplify)?
  • Which statement do I start with?

Question 2

First 30 seconds (or less) - Problem Solving

(What do I need to recognize/look for?)

Answer 2

• Scan the Answer Choices
  
  • Type: integer, fractions, percents, variables, expressions…
  • Quality: small, ugly, even, paired…
  • Symbols: $$, %, roots…
  • Spread: close together? Spread out? Natural Breaks?
• In the problem Wordy/Mathy/Geo?
• Are there Content Clues?
  
  • Key words/terms/images
• What Strategies might work?
  
  • Estimate/make it real
  • Pick & Plug in Numbers (Smart #’s, Test Cases, Work Backwards)
  • Content-specific strategies (tables)