Wiley The Official Guide for GMA Review 12th Edition phần 1 potx

12th EDITION


REVIEW
12
th

EDITION
12th EDITION
The Offi cial GUIDE FOR

GMAT
®
REVIEW
The only study guide with
more than 800 past GMAT
®
questions—
and their
answers——
by the creators
of the test.
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR
GMAT
®
REVIEW, 12TH EDITION
• Actual questions from past GMAT tests
• Diagnostic section helps you assess where to focus
your test-prep efforts
• Insights into the GMAT exam that debunk test-taking myths
From the Graduate Management Admission Council

®
more than 1 million copies sold worldwide
GMAT
®
®
~
The
~

OFFICIAL
Guide
~
The
~

OFFICIAL
Guide
Trust the worldwide bestselling study guide
TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR the GMAT!
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• More than 800 actual questions from past GMAT tests—300 of which have never before been published
• Full answers and detailed explanations for all questions
• Grammar review covering concepts tested on the GMAT Verbal section
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12th EDITION


REVIEW
The only study guide with
more than 800 past GMAT
®
questions—
and their
answers——
by the creators

of the test.
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR
GMAT
®
REVIEW, 12TH EDITION
• Actual questions from past GMAT tests
• Diagnostic section helps you assess where to focus
your test-prep efforts
• Insights into the GMAT exam that debunk test-taking myths
From the Graduate Management Admission Council
®
more than 1 million copies sold worldwide
GMAT
®
~
The
~
OFFICIAL
Guide
01_449745-ffirs.indd 101_449745-ffirs.indd 1 2/23/09 11:57:56 AM2/23/09 11:57:56 AM
THE OFFICIAL GUIDE FOR GMAT
®
REVIEW, 12TH EDITION
Copyright © 2009 by the Graduate Management Admission Council®. All rights reserved.
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
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Printed in the United States of America
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Table of Contents
1.0 What Is the GMAT
®
? 6
1.1 Why Take the GMAT
®
Test? 7

1.2 GMAT
®
Test Format 8
1.3 What Is the Content of the Test Like? 10
1.4 Quantitative Section 10
1.5 Verbal Section 10
1.6 What Computer Skills Will I Need? 11
1.7 What Are the Test Centers Like? 11
1.8 How Are Scores Calculated? 11
1.9 Analytical Writing Assessment Scores 12
1.10 Test Development Process 13
2.0 How to Prepare 14
2
.1 H
ow Can I Best Prepare to Take the Test? 15
2.2 What About Practice Tests? 15
2.3 How Should I Use the Diagnostic Test? 16
2.4 Where Can I Get Additional Practice? 16
2.5 General Test-Taking Suggestions 16
3.0 Diagnostic Test 18
3
.1
Quantitative Sample Questions 20
3.2 Verbal Sample Questions 27
3.3 Quantitative and Verbal Answer Keys 45
3.4 Interpretive Guide 45
3.5 Quantitative Answer Explanations 46
3.6 Verbal Answer Explanations 65
4.0 Math Review 106
4.

1 Ar
ithmetic 108
4.2 Algebra 120
4.3 Geometry 127
4.4 Word Problems 140
5.0 Problem Solving 148
5
.1 Te
st-Taking Strategies 150
5.2 The Directions 150
5.3 Sample Questions 152
5.4 Answer Key 186
5.5 Answer Explanations 188
6.0 Data Sufficiency 266
6
.1 Te
st-Taking Strategies 268
6.2 The Directions 270
6.3 Sample Questions 272
6.4 Answer Key 289
6.5 Answer Explanations 290
7.0 Reading Comprehension 352
7
.1 W
hat Is Measured 354
7.2 Test-Taking Strategies 356
7.3 The Directions 357
7.4 Sample Questions 358
7.5 Answer Key 408
7.6 Answer Explanations 409

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8.0 Critical Reasoning 482
8.1 What Is Measured 484
8.2 Test-Taking Strategies 484
8.3 The Directions 485
8.4 Sample Questions 486
8.5 Answer Key 525
8.6 Answer Explanations 526
9.0 Sentence Correction 650
9
.1 B
asic English Grammar Rules 651
9.2 Study Suggestions 656
9.3 What Is Measured 656
9.4 Test-Taking Strategies 656
9.5 The Directions 657
9.6 Sample Questions 658
9.7 Answer Key 684
9.8 Answer Explanations 685
10.0 Analytical Writing Assessment 758
10
.1
What Is Measured 759
10.2 Test-Taking Strategies 760
10.3 The Directions 761
10.4 GMAT
®
Scoring Guide: Analysis of an Issue 762
10.5 Sample: Analysis of an Issue 764
10.6 Analysis of an Issue Sample Topics 769

10.7 GMAT
®
Scoring Guide: Analysis of an Argument 790
10.8 Sample: Analysis of an Argument 792
10.9 Analysis of an Argument Sample Topics 796
Appendix A Percentile Ranking Tables 828
Appendix B Answer Sheets 834

Dia
gnostic Answer Sheet 835
Problem Solving Answer Sheet 836
Data Sufficiency Answer Sheet 837
Reading Comprehension Answer Sheet 838
Critical Reasoning Answer Sheet 839
Sentence Correction Answer Sheet 840
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Dear Future Business Leader,
By using this book to prepare for the GMAT® test, you are taking a very important step toward
gaining admission to a high-quality business or management program and achieving a rewarding
career in management. I applaud your decision.
 e Graduate Management Admission Council® developed the GMAT test more than 50 years
ago to help leading graduate schools of business and management choose the applicants who best
suit their programs. Today, the test is used by more than 1,800 graduate programs and is given to
test takers daily in more than 110 countries around the world. Programs that use GMAT scores in
selective admissions have helped establish the MBA degree as a hallmark of excellence worldwide.
Why do GMAT scores matter so much? Other admissions factors—such as work experience,
grades, admissions essays, and interviews—can say something about who you are and what you have
done in your career, but only your GMAT scores can tell schools how you are likely to perform
academically in the business school courses that are fundamental to the MBA degree. In fact, the
test has been proven reliable as a predictor of academic performance for more than half a century.

In other words, business schools that require you to take the GMAT really care about the
quality of their student body. And excellent MBA students mean a stronger MBA program, a
more enriching learning environment, and a more valuable degree for you to take into the business
world. By enrolling in a school that uses the GMAT test for your graduate business degree, you
will maximize the value of your degree, and that value will pay off in many ways, throughout
your career.
I wish you great success in preparing for this important next step in your professional education,
and I wish you a very rewarding management career.
Sincerely
David A. Wilson
President and CEO
Graduate Management Admission Council®
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6
1.0 What Is the GMAT
®
?
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7
1.0 What Is the GMAT
®
?
 e Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is a standardized, three-part test delivered
in English.  e test was designed to help admissions officers evaluate how suitable individual
applicants are for their graduate business and management programs. It measures basic verbal,
mathematical, and analytical writing skills that a test taker has developed over a long period of time
through education and work.
 e GMAT test does not a measure a person’s knowledge of specific fields of study. Graduate
business and management programs enroll people from many diff erent undergraduate and work
backgrounds, so rather than test your mastery of any particular subject area, the GMAT test will

assess your acquired skills. Your GMAT score will give admissions officers a statistically reliable
measure of how well you are likely to perform academically in the core curriculum of a graduate
business program.
Of course, there are many other qualifications that can help people succeed in business school and in
their careers—for instance, job experience, leadership ability, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
 e GMAT test does not gauge these qualities.  at is why your GMAT score is intended to be
used as one standard admissions criterion among other, more subjective, criteria, such as admissions
essays and interviews.
1.1 Why Take the GMAT
®
Test?
GMAT scores are used by admissions officers in roughly 1,800 graduate business and management
programs worldwide. Schools that require prospective students to submit GMAT scores in the
application process are generally interested in
admitting the best-qualified applicants for their
programs, which means that you may find a more
beneficial learning environment at schools that
require GMAT scores as part of your application.
Because the GMAT test gauges skills that are
important to successful study of business and
management at the graduate level, your scores will
give you a good indication of how well prepared
you are to succeed academically in a graduate
management program; how well you do on the test
may also help you choose the business schools to
which you apply. Furthermore, the percentile table
you receive with your scores will tell you how your
performance on the test compares to the
performance of other test takers, giving you one
way to gauge your competition for admission to

business school.
1.0 What Is the GMAT
®
?
– If I don’t score in the 90th
percentile, I won’t get into
any school I choose.
F – Very few people get very
high scores.
Fewer than 50 of the more than 200,000
people taking the GMAT test each year
get a perfect score of 800. Thus, while
you may be exceptionally capable, the odds
are against your achieving a perfect score.
Also, the GMAT test is just one piece of
your application packet. Admissions offi cers
use GMAT scores in conjunction with
undergraduate records, application essays,
interviews, letters of recommendation, and
other information when deciding whom to
accept into their programs.
-vs- FACT
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8
The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
Schools consider many diff erent aspects of an application before making an admissions decision, so
even if you score well on the GMAT test, you should contact the schools that interest you to learn
more about them and to ask about how they use GMAT scores and other admissions criteria (such

as your undergraduate grades, essays, and letters of recommendation) to evaluate candidates for
admission. School admissions offices, school Web sites, and materials published by the school are
the best sources for you to tap when you are doing research about where you might want to go to
business school.
For more information about how schools should use GMAT scores in admissions decisions,
please read Appendix A of this book. For more information on the GMAT, registering to take
the test, sending your scores to schools, and applying to business school, please visit our Web site
at www.mba.com.
1.2 GMAT
®
Test Format
 e GMAT test consists of four separately timed sections (see the table on the next page).
You start the test with two 30-minute Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) questions that
require you to type your responses using the computer keyboard.  e writing section is followed by
two 75-minute, multiple-choice sections: the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the test.
 e GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT),
which means that in the multiple-choice sections
of the test, the computer constantly gauges how
well you are doing on the test and presents you
with questions that are appropriate to your ability
level.  ese questions are drawn from a huge pool
of possible test questions. So, although we talk
about the GMAT as one test, the GMAT test you
take may be completely diff erent from the test of
the person sitting next to you.
Here’s how it works. At the start of each GMAT
multiple-choice section (Verbal and Quantitative),
you will be presented with a question of moderate
difficulty.  e computer uses your response to that
first question to determine which question to

present next. If you respond correctly, the test
usually will give you questions of increasing
difficulty. If you respond incorrectly, the next
question you see usually will be easier than the one
you answered incorrectly. As you continue to
respond to the questions presented, the computer
will narrow your score to the number that best
characterizes your ability. When you complete
each section, the computer will have an accurate
assessment of your ability.
– Getting an easier question
means I answered the last one
wrong.
F – Getting an easier question
does not necessarily mean you
got the previous question
wrong.
To ensure that everyone receives the same
content, the test selects a specifi c number
of questions of each type. The test may call
for your next question to be a relatively
hard problem-solving item involving
arithmetic operations. But, if there are no
more relatively diffi cult problem-solving
items involving arithmetic, you might be
given an easier item.
Most people are not skilled at estimating
item diffi culty, so don’t worry when taking
the test or waste valuable time trying to
determine the diffi culty of the questions

you are answering.
-vs- FACT
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9
Because each question is presented on the basis of your answers to all previous questions, you must
answer each question as it appears. You may not skip, return to, or change your responses to
previous questions. Random guessing can significantly lower your scores. If you do not know the
answer to a question, you should try to eliminate as many choices as possible, then select the answer
you think is best. If you answer a question incorrectly by mistake—or correctly by lucky guess—
your answers to subsequent questions will lead you back to questions that are at the appropriate level
of difficulty for you.
Each multiple-choice question used in the GMAT test has been thoroughly reviewed by
professional test developers. New multiple-choice questions are tested each time the test is
administered. Answers to trial questions are not counted in the scoring of your test, but the trial
questions are not identified and could appear anywhere in the test.  erefore, you should try to do
your best on every question.
 e test includes the types of questions found in this guide, but the format and presentation of the
questions are diff erent on the computer. When you take the test:
Only one question at a time is presented on the computer screen. •
 e answer choices for the multiple-choice questions will be preceded by circles, rather than by •
letters.
Diff erent question types appear in random order in the multiple-choice sections of the test. •
You must select your answer using the computer. •
You must choose an answer and confirm your choice before moving on to the next question. •
You may not go back to change answers to previous questions. •
1.2 What Is the GMAT
®
? GMAT
®
Test Format

Format of the GMAT
®
Questions Timing
Analytical Writing
Analysis of an Argument
Analysis of an Issue
1
1
30 min.
30 min.
Optional break 5 min.
Quantitative
Problem Solving
Data Sufficiency
37 75 min.
Optional break 5 min.
Verbal
Reading Comprehension
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction
41 75 min.
Total Time: 210–220 min.
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10
The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
1.3 What Is the Content of the Test Like?
It is important to recognize that the GMAT test evaluates skills and abilities developed over a
relatively long period of time. Although the sections contain questions that are basically verbal and

mathematical, the complete test provides one method of measuring overall ability.
Keep in mind that although the questions in this guide are arranged by question type and ordered
from easy to difficult, the test is organized diff erently. When you take the test, you may see diff erent
types of questions in any order.
1.4 Quantitative Section
 e GMAT Quantitative section measures your ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative
problems, and interpret graphic data.
Two types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Quantitative section:
Problem solving •
Data sufficiency •
Problem solving and data sufficiency questions are intermingled throughout the Quantitative
section. Both types of questions require basic knowledge of:
Arithmetic •
Elementary algebra •
Commonly known concepts of geometry •
To review the basic mathematical concepts that will be tested in the GMAT Quantitative
questions, see the math review in chapter 4. For test-taking tips specific to the question types in
the Quantitative section of the GMAT test, sample questions, and answer explanations, see
chapters 5 and 6.
1.5 Verbal Section
 e GMAT Verbal section measures your ability to read and comprehend written material, to
reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material to conform to standard written
English. Because the Verbal section includes reading sections from several diff erent content areas,
you may be generally familiar with some of the material; however, neither the reading passages nor
the questions assume detailed knowledge of the topics discussed.
 ree types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Verbal section:
Reading comprehension •
Critical reasoning •
Sentence correction •
 ese question types are intermingled throughout the Verbal section.

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11
For test-taking tips specific to each question type in the Verbal section, sample questions, and
answer explanations, see chapters 7 through 9.
1.6 What Computer Skills Will I Need?
You only need minimal computer skills to take the GMAT Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT). You
will be required to type your essays on the computer keyboard using standard word-processing
keystrokes. In the multiple-choice sections, you will select your responses using either your mouse or
the keyboard.
To learn more about the specific skills required to take the GMAT CAT, download the free test-
preparation software available at www.mba.com.
1.7 What Are the Test Centers Like?
 e GMAT test is administered at a test center providing the quiet and privacy of individual
computer workstations. You will have the opportunity to take two five-minute breaks—one after
completing the essays and another between the Quantitative and Verbal sections. An erasable
notepad will be provided for your use during the test.
1.8 How Are Scores Calculated?
Your GMAT scores are determined by:
 e number of questions you answer •
Whether you answer correctly or incorrectly •
 e level of difficulty and other statistical characteristics of each question •
Your Verbal, Quantitative, and Total GMAT scores are determined by a complex mathematical
procedure that takes into account the difficulty of the questions that were presented to you and how
you answered them. When you answer the easier questions correctly, you get a chance to answer
harder questions—making it possible to earn a higher score. After you have completed all the
questions on the test—or when your time is up—the computer will calculate your scores. Your
scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections are combined to produce your Total score. If you have
not responded to all the questions in a section (37 Quantitative questions or 41 Verbal questions),
your score is adjusted, using the proportion of questions answered.
Appendix A contains the 2007 percentile ranking tables that explain how your GMAT scores

compare with scores of other 2007 GMAT test takers.
1.6 What Is the GMAT
®
? What Computer Skills Will I Need?
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The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
1.9 Analytical Writing Assessment Scores
 e Analytical Writing Assessment consists of two writing tasks: Analysis of an Issue and Analysis
of an Argument.  e responses to each of these tasks are scored on a 6-point scale, with 6 being the
highest score and 1, the lowest. A score of zero (0) is given to responses that are off -topic, are in a
foreign language, merely attempt to copy the topic, consist only of keystroke characters, or are
blank.
 e readers who evaluate the responses are college and university faculty members from various
subject matter areas, including management education.  ese readers read holistically—that is, they
respond to the overall quality of your critical thinking and writing. (For details on how readers are
qualified, visit www.mba.com.) In addition, responses may be scored by an automated scoring
program designed to reflect the judgment of expert readers.
Each response is given two independent ratings. If the ratings diff er by more than a point, a third
reader adjudicates. (Because of ongoing training and monitoring, discrepant ratings are rare.)
Your final score is the average (rounded to the nearest half point) of the four scores independently
assigned to your responses—two scores for the Analysis of an Issue and two for the Analysis of an
Argument. For example, if you earned scores of 6 and 5 on the Analysis of an Issue and 4 and 4 on
the Analysis of an Argument, your final score would be 5: (6 + 5 + 4 + 4) ÷ 4 = 4.75, which rounds
up to 5.
Your Analytical Writing Assessment scores are computed and reported separately from the
multiple-choice sections of the test and have no eff ect on your Verbal, Quantitative, or Total scores.
 e schools that you have designated to receive your scores may receive your responses to the

Analytical Writing Assessment with your score report. Your own copy of your score report will not
include copies of your responses.
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13
1.10 Test Development Process
 e GMAT test is developed by experts who use standardized procedures to ensure high-quality,
widely appropriate test material. All questions are subjected to independent reviews and are revised
or discarded as necessary. Multiple-choice questions are tested during GMAT test administrations.
Analytical Writing Assessment tasks are tried out on first-year business school students and then
assessed for their fairness and reliability. For more information on test development, see www.
mba.com.
1.10 What Is the GMAT
®
? Test Development Process
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14
2.0 How to Prepare
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15
2.0 How to Prepare
2.0 How to Prepare
2.1 How Can I Best Prepare to Take the Test?
We at the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) firmly believe that the test-
taking skills you can develop by using this guide—and the Verbal and Quantitative guides, if you
want additional practice—are all you need to perform your best when you take the GMAT® test.
By answering questions that have appeared on the GMAT test before, you will gain experience with
the types of questions you may see on the test when you take it. As you practice with this guide, you
will develop confidence in your ability to reason through the test questions. No additional
techniques or strategies are needed to do well on the standardized test if you develop a practical
familiarity with the abilities it requires. Simply by practicing and understanding the concepts that

are assessed on the test, you will learn what you need to know to answer the questions correctly.
2.2 What About Practice Tests?
Because a computer-adaptive test cannot be presented in paper form, we have created GMATPrep
software to help you prepare for the test.  e software is available for download at no charge for
those who have created a user profile on www.mba.com. It is also provided on a disk, by request, to
anyone who has registered for the GMAT test.  e software includes two practice GMAT tests
plus additional practice questions, information about the test, and tutorials to help you become
familiar with how the GMAT test will appear on the computer screen at the test center.
We recommend that you download the software as
you start to prepare for the test. Take one practice
test to familiarize yourself with the test and to get
an idea of how you might score. After you have
studied using this book, and as your test date
approaches, take the second practice test to
determine whether you need to shift your focus
to other areas you need to strengthen.
If you complete all the questions in this guide and
think you would like additional practice, you may
purchase  e Official Guide for GMAT® Verbal
Review or  e Official Guide for GMAT®
Quantitative Review at www.mba.com.
Note:  ere may be some overlap between this
book and the review sections of the GMATPrep
software.
– You need very advanced
math skills to get a high
GMAT score.
F – The math skills tested on the
GMAT test are quite basic.
The GMAT test only requires basic

quantitative analytic skills. You should
review the math skills (algebra, geometry,
basic arithmetic) presented in this book, but
the required skill level is low. The diffi culty
of GMAT Quantitative questions stems
from the logic and analysis used to solve
the problems and not the underlying math
skills.
-vs- FACT
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16
The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
2.3 How Should I Use the Diagnostic Test?
 is book contains a Diagnostic Test to help you determine the types of questions that you need to
practice most. You should take the Diagnostic Test around the same time that you take the first
electronic sample test (using the test-preparation software).  e Diagnostic Test will give you a
rating—below average, average, above average, or excellent—of your skills in each type of GMAT
test question.  ese ratings will help you identify areas to focus on as you prepare for the
GMAT test.
Use the results of the Diagnostic Test to help you select the right chapter of this book to start with.
Next, read the introductory material carefully, and answer the sample questions in that chapter.
Make sure you follow the directions for each type of question and try to work as quickly and as
efficiently as possible.  en review the explanations for the correct answers, spending as much time
as necessary to familiarize yourself with the range of questions or problems presented.
2.4 Where Can I Get Additional Practice?
If you find you would like additional practice with the Verbal section of the test,  e Official Guide
for GMAT® Verbal Review is available for purchase at www.mba.com. If you want more practice
with the Quantitative section,  e Official Guide for GMAT® Quantitative Review is also available

for purchase at www.mba.com.
2.5 General Test-Taking Suggestions
Specific test-taking strategies for individual question types are presented later in this book.  e
following are general suggestions to help you perform your best on the test.
1. Use your time wisely.
Although the GMAT test stresses accuracy more than speed, it is important to use your time wisely.
On average, you will have about 1¾ minutes for each verbal question and about two minutes for
each quantitative question. Once you start the test, an onscreen clock will continuously count the
time you have left. You can hide this display if you want, but it is a good idea to check the clock
periodically to monitor your progress.  e clock will automatically alert you when five minutes
remain in the allotted time for the section you are working on.
2. Answer practice questions ahead of time.
After you become generally familiar with all question types, use the sample questions in this book
to prepare for the actual test. It may be useful to time yourself as you answer the practice questions
to get an idea of how long you will have for each question during the actual GMAT test as well as
to determine whether you are answering quickly enough to complete the test in the time allotted.
3. Read all test directions carefully.
 e directions explain exactly what is required to answer each question type. If you read hastily, you
may miss important instructions and lower your scores. To review directions during the test, click
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17
on the Help icon. But be aware that the time you spend reviewing directions will count against the
time allotted for that section of the test.
4. Read each question carefully and
thoroughly.
Before you answer a multiple-choice question,
determine exactly what is being asked, then
eliminate the wrong answers and select the best
choice. Never skim a question or the possible
answers; skimming may cause you to miss

important information or nuances.
5. Do not spend too much time on any one
question.
If you do not know the correct answer, or if the
question is too time-consuming, try to eliminate
choices you know are wrong, select the best of the
remaining answer choices, and move on to the next
question. Try not to worry about the impact on
your score—guessing may lower your score, but
not finishing the section will lower your score
more.
Bear in mind that if you do not finish a section in
the allotted time, you will still receive a score.
6. Confirm your answers ONLY when you are
ready to move on.
Once you have selected your answer to a multiple-
choice question, you will be asked to confirm it.
Once you confirm your response, you cannot go
back and change it. You may not skip questions,
because the computer selects each question on the
basis of your responses to preceding questions.
7. Plan your essay answers before you begin
to write.
 e best way to approach the two writing tasks
that comprise the Analytical Writing Assessment
is to read the directions carefully, take a few
minutes to think about the question, and plan a
response before you begin writing. Take care to
organize your ideas and develop them fully, but
leave time to reread your response and make any

revisions that you think would improve it.
2.5 How to Prepare General Test-Taking Suggestions
– It is more important to
respond correctly to the test
questions than it is to fi nish
the test.
F – There is a severe penalty
for not completing the
GMAT test.
If you are stumped by a question, give it
your best guess and move on. If you guess
incorrectly, the computer program will likely
give you an easier question, which you are
likely to answer correctly, and the computer
will rapidly return to giving you questions
matched to your ability. If you don’t fi nish
the test, your score will be reduced greatly.
Failing to answer fi ve verbal questions, for
example, could reduce your score from
the 91st percentile to the 77th percentile.
Pacing is important.
-vs- FACT
– The fi rst 10 questions are
critical and you should invest
the most time on those.
F – All questions count.
It is true that the computer-adaptive testing
algorithm uses the fi rst 10 questions to
obtain an initial estimate of your ability;
however, that is only an initial estimate. As

you continue to answer questions, the
algorithm self-corrects by computing an
updated estimate on the basis of all the
questions you have answered, and then
administers items that are closely matched
to this new estimate of your ability. Your
fi nal score is based on all your responses
and considers the diffi culty of all the
questions you answered. Taking additional
time on the fi rst 10 questions will not game
the system and can hurt your ability to
fi nish the test.
-vs- FACT
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18
3.0 Diagnostic Test
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19
3.0 Diagnostic Test
Like the practice sections later in the book, the Diagnostic Test uses questions from real GMAT®
tests.  e purpose of the Diagnostic Test is to help you determine how skilled you are in answering
each of the five types of questions on the GMAT test: data sufficiency, problem solving, reading
comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
Scores on the Diagnostic Test are designed to help you answer the question, “If all the questions on
the GMAT test were like the questions in this section, how well would I do?” Your scores are
classified as being excellent, above average, average, or below average, relative to the scores of other test
takers. You can use this information to focus your test-preparation activities.
Instructions
Take your time answering these questions.  e Diagnostic Test is not timed.1.
If you are stumped by a question, you should guess and move on, just like you should 2.

do on the real GMAT test.
You can take one segment at a time, if you want. It is better to finish an entire section 3.
(Quantitative or Verbal) in one sitting, but this is not a requirement.
You can go back and change your answers in the Diagnostic Test.4.
After you take the test, check your answers using the answer key that follows the test. 5.
 e number of correct answers is your raw score.
Convert your raw score, using the table provided.6.
Note:  e Diagnostic Test is designed to give you guidance on how to prepare for the GMAT test;
however, a strong score on one type of question does not guarantee that you will perform as well on
the real GMAT test.  e statistical reliability of scores on the Diagnostic Test ranges from 0.75 to
0.89, and the subscale classification is about 85%–90% accurate, meaning that your scores on the
Diagnostic Test are a good, but not perfect, measure of how you are likely to perform on the real
test. Use the tests on the free online software to obtain a good estimate of your expected GMAT
Verbal, Quantitative, and Total scores.
You should not compare the number of questions you got right in each section. Instead, you should
compare how your responses are rated in each section.
3.0 Diagnostic Test
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The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
20
1. Last month a certain music club offered a discount to
preferred customers. After the first compact disc
purchased, preferred customers paid $3.99 for each
additional compact disc purchased. If a preferred
customer purchased a total of 6 compact discs and
paid $15.95 for the first compact disc, then the dollar
amount that the customer paid for the 6 compact
discs is equivalent to which of the following?

(A) 5(4.00) + 15.90
(B) 5(4.00) + 15.95
(C) 5(4.00) + 16.00
(D) 5(4.00 – 0.01) + 15.90
(E) 5(4.00 – 0.05) + 15.95
2. The average (arithmetic mean) of the integers from
200 to 400, inclusive, is how much greater than the
average of the integers from 50 to 100, inclusive?
(A) 150
(B) 175
(C) 200
(D) 225
(E) 300
3. The sequence a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, ,a
n
, is such that
a
n

=

for all n ≥ 3. If a
3
= 4 and

a
5
= 20, what is the value of a
6

?
(A) 12
(B) 16
(C) 20
(D) 24
(E) 28
4. Among a group of 2,500 people, 35 percent invest in
municipal bonds, 18 percent invest in oil stocks, and
7 percent invest in both municipal bonds and oil
stocks. If 1 person is to be randomly selected from
the 2,500 people, what is the probability that the
person selected will be one who invests in municipal
bonds but NOT in oil stocks?
(A)
(B)
7
25
(C)
7
20
(D)
21
50
(E)
27

50
5. A closed cylindrical tank contains 36π cubic feet of
water and is filled to half its capacity. When the tank
is placed upright on its circular base on level ground,
the height of the water in the tank is 4 feet. When the
tank is placed on its side on level ground, what is the
height, in feet, of the surface of the water above the
ground?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6
(E) 9
3.1 Quantitative Sample Questions
Problem Solving
Solve the problem and indicate the best of the answer choices given.
Numbers: All numbers used are real numbers.
Figures: All figures accompanying problem solving questions are intended to provide information
useful in solving the problems. Figures are drawn as accurately as possible. Exceptions will be
clearly noted. Lines shown as straight are straight, and lines that appear jagged are also
straight. The positions of points, angles, regions, etc., exist in the order shown, and angle
measures are greater than zero. All figures lie in a plane unless otherwise indicated.
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21
6. A marketing firm determined that, of 200 households
surveyed, 80 used neither Brand A nor Brand B soap,
60 used only Brand A soap, and for every household
that used both brands of soap, 3 used only Brand B
soap. How many of the 200 households surveyed used
both brands of soap?

(A) 15
(B) 20
(C) 30
(D) 40
(E) 45
7. A certain club has 10 members, including Harry. One
of the 10 members is to be chosen at random to be
the president, one of the remaining 9 members is to
be chosen at random to be the secretary, and one of
the remaining 8 members is to be chosen at random
to be the treasurer. What is the probability that Harry
will be either the member chosen to be the secretary
or the member chosen to be the treasurer?
(A)
1
720
(B)
1
80
(C)
1
10
(D)
1
9
(E)
1
5
8. If a certain toy store’s revenue in November was
2

5
of its revenue in December and its revenue in
January was
1
4
of its revenue in November, then the
store’s revenue in December was how many times the
average (arithmetic mean) of its revenues in November
and January?
(A)
1
4
(B)
1
2
(C)
2
3
(D) 2
(E) 4
9. A researcher computed the mean, the median, and the
standard deviation for a set of performance scores.
If 5 were to be added to each score, which of these
three statistics would change?
(A) The mean only
(B) The median only
(C) The standard deviation only
(D) The mean and the median
(E) The mean and the standard deviation

x°
v°
w°
y°
z°
10. In the figure shown, what is the value of
v + x + y + z + w ?
(A) 45
(B) 90
(C) 180
(D) 270
(E) 360
3.1 Diagnostic Test Quantitative Sample Questions
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The Offi cial Guide for GMAT
®
Review 12th Edition
22
11. Of the three-digit integers greater than 700, how many
have two digits that are equal to each other and the
remaining digit different from the other two?
(A) 90
(B) 82
(C) 80
(D) 45
(E) 36
12. Positive integer y is 50 percent of 50 percent of
positive integer x, and y percent of x equals 100. What
is the value of x ?
(A) 50

(B) 100
(C) 200
(D) 1,000
(E) 2,000
13. If s and t are positive integers such that
s
t
= 64.12,
which of the following could be the remainder when
s is divided by t ?
(A) 2
(B) 4
(C) 8
(D) 20
(E) 45
14. Of the 84 parents who attended a meeting at a
school, 35 volunteered to supervise children during
the school picnic and 11 volunteered both to supervise
children during the picnic and to bring refreshments to
the picnic. If the number of parents who volunteered
to bring refreshments was 1.5 times the number of
parents who neither volunteered to supervise children
during the picnic nor volunteered to bring
refreshments, how many of the parents volunteered to
bring refreshments?
(A) 25
(B) 36
(C) 38
(D) 42
(E) 45

15. The product of all the prime numbers less than 20 is
closest to which of the following powers of 10 ?
(A) 10
9
(B) 10
8
(C) 10
7
(D) 10
6
(E) 10
5
16. If 32 2 1−= +xx, then 4x
2
=
(A) 1
(B) 4
(C) 2 − 2x
(D) 4x − 2
(E) 6x − 1
17. If n =
16
81
, what is the value of
?
(A)
1
9
(B)
1

4
(C)
4
9
(D)
2
3
(E)
9
2
18. If n is the product of the integers from 1 to 8,
inclusive, how many different prime factors greater
than 1 does n have?
(A) Four
(B) Five
(C) Six
(D) Seven
(E) Eight
19. If k is an integer and 2 < k < 7, for how many different
values of k is there a triangle with sides of lengths 2,
7, and k ?
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
(E) Five
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23
3.1 Diagnostic Test Quantitative Sample Questions
20. A right circular cone is inscribed in a hemisphere so

that the base of the cone coincides with the base of
the hemisphere. What is the ratio of the height of the
cone to the radius of the hemisphere?
(A)
(B) 1:1
(C)
:1
1
2
(D)
(E) 2:1
21. John deposited $10,000 to open a new savings
account that earned 4 percent annual interest,
compounded quarterly. If there were no other
transactions in the account, what was the amount of
money in John’s account 6 months after the account
was opened?
(A) $10,100
(B) $10,101
(C) $10,200
(D) $10,201
(E) $10,400
22. A container in the shape of a right circular cylinder
is
1
2
full of water. If the volume of water in the
container is 36 cubic inches and the height of the
container is 9 inches, what is the diameter of the base
of the cylinder, in inches?

(A)
16
9π
(B)
4
π
(C)
12
π
(D)
2
π
(E)
4
2
π
23. If the positive integer x is a multiple of 4 and the
positive integer y is a multiple of 6, then xy must be a
multiple of which of the following?
I. 8
II. 12
III. 18
(A) II only
(B) I and II only
(C) I and III only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
24. Aaron will jog from home at x miles per hour and then
walk back home by the same route at y miles per hour.
How many miles from home can Aaron jog so that he

spends a total of t hours jogging and walking?
(A)
xt
y
(B)
x +
t
xy
(C)
xy t
x +
y
(D)
x + y + t
xy
(E)
y + t
–
t
xy
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