Multi-Source Reasoning in GMAT includes data from more than one source. Multi-Source Reasoning GMAT questions consist of 2-3 tabs of information. Candidates need to be familiar with the GMAT Multi-Source Reasoning format while encountering tabs in daily use of internet browsing. These tabs consist of written passages, graphs, diagrams, tables, or other types of visual information. Multi-Source Reasoning questions GMAT consists of 3 questions in the dataset. The Official Guide dataset consists of 6 questions, where candidates can find both multiple-choice questions and dichotomous-choice questions.
GMAT Multi-source Reasoning Syllabus
GMAT Multi-source reasoning questions come with three pieces of data/information on the tabbed pages. It is possible to click back and forth between tabs.It can include charts, articles, data (quantitative, verbal, or combination), emails, etc. A range of information available here and everything may not be necessary to answer GMAY multi-source reasoning questions. The information from one tab or multiple tabs can be used to answer the questions. The questions will come with either a set of multiple-choice questions or a set of yes/no statements. In GMAT Integrated Reasoning, 12 questions are given to answer in 30 minutes, which makes the time per question 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Some test-takers consider GMAT multi-source reasoning questions as just a waste of time and some find it a real fun exercise: let’s have look at the pros and cons of GMAT multi-source reasoning questions:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Practical application | Requires core managing technique |
| Real-world data | Finding out the relevant information to answer the question is way to tome-taking, as checking each part is necessary |
| interactive | Too much information |
| - | Going from one tab to another to find out the relevant information is much difficult |
So the first thing we want to do is read the title and figure out what is this all about. Let us look at a sample question and proceed with things that you should follow while attempting these types of questions. The below question will be of a similar kind that you will face in GMAT.
GMAT Multi-source Reasoning: Task Focus
According to GMAC, these types of questions are designed to mimic the case study approach used by MBA programs. These GMAT multi-source reasoning questions test the ability of the students to integrate different types of information from several sources. Multi-Source Reasoning questions GMAT provides three pieces of data on tabbed pages, likely charts, data, articles, emails, etc. These pieces of information do not necessarily contain all the answers. Candidates can click back and forth between all three pieces to locate the needed data.
GMAT Multi-Source Reasoning Preparation Tips
The followings tips can help the candidates to answer GMAT multi-source reasoning questions:
- Read and Understand the Question: It is vital to understand what exactly is asked in the question. The same data is usually relevant to multiple questions. So it is worthwhile to spend more time reading if necessary.
- Take notes: When reading the text, taking notes is important, especially from quantitative data. It can help the candidates to answer the question.
- Deduce the Answer from the Given Information Logically: Using only that data and no other references. Make sure you apply correct logic while obtaining the answer from the provided information. For this, you need enough practice in GMAT Integrated Reasoning.
- Check all the parts and Analyze: The questions often require a detailed understanding of the data, so, you need to analyze each source carefully and study minute details in the statements. Tabs come with a title, take an idea from this of whether it is necessary to answer the question or not.
- Stay calm: The material is designed to be challenging, and hence, do not expect to be completely familiar with it. Don’t get tensed with the format because all the information required to answer the question will be given in the tabs.
GMAT Multi-source Reasoning Sample Questions
Find one sample question above. The GMAT will follow almost the similar format. In this specific case, we have the first tab as ‘Image types’. The titles present below that head are CT, MRI, and PET. While just skimming through the text, these are explanations of various types of imaging techniques used in science or medicine.
Looking at the next figure, we have the next tab as ‘Comparison’. Here we can assume that we’ll compare the different techniques which were mentioned earlier. Just quickly skim through the text to get a rough idea. You will have to return to the passage to find the answers to the questions.
In the following figure, the last tab is ‘Brain functions’. We’ll see exactly what it is once we start answering our questions.
Refer to the above figure. Now, we will focus on the right-hand column as shown in the figure. There we will see three different statements along with one question. For each statement, we have to select one of two columns, ‘yes’ or ‘no’. In this particular case, we are asked to select ‘yes’ if the statement can be inferred from the information and ‘no’ if cannot. Read the question carefully and get back to the passage.
In GMAT IR, all three of the statements makeup one question only, and getting this question right means answering all three correctly. So, here, for example, the first statement reads ‘MRI poses less risk of DNA damage than CT and PET. Now, this is asking us to compare the different techniques which should immediately send us to the second tab – ‘Comparison’.
Looking at this tab, we find two paragraphs. This is still a lot of text is present. We are best off scanning this passage with something relevant to the statement. At the very end of the passage, there is DNA mentioned. The answer should be there. Read through it and answer the correct option.
GMAT multisource reasoning questions are undoubtedly difficult and much time-taking, but proper practice can help the candidates to answer more GMAT IR questions within the 30 minutes duration.
Multi-Source Reasoning Samples
GMAT multi-source reasoning requires regular practice. In the below table we have added GMAT multi-source reasoning practice paper pdfs to ace GMAT preparation:
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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