Problem Solving

The problem solving questions are standard multiple-choice questions with five answer choices. To answer a question, select the best of the answer choices. Some problem solving questions are discrete while others occur in sets of two to five questions that share common information. For some of the questions, the solution requires only simple computations or manipulations; for others, the solution requires multi-step problem solving.

The following strategies may be helpful in answering problem solving questions.

• Read each question carefully to determine what information is given and what is being asked.
  
• Before attempting to answer a question, scan the answer choices; otherwise you may waste time putting answers in a form that is not given (for example, putting an answer sqrt(22) in the form when the answer choice is given in the form sqrt(12)).
  
• For questions that require approximations, scan the answer choices to get some idea of the required closeness of approximation; otherwise you may waste time on long computations when a short mental process would be sufficient (for example, finding 48 percent of a number when taking half of the number would give a close enough approximation).