Data Sufficiency Tips and Tricks for Government Exams

Definition

Data Sufficiency is a question format frequently encountered in standardized tests, aptitude exams, and assessments designed to assess an individual's capacity to analyze information, make decisions, and draw conclusions using a restricted set of provided data.

Note: In data sufficiency problems, the information provided in the statements is deemed sufficient when it allows for the determination of precisely one numerical value as the solution to the problem.

Tips and Tricks and Shortcuts for Data Sufficiency

Here are some strategies and techniques that can be employed to address data sufficiency questions. 

• Thorough Reading: Carefully read the entire question, taking the time to understand all the information provided. While these questions may be lengthy, it is crucial not to panic and ensure a comprehensive grasp of the details.
• Verbal Solution: Particularly in the quantitative aptitude section, some data sufficiency questions can be resolved verbally without intricate calculations. Try to logically work through the conditions before engaging in detailed computations.
• Emphasize Conditions: The primary objective is often not to find the final answer but to ascertain whether the given data is adequate to answer the question. Focus on identifying which conditions are essential to reaching a solution.
• Avoid Assumptions: Rely solely on the information presented in the question. Refrain from making any assumptions or utilizing external knowledge. The provided data should be the only basis for solving the question.
• Step-by-Step Approach: Begin by attempting to solve the question using the initial condition provided. If it proves insufficient, proceed to the second condition, and so forth, until you can determine whether the data is sufficient or not.

Objective

The primary aim of data sufficiency questions is to evaluate your logical reasoning skills and your ability to discern whether the provided data is adequate to address a specific question, without necessarily solving the problem in its entirety.

Tips and Tricks and Shortcuts for Data Sufficiency

Step 1- Examine the Question properly
Step 2- Consider each statement individually
Step 3- Combine the two statements

Examples

Example 1: Who is taller among P, Q, R, S & T?
(l) S is shorter than Q. P is shorter than only T.
(ll) Q is taller than only S. T is taller than P and R.
(a) If data in the  statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(b)  If data in the statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(c) If data either in the statement I alone or statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question.
(d) If data given in both I & II together are not sufficient to answer the question.
Ans: (c)
From I : P is shorter than only T, this means that P is taller than all Q, R & S, so T is tallest.
From II : Q only taller than S, so S is shortest, and Q is second shortest, Now T taller than P and R both, So tallest of all.

Example 2: What is the distance between point P and point Q?
(l) Point R is 10 m west of point P and point S is 10 m north of point P.
(ll) Point Q is 10 m south-east of point R. Point S is 20 m north-west of point Q.
(a) If data in the  statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(b)  If data in the statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(c) If data either in the statement I alone or statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question.
(d) If data given in both I & II together are not sufficient to answer the question.
Ans: (d)
From I : No relation between points P and Q
From II : In this since we don’t know the angles between sides of triangle forming with points PQS and PQR, PQ cannot be determined.

Example 3: How is Shubham related to Shivani?
(l) Shubham is brother of Meenal. Shivani is niece of Pooja.
(ll) Neeraj is Meenal’s uncle and Preeti’s brother
(a) If data in the  statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(b)  If data in the statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.
(c) If data either in the statement I alone or statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question.
(d) If data given in both I & II together are not sufficient to answer the question.
Ans: (d)
Either statement cant give the answer.
From both statements we can get the relationship as Pooja is Neeraj’s sister but it cannot be clearly said that Shubham & Meenal are Pooja’s children or not & Shivani is Neeraj’s daughter, because there can be other siblings of Neeraj and Pooja also.