In a data sufficiency problem, which two steps are required?

In a data sufficiency problem, which two steps are required?

• A. Compute all possible values to see which are feasible.
• B. Compare with other problems to gauge difficulty.
• C. Determine the probability of each option being correct.
• D. Determine whether the given information is enough to answer the question; do not compute unnecessary values.

Answer: (D)

In data sufficiency, you’re focused on whether the given information can determine a definite answer, not on solving the problem itself. The two steps you follow are: first, determine whether the information is enough to answer the question. If, under all possibilities that satisfy the given data, the answer would be the same, it’s sufficient; if not, it’s not. Second, do not compute unnecessary values. You shouldn’t grind through calculations or enumerate possibilities just to solve the problem; instead, you judge sufficiency and, if needed, identify what extra information would be required to make the answer determinable. This keeps the effort aligned with what data sufficiency tests are designed to assess: whether the data alone are enough to reach a unique conclusion.

In data sufficiency, you’re focused on whether the given information can determine a definite answer, not on solving the problem itself. The two steps you follow are: first, determine whether the information is enough to answer the question. If, under all possibilities that satisfy the given data, the answer would be the same, it’s sufficient; if not, it’s not. Second, do not compute unnecessary values. You shouldn’t grind through calculations or enumerate possibilities just to solve the problem; instead, you judge sufficiency and, if needed, identify what extra information would be required to make the answer determinable. This keeps the effort aligned with what data sufficiency tests are designed to assess: whether the data alone are enough to reach a unique conclusion.