Learnist: An Overview of GMAT Integrated Reasoning

The Integrated Reasoning section was designed to measure test takers’ ability to interpret data from a variety of sources, and to draw meaningful conclusions from this information. It launched in June 2012!

To answer IR questions, first understand what the question is asking, then stop and consider which table, graph, chart, or part of the passage provides the relevant information you’ll need to solve for the correct answer. Harder IR questions will require you to use more than one screen or ask you to take information or figures from one screen and apply it to another. Pay attention to the trends in the presented information.

To make the calculations simpler on IR questions, look for ways to use relative math. To do this:

  • Determine which values are relevant to a correct answer
  • Estimate those values whenever possible
  • Calculate values only when the estimates are too close to call
  • Remember that the logical setup for the values is typically the crux of the question, not the calculation itself

Integrated Reasoning scores will range from 1-8, in single-digit intervals, and will not alter the existing Quantitative, Verbal, Total, and Analytic Writing Assessment scores. To get more fact about how to approach IR, check out this Learnboard!