Two tools are available on the GMAT Focus that most test-takers underuse: the on-screen calculator in DI and the erasable notepad in every section. Knowing exactly what each tool does gives you a concrete edge.

A) Calculator: DI Only

An on-screen basic calculator is available only in the Data Insights section. It is NOT available in Quantitative Reasoning or Verbal Reasoning.

• Basic functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square root, percent.
• Use it for arithmetic-heavy DI questions (Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation) where exact values matter.
• Do not rely on it for DS questions — the point is to determine sufficiency, not to compute the answer.
• Quant requires mental math and estimation. All Quant arithmetic is designed to be doable by hand — if your calculation is getting messy, you're likely on the wrong approach.

B) Erasable Notepad / Whiteboard

Every test-taker receives an erasable notepad (test center) or access to an online whiteboard tool (online exam). Use it actively — it's one of the most underutilized advantages available.

• Test center: physical dry-erase board and marker. You can request additional boards during the test.
• Online exam: on-screen whiteboard tool — practice with it before test day. It behaves differently from paper.
• Write out every problem step by step — working in writing reduces arithmetic errors and makes it easier to retrace your logic on difficult problems.
• Draw diagrams for word problems even when the problem has no figure. Visualizing a rate/time/distance or overlapping-sets problem dramatically reduces errors.
• For DS: write the question stem, the target, and each statement separately. Physically covering Statement 1 when evaluating Statement 2 prevents contamination.
• For CR: jot "C =" for conclusion, "P =" for key premises, and "GAP =" before reading answers. This forces active pre-thinking and prevents getting pulled into answer traps.

C) Quantitative: Key Tips

1. Pace yourself. Check the on-screen timer. Work carefully but don't double-check endlessly or struggle too long on one question.
2. Use the erasable notepad. Solving step by step may help you avoid mistakes. If no diagram is given, draw your own.
3. Study each question carefully. Approach word problems one step at a time — translate each sentence into math before solving.
4. Scan answer choices first. If all choices are fractions, keep your answer as a fraction (don't convert to decimal). If all are estimates, use estimation — don't compute exactly.
5. Don't waste time on hard questions. Make your best guess and move on. An educated guess is always better than leaving a question unanswered.

D) Verbal: Key Tips

1. Answer using only the information given. If you already know the topic, ignore that knowledge. Use only what the passage states or implies — plus common knowledge (e.g., snowstorms are cold).
2. Look for cue words marking roles. Words like because, since, therefore, thus mark premises and conclusions. Words like however, but, although mark contrasts or counterarguments.
3. Analyze the passage's structure and purpose. Does it report facts, argue a conclusion, discuss competing causal explanations, or evaluate a plan? Identify the overall structure before answering.
4. Use basic reasoning principles to judge arguments. No advanced logic knowledge required — apply the CR reasoning principles covered in this module.
5. Notice exactly what the question asks. Many wrong answers would be correct answers to a slightly different question. "Which crop do the most farms grow?" ≠ "Which crop is grown in the greatest quantity?" These are different questions with potentially different answers.
6. Read all answer choices before picking one. GMAT asks for the best answer — you need to compare all five.
7. Rule out clearly wrong choices. If stuck between two, re-read the relevant passage text for clues you missed.
8. Pace yourself. Under 2 minutes per question. If stuck after ruling out some choices, pick your best remaining option and move on.

E) Data Sufficiency: Key Tips

1. Analyze step by step. Evaluate Statement 1 alone first, then Statement 2 alone (ignoring Statement 1), then both together if needed.
2. Don't find the actual answer. You only need to determine whether you could find it. Stop as soon as you establish sufficiency or insufficiency.
3. Check for the exact question asked. If the question asks for a unique value of y, the statement must nail down one and only one value — a range or an equation isn't enough.
4. Don't assume figures are drawn to scale. A rectangle that looks like a square in the figure is not necessarily a square unless stated.