GMAT Word Problems Explained: How to Read the Story, Avoid Traps

In Part 3 of our GMAT Quant from the Ground Up series with Manhattan Prep and GMAT Club, Manhattan Prep instructor and GMAT expert Ryan Jacobs breaks down one of the most challenging areas of GMAT Quant: word problems. This session focuses on how to read the story correctly, organize the information, and avoid the common traps that lead test takers into the wrong setup. Ryan also explains why jumping straight into algebra can waste time, and how to choose better strategies such as working backwards, smart numbers, and other structured approaches depending on the problem. 👉 Explore GMAT Courses Offered by Manhattan Prep https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/ EP1 : Algebra: Equations, Problem Solving, and the UPS Framework    • GMAT Algebra Explained: Equations, Problem...   EP2: Fractions, Percents, & Ratios. Introduction to Graphs    • GMAT Fractions, Ratios, & Percents: How to...   EP3: Stories aka Word Problems    • GMAT Word Problems Explained: How to Read ...   EP4: Estimation & Fast Math    • GMAT Estimation & Fast Math: How to Estima...   EP5: (Oct 5) Statistics in Problem Solving as well as Data Insights EP6: (Oct 26) Number Properties (Including divisibility and prime, probability, and combinatorics) EP7: (Nov 16) Arithmetic vs. Algebra (Including techniques such as testing multiple cases, choosing your own smart numbers, and working backwards from the answer choices.) 👉 GMAT Word Problems – Strategies, Shortcuts & Practice Questions    • GMAT Word Problems – Strategies, Shortcuts...   👉 GMAT Quant from the Ground Up (Full Series)    • GMAT Quant from the Ground Up   In this session, you’ll learn: How to read and interpret GMAT word problems more effectively How to avoid common setup and translation mistakes Why algebra is not always the best first move When to use strategies like smart numbers and working backwards How story problems can show up in Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency, and Two-Part Analysis If word problems tend to slow you down or feel more confusing than they should, this session will help you approach them with a clearer process and better decision-making. Video Chapters 00:00 Intro to Word Problems 02:39 Question Set 1 18:27 Question Set 2 34:00 Data Sufficiency walkthrough 44:54 Two-Part Analysis Question 52:20 Review and closing 54:48 About Manhattan Prep #GMAT #GMATQuant #GMATWordProblems #GMATPrep #ManhattanPrep #GMATClub