What is Kaplans method for problem solving questions?
The first step in approaching any problem solving question is to study the question stem and the answers. You can learn a lot about the direction a problem is going from the wording of the question and the answer choices. You then have three options: the traditional math approach (algebra, geometry, etc.), using Kaplan strategies (picking numbers and backsolving), or making a strategic guess. Picking numbers and backsolving are great techniques for questions where the math may be too complex or too time consuming. None of the three options is, per se, better than the other two. Deciding which to use is a matter of your math skills, your confidence level, and the amount of time you have for a particular question.
