Mastering Two-Part Analysis in the GMAT Data Insights Section
- Goalisb
- Jun 23
- 7 min read
The GMAT Data Insights section’s Two-Part Analysis questions are designed to test your ability to solve complex, multi-faceted problems that require dual responses. Two-Part Analysis questions are unique because they often combine verbal and quantitative skills, reflecting real-world business scenarios where decision-making requires balancing multiple variables.
In this post, we’ll cover the essentials of Two-Part Analysis, share key strategies for approaching these questions, and walk through a sample problem to put these techniques into practice.
What is Two-Part Analysis?
Two-Part Analysis questions typically present a single problem requiring two separate answers. Each part often tests different aspects of the same scenario, and both answers are necessary to solve the complete problem. These questions might involve:
Quantitative Comparisons: Finding two numerical values or conditions that satisfy specific constraints.
Logical and Verbal Reasoning: Analyzing conditions or statements and selecting complementary responses.
Decision-Making Scenarios: Balancing trade-offs or outcomes across different factors.
Real-World Relevance: Two-Part Analysis is particularly relevant in business, where complex decisions often require evaluating multiple factors or balancing different objectives. This question type assesses your ability to manage competing priorities and synthesize information effectively.
Key Strategies for Tackling Two-Part Analysis Questions
Break Down Each Requirement Separately: Each part of the question will likely have its own requirements. Address them separately at first, then check for consistency between the two parts.
Look for Constraints and Relationships: Many Two-Part Analysis questions include conditions or constraints (e.g., one value must be greater than another). Identify these constraints early, as they will guide your answers.
Consider the Overall Context: Sometimes, one part of the answer influences the other. For example, in questions with trade-offs, achieving one outcome might require adjusting the second answer.
Check Your Choices for Consistency: Since you need both answers to complete the problem, ensure that the choices you make for one part are compatible with the other part. This is especially important for logical reasoning scenarios.
Sample Two-Part Analysis Problem
Let’s walk through a sample problem to see these strategies in action.
Example Scenario
Imagine a company is deciding between two suppliers, Supplier A and Supplier B, for an annual contract. They’re considering two main factors: cost and delivery reliability. The company has specific requirements:
Cost: They have a budget of $500,000 for the contract.
Delivery Reliability: They need a supplier with a delivery reliability score of at least 90%.
Supplier Information
Supplier | Cost (in $) | Delivery Reliability (%) |
Supplier A | 480,000 | 88 |
Supplier B | 520,000 | 92 |
Supplier C | 495,000 | 91 |
Supplier D | 500,000 | 85 |
Supplier E | 510,000 | 93 |
Sample Question
“Which two suppliers meet the company’s budget and delivery reliability requirements?”
Options:
Part 1: Choose a supplier who meets the Cost Requirement.
(A) Supplier A
(B) Supplier B
(C) Supplier C
(D) Supplier D
(E) Supplier E
Part 2: Choose a supplier who meets the Delivery Reliability Requirement.
(A) Supplier A
(B) Supplier B
(C) Supplier C
(D) Supplier D
(E) Supplier E
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve this problem, we’ll apply the strategies above to check each requirement separately and then ensure consistency between our answers.
Step 1: Address Each Requirement Individually
Cost Requirement: The company has a budget of $500,000. This means any supplier with a cost above $500,000 is eliminated from consideration for Part 1.
Supplier A: $480,000 (Meets budget)
Supplier B: $520,000 (Exceeds budget)
Supplier C: $495,000 (Meets budget)
Supplier D: $500,000 (Meets budget)
Supplier E: $510,000 (Exceeds budget)
Result: Suppliers A, C, and D meet the budget constraint.
Delivery Reliability Requirement: The company requires a delivery reliability score of at least 90%. Let’s review the delivery reliability scores:
Supplier A: 88% (Does not meet reliability)
Supplier B: 92% (Meets reliability)
Supplier C: 91% (Meets reliability)
Supplier D: 85% (Does not meet reliability)
Supplier E: 93% (Meets reliability)
Result: Suppliers B, C, and E meet the reliability requirement.
Step 2: Check for Overlapping Options
The only supplier who meets both the Cost and Delivery Reliability requirements is Supplier C.
Supplier C meets the cost requirement ($495,000) and has a delivery reliability score of 91%.
Step 3: Select the Correct Answer
Since only Supplier C satisfies both requirements, they are the correct choice for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Correct Answer:
Part 1: (C) Supplier C
Part 2: (C) Supplier C
Answer Explanation
In this example, breaking down each requirement separately helped to identify the suppliers who met each individual criterion. Cross-referencing the results from each part led us to the only supplier that fulfilled both requirements: Supplier C.
Two-Part Analysis questions often test your ability to synthesize multiple conditions. By addressing each requirement individually and then ensuring consistency, you can solve these questions efficiently.
Common Pitfalls in Two-Part Analysis
Not Separating Requirements: Failing to address each part separately can lead to confusion and overlooked details. Always clarify each requirement before looking for overlaps.
Overlooking Constraints: Important constraints, such as a budget limit or minimum performance metric, are easy to miss. Make sure you understand all requirements fully before selecting answers.
Inconsistent Choices: Both parts of a Two-Part Analysis question often depend on each other, so verify that your answers don’t contradict each other.
Quick Tips for Practicing Two-Part Analysis
Simplify Complex Scenarios: In questions with multiple conditions, simplify each part by focusing on one requirement at a time.
Use Process of Elimination: Narrow down options based on each requirement to eliminate clearly incorrect choices quickly.
Stay Consistent: Verify that your selections for Part 1 and Part 2 work together harmoniously, reflecting the overall solution.
Why Two-Part Analysis Matters for MBA Candidates
Two-Part Analysis questions reflect real-world decision-making scenarios, where balancing multiple requirements is key. These questions develop your ability to manage complex conditions and prioritize solutions that satisfy several objectives—essential skills in business management and consulting.
Two-Part Analysis practice questions with different business scenarios, each requiring you to evaluate multiple factors and make decisions. These will give you more opportunities to apply strategies for tackling Two-Part Analysis questions.
Practice Question 1: Budget Allocation
A marketing manager has a budget of $300,000 to invest in two campaigns aimed at customer acquisition and brand awareness. Each campaign has a projected ROI (Return on Investment) and a cost estimate. The manager wants to select two campaigns that maximize ROI without exceeding the budget.
Campaign Information
Campaign | Cost (in $) | Projected ROI (%) |
Campaign X | 150,000 | 20 |
Campaign Y | 100,000 | 15 |
Campaign Z | 200,000 | 18 |
Campaign W | 120,000 | 10 |
Campaign V | 80,000 | 12 |
Sample Question
“Which two campaigns should the manager select to maximize ROI without exceeding the budget?”
Part 1: Choose the first campaign.
(A) Campaign X
(B) Campaign Y
(C) Campaign Z
(D) Campaign W
(E) Campaign V
Part 2: Choose the second campaign.
(A) Campaign X
(B) Campaign Y
(C) Campaign Z
(D) Campaign W
(E) Campaign V
Solution:
Budget Check: The total cost of the two campaigns must be ≤ $300,000.
Maximizing ROI: Look for combinations of campaigns that stay within budget and yield the highest combined ROI.
Answer: (B) Campaign Y and (C) Campaign Z – together, they cost $300,000 and have a combined ROI of 33%.
Practice Question 2: Supplier Selection
A company is choosing between suppliers for an equipment contract. The company requires a supplier who meets both quality and delivery standards: a quality rating of 4.0 or higher (out of 5) and an on-time delivery rate of at least 90%.
Supplier Information
Supplier | Quality Rating | On-Time Delivery Rate (%) | Cost (in $) |
Supplier A | 4.5 | 85 | 200,000 |
Supplier B | 4.0 | 92 | 210,000 |
Supplier C | 3.8 | 94 | 180,000 |
Supplier D | 4.2 | 88 | 190,000 |
Supplier E | 4.3 | 90 | 205,000 |
Sample Question
“Which two suppliers meet the company’s quality and delivery standards?”
Part 1: Choose a supplier who meets the Quality Requirement.
(A) Supplier A
(B) Supplier B
(C) Supplier C
(D) Supplier D
(E) Supplier E
Part 2: Choose a supplier who meets the Delivery Requirement.
(A) Supplier A
(B) Supplier B
(C) Supplier C
(D) Supplier D
(E) Supplier E
Solution:
Quality Requirement: Suppliers A, B, and E meet the quality rating of 4.0 or higher.
Delivery Requirement: Suppliers B, C, and E meet the on-time delivery rate of 90% or higher.
Answer: Supplier E meets both requirements. Correct Answer: (E) Supplier E for both Part 1 and Part 2.
Practice Question 3: Product Launch Timeline
A company is planning to launch a new product and has identified two critical phases: Research & Development (R&D) and Marketing Preparation. Each phase requires a certain number of weeks to complete. The company wants to keep the launch schedule within 20 weeks to align with seasonal demand.
Phase Options
Phase | Option | Weeks Required | Cost (in $) |
Research & Dev | R&D Option 1 | 8 | 100,000 |
R&D Option 2 | 10 | 120,000 | |
R&D Option 3 | 12 | 110,000 | |
Marketing Prep | Marketing A | 6 | 80,000 |
Marketing B | 8 | 90,000 | |
Marketing C | 10 | 95,000 |
Sample Question
“Which R&D and Marketing options should the company choose to keep the total time within 20 weeks?”
Part 1: Choose an R&D Option.
(A) R&D Option 1
(B) R&D Option 2
(C) R&D Option 3
Part 2: Choose a Marketing Option.
(A) Marketing A
(B) Marketing B
(C) Marketing C
Solution:
Time Check: The combined time for R&D and Marketing should not exceed 20 weeks.
Finding Combinations:
R&D Option 1 (8 weeks) with Marketing B (8 weeks) totals 16 weeks.
R&D Option 1 (8 weeks) with Marketing C (10 weeks) totals 18 weeks.
Answer: (A) R&D Option 1 and (C) Marketing C – totaling 18 weeks.
Practice Question 4: Product Pricing Strategy
A retail store is pricing a new product. It must cover both material costs and marketing expenses and yield at least 40% profit margin. They are considering various price points and need to ensure profitability.
Cost and Pricing Information
Price Point | Material Cost | Marketing Cost | Target Profit (%) |
$80 | $30 | $20 | 38% |
$100 | $30 | $20 | 50% |
$120 | $40 | $30 | 42% |
$140 | $50 | $40 | 40% |
$160 | $50 | $50 | 45% |
Sample Question
“Which price points yield a profit margin of at least 40%?”
Part 1: Choose the first valid price point.
(A) $80
(B) $100
(C) $120
(D) $140
(E) $160
Part 2: Choose the second valid price point.
(A) $80
(B) $100
(C) $120
(D) $140
(E) $160
Solution:
Profit Margin Requirement: Price points must yield a profit margin of at least 40%.
$100: 50% margin
$120: 42% margin
$140: 40% margin
$160: 45% margin
Answer: (B) $100 and (E) $160 – both meet or exceed the 40% profit requirement.
Looking for More Practice? Stay tuned for the next post in our Data Insights series, which will wrap up our exploration of this section and provide additional tips for effective GMAT prep. Sign up to receive GMAT resources straight to your inbox, or follow along for more insights on mastering the GMAT.
