GMAT Data Insights Tips: How to Crack the Toughest New Section in 2026

Introduction

"Sentence Correction is gone. Data Insights is here, and it's killing scores."

If you are aiming for the 2026 intake, you have likely heard this whisper in study groups. For decades, Indian engineers relied on a simple formula: "Smash Quant, survive Verbal, and ignore Integrated Reasoning." That formula is now obsolete. In the GMAT Focus Edition, the Data Insights (DI) section is no longer a sidekick; it is a main character. It counts for 33% of your total score, and unlike the old Integrated Reasoning, it is adaptive and brutal.

For Indian students, this is the new "pain point." While you might be comfortable with pure math, DI demands a hybrid skill set—part calculation, part reading comprehension, and part data analysis. The scarcity of high-quality practice questions compared to Quant makes it even harder.

In this guide, we break down the specific GMAT Data Insights strategies you need for 2026, decode the five question types, and explain exactly when to use the on-screen calculator (and when to ignore it) to save your score.

Highlights: Data Insights Snapshot 2026

Here is the quick overview of the beast you are facing.

Feature	Details
Section Name	Data Insights (DI)
Question Count	20 Questions
Time Limit	45 Minutes (~2:15 min/question)
Scoring	60 – 90 (Counts toward Total 805)
Calculator	Allowed (On-screen only)
Question Types	DS, MSR, Table Analysis, Graphics, Two-Part Analysis
Avg. Good Score	80+ (Percentile ~86th)

1. Decoding the 5 Question Types (The "What")

The DI section is not just "graphs." It is a mix of logic and data. To master GMAT Data Insights strategies, you must treat each of the five question types differently.

A. Data Sufficiency (DS) – The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Formerly a Quant staple, DS has moved to Data Insights.

• The Change: You will see fewer "pure math" questions (like "Is x > y?") and more logic/word problems.

• Strategy: Do not calculate the final answer. Your only job is to determine if you can answer it. If you find yourself doing long division, you are doing it wrong.

B. Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) – The Time Killer

This presents you with 2-3 tabs of text, charts, and emails. It feels like a mini-Reading Comprehension passage with numbers.

• The Trap: Reading every word in detail before looking at the questions.

• Strategy: Skim the tabs to understand the structure (e.g., Tab 1 is the policy, Tab 2 is the data). Let the specific question guide you to the specific sentence you need.

• Note: These often come in sets of 3 questions. Investing time upfront to understand the tabs pays off for all three.

C. Graphics Interpretation (GI)

You are given a graph (bar, line, scatter plot) and must fill in the blanks in a sentence.

• Strategy: Read the axes labels first! Most errors happen because a student confuses "Total Sales" with "Profit Margin" because they didn't read the legend.

D. Table Analysis (TA)

You get a sortable spreadsheet-like table.

• Strategy: Use the "Sort" function. If a question asks about the "highest ratio," sort by that column. Do not hunt for data manually; let the tool do the work.

E. Two-Part Analysis (TPA)

A hybrid question where you must select two answers (one for Column A, one for Column B) that satisfy a scenario.

• Strategy: These are often the hardest. Treat them as two separate but related equations. If the algebra gets too messy, plug in numbers (smart numbers like 100 or -1).

2. The Calculator Trap: When to Ignore It

This is the single biggest reason students fail to finish the DI section. Because an on-screen calculator is available, students compulsively click it for every calculation like $25 \times 12$.

The "Mouse-Click" Tax

Every time you reach for the mouse, click the numbers, and look back at the screen, you lose 10–15 seconds. Over 20 questions, that is 5 minutes lost.

The Golden Rule of Calculator Use

• IGNORE IT: For estimation, percentages (e.g., 10% of 500), or simple arithmetic. Mental math is always faster.

• USE IT: Only for precise division (e.g., $14,567 / 233$) or complex decimals required by the answer choices.

• Verdict: If the answer choices are far apart (e.g., 20%, 40%, 60%), do not touch the calculator. Estimate.

3. The "Indian Engineer" Problem

Address specific pain points: The "Math Ego" and Reading Speed.

The "Math Ego" Problem

Indian engineers often approach DI as a Math section. It is not. It is an Executive Reasoning section.

• The Mistake: Trying to calculate the exact value for a Graphics Interpretation question when the drop-down menu only asks if the trend is "positive" or "negative."

• The Fix: Lower your precision. You don't need to know that the bar is at 14.5 million; you just need to know it's higher than the bar at 12 million.

The Reading Speed Hurdle

Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) is text-heavy. If you are weak in Verbal, MSR will drain your mental battery.

• Strategy: Practice reading business case studies. The GMAT tries to simulate a corporate environment—reading emails and looking at sales data simultaneously.

FAQs regarding GMAT Data Insights Strategies

1. Is the Data Insights section adaptive?

Yes. Unlike the old Integrated Reasoning section, the DI section in the GMAT Focus Edition is computer-adaptive. If you get questions right, the next ones get harder (and are worth more points).

2. Can I use my own physical calculator?

No. You must use the on-screen calculator provided in the exam interface. It is a basic calculator, not a scientific one. Get used to its clunky interface during your mocks.

3. What is a good score in Data Insights for 2026?

The score range is 60–90. A score of 80 or higher is excellent and puts you in the top tier (86th percentile+). For top schools like ISB or Wharton, aim for an 82+.

4. Are Data Sufficiency questions different in DI vs. the old Quant?

Yes and No. The logic is the same (Statements 1 and 2), but the content has shifted away from pure geometry and algebra toward arithmetic and real-world word problems.

5. How much time should I spend on Multi-Source Reasoning?

MSR questions usually come in a block. You might spend 2–3 minutes reading the initial data, but then you should be able to answer the 3 attached questions in about 1 minute each. Do not rush the initial reading.

Conclusion

Summarize the verdict: The Data Insights section is the great equalizer. It neutralizes the advantage of "pure math" geniuses and rewards "executive decision-makers." To crack it, you must stop treating it like a math test and start treating it like a business simulation.

Your Action Plan:

1. Buy the Official Guide Data Insights Review 2025-2026: It is the only source of real, adaptive-style practice questions.

2. Practice the "No-Calculator" Drill: Force yourself to solve 10 Table Analysis questions without opening the calculator once.

3. Master the "Sort" Button: In Table Analysis, speed comes from sorting, not reading.