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The Integrated Reasoning or the IR section was introduced in the GMAT since June 2012. This section replaced the GMAT AWA - Issue essay. In the earlier version of the GMAT, a test taker had to write two essays in the first 1 hour. Now, the test taker has to write one essay - Analysis of an Argument for 30 minutes and then the new IR section for another 30 minutes.

Quick Facts about the IR Section

1. Duration of this section: 30 minutes
   
   
2. Number of questions: 12 questions
   
   
3. Type of questions
   1. Graphic Interpretation
   2. Two Part Analysis
   3. Table Analysis
   4. Multi Source Reasoning
      
      
4. Scoring Range and Interval: 1 to 8 in intervals of 1
   
   

a. Sample Graphic Interpretation Question

In this question type, the test taker is expected to interpret a graph or graphical image and select the option from a drop-down list to make the answer statements accurate.

Question

The graph given below provides data about the total cost in billions of dollars and the profit in millions of dollars of a trading firm from 2004 to 2009. The axis on the left represents the total cost and the axis on the right represents the profit.



Fill in the blanks in following statements suitably based on the information given in the graph using the options in the drop down menu

1. The rate of growth of total cost is   Select.. more than less than same as   the rate of growth of profits from 2004 to 2009.
   
   
2. The percent change in total cost from 2004 to 2005 is approximately   Select.. 1 time 1.35 times 2 times   the percent change in profit from 2005 to 2006.
   
   

b. Sample Two Part Analysis Question

In this question type, the test taker is expected to solve a problem with a two-part solution. Possible answers will be presented in a table with a column for each part.

Question

A merchant marks her wares up by p% above her cost C and then offers a discount on the marked price. In terms of the variables p and C, select the expression that represents the % discount offered if the merchant makes a profit of 40% while selling at the discounted price and select the expression that represents the selling price if she offers a discount of 20% to the marked price.

% discount	% Selling Price
		0.8C + 0.08pC
		0.8pC+0.08C
		0.8C+0.008pC