In doing quant questions, I've noticed that there is quite often more than one way to solve the question - with one particular method being much more elegant or quicker than others.

One of the tips I've heard is to approach problems with flexible thinking, and understand that one may need to look at things differently or attack differently. I get the sense the GMAT rewards those who can approach problems in different ways and find alternate (elegant) solutions.

So my questions..

1) Is there a pattern to develop of possible "attack strategies" for various problems, such that I quickly know what my options could be? Eg. if I see a DS question regarding remainders, I know the strategies would be either a) plug in numbers or b) write out algebra and manipulate. I can go down one road and if it looks bad, abort and go down another one quickly.

If so, how would be best to develop this "arsenal" of common attack methods? As the homework provides one solution, I'm not sure if I should view that as the best way to solve and therefore I should approach similar questions in a like manner, or should I step back and be aware of alternate methods?

2) Similarly, what could be good indicator to understand if the road I'm going down is not the best way (or worse, a trap), and I should do a quick change and try something different, OR charge on because it's what ya gotta do for the question?

Advice here appreciated, as right now, I'm finding myself going down inefficient paths quite often!

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