Posts filed under 'GMAT'
To give you even more GMAT practice, every Monday the About.com Business School Blog will feature a new exclusive Integrated Learning GMAT practice question. The answer will be posted the following Tuesday. So, check it out and see how you do! And while you are there, click around on the rest of the Business School pages on About.com for lots of other great resources including b-school profiles, career advice, admissions tips, etc
And, don’t forget about the IL700: Weekly GMAT Challenge here on our blog. The road to 700 starts one question at a time!
April 28th, 2008
The official GMAT website tells us what is being tested or measured in the reading comprehension passages:
“Understanding words and statements in reading passages: Questions of this type test your understanding of and ability to comprehend terms used in the passage and your understanding of the English language.
Understanding the logical relationships between significant points and concepts in the reading passages: Questions of this type ask you to determine the strong and weak points of an argument or to evaluate the importance of arguments and ideas in a passage.
Drawing inferences from facts and statements in the reading passages: Questions of this type ask you to consider factual statements or information and, on the basis of that information, reach a general conclusion.
Understanding and following the development of quantitative concepts as they are presented in verbal material: Questions of this type involve the interpretation of numerical data or the use of simple arithmetic to reach conclusions about material in a passage.”
The reading comprehension questions fall into one of several categories. If you can identify the type of question being asked you will be better prepared to answer it.
Factual Questions. These tend to be the easiest questions to answer but also the most time consuming. The correct answer will paraphrase something specific in the passage, not something implied by it. As with all question on this challenging test, the writers include curveballs to throw you off base.
Main Idea Questions. These questions will address the passage’s overall theme. The writers will try to fool you by offering answer choices with information discussed in the passage, but it may not necessarily reflect the central theme. Answers that emphasize a lot of factual information can be eliminated, as they are probably too narrow in scope. You can often find the answer to the main idea either in the first or last paragraph of the passage.
Tone Questions. These questions ask you about the author’s opinion. When you read the passage initially try to gauge the writer’s opinion. When this question pops up, hopefully you can answer it without referring back to the passage, by recalling the overall feel of the passage. As a rule, the tone is more likely to be positive or neutral as opposed to negative. (Science passages are often neutral.) This question may appear as “The author’s attitude can best be described as…” or “The writer’s tone can be described as…”
Inference Questions. We discussed these in an earlier post. These questions do not test your knowledge of an explicitly stated fact, but rather your ability to draw conclusions from such information. Inference questions may ask you the author’s opinion. You can often identify such questions with words like hint, imply, suggest.
Word in Context Questions. These ask you to determine the meaning of a word in the context of the passage. I suggest reading one sentence before the word and one sentence after it. See if you can determine your own synonym before looking at the answer choices.
A good tip to remember in deciphering reading comprehension questions is to pay close attention to the scope of the question. If you are being asked something specific, your answer should be specific. And vice versa, as with main idea questions, if asked a general question, the answer should be broad and not focus on specific details.
April 14th, 2008
The data sufficiency is really unlike any other type of math question. You don’t actually answer the math question, rather you must determine if you have enough information to answer the question. These style questions do not require any skills beyond those needed for the other math on the GMAT. Given the unique nature of this type of question, you should practice them and familiarize yourself with the directions. We discussed them in this previous post. The main purpose of these questions is to lure you into making an unwarranted assumption.
The first thing you should do when you see a data sufficiency question is list the answer choices as follows. (We’ll get to why this is important in second):
AD
BCE
Additionally, the initial information given can often be presented in a convoluted manner. If you can translate this into something more easily decipherable, you will help yourself. For example, if one of the conditions is X is a factor of Y, you can rewrite this as “Y/X is an integer”. 3x=9y can be simplified to x=3y.
If you see a question like this, you should manipulate it as best you can into a simple algebraic expression.
Is x divisible by 2? Can be expressed as: Is x even?
Is X greater than 0? Can be rephrased as: Is x positive?
Once you have simplified the initial information, look at statement 1. Can you determine the answer to the question? Remember, you do not need to solve the problem just evaluate if you have enough information to calculate an answer.
If Statement 1 is sufficient, cross off BCE as there is no way any of those choices could be the correct answer. If you find that you need more information after evaluating the first statement, cross off AD as neither of those answers can be correct.
Once you have eliminated several answer choices, look at statement 2 independently. Using only the information in statement 2, determine if there is enough information to answer the question. Based on your answer, you should be able to cross off more answer choices.
If neither statement provided sufficient data independently, try to solve the problem using the information in both statements. You can then determine if your answer is C (combined, the two statements provide enough information) or E (not enough information).
If you are being asked to solve for a variable, remember you must have as many expressions or algebraic sentences as you do variables. To solve for X, you only need one statement with the one variable X in it. If you have two variables, you need two independent statements to determine the values of each variable. Three variables would require three statements, and so on. Be careful, though, because the test writers like to trick people into thinking they have two distinct algebraic statements when they really don’t. We’ll cover this trap in a later post, so stay tuned.
Remember – practice, practice, practice – and it will get easier!
April 10th, 2008
You will begin the GMAT with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). It’s composed of two thirty-minute essays; one asking you to analyze an issue and another to analyze an argument.
The essays are similar in that they both test your ability as a writer. The graders want to see you write clearly and articulately under the given time restrictions. You should aim to create a coherent piece, supporting ideas with relevant evidence while obeying grammar rules. Since you will not have the luxury of using Microsoft Word, you must proofread and spell check your work. However, if you need to shuffle paragraphs around, you can save time by using the cut and paste feature.
The first essay asks for your point of view on an issue. To support your argument, use examples from your life, current events, history, books (or pretty much whatever comes to mind and is relevant). Given your time restraints, you don’t really have time to waffle. Decide on a position and support it.
The second argument essay differs from the first in that you will be asked to critique an argument by assessing its claims. Rather than weighing in with your personal opinion, you should analyze the logical soundness and reasoning of the argument and , highlight the flaws. The GMAC advises you to consider the following as you write:
- What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the argument?
- What alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion?
- What sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument?
Because of your limited time, you should be ready to write quickly, but still have direction. We recommend spending a few minutes generating examples or bullet points for the essay, before you start writing.
What about length of the essay? We advise writing as much as you can, as coherently as you can. As this New York Times article “SAT Essay Test Rewards Length and Ignores Errors” discusses, there’s evidence that the longer an essay is the higher it is scored. Through a scientific experiment, an MIT professor found a strong correlation between the length of an essay and its score for the SATs, something the College Board refutes. No word yet if he plans to research a similar correlation for the GMAT. Writing a long essay does not give you carte blanche to neglect grammar and your coherent argument.
The essays are scored using a number system of 1 thru 6 and are not factored into your overall score. Even though some schools admit to barely glancing at the score, this does not mean you should completely neglect the essay.
And for our “duh” comments:
- Do not write something not related to the topics.
- Once you complete an essay and click the submit button, you cannot return to it.
- Practicing does make it easier and more familiar.
March 31st, 2008
A new survey released by GMAC, the company that administers the test, may make the GMAT even more important to your application than ever before. GMAC conducted a study from 1997-2004 and concluded that a student’s GMAT score was a greater indicator of a student’s success than any other factor including one’s undergraduate GPA.
“The data corroborate the anecdotes we hear from business school admissions staff about the usefulness of GMAT scores,” said GMAC Psychometrician Eileen Talento-Miller, who co-authored the study with GMAC Vice President for Research and Development Lawrence Rudner. “Although the strength varies from person to person and program to program, GMAT scores are powerful predictive tools overall.”
As an indicator, the GMAT score proved more representative for US based MBA programs than international ones. The study accounted for full time and part-time students, public versus private institutions, and found no significant differences.
“When one considers the range of variables that can affect a student’s first-year grade average,” the authors write, “such as motivation, job considerations, family considerations, course preferences, professor preferences, teaching quality, and grading quality, the magnitude of the predictive validity coefficients for these core admission data is quite impressive.”
What does this tell you? It means admission officers may start applying even more consideration to your test score. Of course this does not mean you should neglect the other areas of your application. The good news is that studying and practice can help you bring your score up. As you study, do not expect to raise your score 30 points by devoting an entire weekend to studying. Consistent focused studying will help you raise your score. Naturally, as a tutoring company, we believe that having a coach or a tutor to help you navigate the content is a great advantage.
March 6th, 2008
Units Digit Problems
Although a lot of the math on the GMAT has useful applications in b-school and beyond, sometimes the GMAT tests your knowledge of obscure number facts that will be of little use to you – ever.
One such enjoyable topic is the topic of units digit patterns. These questions test your understanding of the behavior of the units digit of a number when raised to a certain power.
Quick: What is the units digit of 4,67432?
Yes, that’s what we’re talking about. The GMAT thinks you should know it.
The good news is, it’s not so hard. There are exponent patterns with each of the digits from 0 – 9, and knowing them will get you through these questions in a snap. Did you know, for example, that any number ending in 4 will always end in 4 if raised to an odd power? It will always end in 6 if raised to an even power. So the answer to our question above is 6, because 32 is even.
Why? Look what happens to just the units digit of powers of four:
41 = 4
42 = 16: When you multiply by 4, the first calculation is 6×4=24, so the units digit is 4
43 = 64: When you multiply by 4, the first calculation is 4×4=16, so the units digit is 6
44 = 256: Again, 6×4 is the first calculation, leaving a 4 in the next power
45 = 1024
When it comes to 4, then, the units digit simply alternates 4, 6, 4, 6, 4, 6.
Let’s try it with all the digits. You will see that not only does each digit have its own pattern, but that at the 5th power, every digit starts over again! This is a quirky property of numbers, but one the GMAT LOVES. See if you can create the table below. If you can, you’ve mastered this topic.
Think you got it? Check back on Tuesday, we’ll put this concept to the test in our next IL700 Challenge Question, so stay tuned!
March 3rd, 2008
Of the many types of math questions that you may encounter on the GMAT, interest rates are one. There are two types of interest rate questions, and it is important to note the difference.
The first one is simple interest, meaning that you do not earn interest on the interest. Let’s say you have $100 dollars in a CD and you are earning 5% every month. (Clearly, this is a hypothetical situation.) In a non-compounding situation, you would receive a check for $5 every month.
If your interest was compounded (the second type of question), your $5 interest payment would be added to the balance. The next month, you would earn 5% on $105, or $5.25. The following month, you would earn interest on $110.25, and so on.
So how do you solve these problems? The formula for simple interest is, not surprisingly, easier:
Interest = interest rate * principle * time
Principle is the amount of money you start with. Think of the time variable as the number of times that the interest is paid out. And, remember that interest rate must be in decimals. So if interest is paid monthly and the question asks for the interest gain over two years, t=24. If the interest is paid annually, t=2. Now, this formula yields the answer for how much interest is earned, not the total amount money in the bank. To figure that out when simple interest is at play, simply add the interest earned to the principle.
Compounded interest is more complicated. To calculate the amount in the bank, we can use the following formula:
Future Amount = Principle * (1 + interest rate)number of payment periods
Of course, you may be asking yourself how you’re supposed to calculate such large exponents. If you had a problem that said there was $1,000 principle, and a 6% annual compounded interest rate paid over 15 years, it would take you forever to calculate that out by hand (no calculator, remember?)! Never fear – the GMAT will never ask you to do that. In fact, if you encounter a problem like this, expect the answers to be given in terms of the formula:
A) 1000(.06)
B) 1000(.06)15
C) 1000(1.06)
D) 1000(1.06)15
E) $15,000
The answer here would be D, and you’d have it by just understanding the concept and a bit about the formula.
To be sure, compound interest problems are much more prevalent on the GMAT. No surprise, since the world of business uses compound interest every single day. In fact, learning compound interest won’t just help you on the GMAT, but you’ll rock your finance class as well!
To get up to speed quickly, spend some of your study time calculating the simple and compounded interest with the same set of numbers. You will see the discrepancy between the two and get a better understanding of this important topic.
February 11th, 2008
Applying to business school is a lot of work – there’s a lot more to it than just taking the GMAT. As I mentioned in an earlier post – if you do it right the first time around, then you probably won’t have to do it again. There are a few things you can do months or even a year before you decide to make the commitment to apply.
Now is a good time to build up your resume. To prove your career dedication, seek a promotion or take on new responsibilities. You can seek out opportunities by talking to your boss. Whether it is offering to help a new hire, supervising a tedious project or finding alternative efficient solutions to company problems, any additional leadership is positive. If you decide to ask your boss for a recommendation, such initiative may impress her so much it will reflect in her letter.
If you have already graduated college, your GPA is what it is. However, a low GPA is not an application death sentence. You can certainly take additional classes to improve your transcript, prior to becoming a matriculated student. Whether it is a business class at a community college or a graduate level course at a nearby university, any additional studying will reflect positively on your application. If you do well, especially if it has been a few years since graduation, it demonstrates your ability to succeed academically and maturity to balance coursework and a career.
Extra curricular activities from sports to volunteering will reflect positively on your application as well.
And, don’t forget, the two factors that you can truly control in the admission process…your GMAT score and your essay.
February 1st, 2008
So many blogs for other test prep companies offer teaser tips to their readers. The blogs provide a little concrete information, with the promise of more concrete strategies once someone signs up for the tutoring program. At Integrated Learning, it is our mission to do things differently.
Our concepts, strategies and tips are not guarded secrets we will reveal simply by paying a fee. Our company is comprised a large pool of highly educated and experienced tutors, and as a result, we have a plethora of strategies that we are thrilled to share with our readers. We urge you to read through our test taking tips in the blog and check back frequently for advice on specific parts of the test such as verbal, math, etc. We’re happy to share our wisdom.
In order for you to perform your very best on the GMAT, we believe in not just relying on tips and tricks, but truly understanding the concepts behind the test questions, and applying them. The advantage of one-on-one tutoring is having your individual “lesson plan” customized to your particular strengths and weaknesses. Simply stated: Our tutors are all about YOU. They will make sure that you employ these test taking methods during your test preparation period – however long that window may be.
You can read all of the text books about how to play golf and perfect the put. You can understand the theory and logic behind the ideal grip, but that does not necessarily translate to a great game. After all, even Tiger Woods has a coach! It’s our theory that having a “coach” or a personal tutor will help each student to hone his or her strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately perform to best of his or her ability.
January 28th, 2008
Three hours is a long time to sit and stay focused on a standardized test. It’s mentally exhausting and physically draining. That’s why it’s important to be in good shape before taking the GMAT.
When preparing for the test, try to study in as many long stretches of time as you can. Once you’ve blocked out a chunk of time for studying, limit your distractions. It’s not the easiest thing to do and it certainly is not fun, but it builds your endurance for when you take the actual test.
In addition to trying to squeeze a four hour study session into your busy agenda, try to take as many full-length practice tests as possible, in as realistic a setting as possible (i.e.: sitting at a desk in the library versus laying on your bed). By emulating the real test experience, your brain and body will be better prepared for the intensity of the actual exam.
Another advantage to taking lots and lots of practice tests is that you can really hone in on your strengths and weaknesses. Thus, your future study sessions can focus on areas where you need the most improvement, instead of wasting time in areas that you have already become adept. Since you will be taking the test on the computer, try to take as many computer-based practice tests as possible. It’s a different experience than taking a paper test.
Taking the GMAT is no party. If you do it right the first time and put in the long arduous hours of studying you won’t have to take it again. Besides, all of this intense studying is good preparation for the demanding first year of B-school.
January 24th, 2008
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