Archive for January, 2008
Yesterday, we posted a 700+ level GMAT question. Below is the answer and explanation. One person got it right on the money. How’d you do?
Answer: B
In this problem, we are asked for the minimum value of wxyz, meaning that we need to find the minimum value of n. We know that n is divisible by both 7,425 and 4,235, and the minimum n would be the Lowest Common Multiple of those two numbers. The best way to figure out lowest common multiple is to break numbers down to their prime factors and choose the appropriate number of prime numbers from each.
7,425 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 5 x 5 x 11
4,235 = 5 x 7 x 11 x 11
The lowest common multiple would have to be 3 x 3 x 3 x 5 x 5 x7 x 11 x 11, or 335271112. From this we see that
w = 3
x = 2
y = 1
z = 2
So wxyz = 3(2)(1)(2) = 12, and wxyz/3 = 4.
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 30th, 2008
Every Tuesday we post a 700+ level GMAT question here on our blog, and post the answer and explanation the following day. Do you have what it takes?
n, w, x, y, and z are all positive integers. If n=(3w)(5x)(7y)(11z), and if n is divisible by both 7,425 and 4,235, what is the minimum value of (wxyz)/3?
A) 3
B) 4
C) 9
D) 12
E) 27
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 29th, 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
Yesterday, we posted a 700+ level GMAT question. Below is the answer and explanation. How’d you do?
Answer: C
This is a new question type on the GMAT. The denominator is designed to become 1 when you manipulate it correctly. In order to do this, remember that (x – y)(x + y) = x2 – y2. Apply this rule to the denominator: multiplying the denominator by 
will make it 5 – 4 = 1. But whatever you do to the denominator you must also do to the numerator to keep the fraction equal. So multiply the numerator by as well, and you will get 
, or 
. The whole operation looks like this:
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 23rd, 2008
Every Tuesday we post a 700+ level GMAT question here on our blog, and post the answer and explanation the following day. Do you have what it takes?
A) 1
B)
C)
D) 
E) 25
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 22nd, 2008
If you plan to take the GMAT, chances are it will be done on the computer. (The GMAT offers a paper exam in areas of the world where the computer-based testing is not an option).
When you begin the CAT (computer adaptive test), you are capable of earning anywhere from a 200 to an 800. If you answer a question correctly, you are rewarded with a harder question and the floor of your lowest possible score rises (you will no longer be eligible for a 200). Should you answer the question incorrectly, the ceiling of 800 falls and you are then given an easier question.
ETS who administers the GMAT says:
With adaptive testing, an examinee is administered a set of questions with a difficulty level that is specifically designed to match the examinee’s ability level. The mathematical process for calculating a score in this situation incorporates the statistical properties of the questions, the examinee’s performance on the questions, and the number of questions that are answered.
Of course you cannot leave any questions blank so the last part of the statement refers simply to the number of questions you are able to answer.
With each question, the floor rises or the ceiling falls. By the time you get to the last question on the test, the window for your potential score has narrowed. As such, the last question has significantly less impact on your overall score than the first question, even if they are of the same level of difficulty. Therefore, you should spend more time on the first set of questions in any given section than on the last set. I like to divide the sections into thirds, spending the most time on the first third, second most time on the middle third of the section and the least amount of time on the final third.
January 21st, 2008
There’s nothing like working with an inequality to confuse you on the GMAT.
You can often treat the inequality as an equal sign. Whatever you do to one side of the expression you can do to the other.
HOWEVER, and this is a big HOWEVER, if you need to multiply or divide by a negative number (or variable) you must reverse the inequality sign.
Let’s see why:
-5x>25
we can divide by 5 on both sides
-x>5
some possible values for x include: -5.5, -6, -7.
Essentially anything smaller than –5
Now, let’s go back to the original statement:
-5x>25
Now, let’s divide by –5 on both sides.
If we do not change the sign we’re left with
x>-5, which is incorrect.
From the examples above, we see that X has to be less than –5 and as such, we have to switch the inequality sign. When adding and subtracting negative numbers, there is no need to worry about switching the inequality sign.
If you forget the specifics of this rule, look at an easy statement such as the one above to see how multiplying and dividing with a negative number effects the inequality sign.
January 17th, 2008
Yesterday, we posted a 700+ level GMAT question. Below is the answer and explanation. How’d you do?
Answer: C
Explanation:
On the GMAT, if you are asked to work with a very distant term in a sequence, you need to look for a pattern (you wouldn’t write out all 700 terms!). In all cases like this, you need to solve out the first few terms in the sequence in order to find the pattern. Typically, the pattern is based on repeating terms (but not always).
In this case, the terms of this sequence are:
Term 1: -2
Term 2: 2
Term 3: 4
Term 4: 2
Term 5: -2
Term 6: -4
Term 7: -2
Term 8: 2
You will see that after the 6th term, the sequence repeats, and every 6 terms, the sum is 0. Therefore, every time the sequence repeats, the sum will be 0.
Now, find out how many times 6 goes into 700 and you’ll have your answer. 700 divided by 6 is 116 R4. The 700th term is 4 more than the last set of 6, so it’s the sum of the first four terms, or 6.
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 16th, 2008
Introducing the IL700!
Every Tuesday, we will post a 700+ level GMAT question here on our blog, and post the answer and explanation the following day. Do you have what it takes?
Today’s Question:
In a certain sequence, the first term is –2, and the second term is 2. If every term thereafter is defined by An = A(n-1) – A(n-2), what is the sum of the first 700 terms?
About our questions:
We make every effort to maintain the look, feel, and complexity of the real exam, while respecting all copyright laws and the policies of GMAC.
January 15th, 2008
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