Should you retake the GMAT?

Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So should you consider retaking the GMAT? Absolutely… if you have a reason to believe the next time around is going to be different... (click here for more)



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The Power of the Ultimate Practice Test

What do actors, airline pilots, tank commanders and Kaplan GMAT Prep students have in common? They all run a dead accurate simulation of their respective challenges before all the chips are on the table. When stress is high and the outcome is important, you want to be prepared in every way possible. In this respect, my students - actually all Kaplan GMAT Prep students - have a unique advantage - the Ultimate Practice Test... (for more, click on title)

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The Slowdown Paradox

Recently, one of my GMAT tutoring students, an engineering undergrad at Penn, hit the test prep wall. After a couple of months of study he was consistently scoring 670/680 on weekly practice tests, but he needed to do significantly better to qualify for Wharton’s sub matriculation program. This student was a bright guy and a typical engineer, accustomed to attacking challenges and blowing through them. His problem was quant. – all kinds of quant. This was particularly surprising since, in both our sessions together and his homework, he demonstrated mastery of high-level content and methods. But something was falling apart under test conditions. Together, we analyzed his situation and soon saw a pattern. Specifically, he was making unforced errors, mis-reading the problems and falling into traps. Meanwhile, he was regularly finishing the section 15 minutes early!

While I say “unforced errors” that’s really not the case since the whole point of GMAT is thinking critically. The exam is designed to test that skill. The test-maker frequently presents information in deliberately confusing order, separates data that need to be considered together, or uses terms with very specific implications. Test takers need to be alert to these pitfalls while at the same time identifying the relevant content information and choosing the most efficient method to solve the particular problem.

Since he had plenty of extra time in the section, I challenged my student to slow down his reading of each question. More specifically, his assignment was to read each question exactly once. Think about what that means – not just reading the words but visualizing the relationships and goal in each question. I dared him to take the test-maker’s question and make it his own before proceeding – much as test-takers learn to paraphrase a critical reasoning stimulus or summarize each paragraph in a reading comprehension passage.

On his next practice test, the student put this new discipline to work. He slowed down his reading and increased his understanding of each quant question before going to his note board to calculate. It worked! His score shot up 30 points. His meticulous approach enabled him sidestep the snares that previously had been tripping him up. And as he mastered the technique, his performance continued to improve.

Now, this may sound all well and good if you’ve got an additional 15 minutes to play with. A little more patience, a little more attention will obviously pay off if only you had the time. Well, just maybe you do. You see, in addition improving his score, the student also found that, by reading each question once and not having to go back again and again, he actually finished the section even earlier. Try it.


Note: An edited version of this post also appears on the Kaplan GMAT website

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Tips on moving GMAT from 510 to 710

Ryan just nailed the test. Here are his post-test reflections....

Hello Doug,

Great news! I re-took the test today and got 710! After just shy of 6 months of studying I am certainly glad it is over, however I am so proud of the hard work that I put in to achieve this.

I want to thank you again for all of the help and advice that you gave me throughout the process. I am sure you hear this a lot but I could not have done it without you.

In terms of post-test advice; I would say the difference between the first time I took the test and the second time was that I went in much more relaxed on the second try. Rather than wasting energy on trying to calm myself down I was able to utilize all my energy on answering questions. So, I would tell students to try to get the test completely off of their minds the day before Test Day. You told me that the first time I took the test, however I did not do a good job of relaxing.

In terms of motivation, I would just tell students that if they are truly willing to set goals and work hard enough to achieve them, they will absolutely reach their goals. I went from 510 on the diagnostic, back down to 490 and then straight up from there. It is definitely possible but you have to be willing to put the time in.

I am now going to take a closer look at Kaplan Admissions Consulting. Bring on the essays...

Thanks again Doug.

Ryan


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When should I take my GMAT?

Another well considered answer to "How much time do I need to prep for GMAT?" (make sure to check out my archived 12/07 post on this topic as well)


Now that you’re convinced of your reasons to pursue an MBA, the next step would be to decide which school and what intake you want to aim for.A large majority of students aim for the September intakes, when the majority of B-school admissions occur. The focus was always focused on US schools. The spring admissions have been considered to be fewer in number and financial support harder to get during that period...

When should I take my GMAT?


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"Terminate" the GMAT

Terminators have somethings to teach GMAT Takers.

You've got to hand it to those maniacal killing machines - they're totally focused and they never quit. That's the attitude you need for success on the test (focused, not maniacal.)

Think about how the Terminator confronts a target. In the movie, when the screen shifts to the robot's point-of-view, the screen goes red. But that's not all - stuff happens - it happens predictably and reliably. The Terminator first approaches with a wide angle perspective of the scene. Information overlays enable the robot to triangulate its frame of reference.


Then the robot scans for its target, narrows its focus and uploads more data. It selects the appropriate weapon. The process of narrowing focus and adding data continues until the target is overwhelmed.

Successful test takers need to emulate the robot: evaluate the target question – identify question type, content, relevant rules, methods and strategies. Use each layer of data to further narrow your focus, until you've got the precise content and process tools required. And once you've finished off the question, implacably move on to the next target. Dump old data, upload new, and attack again.

Human test takers can learn from the Terminator: own the data, be methodical, be focused. Terminate the GMAT and you'll never have to say "I"ll be back"


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Bottom Line on Choosing an MBA Program

If you're not already on Linked In, why not? LI is an essential tool for research and professional networking. One of LI's best features is the "Answers" tab, a powerful gadget for capturing high quality information, enhancing your professional credibility, and expanding your network of bona fide contacts. Here's an example of a recent Q & A relevant to b-school applicants. The question was posed by Christian Schmied. John Acheson makes a very good point.

Christian Schmied

Student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - The Lally School of Management and Technology

MBA Insights

I'm currently applying to a few MBA programs including Stanford, MIT Sloan School, and Rensselaer Lally School .... when deciding to pursue an MBA at various universities, what would you say are the most important aspects to consider (reputation, specialized programs, career connections, etc.)??

John Acheson, MBA

Micropreneur

The most important aspect of any investment (you'll be dropping $100K plus 2,000 or more hours) is payoff.

I overlooked the most important component of payoff when I chose my MBA program based on up front costs instead.

On the back end there was nothing waiting and of the 83 companies I applied to only 3 or 4 added extra value for a MBA.

For payoff, you need to ask yourself:
- what companies are ACTIVELY COMING ON CAMPUS and SPECIFICALLY HUNTING DOWN MBA GRADUATES?

- what majors are those companies looking for? i.e. all businesses have 5 functional areas: HR, ops, mgmt, legal/IT and sales/marketing

- what skills are those potential employers looking for?

- which teachers or administrators are connected to the companies that come on campus?

Before you apply, spend several hours at the career center and SPECIFICALLY ASK ABOUT MBA opportunities because you'll quickly notice that companies may prefer hiring computer science majors, BA in accounting majors, engineering majors, etc.

ALSO spend extensive time studying your dept or major. For example, ISYS. What companies are those ISYS faculty members and office folk connected to. What network will you tap into?

For example, if you want to tap into the Silicon Venture Capital network you would chose Stanford and major in Finance. If you want to tap into the auto industry, you may double major in engineering and apply to MIT if you want to work for a DOMESTIC automaker. If you want to work for Toyota or Honda, you may have to apply to a program in Japan.

IF NO firms from the sector, industry or line of business you're interested in are ACTIVELY recruiting at your target schools, why apply???

Just for the name???

Thanks for stopping by,
Doug

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