GMAT Prep, Step by Step (in 10 languages)

The psychometricians who write the GMAT know where you live.

As if data sufficiency, subjunctive mood and combinatorics weren’t sufficient challenges, the test makers make sport with your information processing habits. They understand how you interpret (and misinterpret) language. They know where you are likely to jump in response to certain words or phrases. They have data highlighting the assumptions you are likely to make and how a certain turn of phrase can induce you to pick a wrong answer.

So how do you counter this onslaught of insight? Be analytical. Think critically before you act. Proceed step-by-step.

Step-by-step? Like so many GMAT strategies, it sounds almost self evident – but in reality, most students don't get it initially, so I’ve learned how to reinforce the message in 9 other languages. Here are the phrases with specific steps you can take to boost your score.

Paso a paso (Spanish) - Locate the question within the test. Quant or verbal? Data sufficiency or problem solving? What’s the relevant content?

Schritt fur Schritt (German) - Paraphrase the question. Restate it in your own words to make sure you understand it precisely.

Ipbu ipbu (Mandarin) - Know the goal. Jot down the terms in which the answer should be expressed.

L’at l’at (Hebrew) - Look for patterns. Save time by recognizing opportunities for backdoor strategies, common error patterns, question types and trap answers.

Adim adim (Turkish) – Always engage the testmaker. Ask yourself: “Why did she use this word or express this phrase exactly so?” “ What is the purpose of this keyword?”

Pas a pas (French) – Learn process approaches for each question type and use them diligently. Jumping to an answer is like leaping into a pond without knowing how deep it is – a very bad idea.

Hepba hepba (Arabic) – Use tools such as charts, number lines, timelines or simple pictures to visually unpack the information in the question stem.

Shag za shagum (Russian) Be aware of your pace and know when it’s time to guess strategically so you don’t run out of time on the final few questions.

Vima pros vima or simply vima-vima (Greek) - Plan your test preparation, focusing on the topics/question types that will yield the greatest point benefit. Then nothing on the test will be Greek to you.

Thanks for stopping by.

GMAT Critical Reasoning: Find The “Cleat” In Inference Questions

Inference Questions are unique. Inference questions are the only question sub-type to show up in a major way in both Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension questions on the GMAT. Between the two, you can expect to encounter seven to eight inference questions on Test Day, comprising about 18% of the verbal section. So inference questions are important. However, inference questions are also outliers. On most critical reasoning and reading comprehension questions, GMAT takers can triangulate on the correct answer by systematically analyzing either the content or structure of the stimulus/passage. Not so on Inference Questions...(click here for more)


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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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"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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Ali's Observations on Test Day

Ali, a recent tutoring student, scored a 710 on her first shot at GMAT - up from 600 on her diagnostic. I asked her for her comments on the test experience. Her very illuminating reply follows. :

Hi Doug,

I actually just arrived in London today to begin training for D.........
Bank.  As for my feelings on the test experience, I actually found
Kaplan's questions to be slightly more difficult than the actual test
which worked in my favor but also made me far more nervous than I
needed to be.  What I found most helpful is to repeatedly review the
problems I got wrong.  I reviewed some of the assignments that I did
poorly on 5 or more times, which really helped me feel comfortable.
Otherwise, I felt our sessions together did an excellent job in
preparing me for the exam.  The only thing that caught me off-guard
was how much was going on in the actual testing room.  I assumed I
would be sitting with other students, but didnt realize that most of
the students there were taking different exams at different times.  I
was extremely distracted by the constant sound of the door opening and
closing, and the earplugs they offered were basically useless.  I
don't know if every testing center is like this, but it was the one
thing I was not expecting.

Again, I really appreciate all of your help and hope you have a
wonderful summer!

Best,

Ali

NOTE: Ali never took advantage of one of Kaplan's best features, the Ultimate Practice Test, a Kaplan practice CAT given in the same Pearson Test Center where the actual GMAT is administered. If she had, the noise levels and commotion wouldn't have thrown her.

To add your questions and comments just click below on "_ Comments" or "Links to this Post" and then "Post a Comment".

Thanks for stopping by,

Doug

Competition For MBA Slots Heats Up

In case there was any doubt, here are the latest stats on GMAT registrations from GMAC as reported by the Financial Times (MBA Application Numbers Rise). There are definitely more elbows and knees out there on field. Take a look at the Forbes article in the Net Work section for more on this subject.

Interpreting and using GMAT practice tests.

This question comes from a former student:

Doug-

Can you help explain the test scoring for me? The inconsistency in the test scoring is stressing me out. So far I've taken both the Kaplan practice CAT's and the mba.com practice CAT's.

Kaplan Cat3 Q-20 correct V- 17 correct Total 520

Kaplan Cat4 Q-16 correct V- 22 correct Total 500

GMAT prep test 1- Q 18 correct V- 19 Total 510

GMAT prep test 2- Q- 19 correct V- 28 correct Total 490???

As you can see my highest verbal yet and second highest quantitative so my score should be at least higher than a 510-520?? I know the math seems to be weighted higher but their last score doesn't make sense.

Is it possible the program scored me wrong or am I missing something here?

Anything's possible. However, looking at your overall scores, I actually see very little inconsistency. On the other hand, you are focusing on the number of correct answers compared across four tests. To understand the apparent discrepancy, keep in mind two concepts: First, the test is scored on a curve, so your overall (scaled) score depends not only on how you performed, but also on how other test takers scored. Second, and more importantly, remember how the test algorithm works. If you get several questions wrong in the beginning of the test, the algorithm lowers your score and gives you easier questions. After that, you can readily answer more (now easier) questions correctly but will have a tough time recovering on the maximum achievable scaled score. (I'd be curious to know how much variation you noticed in your percentile rankings and scaled scores.)

Your overall scores have been remarkably consistent. GMAC says you can expect your score on test day to be within +/- 40 points of your true ability 2/3 of the time. By contrast, your mean score over the four tests you cited is 505 with a standard deviation of only 13 points.

I've got another opportunity for you to consider. You didn't mention how frequently you've taken these tests. After each practice CAT, are you taking time to review your results question by question and identify areas that need work? You should follow up such an analysis with additional practice before tackling another CAT. Taking practice tests without the supplementary work in between might help you improve your timing (and conceivably raise your score thereby) but it won't generate your maximum performance increase.

You've already boosted your scores by 100 points from the diagnostic test. To maintain your momentum, I suggest that you analyze the tests you've completed so far to figure out which two or three topics, strategies, or concepts offer the biggest potential harvest of points - and then dig in on those areas intensively.

- Doug

The Definition of a Quant Person

This post was written back in 2004 by an MBA aspirant. In it, Dave captures the essence of GMAT quant thinking and the relevance of this GMAT skill to MBA (and business) success. And while he probably wasn't aware of it at the time, in his concluding paragraph, Dave makes an elegant argument for the Kaplan strategies.

The definition of a Quant person

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this topic lately. I’ve come up with some ideas on what a quantitative personality means to a top Business School and why they emphasis (sic) a pretty good score in this area.

First of all, a Quant person is not necessarily a good math person. It is someone who can look at independent ideas and facts, look at a situation and be able to come up with a response in a step-by-step fashion. It also means looking at a situation and not respond in a typical fashion of, “what is the right answer?”, but rather, “I have a possible answer…. However, how could it be the wrong answer based on the facts given?”. In short, a quant person is not just a memorizer, although they might have a great memory and often do, but rather someone who reasons very well. So when a quant person looks at a math problem with 2,3 or 4 various combinations of theories.. they don’t get confused, but rather pull the question apart and can see where one theory leads into the other and can merge and manipulate the combinations to get the final answer.

Let me summarize my points. A great Quant person is one who 1) Doesn’t jump to conclusions unnecessarily and make rash decisions 2) Can take various experiences and knowledge points to extrapolate a very good position and direction even though they haven’t had exposure to a particular situation. In other words, with few instructions, they will be able to perform and handle many possible situations well 3) Doesn’t answer with “can’t” until they’ve exhausted all possible knowledge, theories, and experiences before asking for help. Even then… a great Quant person will often realize exactly what pieces of information are missing and ask for them before a conclusion can be drawn.

With regard to Business Schools, it has become clear to me that great Quant scores are indicative of the people with the capacity to be great business people. They are looking for people who can handle the diversity of business challenges and great Quant people have what it takes. Of course, this isn’t the only characteristic they are looking for, but I think this is a good foundational quality to look for. It makes sense that you don’t want a math head only, but someone who can take their Quant ability and be a good to great communicator. It also makes sense that great Business School candidates are also decisive. I know a lot of great quantitative people who suffer from, “paralysis of analysis” where they don’t know when to say they have enough facts. They need to know when the rest is gut, intuition, experience and economic circumstances to take a calculated risk. Or as some would say, they ought to be able to “bet the farm” on a calculated initiative occasionally and have the courage to follow through.

With regard to the GMAT, a topic much on my mind these days, a good quant person understands the content (the formulas, geometry rules, work problems and etc…), but don’t just rely on their memory to be able to handle a problem even though they haven’t seen a particular combination of theories in one problem. They are able to proficiently take apart the problem into its’ constituent theories and manipulate them in any combination they run into. The idea of doing a lot of problems to see the various possibilities one might see on the test is therefore NOT the way to do well on the GMAT. However, doing a lot of problems should be a way to test ones ability to manipulate possibilities of questions. Do you see the difference? Therefore, each area of the GMAT are all dependent on ones (sic) ability to understand the rules first.. then be able to perform step by step reasoning of independent ideas to come up with a well reasoned answer.

The practical side to all of this is getting used to doing the problems as a great Quant person would.

My wife who graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree tells me that she feels like she didn’t learn anything in school. She would always tell me that she didn’t need to memorize every single formula because many of them were derivations of combinations of a core set of formula theories. She understands that her education taught her to be an incredible quantitative math person. She mentions that some other schools are well known for education emphasizing formula learning however and that those students generally didn’t do well in situations where they didn’t see the exact permutation of a problem before.

Glad I got that off my chest. If you want to do well on the GMAT, you MUST be able to do what a good quant person does. Having 20 different resources of GMAT problems just to see more problems is a vain approach to preparing for the GMAT and is frankly a big waste of time. One ought to have enough problems to go through with 4-5 resources like the Official Guide. If one requires more than that, then you’re relying too much on memory and you may need to get with a tutor or get personalized help to learn to handle the GMAT as a great quant person would.

Before you conclude in disagreement with me on these ideas, I suggest you take a hard serious look at the way you approach your GMAT studies and see why you are getting wrong answers. The bottom line is that, if you get a question wrong, there are only four reasons why. You don’t know enough content (rules, theories well enough), you were careless, you were tired and unfocused, or your process to handle weird permutations is not solid enough (this last one is the case for me right now). One final comment. I've noticed that if I get a questions wrong... it's not necessarily because I was "careless", but rather because my "process" in doing a problem is not solid enough. Therefore, we ought not to look at a problem that we got wrong and just see that the fault was due to an overlooked fact, but perhaps our process of step-by-step problem solving was not solid enough or focused enough.

Well, back to my studies.

DaveforMBA

http://daveformba.blogspot.com

To add your questions and comments just click below on "_ Comments" or "Links to this Post" and then "Post a Comment".

Thanks for stopping by,

Doug

How much time do I need to be ready for GMAT?

The problem with this question is that it’s seldom asked early enough. You enroll in an MBA program to develop your business skills. The GMAT tests your aptitude for the business school curriculum. Planning is a skill basic to business - in fact, to life. Yet, I can’t tell you how many students seem to say to themselves, “Hmm, it’s August and I want to have my app in to Wharton, Kellogg and Stanford by mid-October. I guess I’ll start studying for the GMAT.”

While this startlingly illogical approach works for some, it’s NOT optimal for most of us. That said, there is no RIGHT amount of time to prepare. How much time you’ll need to prepare for the GMAT depends on the following questions:

1) What’s your target? Are you striving for your personal best or are you aiming for the window set by one or more schools? If the latter, are you using the school’s published average score? While this provides a general indication, the average score may or may not be the right target for YOU. A more helpful tool is the school’s 20th–80th percentile range, i.e. the range of scores earned by the middle 60 % of accepted applicants. Better yet, call or visit your target schools. Connect with an admission’s officer and start a dialogue about you and the school. Then, in the context of the overall fit for both sides, let them know you are methodically prepping for GMAT and would appreciate their assistance in appropriately managing your time. Ask what GMAT score you need to achieve to be admitted to their program. One of my tutoring clients was told by a Top 5 school that she needed a 650 to gain admission, because they liked the rest of her application. The same school told 2 other students (with law school backgrounds) that their target score was 730.

2) What’s your baseline score? You need to know your starting point in order to determine how much you need to accomplish. You can use a prior GMAT, a Kaplan diagnostic test (available at Kaplan Centers for free), or one of the GMAC practice tests available at mba.com when you register for the test.

3) What prep method are you going to use? Class room course, online, one-on-one tutoring, self-study books? Don’t forget to factor in the course schedule or tutor’s availability. Be realistic. Know your tolerance for concentrating on math and grammar after a full day’s work.

4) Finally, what are the other demands on your time? You still need to take care of work (remember you’re going to be asking for recommendations!), family, and maybe community/volunteer responsibilities. Notice I haven’t included social life here - put it on hold unless you are planning to drag out the process. This is serious business - hopefully, a once-in-a-lifetime, full-bore commitment to your future.

The stakes are high; In a recent Kaplan survey, 55% of admissions officers said the GMAT was the most important consideration in their evaluation of a candidate. Another 35% send it was the second most important factor. That’s right: 90% of admissions personnel interviewed considered your performance on the GMAT as the most or second most important consideration in your application package. Moreover, data collected by U.S. News and World Report indicate that each 10 points your GMAT score increases correlates with an additional $5,000 in annual income. So when you’re deciding how much time and effort to devote to GMAT prep, balance your commitment against the time and money that went into building your college GPA. Then add in the impact of an MBA on your expected lifetime earnings.

Plan and act as if you were training for an Olympic event.
• Know your target score, your test date, your schedule. Plan to hit peak performance on test day.
• Allow time for 8 hrs. sleep per night - remember, you’re in training.
• Exercise at least 3 times per week - daily is better.
• Allow time for a weekly practice test (3.5 hours plus twice that to review.)

Okay, got it! So how much time do I need to budget?

GMAC (Graduate Management Admissions Council) research shows GMAT scores are strongly correlated with both the number of hours of prep and the number of weeks of prep. GMAC offers the following data:

Score–Hours of Study

700+…………………114
600 -690……………104
540-590…………….100
<500…………………82

Of course these data don’t reflect the starting scores or the extent of variation around the values. Will 4 extra hours of study raise a test taker’s score 150 points, i.e. 540 to 690? Not likely. However, if you use Kaplan’s benchmark of an 80 point increase from pre-course baseline test to Test Day, a bump from 620 to 700 with 114 hours of study tracks pretty well. On the other hand, I’ve seen cases of even greater increases - 170, 210, even 340 points. But these students invested proportionately more hours in study.

Bottom Line - plan to spend at least 3 months on GMAT prep; 6 months is better. And you’ll need to schedule between 1 and 3 hours per day for study with approximately 10 hours set aside each week for the practice tests and review. This disciplined commitment in conjunction with the right study materials and guidance is the formula for Test Day success. Now go for it!

10 ways to prep for GMAT (when you're not actually studying)

GMAC recently announced research results that established a direct correlation between test scores and both the number of hours of test preparation and the number of weeks of prep. - - Really? - - Most of us have lives outside GMAT prep - work, family, sometimes another graduate degree in process. So how about some ways to expand test prep beyond the 1, 2 or 3 hours per day you've already allocated to working with the Course Book and online materials? Since GMAT tests a variety of real world business skills, here are 10 opportunities for sharpening those skills in the real world...

1. Get the check and do the math - there are no calculators or spreadsheets on Test Day. Tune up your arithmetic skills every time you dine out. Total the check in your head, then calculate a tip at 11%, 15% and 20%.

2. Read everything critically - ask yourself why the author used a specific word or introduced an idea. What is the structure of the piece? Identify topic, scope and purpose.

3. Keep your Pocket Reference with you at all times - and review it at every opportunity

4. When someone is pitching you, listen for conclusion, evidence and assumptions.

5. Try the Kaplan Method for Issue Essays when writing your next proposal.

6. Proofread your kids' homework, spouse's reports - initially you can refer to chapters 8 - 17 in the Kaplan GMAT Pocket Reference

7. Get plenty of sleep - recent research shows that much learning takes place only when the brain sets up new neuronal connections DURING SLEEP.

8. Exercise regularly - get those endorphins flowing - you'll have less stress and more energy - critical success factors on Test Day.

9. Check yourself: are you answering the question that was actually asked?

10. Is there a back door to the answer? Thinking outside the box, how can you use what you know to find a quicker alternative route to the correct solution?

I can't wait to get your questions and comments (just click below on "0 Comments" or "Links to this Post" and then "Post a Comment"). In the meantime, here's the ...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What do you consider "enough" time to prep for GMAT?


Thanks for stopping by,
Doug

What is GeeMATTERS and what does it have to do with applying to business school?

Welcome to GeeMATTERS! For the last year or so, I've replied to student's e-mailed queries with answers broadcast to all the questioner's classmates. My objective was to extend the teaching moment beyond class. In this blog I'd like to take the next step and open up the process to all my current and former students.

"Open up" - Why did this author use this phrase? Well, because I also want to invite you to pass on your insights and experience. Kaplan has created a powerful set of tools to help you max out your Test Day performance - but many of you have developed your own nuanced insights into how best to use those tools. I hope you'll share them here.

Sitting in class for 2 1/2 hours after a full day of work, sometimes twice a week, often with a family waiting at home, can be exhausting - even with a scintillating instructor pumping out gigawatts of enthusiasm. Notwithstanding, some of you have found the time and energy to develop relationships that continue beyond the course. One class even published a list of its e-mail addresses. In a world where everyone seems to have an MBA, soft skills are increasingly the key discriminators of success (check out Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman). Over the last 2 1/2 years our classes included pharmacists and investment bankers, architects and fighter pilots; people from Philly to Saudi, California to Korea. If you're looking for a network of bright, ambitious achievers, look right here among your fellow Kaplan students and alums.

I hope to post at least one problem and response each week. As in the past, I will "sanitize" your e-mailed questions before posting them, unless you instruct otherwise. If you post directly to the blog, I'll assume you don't mind being identified. Publishing frequency and, for that matter, content will be up to you as well. Share not only your questions but also your insights from the GMAT, suggestions on study methods, and favorite sites covering test prep, applications, and business schools. Remember the essence of networking is first to give, then to get.

Watch for the QUESTION OF THE WEEK. Let each question be a grain of sand in the oyster of your GMAT/B-School consciousness. Then post your pearls!

Each week for the next couple of months you'll also find one of the 10 Pretty Good Rules set up by the Strategic Studies Group at the Naval War College. Collect 'em all and keep them close - they're amusing and on point.

Finally, in the Net Work panel, you'll find a list of useful GMAT and business school related links.

Right now I'm thinking about posting once a week, but more frequently is possible if you get stoked and demand more. Posts will be moderated.

So now for the...

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What would you like to see in future GeeMATTERS ?


Thanks for stopping by,
Doug