Five Things Mastering The Mountain Can Teach You About Mastering The GMAT

I’ve taught skiing for decades; GMAT prep for just years. Skiing happens outdoors, in the cold, pitting the body against elemental forces of gravity and weather. In contrast, GMAT is indoors, warm (depending on the HVAC at the test center), and almost exclusively cerebral. So I was surprised to discover useful parallels in these contrasting challenges.

Indeed, as I began to think about it, I realized that the initial major obstacles in each even look alike – for skiers, it’s the fear of falling, while for GMAT takers, it’s their fear of failing. Okay, so the conceit is a little contrived, but in reality, both kinds of fear can turn into paralyzing impediments. Either way, you need to embrace the challenge. And once you do, you quickly realize that the anticipation is far more daunting than the reality. Of course, that doesn’t mean either activity is painless or even risk-free. As I tell my GMAT classes, in skiing we have saying: “If you’re not falling, you’re not learning.” Which brings us to the first parallel:

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You know you are an MBA when...

Monty Python once (actually many times) signaled an upcoming digression with the phrase: "And now for something completely different..."

You know you are an MBA when....

You ask the waiter what the restaurant's core competencies are.

You decide to re-org your family into a 'team- based organization.'

You refer to dating as test marketing.

You can spell 'paradigm.'

You actually know what a paradigm is.

(for more, click here)

Thanks for this to http://twitter.com/zashtonemoje who also has started a great MBA blog at http://zashtonemoje.wordpress.com/

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

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

"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

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

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

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