Tag Archives: GMAT Strategy

How to Approach the GMAT

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A beginner’s guide to GMAT Materials:

The first thing any MBA aspirant should do is visit official MBA/GMAT site …spend some 2-3 hours there. (or even 2-3 days!) & read as much as you can. The information published there is unbiased, genuine, authentic, eye-opener & myth-breaker.

Then you should download a sim CAT GMAT test available there: name is GMAT Prep; it’s of ~25MB size.

The site mba.com will help you understand: what’s GMAT in general terms, its significance, its structure and the way company conducts the test worldwide.

(I will not go into GMAT structure in detail since that’s not the purpose of this article. Let’s focus on resources/study materials for GMAT! )

You’ll obviously need some books to prepare for GMAT. GMAC, the organisation that sets GMAT test, published three books recently, known as official guides.

They are:  (Follow the link to read reviews about these books)

  1. The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition
  2. The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
  3. The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review

they are nicknamed as orange, purple and green guides respectively. (Note that the article first published in early 2007/late 2006; today OG 12th edition & 2nd edition of Verbal & Math guides are available You can check the detailed review in my GMAT books review page.)
Official guide 11th edition is THE book you should start with and end your preparation.

You should trust these guides along with GMATPrep software (mentioned in 2nd para).

Although these guides and a simulation software for CAT (computer adaptive test) are fantastic for the practice problems, they don’t provide study strategies…

In short: when it comes to problems solving in practice sessions, nothing beats above mentioned materials. But for strategies and tactics (read shortcuts! ) you need to look for some extra materials.

Other books I would recommend:

(I’ll write an article exclusively for recommended books some time soon.) By the way, these books offer good strategies to attack GMAT; they’ll show you how to approach each section and each problem individually.

But then for taking the test in one go you need to have a patience, faith and stamina. & for that, you need to take as many GMAT simulation tests/ CATs as possible.

[Note: Do not rush and sign up for just any sim CATs available on would wide web.]

Following are the GMAT prep companies you should trust: Reason : they have done enough research to come near to the real GMAT test… (still they are not as near as GMAT Prep or POWER Prep)

[Note that I am not talking about GMAT coaching institutes but the online resources for practice tests ]

  • mba.com (nearest possible)
  • manhattangmat.com (?near? quant tough)
  • 800score.com (easier)
  • kaptest.com (tough)
  • pricetonreview.com (neutral)

They offer good Sim GMAT tests.

Note that I have not mentioned about other books or other sites for practice tests which simplymeans they are NOT worth your time & money. Caution: This has exception of Veritas Prep. I haven’t had chance to review their products.

Now let’s have some non-brand materials,

Materials those are freely available on cyberspace and have no copyright issues.

BeattheGMAT’s flashcard (best flashcards you could get )

Grammar Notes:

Sahil’s Grammar Notes
Spidey’s Sentence Correction Notes & some more docs such as Rajat-nda’s notes.

You will get above documents anywhere online, just search around on GMAT related forums. The reason why I am so selective in mentioning about the resources is, people just take any darn test or soft copies of books available on internet just to end up in pracitsing non-GMAT questions.

Therefore I am with trusted and reputable resources. I insist…

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME IN STUDYING AND PRACTISING WRONG SETS OF PROBLEMS.

…still if you want more practice problems then download thousand series by scoretop

  • 1000 SC
  • 1000 CR
  • 3000 RC

Again, these documents are available freely everywhere on internet. Note that documents do not have explanations to the problems. You will have to join some GMAT realated online forums to discuss those problems. I am not pro-1000 series doc as such but I feel these documents are one of a kind. You’ll never get such a great no. of questions compiled in a single document and that too absolutely free!

[OK! After some time getting into GMAT prepeparation/studying environment, you should start realising the easy methods to solve the problems, you should be able to discover some shortcuts. Key is you should examine the strategies that are discussed in prep books and use them according to your needs & study-style.] If you see these signs you know that you’re going in the right direction. All the best 🙂

Post GMAT course for getting admission into MBA programs

While prepping for GMAT you should also be aware of the b-schools you want to apply. You must have a long term plan & You should do some research on the b-schools that suits your long term goal.

For such informations you have b-schools’ own web-sites which give all information about MBA programs you desire/along with plenty of other good sites:

Dave’s MBA Journey

Hjort’s b-school corner from GMAT Club Forums :

There are MBA admission consultants, ready to give you free advice & assessment. Check them out!

Accepted.com

ClearAdmit

Stacy Blackman Co. blog

Above blogs update several times a week; keep tab on all these site & be informed. I think that’s enough for now. Feel free to comment. & yes, subscribe, spread the word! for world peace!
PS: If you like this article, you might like to take a look at this one too: GMAT in a month: strategy.

I am back!

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some changes in the blog.
I think My blog has come to the (st)age where I should provide a search option.
so I am removing bussiness week online search to my blog search.
this would help you finding archives and many other key words you look for.
Also I upgrade my blog to beta(?) (is it still beta?)… blogger from google.
I was afraid that I’ ll have to do all html work once again so i bit-of postponing this unavoidable upgrade.
now I could safely upgrade it.
Just wanna make sure that rss feed code is the same or changed….
I ll use the new beta-features in this blog
the labels i can think of right now are:
My reaserch den
refernece posts
Editors choice
…..
& many more i wont reveal… yes
there’s lots of interesting stuff coming your way in coming months so stay tuned.
Now about some GMAT>>
I think I wont take a break from studying…. will finish with my GMAT once & for all.
right now I have not planned anything specific….
I might start solving 1000SC problems and publish the solutions here
at http://thousandsc.blogspot.com/
by the way there’s one more blogger , also started solving 1000SC. He has published a new blog now
so you guys can have a look.
OK.
time to go & check more resource.
bbye.

[case study] Jack’s GMAT story

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Jack’s GMAT Story is a cautionary tale of a typical MBA aspirant, ‘Jack’ who plans his GMAT prep and MBA application journey. It’s a multi-page article converted from series of posts for ease of browsing.

  1. Index Page
  2. Preface
  3. Jack’s Story : Wrong approach
  4. Solution to the dilemma
  5. What went wrong
  6. The right approach

I’ve konwn thousands of GMAT students and many relate to Jack’s story. I might add couple of more posts about the survey/poll I conducted on various GMAT  forums for this article.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Jack GMAT story compiled

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Here’s ready link for all posts of [Jack GMAT story: A case study]
Dont worry if you lose this page. I have made a quick link on right column of my blog in reference section, so that you dont have to hit back button.

I might add couple of more posts about the survey/poll i conducted on various GMAT related forums. And also add peoples responses.

Jack’s GMAT story: [part- IV RIght Approach]

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Case A: An undergrad student.

This is the best time to take the test. Although, average age of GMAT test taker is more than GRE-folks, it is still recommended to take it in early ages.

A college student can get good resources from the library, he has peers, friends who can study together & motivate.

The life after graduation is quite miserable, plane and lonely. (believe me!)

Jack could have decided to take GMAT on December, joined some quality forum boards- gained some mixed opinions and knowledge-networked with other fellow GMAT students & MBA aspirants. By Feb-March Jack could have taken the GMAT test successfully.

Case B: Person has all free time, nothing else to do but to study for GMAT.

Jack could have got max out of it (… out of this period). He really doesn’t have to join any tuition of preparation classes. As he could have done it all alone, with stable mind of course.

Jack has plenty of material and online resources such as forums and blogs. The key is to get to know what suits you out of the materials available.

Most of People (most of Jacks!) say that they need as much material as it is available on earth.
No!. It is a wrong approach. Yes, you should review every material available, but then you have to decide what suits you.

There are certainly loads of resources and hard/ soft material available. And each material has its own style; each tutor has her own style of approaching to the plan ( what it’s called the strategy) or particular problem.

Each unit/ coaching class / tutor has his/her own strategy. You have to decide which strategy works for you.

It’s not about getting the maximum material available but about getting the maximum out of the material available.

Case C: Balancing work and study

This is very crucial!

We have loads of similar cases here.

Jack has full time job. He hardly finds time to check with his parents or his old friends. Jack lives comfortable life (read: earning money) and focus on GMAT in this case, goes fading.

In order to avoid this:

Jack should learn to love his GMAT journey first. May be he should keep a blog or do some other inspirational stuff.

He can join a preparation classes. Some reputed or may be third grade; it doesn’t matter as long as it is making Jack’s GMAT journey stimulating. (Caution: the above statement is valid only if Jack has other wise materials available.)

It is very important for Jack to keep his GMAT interest alive. May be he should network with other GMAT aspirants and meet on weekends. Such tiny things can help Jack stay alive.

If Jack is successful in keeping his GMAT interest alive the rest things become “cake walk”.

No matter how hectic your life is, you can always find some
time for your favorite activities.

Indulge in GMAT related forums- get addicted. No harm, if you find the zeal to study at age of 29. Being addicted is sometimes beneficial. 😉

I think I have provided three vital scenarios ( cases I mean). However if you, readers find new case feel free to discuss it here or on some forums boards where I am available.

Thank you.

Jack’s GMAT story: [part- III What Went Wrong]

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Jack has been studying for GMAT since long. And during this period he missed quite a few opportunities to take this test.

Most of the time, what he missing was right approach, strategy to prepare for the GMAT and some good advice.

When Jack was completing his degree, it was ideally the best time for him to take the test. Honestly, it gets more difficult once you get a full time job. Jack had his classmates to take the test. It would have been definitely easier for him to take the test then.

But he missed the boat.

After finishing his education Jack had some free time that could have used wisely for GMAT preparation. He in fact did utilized that time but not so wisely. Too many cooks spoil the soup.
Yes! Same thing happened with Jack this time.

Unfortunately he couldn’t resist to apply for jobs simultaneously. Jack failed to realize the case if he gets a call from a prosperous company on the verge of taking the GMAT. Exactly same thing happened and Jack faced this dilemma. He had to drop the idea, one more time. But he wouldn’t have gotten success in GMAT because the wrong approach he followed.

He had all free time available for preparation, Jack bought all material available on earth also he joined tuition/classes. Well in most of the cases it is recommended but Jack went to extreme and end up confusing himself for the right strategy that would work for him.
Yes! too many cooks spoil the soup. Oh! I forgot to mention about the forums and blog he used to indulge in!!

After resuming to his job, Jack hardly finds time for anything extra work like studying for GMAT. Though Jack turned wiser than before, he has time constrains, mental stress and job responsibilities. He’s struggling to manage work-life balance forget about extra efforts for GMAT study.
He needed the force to go for GMAT study. He made up by his own… He could have done much better if he had joined some classes this time.

Above all things of Jacks story went wrong… Jack could have done better. To know the right approach read on.

Jack’s GMAT story: [part- II Solution]

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I must confess that, this dilemma of Jack is genuine and is tough to provide the correct solution. What makes this situation really tough is his GMAT-score 610.
Jack still has plenty of time (may be couple of more years) before he would apply to b-school.
610 is critical score, an ‘on-the-wall’ score you can say; which is not a good score but given a chance, with proper study strategy he can improve his score to a respected level
610+40=650! which is at least an average score for decent business schools. But note that it could go really tough for Jack to improve his score by more than 40. therefore I call 610 as a critical score. Anything less and I would not advice Jack to retake the test. Remember, you cant fool this test.
To be cont….what went wrong

Jack’s GMAT story: [Part-I wrong approach]

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Year ONE: December.

Jack is a (senior) student in his final years. Like many of his classmates he wants to do an MBA. And as they say, the early you plan the better and easier your path will be.

So he plans:

-Bachelors degree

-3-4 years job.

-Applying for b-schools.

OK. that sounds good.

Jack knows that there’s a beast called GMAT, must be conquered first. His friends advise him to give GMAT a shot, now. He agrees, thinking that, it would be better if he takes the test during his education. He wouldn’t have to brush up the basics( /fundamental skills). He has the habit of studying hard; also he would have access to the college library. He has Christmas holidays to slog for GMAT. That’s perfect.

Jack starts preparing for GMAT. He goes to the Internet to read some reviews about the books related to GMAT exam. He does good research and starts preparing for GMAT. His first diagnostic test scores in five hundred something. 510 to be precise.

He was shocked by such a low score.

He does more research on GMAT; uses online resources; signs up for various online forums.

Later he realized two (?) facts (?):

*GMAT needs average of two months of preparation.

*And 650+ in GMAT is considered to be an average score for good b-schools..

Concluding this, he postpones his GMAT date to summer, thinking that it would be impossible for him to study for two months during his graduation classes.

———————————-

Year TWO: August

Jack completes his degree & now he has free time till he gets his first job.

He plots a plan.

Aug+ Sept =two months GMAT study.

He buys half dozen books, based on the online reviews.
He decides to do job search and GMAT preparation simultaneously.

He takes his diagnostic test again and finishes with the exact same figure he had eight months ago.
He already has joined GMAT forums. He also purchases some simulation CAT GMAT CDs. And yes! he signs up for a reputed GMAT coaching class too.

More-determined-Jack this time, thinks that he can improve his score by couple of hundreds many people have done that. He read many peoples’ GMAT war stories.
Loaded with full of material hard and soft he starts his GMAT preparation.
He finds GMAT forum addictive. He goes there often and grabs many interesting facts/myths about GMAT.

Jack couldn’t been able to excel his score though!
He had online forums that provide plenty of different solutions to a problem. He had plenty of books to get different strategies. He had classroom strategy too, to attack different problems. He had habit to study for long hours. Still he failed to excel.

He was thinking positive that his score would rise.
After two months of preparation he manages to get ~570-580 on his practice tests.
That’s an improvement of course! But not as much as he wanted.

Meanwhile he gets a job offer which he couldn’t deny. Disappointed Jack, again postpones his GMAT.

———————————-

Year 3 November

Jack is way out of his studies. He’s working for full time for a year or more. GMAT is still in his mind. He has not quit from his favorite GMAT forum. He thinks it would be good to keep in touch.

This time he decides not to spend a single extra money for GMAT; had enough of it.

Jack starts preparing for GMAT with his coaching class material, the books he had purchased and online forums, of course.

He realized the fact that he couldn’t give more time than he used to give earlier due to his job responsibility; …he sacrificed the night outs. Stopped meeting friends. And studied hard again.

He has grown wiser than earlier. He knows how to attack a problem now. Though he got 510 in diagnostic test. After two months of better preparation he managed to lift his score by hundred points to 610!. His real first GMAT score!

He was not at all satisfied with his score. He keeps on telling himself you can raise your score by more 100 points. com’on you can do it!

He’s angry with himself; not sure, what to do?

He’s in a dilemma.

-to retake the test again within a month?

-to again postpone it till more time space available?

-to drop the idea of GMAT./ let 610 be good.

-to abandon the thought of B-schools & MBA altogether.

He knows the options presented are negative in ascending order. At this moment Jack is not confident enough to take most positive option. & he is not so depressed to cut the thought of B-school entirely… after-all he’s spent more than two years for GMAT!

God bless him.

to be cont….. solution to the problem

Jack’s GMAT story [part 0: Preface]

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I am presenting you a story of Jack, a normal GMAT test taker.
Lately I observed, students� negative drive towards taking the test; Jack is one of them. I can see many Jacks here n there. They usually postpone or retake the test because of low score they observe during their practise CAT tests.
As a result of it, I decided to write an article in my blog, based on how important it is to take GMAT once and for all.
Later I dropped the idea and thought to place it on GMAT forum… That way I would make it more interactive.
[Editor’s note: I have published it in some GMAT related forums first for response & one month later I published compilied story on blog.]
I want your comments on the Jack�s story, folks.
I have my own opinion on this story (of course! I have written it. which you can read in the next episode/articles)
Before I write further, here�s my background:
You might wonder that why should you read the story of the fictional character and later hear the opinion of a person who has not taken the test?
I have been thinking of b-schools since last 5-6 years. And GMAT is in my mind all day all night for last two years. In a process, I read as much as I could get on the internet. I joined online forums, interacted with people, enough for now, to make a firm opinion on GMAT issues. On June end of this year I was fully prepared for GMAT. But due to my ignorance to the fact that I needed a passport on the test day, I dropped the plan. I do not have passport yet!
People,
Feel free to post the comments on the story. However, I am posting just first part of the series, Latter parts contain my opinions followed by right approach etc.
Check all series of articles the case study of Jack’s GMAT.

Link to the relevant thread on forum will be available upon request.

God of all links

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God ^:)^
OK heres the show stopper.
The real god of all links.
If I post this link & I promise I wont post any other link from now. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE LINK.
YOU CANT BEAT THIS LINK.
DAVE’S GMAT STRATEGY. (sorry folks it appears that the link is no more active apparently, Dave stopped blogging.)

i have been reading his blogs and these days doing some research/ PhD on his blog.:lol
i realised that people have cut his posts and published it on many places since i think read his one of those….anyway it doesnt matter as long as poeple show courtesy to the author.
OK
you can find this link @ his blog
Mr. Dave is the simply amazing. This guy’s amazon.com of GMAT & MBA business I would say. ^:)^