My experience as a GMAT trainer throws up some interesting  stuff

The most feared section in the GMAT – Reading comprehension

Top scorers( 700+) had mastered reading comprehension.

Majority ( those who underperformed )had ignored RC and are low on ‘ critical’ reading

Streamline your RC prep

Do three passages per day for 60 days( if you can)

Where to get unlimited passages?

Good books on GMAT of course

Plus GRE  LSAT, SAT passages, yes you can read all these…

Now get going

Regular Batches/special group classes/individual lessons

Duration:40hrs

offered on Weekdays/weekends/every day sessions

Call 42068494/9884123808 for appointments

www.gmatsuperia.com

1.Reading only for the topic

Read for the author’s opinions running parallel to the topic as well

2.Concentrating on the specific details

Higher weightage questions demand overall intent, flow and tone of the passage.

3.Choosing a stated idea for inference question

The answer to an inference question is never explicitly stated in the passage; it is implied

4.Taking the notes too far

One way to keep track of a long passage is by making thought flow chart; use symbols arrows to show relationships

5.Losing track of ‘who says what’

The passage may present multiple perspectives- of the author’s,  someone else’s ( being quoted)..

6.Overlooking  the question stem.

Some question stems are simple, yet others roundabout. ensure that you are clear what the question asks.

7.Undermining the need to build vocabulary

One third of the RC questions demand word knowledge…. Skepticism, laudatory, archaic, condescending…these all appear

8.Over reading

Skip, examples, specific details, long parenthetical statements….

9.‘ NOT SEEing crucial words- Only, except, not in the question stem

10.   First reading- a slow ‘thorough’ reading

The first reading can be a faster skimming, for the  main points of discussion.

Attend 6hr CR workshop starting on sunday 2pm to 5pm on 4th march.

Course fee- Rs.1500.

To register call 9884123808 or 044-42068494

Visit www.gmatsuperia.com for GMAT “old pattern” crash courses

The directions to  Data sufficiency qns ( some tips below may require you to revisit these directions).This problem consists of a question and two statements, labeled (1) and (2), in which certain data are given. You have to decide whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the question. Using the data given in the statements plus your knowledge of mathematics and everyday facts (such as the number of days in July or the meaning of counterclockwise), you must indicate whether:

A statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;

B statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;

C BOTH statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question asked, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient;

D EACH statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question asked;

E statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data specific to the problem are needed.

Now here are some simple not dos

1. Assume that a given number is positive only. The numbers given can be zero, negative fractions or decimals.i.e.  sample

Main statement- is the modulus of X less than 3?

Sub statement 1- X(X+3) <0 Sub statement 2- X(X-3)>0

X can be zero, negative, fraction or decimal.

2. Assume that in a ‘Is…( refer main st in point 1 above ) question type, no is an invalid answer. ‘yes,’ can be a valid answer; no can be a valid answer. ‘sometimes yes and sometimes no’ are  invalid.

3. Ignore minimum factors required( that can be gauged from the main st) to answer the qn, if either of the sub statements do not have the min factors, automatically the ans cannot be A or B.

Main st: Is X grater than Y?

Sub st 1. X is greater than Z

Sub st 2. Y is lower than Z

Here as per directions, the ans cannot be A or B.

4. Conclude based on the outcome, while substituting a number to arrive at the answer. Check the outcome while substituting varied numbers i.e. zero,+ve integer,-ve integer,+ve fraction and –ve fraction

5. Hurriedly Mark either A (or B) as the answer option when statement 1(or 2) yields an answer. Study statement 2(or 1)also . If this also leads to answer mark D, else mark A(or B)

6. Spent time deriving absolute values when approximation is sufficient in arriving at a decision.

7. Arriving at numerical values when the question requires only counting the occurrences.

8. Attempt a complex combinatronics problem by attempting to pick/select many objects at a time. pick/select one object at a time. This doesn’t change the final outcome.

9. Follow faulty logic.

i.e. A sample sum

Main statement- is the modulus of X less than 3?

Sub statement 1- X(X+3) <0 Sub statement 2- X(X-3)>0

Correct logic

Determine the range of numbers which satisfy the sub statements

Check whether these numbers satisfy the main statement.

Wrong logic

Determine the range of numbers which satisfy the main statement

Check whether these numbers satisfy the sub statements.

10. Ignoring additional information required to solve the problem

Sample problem

Main statement- A and B takes x and y days respectively to complete a work. How many days will A and B together take to complete it?

Sub statement 1 x=5

Sub statement 2 B alone takes twice as many days as A alone to complete the work

additional information on the efficiency of each person’s work per day is a factor needed. If A works at 50% efficiency, A will take 10 days to complete the work.

The weekday morning batch begins -Feb 8th 2012

The GMAT verbal xclusive batch begins- Feb 11th 2012

Special batch for outstation students.

Special skype lessons on demand.

Special workshop timings for students who are living far from the city-on request…

(monday to friday) (everyday)-duration 3 weeks.

Call 044-42068494 / 9884123808 for more details.

www.gmatsuperia.com

This new section replaces one of the essays and comprises 12 questions to be answered by analysing, synthesising, integrating and evaluating given data. The data to be integrated appear as maps, spreadsheets, codes, numbers, charts, texts, audios and graphs. Both multiple choice and highlighting statements or dragging data points constitute the questions.

The new section thus tests the candidates ability to examine and manage complex, multiple format data and draw conclusions from them. The integrated reasoning section will thus generate a measure of a candidate’s decision making skills.

The new GMAT from June 2012

Duration Raw score Final score

Argument essay (1 topic)

1 prompt

30 min

Grade 0-6

Quant ability

37 qns

75 min

0-60 raw score

Verbal ability

41 qns

75 min

0-60 raw score

Integrated reasoning*

12 qns

30 min

To be announced in April 2012

*new addition

What doesn’t change?

The content, format and scoring of the verbal and quantitative sections remain unchanged; the argument essay also remains the same. The issue is replaced by the new section.

GMAT , in the present version itself is projected as a test that examines a range of skills that are prerequisites to participate in and benefit from a rigorous MBA curriculum. It already has a strong emphasis on reasoning. With the addition of the new integrated reasoning section, the test advances to another level of competence.

Test of decision making skills

The integrated reasoning section gives students an opportunity to demonstrate decision making skills- analysing, synthesising and evaluating data in different forms- numbers, flow charts and words to draw logical conclusions. In today’s data-intense business space, effective decisions are taken by drawing intelligence and insights from various sources and information of various forms.

The introduction of such competency assessment in the business school intake stage presents a reasoned prognosis of one’s candidature to the world of competitive global business.

How to prepare

The verbal and quantitative sections are not changing in content patterns and scoring, thus test aspirants can continue to prepare for these as before. One has to familiarise oneself with the new section by practising on such problem sets as well as by reading graphs, maps and accompanying texts in business publications.

Since a good number of business schools take GRE score, instead of a GMAT score, applicants can research on colleges and find out which test to take. Some students may be more comfortable with the GRE test.

Test aspirants starting preparation post-March 2012 may have to take the new GMAT administered form June 2012. Good preparation will be the key to success.

Article contributed by

Dr.M.P.Vijayakumari

She can be contacted by email -vijaya@semanticslearning.com