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Saturday, April 30, 2011

If you are planning to take the GMAT after many years since college

If it is some or many years since you studied and, in particular, since you studied or even thought about geometry, algebra and English grammar, or took a multiple choice exam, then the GMAT may well present a number of specific hurdles.
The first thing to do is to review examples of each type of question and assessment that make up the GMAT and make an honest appraisal of which of these components represent the greatest challenge for you. To demonstrate your full potential, and well before taking the test , you will have to begin a program of revision or review. Start with the aspects of the test that you feel you are least good at. Practice the mock test give by mba.com. You only need a minimal computer knowledge to undertake the GMAT CAT, it requires a very minimum time to become proficient enough to handle the computer during your test.
You need to set aside a fairly considerable amount of time for reviewing the demands of the verbal and numerical sub-tests. Ideally, over a number of months, aim for 10 hours a week practice. 
Making the necessary committment will demand discipline and determination. THe time spent practicing will at times seem tedious and frustrating. But you have got no alternative and you have practice practice and just practice.
Work to redevelop a good exam technique. This demands a balance between speed and accuracy. You need to unlearn whatever exam technique you have and learn the one which is going to help you during your GMAT test. Practice under the pressure of time and try to find faster way of solving the problems. Adopt process of elimination and reach to the correct answers by eliminating the obvious wrong answers.
On a positive note, practice should afford you a marked improvement in your performance. Your work history may have prepared you well for the reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions and you may also discover that you are able to shine in the Analytical Writing Assessments.

Things to remember on the day of the test

The most important thing to take with you when you attend the test center is a suitable ID. For reasons of test security, the test administrator will want to be able to confirm that no one is impersonating you and completing the test on your behalf. It is essential therefore that the name on your ID exactly matches the name on your test appointment.
The most usual forms of ID are a passport, national id card or a driver's license. Note that the acceptable id must have expired on the day of test. and must contain your name same as on your appointment letter. Always bring your passport if you are attending the test in the country you are not the citizen of. 
You are not allowed any item with you in the test room, so please leave your valuables at home. 
You are also required to sign a confidentiality statement and must follow the test center's regulations. Be aware of the rules present in the GMAT website.
Aim to arrive atleast 30 mins before your appointment time. Have a light brakefast and keep some cookies in your bag.

The Types of Questions and Assessment

GMAT is made up of 3 principal parts and you are allowed 10 mins of optional break between these parts
1> The analytical writing assessment (AWA) - The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) comprises two essays, to be completed in 1 hr (30 mins each). One involves the analysis of an issue; the other, the analysis of an argument.
2> Quantitative - The Quantitative sub-test comprises 37 questions to be completed in 75 mins. It is made up of two styles of questions, entitled problem-solving and data sufficiency. The oreder in which these questions occur is randomly determined by the computer.
3> Verbal - The verbal sub-test comprises 41 questions to be completed in 75 mins. This sub-test has three styles of questions, entitled reading comprehension, sentence correction and critical reasoning, and once again, the order in which these questions occur is determined by the computer.

Some of the questions in the quantitative and verbal tests are non scoring, as they are being trialed for inclusion as scoring items in future tests.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

If English is not your first language

The business school of your choice may require you to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) or IELTS ( International English language Testing System) tests as well as the GMAT. The school to which you apply will inform you of its policy.
You have some advantages as well as disadvantages of not being a native speaker of English. Native speakers make a lot of grammatical mistakes as they are used to of slangs or local dialects.
You need to concentrate on basics, start with English grammar and don't forget to practice every day.

If you suffer a disability

In case if you suffer a disability which you feel can affect your GMAT score then :
1> Contact the college/University you wish to apply and provide them a detailed description of the problem along with the medical proof where ever applicable.
2> You can ask GMAT council to provide you with some facilities during the exam based on your disability.

Some facilities that you might be eligible for based on your problem are:
a> You may get extra time.
b> You may get a text reader.
c> You may get a person to record your answers.
d> You may get a separate PC with big font size.

Please don't hide your disability and discuss the problem with GMAT council. 

Monday, April 25, 2011

Improve your vocabulary - Words that may help you during your exam


Acumen - Shrewdness shown by keen insight
Bluntness - The quality ppf being direct and outspoken
Syn: dullness
Mortify - Hold within limits and control; Lower in esteem; hurt the pride of.
Syn: abase
Relapse - A failure to maintain higher state.
Abode - A person's legal place of residence.
Syn: Domicile, Dwelling
Beguile - influence by slyness(cunning).
Syn: Capture
Behest: An authoritative command or request.
Syn: Command. Hold down
Adage - a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation.
Syn: proverb
Latent - Potentially existing, but not presently evident or realized.
Hysterical - Excessive or uncontrollable emotion.
Conscientious - Characterized by extreme care and good effort
Precipice - A very steep cliff
Dispel - To cause to separate and go into different directions.
Syn: break-off
Discretion - Freedom to act or judge on one's own
Syn: Prudence
Dissent - The difference of one judge's opinion with the other.
Syn: Objection, protest, resist
Extricate - Release from entanglement of difficulty.
Syn: Liberate
Ordain - Order by virtue of superior authority.
Syn: Command
Erratic - Liable to sudden unpredictable change.
Syn: Unknown
Disparity - Inequality and difference in some respect.
Syn: Inequality
Florid - Elaborately or excessively ornamented
Syn: Ornate
Thriving - Grow stronger
Syn: booming
Merit - Any admirable quality or attribute
Syn: Deserve, Virtue
Confiscate - Verb: Take by leagal authority; Adj: Surrendered as a penalty
Syn: Appropriate
Penitence - Remorse for your past conduct.
Syn: Compunction
Rapt - Deeply moved
Syn: Absorbed, Concealed
Concealed - Prevent from being seen or discovered.
Engrossed - Wholly absorbed as in thought.
Syn: Engaged
Pious - Having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity.
Syn: devout
Whet - Make keen or more acute; Sharpen by rubbing on a whitestone
Syn: Quicken, Stimulate
Stupor - A sudden state of violent emotional disturbance.
Syn: Lethargy
Incentive - A positive motivational influence.
Syn: Inducement, provocation
Escutcheon - A flat protective covering on door and wall.
Cajole - Influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or
flattering.
Syn: Coax
Mollify - Make less rigid and softer
Syn: Assuage
Ovulate - Produce and discharge eggs.
Syn: Fertilize
Ovation - Enthusiastic recognition.
Syn: Applause
Gesture - Motion of hands to express something.
Syn: Motion
Merry - Cheery and full of fun
Syn: Blithe
Ant: Sad
Alienate - To cause to be withdrawn
Syn: Demise
Ant: Entail
Solicit - To speak for by earnest; a respectfull request
Syn: Crave
Ant: Demand
Cargo - Goods loaded on a ship
Syn: Burden, freight
Veer - To shift or change directions as wind changes
Admonish - To warn or notify for a fault
Syn: Advise, instruct
Ant: Encourage
Meager - Scanty; less in quantity
Syn: Scanty, barren
Ant: Ample, Reach
Latitute - Free from small restriction
Latent - Not visible or apperent although potentially present
Syn: Concealed
Ant: Conspicuous
Covet - To wish for
Syn: Desire, hanker
Ant: Despise
Emancipate - To free from any bondage or restraint of any kind
Syn: Liberate
Ant: Enslave

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sentence Correction Part 1

To perform well in SC : try to find out the contextual meaning of the sentence.
Remember that SC doesn't test grammar.

Simple Exercise 1: 
Think about the words below from different aspects:
Nebulous // Sensitized // Dichotomy // Anxiety

You may refer the following books to make yourself stronger :
> English Grammar (Raymond Murphy)
> American Idioms (Search on Internet)

Sample Exercise 2:
Make 12 sentences using the words below:
Look (at/out/over/down/after)

You will find 3 levels of questions in SC sections:
> Easy (Grammar based)
> Moderate (Mixed)
> Challenging (Meaning of the sentence may not be what you have thought)

You need to concentrate on your ABCS :
A - Accuracy
B - Bravity
C - Clarity
S - Specificity