Before diving into the decision-making process, it is worth taking time to consider whether you have the makings of a masters in management student.
Typically in Europe, where the degree is popular, no work experience is required to enter the programme. As a consequence, students tend to be younger than those who complete MBAs or other programmes where professional knowledge is a prerequisite.
According to FT data, students are, on average, aged between 22 and 23 when they start a masters in management programme.
Christina Olabarría, admissions director for the masters programme at Esade Business School, Barcelona, says: “Most choose to do a masters with a view to differentiating themselves from other candidates applying for graduate recruitment schemes and management training tracks.”
Unless you have an unusually clear idea of your ambitions, choosing your ideal school often initially comes down to location.
“Most students make a geographic choice first, then look at schools within a particular country or region,” says Judith Bouvard, dean of Grenoble Graduate School of Business.
According to Valérie Gauthier, associate dean at HEC Paris, the key question to ask is: where do you want to work after graduating?
If the answer is France, you might apply to HEC; if you want to work in London, then the LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) or LBS (London Business School) would be among the obvious choices.
Since relatively few US schools offer the masters in management qualification, would-be applicants from America might want to consider Europe, where the programmes are more a part of the business school landscape.
Internships – whether during the course or upon graduation – are most likely to open up job opportunities in the country of study. Studying abroad therefore offers the chance of early international experience, while studying in a location where a particular industry is clustered – finance, for example, in London – enhances your chances of getting a job in a target sector.
Given how hard business schools work to protect and enhance their brands, finding a school with a good reputation is critical. Some are known for quality across the board, others for strength in a particular sector, or for the warmth of their welcome for overseas students. Rankings tables are crucial in providing information for students to judge what’s best for them.
“Reputation is everything for business schools,” says François Collin, executive director of Cems’ head office.
“It nurtures the virtuous circle that enables schools to attract and recruit the top professors, the best students and the influencing corporate partners.”
It will come as no surprise then, that the reputation of a school or programme will go a long way in affecting how you are viewed by potential employers.
Serious schools are also branded for the quality of their courses by accreditation bodies such as the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in the US, the EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), and Ceeman (the Central and East European Management Development Association).
And although the top ranked schools are likely to be the best resourced, they are also more likely to be oversubscribed, and are often the most expensive.
As such, it is important to be realistic about what you apply to do. How good are your credentials? Is there an alternative that is more suitable? Might you do better to become a graduate trainee, gain experience and study for an MBA at a later date?
However, if you are unable to secure your first choice, all is not lost. “If you can’t get into a top school, look for those on the up and ride the wave of success,” says Ulrich Hommel, an associate director at the EFMD.
Most masters in management programmes include some form of work-related experience, from supervised research projects within a business environment to an internship. “A good programme will mix academic rigour with corporate relevance,” says Prof Hommel.
Therefore, potential students should seek as much information as possible about any corporate partners affiliated with different schools – not just whether an internship is available, but with whom and in which sectors. Another consideration is which companies hire alumni from the school. “Admissions officers are a good source of information, but ask to speak to alumni and current students too,” Prof Hommel advises. They have a good insight into what it is like to study a particular programme and are in the best position to point out any pitfalls.
Depending on where you see your career taking you, it is worth researching the international dimensions of a school. Find out what proportion of faculty and students is from overseas – diversity is likely to bring a wider range of perspectives to a programme. Dual degree programmes, where participants spend time in two institutions in different countries and are awarded a degree from both, are a popular way of gaining international exposure.
Consider, too, how the programme is delivered. Those keen to avoid traditional “chalk and talk” methods should look for new learning techniques incorporated into the programme. The use of interactive technology and action learning, such as trading room floor simulations and role plays, are good indicators of an innovative programme.
Once you’ve discovered all you can, then pay the school a visit.
“Talk to the current students, talk to the administrators, talk to the faculty,”’ suggests Susan Roth, director of MSc programmes at Cass Business School at City University, London. “Do you get a buzz walking through the door and feel it’s where you want to be?” When all other parts of the decision-making process have been worked through, trust your instincts.
www.credila.com
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sun, sea and school
At Ceram business school, located inside the Sophia Antipolis technology park close to the Mediterranean resort of Antibes, the aromatic smell of pine trees and the chirrup of crickets make for a pleasant backdrop to the school, which celebrates its 44th birthday this year.
Yet the school has more than just its birthday to celebrate. Ceram recently announced a merger with ESC Lille, another of France’s grandes écoles, in a move that will create the largest business school in the country. With more than 5,000 students, it is hoped the merged – and as-yet unnamed – school will compete with high-profile international rivals.
Current Ceram director, Alice Guilhon, who has also been appointed head of the merged institution, wants to create a business school for the knowledge economy, focusing on globalisation, innovation and technology. “The merger does not change the strategy in any way,” she says.
Ceram’s Sophia Antipolis home has been donated to the school by the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce. The combined school will also have campuses in Lille and Paris, where the MBA programme will be based, and Suzhou in China. Another campus is planned for the US.
Its location inside one of Europe’s leading science and technology parks helps underpin Ceram’s partnership with the Department for Research on Innovation and Competition (DRIC), part of the OFCE, one of France’s leading economic research organisations.
Ceram and DRIC will soon offer an MSc and a PhD programme in applied economics. “It is a huge opportunity to connect two disciplines in economics and business,” says Jean-Luc Gaffard, director of DRIC and professor of economics at nearby University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
The combined school will offer a range of bachelors and masters programmes and a modular MBA. A second MBA programme, focusing on the knowledge economy, will be developed within the coming year. Prof Guilhon believes this “can become a flagship programme for the school in the future”.
The only major change Prof Guilhon envisages is the merger of the masters in management, the flagship programme of most French business schools. The plan is for the merged Lille and Ceram programme to be taught in English at both Sophia Antipolis and Lille.
Other French business schools will be watching their progress with interest.
www.credila.com
Yet the school has more than just its birthday to celebrate. Ceram recently announced a merger with ESC Lille, another of France’s grandes écoles, in a move that will create the largest business school in the country. With more than 5,000 students, it is hoped the merged – and as-yet unnamed – school will compete with high-profile international rivals.
Current Ceram director, Alice Guilhon, who has also been appointed head of the merged institution, wants to create a business school for the knowledge economy, focusing on globalisation, innovation and technology. “The merger does not change the strategy in any way,” she says.
Ceram’s Sophia Antipolis home has been donated to the school by the French Riviera Chamber of Commerce. The combined school will also have campuses in Lille and Paris, where the MBA programme will be based, and Suzhou in China. Another campus is planned for the US.
Its location inside one of Europe’s leading science and technology parks helps underpin Ceram’s partnership with the Department for Research on Innovation and Competition (DRIC), part of the OFCE, one of France’s leading economic research organisations.
Ceram and DRIC will soon offer an MSc and a PhD programme in applied economics. “It is a huge opportunity to connect two disciplines in economics and business,” says Jean-Luc Gaffard, director of DRIC and professor of economics at nearby University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
The combined school will offer a range of bachelors and masters programmes and a modular MBA. A second MBA programme, focusing on the knowledge economy, will be developed within the coming year. Prof Guilhon believes this “can become a flagship programme for the school in the future”.
The only major change Prof Guilhon envisages is the merger of the masters in management, the flagship programme of most French business schools. The plan is for the merged Lille and Ceram programme to be taught in English at both Sophia Antipolis and Lille.
Other French business schools will be watching their progress with interest.
www.credila.com
Soon after I arrived at the Thunderbird School of Global Management five years ago, a group of faculty members, students and alumni were asked to identify two personalities who best represented the core values of the school.
Their choice of Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur, seemed logical, but the other name came as a surprise: the Dalai Lama.
The billionaire, yes, but the Buddhist monk? What could the Dalai Lama have to say about business and management? A few months later, when the man himself paid us a visit, I finally understood.
Speaking to us, the Dalai Lama stressed the importance of individual responsibility in an interconnected world and his belief that many of today’s problems are man-made.
He explained: “Our minds still think in terms of ‘we’ and ‘they’, but in reality, there is no such thing. The world is one body. We must recognise that the ‘others’ are also part of humanity, and that my future depends on your future. We may find some comfort in the notion of independence, but in reality we are all interdependent.”
If correct, how should this interpretation affect the way we should act towards each other? With compassion, says the Dalai Lama.
Genuine compassion is the recognition that others have the same rights, even those who are different and hold conflicting views, he told us.
“Love and compassion should extend beyond a person’s small circle of friends and relatives to include others who may think, look or act differently to us,” he explained.
His words chimed with a quote from the philosopher Socrates, inscribed on the gate of the Arizona campus at Thunderbird: “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
The Dalai Lama may not be the first name to come to mind as a management guru, yet his teachings could not be more meaningful in trying to understand the responsibilities of business leaders in the global economy.
In his speech, he described two basic principles of Buddhism: the first, a philosophical outlook that recognises the interdependence of all things; the second, a value system based around the notion of compassion, the requirement to cause no harm to others.
These two ideas are interconnected. If I believe my wellbeing depends on yours, then your pain becomes mine, and it becomes my self-interest to care about yours.
Such a philosophy can also be used to define global citizenship in a business context: an outlook that recognises the prosperity of one individual, company or nation depends on the prosperity of others.
A global citizen will work to create value for all parties involved in a business transaction, rather than seeking to exploit one party for short-term gain. For example, he or she cannot accept harmful labour practices in one country for the reason that it benefits customers or shareholders in another.
The notion of “sustainability”, meanwhile – financial, social and environmental – is a recognition that one’s success is tied to that of others, and that one’s business strategy must respond to the interests of multiple stakeholders.
Successful business leaders understand that treating others with dignity and helping them succeed is imperative if they themselves want to succeed over the long term. They do not win by playing one supplier off against another, or by selling products that are harmful to their clients.
They win by innovating, serving and creating. They treat employees, customers, suppliers and investors as partners, not enemies. They change the world by creating products, jobs and returns for investors. They give back to their communities. In the process, they find financial security for themselves and the satisfaction of having made a meaningful contribution.
During his visit, the Dalai Lama shared the story of a prominent Indian businessman who asked for his blessing. “Your blessing is not here,” the Dalai Lama told him. “Go back and invest in your community — create a school to bring about opportunities to all those who have been left behind. That will be your life’s blessing.”
Angel Cabrera is president of the Thunderbird School of Global Management
.Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article
www.credila.com
Their choice of Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur, seemed logical, but the other name came as a surprise: the Dalai Lama.
The billionaire, yes, but the Buddhist monk? What could the Dalai Lama have to say about business and management? A few months later, when the man himself paid us a visit, I finally understood.
Speaking to us, the Dalai Lama stressed the importance of individual responsibility in an interconnected world and his belief that many of today’s problems are man-made.
He explained: “Our minds still think in terms of ‘we’ and ‘they’, but in reality, there is no such thing. The world is one body. We must recognise that the ‘others’ are also part of humanity, and that my future depends on your future. We may find some comfort in the notion of independence, but in reality we are all interdependent.”
If correct, how should this interpretation affect the way we should act towards each other? With compassion, says the Dalai Lama.
Genuine compassion is the recognition that others have the same rights, even those who are different and hold conflicting views, he told us.
“Love and compassion should extend beyond a person’s small circle of friends and relatives to include others who may think, look or act differently to us,” he explained.
His words chimed with a quote from the philosopher Socrates, inscribed on the gate of the Arizona campus at Thunderbird: “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”
The Dalai Lama may not be the first name to come to mind as a management guru, yet his teachings could not be more meaningful in trying to understand the responsibilities of business leaders in the global economy.
In his speech, he described two basic principles of Buddhism: the first, a philosophical outlook that recognises the interdependence of all things; the second, a value system based around the notion of compassion, the requirement to cause no harm to others.
These two ideas are interconnected. If I believe my wellbeing depends on yours, then your pain becomes mine, and it becomes my self-interest to care about yours.
Such a philosophy can also be used to define global citizenship in a business context: an outlook that recognises the prosperity of one individual, company or nation depends on the prosperity of others.
A global citizen will work to create value for all parties involved in a business transaction, rather than seeking to exploit one party for short-term gain. For example, he or she cannot accept harmful labour practices in one country for the reason that it benefits customers or shareholders in another.
The notion of “sustainability”, meanwhile – financial, social and environmental – is a recognition that one’s success is tied to that of others, and that one’s business strategy must respond to the interests of multiple stakeholders.
Successful business leaders understand that treating others with dignity and helping them succeed is imperative if they themselves want to succeed over the long term. They do not win by playing one supplier off against another, or by selling products that are harmful to their clients.
They win by innovating, serving and creating. They treat employees, customers, suppliers and investors as partners, not enemies. They change the world by creating products, jobs and returns for investors. They give back to their communities. In the process, they find financial security for themselves and the satisfaction of having made a meaningful contribution.
During his visit, the Dalai Lama shared the story of a prominent Indian businessman who asked for his blessing. “Your blessing is not here,” the Dalai Lama told him. “Go back and invest in your community — create a school to bring about opportunities to all those who have been left behind. That will be your life’s blessing.”
Angel Cabrera is president of the Thunderbird School of Global Management
.Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article
www.credila.com
Friday, August 20, 2010
GMAT Problem Solving
Introduction
GMAT problem solving questions are designed more to test your understanding of underlying mathematical concepts than to test your ability to actually carry out quantitative procedures accurately.
Fortunately for many test takers, advanced quantitative topics, such as trigonometry and calculus, are not tested on the GMAT. To score well, you only need to be familiar with basic arithmetic, geometry, and algebra, as taught at the high school level. Any decent GMAT prep book will cover these quantitative concepts.
Problem Solving Tips and Strategies
Read the questions carefully. It is impossible to overstate the importance of careful reading. The most common pitfall GMAT test takers stumble into is answering the question they thought they read, instead of the one the test asked. There is a big difference between a question asking "Which of the following may be true?" and one asking "Which of the following may not be true?" The test writers deliberately include answer choices that correlate to common misinterpretations of the questions.
Use your scrap paper for every question. No matter how easy a question appears, you should utilize your scrap paper. Seeing a calculation on paper will help you avoid easy mistakes and the answer choices designed to exploit them. Remember, once you record your answer on the GMAT CAT, you can't go back and change it. This aspect of the CAT makes this tip even more effective.
Do not get bogged down with complicated or lengthy calculations. We have looked at hundreds of GMAT problem solving questions and found that they are deliberately designed to make such calculations unnecessary. You are overlooking a shortcut if you find yourself getting bogged down in this way.
The "guesstimating" technique is extremely effective on this exam. Most of the time, the answer to a problem-solving question is a value, and the values given in the answer choices will not be very close to each other. As a result, you can save time by 'guesstimating.' For example, if you know the value you're looking for is about 30%, and the answer choices are 4%, 13%, 29%, 47%, and 81%, you can safely guess that the correct answer is 29%. Congratulations – you just saved yourself a lot of time on this question, and avoided getting caught up in a longer calculation that might have resulted in a math error!
Learn how to work backwards. If you are completely stuck on a question, you can always try plugging in an answer choice and work backwards to see if it makes sense. When you use this technique, we suggest starting with the choice giving the middle value. Even if the middle value does not answer the question, it might tell you if you need to go higher or lower. You will have narrowed 5 choices down to 2.
Convert quantities freely. There are often shortcuts available to you if you can recognize relationships between the numbers used in the problems. Keep in mind, the GMAT test writers never haphazardly select numbers for their questions. This technique is especially useful in narrowing down likely answer choices when you feel the urge to pull out a calculator. One easy conversion to remember is that, at least for purposes of the GMAT, π = 22/7.
Use process of elimination as a last resort. The GMAT writers have historically arranged answer choices in ascending numerical value. Even if you are unable to immediately hone in on the correct answer, chances are that guesstimating, working backwards, or some other technique will help you eliminate many wrong choices.
Practice, practice, practice. When you spend time practicing quantitative questions, you internalize these tips and strategies. You will also become very comfortable with the type of questions found on this portion of the test, and will quickly realize whether you need to brush up your skills in any math areas, such as geometry or algebra. After all, when it comes time to sit for the GMAT, you will want to be able to recall certain information – the total number of degrees in the sides of a triangle, the calculation for the area of a circle, etc – off the top of your head.
Problem-Specific Tips and Techniques
There are several distinct types of quantitative problems, each of which can be approached with specific tips and strategies:
Geometry Problems
Assume diagrams are drawn accurately unless the question specifically states otherwise. Do not, however, rely on your visual judgment to answer these questions. The test writers never allow their questions to be that easily answered. One common mistake is to assume that 2 lines must form a right angle, when this is not specifically indicated in the text. Do not fall into this trap – it is one of the most common mistakes made on the GMAT.
Spend at least 30 seconds reviewing the diagrams. Many implicit facts and numbers can be found inside these illustrations. Due to the computer-adaptive nature of today's GMAT, you will need to sketch out the diagrams on your scrap paper to deduce the implicit facts from the data explicitly given.
Graph Problems
Spend at least 30 seconds reviewing the graphs and tables. Graph problems are not meant to require hard math calculations. Instead, they are designed to test your ability to interpret and use information contained in graphs and tables. As a result, you will be well served by closely studying the structure and basic content of the graphs and tables. The axis labels, legend key, and units of measurement are more important to you in understanding and answering the question than the actual data presented.
Make sure you are familiar with bar, circle, and line graphs. These are the 3 graph types most commonly presented on the GMAT.
You can rely on visual estimates for bar graphs and line charts. The test writers will not use visual tricks to deceive you. In fact, you will often times have to trust a visual estimation to determine the correct answer. Note: Visual estimates will not work with geometry questions.
"Weird" Problems
Identification is half the battle. Train yourself to recognize when you're dealing with a "weird" problem, and deal with it accordingly. AdmissionsConsultants defines "weird" as problems that simply test your reasoning skills, not your quantitative skills. These questions are widely considered the most intimidating on the entire exam.
An excellent example of this genre of question is a problem that presents a function you never learned in school. You will greatly improve your odds of answering it correctly by calmly and methodically imitating the "logic" presented in the question. If this fails, you can always work backwards to solve the problem.
Word Problems
Build equations for word problems. When dealing with a word question (such as what happens if trains are traveling at a certain speed), build an equation that will help you understand the question being asked and find the answer. Use obvious letter symbols such a "A" for train A, "B" for Bob's age, etc., to stand for the values you need to calculate.
Don't waste time looking for subtle meanings. You can make reasonable assumptions with these questions. The test writers are not trying to trick you in this way.
www.credila.com
GMAT problem solving questions are designed more to test your understanding of underlying mathematical concepts than to test your ability to actually carry out quantitative procedures accurately.
Fortunately for many test takers, advanced quantitative topics, such as trigonometry and calculus, are not tested on the GMAT. To score well, you only need to be familiar with basic arithmetic, geometry, and algebra, as taught at the high school level. Any decent GMAT prep book will cover these quantitative concepts.
Problem Solving Tips and Strategies
Read the questions carefully. It is impossible to overstate the importance of careful reading. The most common pitfall GMAT test takers stumble into is answering the question they thought they read, instead of the one the test asked. There is a big difference between a question asking "Which of the following may be true?" and one asking "Which of the following may not be true?" The test writers deliberately include answer choices that correlate to common misinterpretations of the questions.
Use your scrap paper for every question. No matter how easy a question appears, you should utilize your scrap paper. Seeing a calculation on paper will help you avoid easy mistakes and the answer choices designed to exploit them. Remember, once you record your answer on the GMAT CAT, you can't go back and change it. This aspect of the CAT makes this tip even more effective.
Do not get bogged down with complicated or lengthy calculations. We have looked at hundreds of GMAT problem solving questions and found that they are deliberately designed to make such calculations unnecessary. You are overlooking a shortcut if you find yourself getting bogged down in this way.
The "guesstimating" technique is extremely effective on this exam. Most of the time, the answer to a problem-solving question is a value, and the values given in the answer choices will not be very close to each other. As a result, you can save time by 'guesstimating.' For example, if you know the value you're looking for is about 30%, and the answer choices are 4%, 13%, 29%, 47%, and 81%, you can safely guess that the correct answer is 29%. Congratulations – you just saved yourself a lot of time on this question, and avoided getting caught up in a longer calculation that might have resulted in a math error!
Learn how to work backwards. If you are completely stuck on a question, you can always try plugging in an answer choice and work backwards to see if it makes sense. When you use this technique, we suggest starting with the choice giving the middle value. Even if the middle value does not answer the question, it might tell you if you need to go higher or lower. You will have narrowed 5 choices down to 2.
Convert quantities freely. There are often shortcuts available to you if you can recognize relationships between the numbers used in the problems. Keep in mind, the GMAT test writers never haphazardly select numbers for their questions. This technique is especially useful in narrowing down likely answer choices when you feel the urge to pull out a calculator. One easy conversion to remember is that, at least for purposes of the GMAT, π = 22/7.
Use process of elimination as a last resort. The GMAT writers have historically arranged answer choices in ascending numerical value. Even if you are unable to immediately hone in on the correct answer, chances are that guesstimating, working backwards, or some other technique will help you eliminate many wrong choices.
Practice, practice, practice. When you spend time practicing quantitative questions, you internalize these tips and strategies. You will also become very comfortable with the type of questions found on this portion of the test, and will quickly realize whether you need to brush up your skills in any math areas, such as geometry or algebra. After all, when it comes time to sit for the GMAT, you will want to be able to recall certain information – the total number of degrees in the sides of a triangle, the calculation for the area of a circle, etc – off the top of your head.
Problem-Specific Tips and Techniques
There are several distinct types of quantitative problems, each of which can be approached with specific tips and strategies:
Geometry Problems
Assume diagrams are drawn accurately unless the question specifically states otherwise. Do not, however, rely on your visual judgment to answer these questions. The test writers never allow their questions to be that easily answered. One common mistake is to assume that 2 lines must form a right angle, when this is not specifically indicated in the text. Do not fall into this trap – it is one of the most common mistakes made on the GMAT.
Spend at least 30 seconds reviewing the diagrams. Many implicit facts and numbers can be found inside these illustrations. Due to the computer-adaptive nature of today's GMAT, you will need to sketch out the diagrams on your scrap paper to deduce the implicit facts from the data explicitly given.
Graph Problems
Spend at least 30 seconds reviewing the graphs and tables. Graph problems are not meant to require hard math calculations. Instead, they are designed to test your ability to interpret and use information contained in graphs and tables. As a result, you will be well served by closely studying the structure and basic content of the graphs and tables. The axis labels, legend key, and units of measurement are more important to you in understanding and answering the question than the actual data presented.
Make sure you are familiar with bar, circle, and line graphs. These are the 3 graph types most commonly presented on the GMAT.
You can rely on visual estimates for bar graphs and line charts. The test writers will not use visual tricks to deceive you. In fact, you will often times have to trust a visual estimation to determine the correct answer. Note: Visual estimates will not work with geometry questions.
"Weird" Problems
Identification is half the battle. Train yourself to recognize when you're dealing with a "weird" problem, and deal with it accordingly. AdmissionsConsultants defines "weird" as problems that simply test your reasoning skills, not your quantitative skills. These questions are widely considered the most intimidating on the entire exam.
An excellent example of this genre of question is a problem that presents a function you never learned in school. You will greatly improve your odds of answering it correctly by calmly and methodically imitating the "logic" presented in the question. If this fails, you can always work backwards to solve the problem.
Word Problems
Build equations for word problems. When dealing with a word question (such as what happens if trains are traveling at a certain speed), build an equation that will help you understand the question being asked and find the answer. Use obvious letter symbols such a "A" for train A, "B" for Bob's age, etc., to stand for the values you need to calculate.
Don't waste time looking for subtle meanings. You can make reasonable assumptions with these questions. The test writers are not trying to trick you in this way.
www.credila.com
GMAT Test Preparation Tips
You Can Easily Increase Your GMAT CAT Score by 50 to 100 Points
Despite the official statements of GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), you can improve your GMAT score dramatically simply by taking the time to become "streetwise" about the GMAT CAT. Quite simply, this is the easiest step in your test preparation, and should not be ignored under any circumstances.
Keep in mind that the GMAT is a game. Just as in chess, baseball, tennis, or any other sport, those who know how the game is played have a huge advantage over those who are ignorant of the game's idiosyncratic rules.
As a test taker, you should understand:
The computer-adaptive structure of the GMAT
The types of exam questions asked and their common fallacies
How to manage your time wisely
The computer-adaptive structure of the GMAT
The computer-adaptive test (CAT) version of the GMAT is designed to get a more accurate assessment of your skills while asking you fewer questions than its paper-based predecessor did. Here is how it works: the first question you see in any given section will be of average difficulty. If you get the answer right, your next question will be slightly more difficult. If you get the answer wrong, your next question will be slightly easier. The software will also ask you different types of questions in a rather unpredictable order, as determined by its algorithm, rather than clustering question types as the written GMAT did.
You can not skip a question or go back to an earlier question. Unlike the paper version, once you click the 'answer confirm' box, your answer can not be changed.
The types of exam questions asked and their common fallacies
Examples and explanations of these can be found in the pages describing the individual component sections of the GMAT posted on this website. We strongly encourage our clients to spend time learning these question types before brushing up on their verbal and math skills.
How to manage your time wisely
Practice
The main way to develop GMAT time management skills is to practice taking the test. You will repeatedly see us return to the theme of practice throughout this website. It is very hard to overstate its importance. Therefore you are strongly encouraged to take at least a few mock GMAT exams, in the computer-adaptive format and to try to simulate the actual testing environment. (That means refraining from taking food breaks, engaging in telephone conversations, etc. until you have completed a section.)
Spend adequate time on the first 5 questions
Earlier, we discussed how the GMAT CAT's underlying algorithm determines the difficulty of questions you are asked, based on your performance in answering previous questions. Difficult questions are weighted more heavily in scoring than easier questions. The first couple questions in any GMAT CAT section are used to determine the range of questions that the program 'thinks' you are able to handle. After you have answered these first few questions, the testing software will give you questions to fine tune your score within that rather narrowly predetermined range. Thus, your answers to the first 5 questions will make a HUGE difference in your final section score.
It is imperative that you answer these pivotal questions with extra care. Always double check your answers to these questions. Verify that the answer choices that you judged to be incorrect are indeed incorrect. If you are unsure of the answer to one of these first questions, at the very least, take a very good educated guess using process of elimination.
Prepare yourself to finish the test – at all costs!
There is a huge scoring penalty for failing to finish any section of the GMAT. For example, say you're in line to get a score that will put you in the 70 percentile of test takers, based on your test performance so far – but then run out of time and fail to answer the last five questions in the section. That failure will lower your score to about the 55 percentile. The lesson to take away from this is to prepare yourself to finish the test at all costs. Answering a question incorrectly will hurt you, but not as much as leaving the question unanswered will. Train yourself to work your best within the time limits of the exam. But train yourself, too, to be able to recognize when only a minute or so remains on the clock, and at that point to just answer "C" (or whatever your lucky letter is) for any remaining questions. As the GMAT's Chief Psychometrician put it to us, random guessing is like shooting yourself in the foot – but leaving answers blank is like shooting yourself in both feet.
Don't waste time
This advice probably sounds self evident. However, we mention it because we've had clients tell us how they inadvertently wasted test time by revisiting the help screen or requesting extra scrap paper after they began their test. These activities, if undertaken once the section has begun, will take time away from working on the questions.
Read the Questions Carefully
As silly as this advice may seem, it's worth remembering. An undisciplined test taker will feel the stress of the clock during the timed sections and will try to cut corners to save time, wherever and whenever possible. As a result, he or she often misinterprets questions. GMAT test writers are well aware of this dynamic, and happy to capitalize on it. We guarantee that you will encounter questions on the GMAT that include incorrect answer choices that were deliberately designed to exploit likely misinterpretations of what the question is really asking.
Avoid Random Guessing
The GMAT CAT does not allow you to skip questions and come back to them later, as you can on a written test. You must answer each question on the GMAT CAT before it will allow you to move on to the next question. Consequently, even if you don't know the answer to a particular question, you have to answer it. It is always in your best interest to take an educated guess rather than resorting to random guessing – even if you are running out of time on the section. Usually you will be able to identify at least one answer choice that is clearly wrong. Eliminating even one incorrect choice will improve your odds of answering the question correctly.
Eliminate the Deliberately Deceptive Wrong Choices
With practice, you will begin to learn how to recognize answer choices that are deliberately deceptive – and wrong. There are a few common patterns here that will become apparent as you proceed with your test preparation.
One recognizable pattern is commonly found in the Problem Solving section. It involves an erroneous answer choice giving a value that would result from following a common computational error. You can avoid these deceptive choices by using scrap paper, checking your answers and using estimation to at least judge the general range of the correct choice.
Practice, Practice, Practice
As we stated at the top of this page, there are a number of tips and techniques to taking the GMAT that will significantly raise your overall score. This is a test that you can prepare for, despite anything the test-makers state. We strongly encourage you to use actual questions from previous exams as you practice, as we have noticed a material difference in the nature and quality of test questions prepared by ETS versus those written by GMAT prep companies. We also strongly encourage you to practice taking the exam in its computer-adaptive format.
Finally, we encourage you to spend most of your preparation time studying and practicing questions in your weakest subject area. While we believe every test taker benefits by reviewing each GMAT exam section, focusing on your weakest areas will make the most efficient use of your test-prep time.
Don't Wait Too Long to Take the GMAT
Don't count on taking the GMAT at the last minute. Should you need to retake the exam, you will need time both to register for the test again and to have the new scores submitted to schools in time for the application deadlines. Scheduling the GMAT well into the admissions season is also bound to cause most test takers undue stress. With proper planning and insight, you can spare yourself these negative energies and instead focus on maximizing your GMAT score.
www.credila.com
Despite the official statements of GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), you can improve your GMAT score dramatically simply by taking the time to become "streetwise" about the GMAT CAT. Quite simply, this is the easiest step in your test preparation, and should not be ignored under any circumstances.
Keep in mind that the GMAT is a game. Just as in chess, baseball, tennis, or any other sport, those who know how the game is played have a huge advantage over those who are ignorant of the game's idiosyncratic rules.
As a test taker, you should understand:
The computer-adaptive structure of the GMAT
The types of exam questions asked and their common fallacies
How to manage your time wisely
The computer-adaptive structure of the GMAT
The computer-adaptive test (CAT) version of the GMAT is designed to get a more accurate assessment of your skills while asking you fewer questions than its paper-based predecessor did. Here is how it works: the first question you see in any given section will be of average difficulty. If you get the answer right, your next question will be slightly more difficult. If you get the answer wrong, your next question will be slightly easier. The software will also ask you different types of questions in a rather unpredictable order, as determined by its algorithm, rather than clustering question types as the written GMAT did.
You can not skip a question or go back to an earlier question. Unlike the paper version, once you click the 'answer confirm' box, your answer can not be changed.
The types of exam questions asked and their common fallacies
Examples and explanations of these can be found in the pages describing the individual component sections of the GMAT posted on this website. We strongly encourage our clients to spend time learning these question types before brushing up on their verbal and math skills.
How to manage your time wisely
Practice
The main way to develop GMAT time management skills is to practice taking the test. You will repeatedly see us return to the theme of practice throughout this website. It is very hard to overstate its importance. Therefore you are strongly encouraged to take at least a few mock GMAT exams, in the computer-adaptive format and to try to simulate the actual testing environment. (That means refraining from taking food breaks, engaging in telephone conversations, etc. until you have completed a section.)
Spend adequate time on the first 5 questions
Earlier, we discussed how the GMAT CAT's underlying algorithm determines the difficulty of questions you are asked, based on your performance in answering previous questions. Difficult questions are weighted more heavily in scoring than easier questions. The first couple questions in any GMAT CAT section are used to determine the range of questions that the program 'thinks' you are able to handle. After you have answered these first few questions, the testing software will give you questions to fine tune your score within that rather narrowly predetermined range. Thus, your answers to the first 5 questions will make a HUGE difference in your final section score.
It is imperative that you answer these pivotal questions with extra care. Always double check your answers to these questions. Verify that the answer choices that you judged to be incorrect are indeed incorrect. If you are unsure of the answer to one of these first questions, at the very least, take a very good educated guess using process of elimination.
Prepare yourself to finish the test – at all costs!
There is a huge scoring penalty for failing to finish any section of the GMAT. For example, say you're in line to get a score that will put you in the 70 percentile of test takers, based on your test performance so far – but then run out of time and fail to answer the last five questions in the section. That failure will lower your score to about the 55 percentile. The lesson to take away from this is to prepare yourself to finish the test at all costs. Answering a question incorrectly will hurt you, but not as much as leaving the question unanswered will. Train yourself to work your best within the time limits of the exam. But train yourself, too, to be able to recognize when only a minute or so remains on the clock, and at that point to just answer "C" (or whatever your lucky letter is) for any remaining questions. As the GMAT's Chief Psychometrician put it to us, random guessing is like shooting yourself in the foot – but leaving answers blank is like shooting yourself in both feet.
Don't waste time
This advice probably sounds self evident. However, we mention it because we've had clients tell us how they inadvertently wasted test time by revisiting the help screen or requesting extra scrap paper after they began their test. These activities, if undertaken once the section has begun, will take time away from working on the questions.
Read the Questions Carefully
As silly as this advice may seem, it's worth remembering. An undisciplined test taker will feel the stress of the clock during the timed sections and will try to cut corners to save time, wherever and whenever possible. As a result, he or she often misinterprets questions. GMAT test writers are well aware of this dynamic, and happy to capitalize on it. We guarantee that you will encounter questions on the GMAT that include incorrect answer choices that were deliberately designed to exploit likely misinterpretations of what the question is really asking.
Avoid Random Guessing
The GMAT CAT does not allow you to skip questions and come back to them later, as you can on a written test. You must answer each question on the GMAT CAT before it will allow you to move on to the next question. Consequently, even if you don't know the answer to a particular question, you have to answer it. It is always in your best interest to take an educated guess rather than resorting to random guessing – even if you are running out of time on the section. Usually you will be able to identify at least one answer choice that is clearly wrong. Eliminating even one incorrect choice will improve your odds of answering the question correctly.
Eliminate the Deliberately Deceptive Wrong Choices
With practice, you will begin to learn how to recognize answer choices that are deliberately deceptive – and wrong. There are a few common patterns here that will become apparent as you proceed with your test preparation.
One recognizable pattern is commonly found in the Problem Solving section. It involves an erroneous answer choice giving a value that would result from following a common computational error. You can avoid these deceptive choices by using scrap paper, checking your answers and using estimation to at least judge the general range of the correct choice.
Practice, Practice, Practice
As we stated at the top of this page, there are a number of tips and techniques to taking the GMAT that will significantly raise your overall score. This is a test that you can prepare for, despite anything the test-makers state. We strongly encourage you to use actual questions from previous exams as you practice, as we have noticed a material difference in the nature and quality of test questions prepared by ETS versus those written by GMAT prep companies. We also strongly encourage you to practice taking the exam in its computer-adaptive format.
Finally, we encourage you to spend most of your preparation time studying and practicing questions in your weakest subject area. While we believe every test taker benefits by reviewing each GMAT exam section, focusing on your weakest areas will make the most efficient use of your test-prep time.
Don't Wait Too Long to Take the GMAT
Don't count on taking the GMAT at the last minute. Should you need to retake the exam, you will need time both to register for the test again and to have the new scores submitted to schools in time for the application deadlines. Scheduling the GMAT well into the admissions season is also bound to cause most test takers undue stress. With proper planning and insight, you can spare yourself these negative energies and instead focus on maximizing your GMAT score.
www.credila.com
Top Five GMAT Study Mistakes by Manhattan GMAT
Let's face it--it's been years since you've studied for a standardized test. You have vague memories of filling in bubbles with a #2 pencil, but that's pretty much where your recall ends. Now, you've got the GMAT in front of you, and it's time to hit the books once again. Since everyone learns differently and has different study techniques, it can be hard to prescribe a universal method. However, having observed thousands of GMAT test-takers over the years, we at ManhattanGMAT have identified five common study mistakes that students make while studying for the GMAT.
Mistake #1: Believing that "more is more"
A common misperception is that the only way to truly master the GMAT is to see every problem in existence. And given the number of GMAT guides available at your local bookstore, there is plenty of material out there. Of course, you do want to see a variety of problems, so that you know which concepts are tested, and how. However, simply exposing yourself to all sorts of problems is not enough; you have to actually study the problems, and this may mean doing fewer problems. You are not done with a problem when you get it right. You should spend twice as long reviewing a problem as you spend doing it, whether or not you got it correct. (I'm serious on that one.) As a part of your review, ask yourself whether you identified the topics being tested. Did you do answer the question in the most efficient way? Was there another approach you could have taken? Does the problem or any of the concepts remind you of other problems you've seen? The goal is to find a lesson in each question and be able to apply those lessons to the next group of problems you do.
Mistake #2: Believing that "more is more," part deux
I once knew a GMAT student who believed that if he took a practice test a day for six weeks, he would be prepared when the actual test date rolled around. Prepared to jump off a bridge, I thought, but not prepared to take the test. Just like doing too many practice problems, taking unnecessary tests will not help you learn the material necessary to do well on the GMAT. Use practice tests sparingly. Use them to build stamina, get accustomed to the timing constraints and gauge your progress. Practice tests should not be your primary study tool. If you are fortunate enough to be using a test that gives you diagnostic information, use that information to guide your future studying. Focus primarily on your weakest areas, but don't let any particular topic or question type go cold. Whatever you do, DO NOT get hung up on your score. These are practice exams; for good or ill, the real exam will be a completely different experience.
Mistake #3: Believing that "more is more," part tre
It's a rare bird who did not, at some point during college, pull an all-nighter cramming for a nasty final exam. Remember when it was 3 a.m. and the room was littered with half-drunk cups of coffee, empty pizza boxes, discarded Twizzlers' wrappers and numerous rumpled cheat sheets? That was fine when you were 19 and trying to remember a semester's worth of human behavior biology; it won't cut it now. Studying for long periods of time is not effective preparation for the GMAT. Rather, pace yourself. Give yourself a good three months to prepare for the test, working about two hours a day. Mix up your study sessions so that you work a bit on verbal and a bit on quantitative topics. Do a group of problems (say, 20 minutes worth) and spend the next 40 minutes reviewing your work. Take a stretch break, come back, and do another group of problems. Review those intensely, and then call it a day. Longer work sessions lead to diminishing returns, a concept that all business schools care about.
Mistake #4: Forgetting about time
Time is your most valuable resource when you take the GMAT. Since you have only 75 minutes to answer either 41 verbal questions or 37 quantitative questions, how you allocate those precious minutes is crucial to your overall strategy and success. Too often, GMAT takers put too much emphasis on getting the problem right and not enough emphasis on getting the problem right in the right amount of time. Always, always, always do your practice timed. Give yourself a certain number of minutes to complete a set of problems. This way, you can see how well you balance those problems that take a little too long with those that you can do faster than the average bear. Always strive to find the most efficient way through the question.
Mistake #5: Doing only the stuff you're good at
It feels great to do a set of problems in the right amount of time and get them all (or nearly all) correct. When that happens, give yourself a sincere pat on the back. But then go in search of material you are less comfortable with. Working only on topics or problem types you already feel great about won't help your overall score nearly as much as making improvements in areas where you aren't quite up to snuff. Because of the GMAT's adaptive nature, your weaknesses create a ceiling for your strengths. You won't see a 700-level sentence correction question if your reading comprehension is down in the 500s. In order to take the most advantage of your killer grammar skills, you have to increase your RC level. So, bite the bullet and do the hard work. It may not feel quite as fun the first time out, but you'll love the improvements you'll make over time.
Conquering the GMAT can seem like a daunting task. But if you avoid these five mistakes, you'll be well on your way to victory. And if you get stressed, grab one of those old #2 pencils and start gnawing away on the end of it. I mean, it's not like they'll let you use it for the test, so you might as well get some use out of it.
About Manhattan GMAT
Manhattan GMAT is the nation's largest GMAT-exclusive preparation provider. Manhattan GMAT's mission is to provide students with a blend of the academic and test-taking skills essential for success, given today's higher standard for what defines a competitive GMAT score. Preparation options include nine-session courses, private tutoring, one-day workshops, and corporate classes on-site at many Fortune 500 companies. The Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides, the heart of our curriculum, can be purchased through our online store or major book retailers like Barnes & Noble.
Check out our website to learn more about our upcoming programs, curriculum and instructors.
*GMAT and GMAT CAT are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admissions Council, which neither sponsors nor endorses this preparation service.
For more B-school and GMAT insight from the experts at Manhattan GMAT, check out our MBA Resources.
www.credila.com
Mistake #1: Believing that "more is more"
A common misperception is that the only way to truly master the GMAT is to see every problem in existence. And given the number of GMAT guides available at your local bookstore, there is plenty of material out there. Of course, you do want to see a variety of problems, so that you know which concepts are tested, and how. However, simply exposing yourself to all sorts of problems is not enough; you have to actually study the problems, and this may mean doing fewer problems. You are not done with a problem when you get it right. You should spend twice as long reviewing a problem as you spend doing it, whether or not you got it correct. (I'm serious on that one.) As a part of your review, ask yourself whether you identified the topics being tested. Did you do answer the question in the most efficient way? Was there another approach you could have taken? Does the problem or any of the concepts remind you of other problems you've seen? The goal is to find a lesson in each question and be able to apply those lessons to the next group of problems you do.
Mistake #2: Believing that "more is more," part deux
I once knew a GMAT student who believed that if he took a practice test a day for six weeks, he would be prepared when the actual test date rolled around. Prepared to jump off a bridge, I thought, but not prepared to take the test. Just like doing too many practice problems, taking unnecessary tests will not help you learn the material necessary to do well on the GMAT. Use practice tests sparingly. Use them to build stamina, get accustomed to the timing constraints and gauge your progress. Practice tests should not be your primary study tool. If you are fortunate enough to be using a test that gives you diagnostic information, use that information to guide your future studying. Focus primarily on your weakest areas, but don't let any particular topic or question type go cold. Whatever you do, DO NOT get hung up on your score. These are practice exams; for good or ill, the real exam will be a completely different experience.
Mistake #3: Believing that "more is more," part tre
It's a rare bird who did not, at some point during college, pull an all-nighter cramming for a nasty final exam. Remember when it was 3 a.m. and the room was littered with half-drunk cups of coffee, empty pizza boxes, discarded Twizzlers' wrappers and numerous rumpled cheat sheets? That was fine when you were 19 and trying to remember a semester's worth of human behavior biology; it won't cut it now. Studying for long periods of time is not effective preparation for the GMAT. Rather, pace yourself. Give yourself a good three months to prepare for the test, working about two hours a day. Mix up your study sessions so that you work a bit on verbal and a bit on quantitative topics. Do a group of problems (say, 20 minutes worth) and spend the next 40 minutes reviewing your work. Take a stretch break, come back, and do another group of problems. Review those intensely, and then call it a day. Longer work sessions lead to diminishing returns, a concept that all business schools care about.
Mistake #4: Forgetting about time
Time is your most valuable resource when you take the GMAT. Since you have only 75 minutes to answer either 41 verbal questions or 37 quantitative questions, how you allocate those precious minutes is crucial to your overall strategy and success. Too often, GMAT takers put too much emphasis on getting the problem right and not enough emphasis on getting the problem right in the right amount of time. Always, always, always do your practice timed. Give yourself a certain number of minutes to complete a set of problems. This way, you can see how well you balance those problems that take a little too long with those that you can do faster than the average bear. Always strive to find the most efficient way through the question.
Mistake #5: Doing only the stuff you're good at
It feels great to do a set of problems in the right amount of time and get them all (or nearly all) correct. When that happens, give yourself a sincere pat on the back. But then go in search of material you are less comfortable with. Working only on topics or problem types you already feel great about won't help your overall score nearly as much as making improvements in areas where you aren't quite up to snuff. Because of the GMAT's adaptive nature, your weaknesses create a ceiling for your strengths. You won't see a 700-level sentence correction question if your reading comprehension is down in the 500s. In order to take the most advantage of your killer grammar skills, you have to increase your RC level. So, bite the bullet and do the hard work. It may not feel quite as fun the first time out, but you'll love the improvements you'll make over time.
Conquering the GMAT can seem like a daunting task. But if you avoid these five mistakes, you'll be well on your way to victory. And if you get stressed, grab one of those old #2 pencils and start gnawing away on the end of it. I mean, it's not like they'll let you use it for the test, so you might as well get some use out of it.
About Manhattan GMAT
Manhattan GMAT is the nation's largest GMAT-exclusive preparation provider. Manhattan GMAT's mission is to provide students with a blend of the academic and test-taking skills essential for success, given today's higher standard for what defines a competitive GMAT score. Preparation options include nine-session courses, private tutoring, one-day workshops, and corporate classes on-site at many Fortune 500 companies. The Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides, the heart of our curriculum, can be purchased through our online store or major book retailers like Barnes & Noble.
Check out our website to learn more about our upcoming programs, curriculum and instructors.
*GMAT and GMAT CAT are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admissions Council, which neither sponsors nor endorses this preparation service.
For more B-school and GMAT insight from the experts at Manhattan GMAT, check out our MBA Resources.
www.credila.com
Win a $2,000 No-Essay Scholarship
College Prowler, an information site for prospective college students is offering a chance to win a $2,000 scholarship that can be used for undergraduate or graduate level education. No essay is required. Simply fill out College Prowler's form by August 31, 2010 for a chance to win. Applicants must be a legal resident of the United States and planning to enroll in school within the next 12 months. International students are also eligible if they have a valid visa.
www.credila.com
www.credila.com
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