Monday, November 29, 2010

GMAT sentence correction- the analytical way.

Doubts are best clarified in class

Preparing for GMAT is no child’s play. And definitely not the verbal section of the GMAT. Iam sure many of you there agree with me.

The intricacies of sentence corrections are better understood when you are made to think with the sentence(for godsake its not just math that involves thinking)

Your problems with sentence correction will be over the day you start thinking with grammar. Cos there is no grammar separate form meaning and no meaning separate from accepted knowledge- philosophical or scientific.
When you with a verbal expert, you are made to think with the sentence.

Here’s an example
The set of propositions which was discussed by the panel have been published in the society journal.
A. which was discussed by the panel have been
B. which were discussed by the panel have
C. that was discussed by the panel was
D. which were discussed by the panel has
E. discussed by the panel has been
The set ( of propositions that were/are discussed by the panel) was/ has been published in the society.
Bracket out all word groups- the prepositional phrase- has been bracketed out. The set was/has been—both are right, since no specific time referenece.
The point here is that relative pronoun which/that refers to propositions and not ‘the set’. Hence are/were/ have been must refer to propositions and not ‘the set’
Hence we narrow down to E. drop the ‘ which are’/ that are…wordiness.

The sentence correction tip you gave me is good.
No need, the sentence correction tip that you gave me is good.

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Monday, November 22, 2010

How do we conquer the fear of GMAT math?

Let start with a show of hands

How many of us go blank when we see a math sum?
I can see that most of you are raising your hands, the others must be one of lucky 2%.

Now the big question.

Why some of us go blank and others seem to have the knack of solving math sums?

Well you can blame it on your mathematics teacher @ school or on your genes. But nevertheless while preparing for GMAT or in fact while doing an MBA, you will encounter lot of math.
I can hear lots of groans. :-)

Few years back I read this book ‘How to solve it’ by George Polya. I modified my teaching style from just teaching question answers, question answers, question answers, question answers……to question logic answers, question logic answers, question logic answers…..

I found that I could tutor a person to achieve 45+(raw score in GMAT) within few weeks as instead of few months. Wow!! The best part of it I could see that students are able to solve math problems independently without me intervening.

In the book, Polya gives a detailed step by step process on how to approach math problems in general

I will modify the process and present it to you in context with GMAT math
Keep these steps in mind when you approach a math problem in the future.

Step 1: Understanding the problem
Answer the following questions first
  • Do you understand all the words used in stating the problem?
  • What are you asked to find or show?
  • Can you think of a picture or diagram that might help you understand the problem?
  • Is there enough information to find the solution?
  • What information, if any, is missing?
The answer to these questions will channelize your thinking towards the answer.

Step 2: Devise a plan
Answer these questions now
  • What will be the best approach to address the problem?
Approaches can only be devised. If a tutor explains a sum to you, then you will be able to understand only that problem. But when you encounter a new problem, you will go blank again.
Ideally when you encounter a new problem, you will have to use the existing ideas plus any new ideas you can conjure up. These process are mostly done mentally and involve little computation/calculation.

To get an idea, do any/all of the following.
  • Make a systematic list/table
  • Write an equation
  • Consider special cases
  • Use direct reasoning- for example If A>B and B>C then A>C.
  • Use indirect reasoning.-Think of an earlier sum where you encountered a similar problem
  • Look for a pattern
  • Draw a picture
  • Solve a simpler problem- break the problem into small parts and solve each part.
  • Use a model- Make a general assumption and solve by guessing.
  • Work backwards. –work with answer options
Now that you have got an idea. Put pen on paper and solve to get an answer
Stage 3: Carry out the plan

  • Solve the problem with great care and patience
  • Discard the plan if it does not work and devise a new plan
  • Record what you have done to avoid repetitive work – For future use.
While attempting Data sufficiency questions, it is imperative you check your results. So
Stage 4: Looking back or checking
  • Have you addressed the problem?
  • Is your answer reasonable?
  • Can the method applied to other similar problems?
  • Is It consistent.
Now go ahead and repeat this thought process on different math problem and the next time when you see a math problem you will not go blank.



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Monday, November 8, 2010

Essential to do on GMAT test date

The D day

So you are ready for the GMAT, the first time!

1.Reach the test centre at least 45 min before the commencement of the test.

if you happen to be late more than 15 min to the test centre, bad luck, you lose out on the test and alas the money too, then rescheduling, the wait the delays…


2. carry a valid ID original identification document

With a photograph, your signature and proof of date of birth


3. no gadgets, test aids allowed inside the test hall


4. writing instruments to aid test taking will be provided to you


5. you are given a comfortable test station to take the test.

Take the test, valiantly

Keep watch of your time, because each section is separately timed…the system will show what time is left for the section.

Try and complete the section- even if guessing wildly, don’t you think that answering offers more probability of getting a correct answer than, un attempted questions?


Done the test?

You can get a score report comprising

Verbal, Math and total score plus the recipients as designated by us.

Not happy with the score? Feel you can score better?


Retake?

This can be the next, if money test is not too much of a problem…but then, you need a minimum 30 days, with ample every time at your disposal. for a revision and some great notes….then better luck next time…

If you are not in this position best, prepare well the first time itself…good luck.
 contact us and we can together find out what went wrong.... enquiry@semanticslearning.com

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