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8 tips to keep in mind .
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GMAT preparation tips - 5 tips to keep in mind

 

IELTS preparation tips for task 2 writing

 

GMAT reading comprehension tips

What is your reading style? Different content different styles.

For GMAT preparation, which style would be effective?

English is interesting

 

5 tips to keep in mind while you prepare for the GMAT

Aiming for 650+ in the GMAT focus edition?

In the  in the first attempt?

If yes, keep in mind these 5 tips while preparing

1.Be realistic

Take a GMAT diagnostic test. If your score is 300 - 400, set a target of a 100 point jump in 2-3 months. Once u reach 500+ then aim for a 50 point jump in 1 month.

If you get a 300 in your diagnostic test, then aiming for a 200 point jump in a few weeks is tough.

Set small term goals. Achieve them. Then move on to the next goal.  

Make study goals like “I will do 20 questions daily”. Make goals specific and doable.

2.Be consistent

10 hours of study spaced out over 5 days is more effective than 20 hours of study in 2 days. Aim to be consistent.  Study daily for an hour or 2. Don’t cram yourself with concepts.

Accumulation of small wins over many days is the mantra.

Repetition of concepts to helps you to  solidify the basics.

3.Focus on high quality study vs high volume study

A "high quality study" refers to a study with rigorous methodology, prioritizing accuracy and reliability of results, while a "high volume study" refers to a study that involves mindlessly doing a large number of questions without  trying to learn from mistakes. Essentially, a high quality study aims for deep, well grounded insights while a high volume study aims for broad coverage.

High quality GMAT prep involves

• following a structured study plan
• In-depth study of concepts. Repeated revisions of concepts/rules
• Developing strategies or following recommended ones for each question type
• Repeated testing - sections-wise tests/mock tests
• Identifying weak areas and making a remedial plan

Feel free to approach a GMAT tutor if you find the preparation overwhelming.

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

GMAT course details: https://semanticslearning.com/gmat/

4.Focus on time management

Time management requires discipline.

While preparing for exam - Study 1 or 2hrs daily for 1 month or more.Setting daily study targets and having a dedicated time for practice will help you ace the GMAT.

While taking the exam- The first 5 questions take 20 minutes. The next 5 questions take 15 minutes. The remaining questions take 10 minutes.  This time split will ensure that you spend maximum time answering the initial questions. This will ensure a high score.

5. Lean to tackle test anxiety

Few tips to tackle test anxiety

1. Start your GMAT prep early. - This gives you ample time to lay a sound foundation.

2. Over-prepare- Work on hard level questions, so that you can tackle any question type. Do timed tests. So that you can learn to manage time and not get stressed when u see the timer.

3. Do as many as mock tests as you can.Prepare yourself thoroughly, try to complete a practice test in the same conditions you will experience during the real thing.

4. Try breathing or mindfulness exercises -One simple exercise you can try is breathing in through your nose for the count of four, holding your breath for a count of seven. Exhaling slowly for a count of eight. Repeat a few times. Deep breathing is a simple way to deal with test anxiety

5. Talk to a coach/tutor. Experienced tutors would have helped other students overcome test anxiety with effective tips

6. Go to the test centre early. Be mindfull of what you eat and drink that day.

Happy Learning

Happy new year 2025 to you.

 Happy new year to you.

 As you know natural numbers are always positive. So lets be like natural numbers -being  positive always.

Team semantics.

How to get over math anxiety , while preparing for GMAT

 

Having a “math attack”?

Math anxiety:

Also known as numerophobia or arithmophobia, this is an anxiety disorder that makes it difficult to do math problems or work with numbers. It can cause people to feel tense and worry about their math abilities, even if they are strong. Some causes of math anxiety include feeling pressured to answer quickly or taking an exam.

 
How do we get over this anxiety?

 

Let’s get one thing straight

 “Doing math” and “Understanding math” are not the same..

 If you are preparing for competitive exams like GRE or GMAT, you will need to ace the math section to get a high score in the exam.

 If you have a non-math background, then your journey towards acing the math section is going to be tedious.

 The problem

Every math sum seems different.

You might be able to recall the formula, but you might be confused about how to apply the formula in the sum.

 Solution: How to study math

How will you study math, so that you can ace this section?

My 2 cents.

While working on math,you need to focus on two things..

1. Procedural fluency

2. Conceptual understanding

Procedural fluency builds on a foundation of conceptual understanding, strategic reasoning and problem-solving.

 To solve each sum, you need to follow a procedure

Once you do many sums, you will need to remember many procedures. So taking notes will help.

You need to make a note of the formulae and also make a note of the procedure

  Let’s take a sum

 In a cricket tournament, George scored 50,65,75 and 30 runs in the first four games. To qualify for the next round, he must average 56 for the 5 games. What is the least he should score in his final game to qualify?

 Most students will solve this problem like this..

 Step 1: recall a formula

Average runs=  total runs scored / number of games played

Total runs = average runs x number of games

 Step 2: Target total score for the 5 games =  5 x 56 = 280 runs

 Step 3: Find George’s score for 4 games = 50+65+75+30 = 220 runs

 Step 4: Find the minimum runs  required for the 5^th game = 280-220 = 60 runs

 You need to recall the formula, then you need to prepare a mental road map on how you will solve the problem. After that then start the calculation.

 If you follow this way of ‘math thinking’, then you have procedural fluency.

 As a student with a non-math background, focus on developing procedures like this for each chapter. If you remember these procedures before the exam date, then there is a high probability, you will ace the math section.

 If you are finding it difficult to develop procedures like this.. feel free to ping me. We can have a discussion.

  My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

 

Another approach to solve this problem:

 Without using procedures and just with conceptual understanding you can solve the sum.

 Let’s take the same sum

 In a cricket tournament, George scored 50,65,75 and 30 runs in the first four games. To qualify for the next round, he must average 56 for the 5 games. What is the least he should score in his final game to qualify?

 The concept for the sum above is ‘average’.

 You can compare George Runs with the required mean and understand the following

  Target mean = 56

George scored 50. That means his score is 6 less than the mean. I.e. 50-56 =-6

George scored 65. That means his score is 9 more than the mean. I.e. 65-56 =+9

George scored 75. That means his score is 19 more than the mean. I.e. 75-56 =+19

George scored 30. That means his score is 26 less than the mean. I.e. 30-56 =-26

 Adding the results = -6+9+19-26 = -4

The average of the first 4 games is 4 less than the total average.

So

The runs scored in the last game should be 4 more than the average.

Hence runs scored in the last game is 56+4 = 60.

 

The first approach involves procedures.

The second approach involves conceptual understanding without procedures.

 The second approach saves time. Ideal for competitive exams.

 

So if you have a non-math back ground, I as a math tutor will first teach you approach 1, then teach approach 2. So you will be exposed to both thinking styles.

 When we work on more sums like the one discussed above, you will gain the ability to devise multiple solution strategies rather than follow a standard procedure.

 In this way, you will understand math rather than just do math..

  If you need help in test preparation, Feel free to ping me..

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsgre/

GMAT course details

https://semanticslearning.com/gmat/

GRE course details

https://semanticslearning.com/gre-prep-classes-gre-classroom-coaching-gre-online-classes/

TOEFL/IELTS course details

https://semanticslearning.com/toefl-ielts/

 

 

 

 

 

Masters in Germany with GRE / GMAT

Germany is planning to increase the number of visa’s for immigrant workers . 

This is good news for Indians who already make up the largest group of foreign residents, both as students and workers.

Germany decided to increase the number of annual visas from 20,000 to 90,000. This increase is attributed to two factors.

• Scarcity of skilled workers in science, healthcare and Enginnering
• Demographic shift- increase in the number of persons age 45+.

 You can opt for the masters or the MBA program in Germany.

 Masters in Germany

Some of the most popular programs that students enrol on are master's in economics, business administration, finance, marketing and engineering among many more

German Universities pay  a lot of attention to your academic score.a CGPA / GPA of 3.2 or higher would be good 

A good GRE score can add value to your profile

GRE score should be 315+

German language learning is NOT essential to apply and secure admission to study MS in Germany. However, if you do learn German, then it helps you to interact better with locals, network with more like-minded people and more. Again, when you are searching for part time jobs or full time jobs in Germany, knowledge of German language is always handy

Either IELTS or TOEFL, is mandatory for all applicants.

MBA in Germany

GMAT will be required. Target a score of 620+/800.

German language learning is NOT essential If you clear A1/A2 level, you can network with students/employers better.

 Either IELTS or TOEFL, is mandatory for all applicants.

If you need help in test preparation, Feel free to ping me..

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsgre/edit

GMAT course details

https://semanticslearning.com/gmat/

GRE course details

https://semanticslearning.com/gre-prep-classes-gre-classroom-coaching-gre-online-classes/

TOEFL/IELTS course details

https://semanticslearning.com/toefl-ielts/

Happy learning

GMAT Reading comprehension tips - 3 styles of reading

 Reading comprehension tips

While you read, you employ different styles of reading consciously/subconsciously.  The way you read a novel and the way you read an official document is different.

While attempting a competitive exam like GMAT, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, an extra element of pressure is added i.e. Time. So test aspirants need to adjust their reading styles as per the test requirement.

I gave this passage to a few students and observed their reading styles.

Passage:

There are times when the night sky glows with bands of color. The bands may begin as cloud shapes and then spread into a great arc across the entire sky. They may fall in folds like a curtain drawn across the heavens. The lights usually grow brighter, then suddenly dim. During this time the sky glows with pale yellow, pink, green, violet, blue, and red. These lights are called the Aurora Borealis. Some people call them the Northern Lights. Scientists have been watching them for hundreds of years. They are not quite sure what causes them. In ancient times people were afraid of the Lights. They imagined that they saw fiery dragons in the sky. Some even concluded that the heavens were on fire

Student 1
Style - Elementary reading-

This is the most basic level of reading, where the reader simply reads the words on the page without much thought or analysis. It's the kind of reading you do when you're reading a novel for entertainment, or when you’re reading a text message from a friend.

What did student I observe, while reading?

The student noticed words like bands - cloud shapes. Lights dim and and grow bright. Different colors - yellow, pink, green and red. Aurora Borealis. Northern lights. Fiery dragons. Heavens on fire.

My Observations:

When I gave the above passage, the student spotted words. The student did not focus on the meaning of the lines.  

This style is not suited for competitive exams as you will not be able to answer the questions correctly. You will be able to read fast, but you won’t grasp the essence of the passage.

Student 2
Style - Inspectional Reading

At this level, the reader is skimming the text to get a general idea of what it's about. This might involve reading the table of contents, the introduction, or the first and last paragraphs of a chapter.

The goal is to get a sense of the main points and the structure of the text

 

What did student 2 observe, while reading?

The student noticed that the passage was about Aurora Borealis - Northern lights( from line 4). There were different colors mentioned. (The student did not notice the exact colors) The student said that scientists were unsure  about the lights and ancient people were afraid of the lights. The student also observed that the ancient people thought the lights were dragons.

 My observations:

When I gave the above passage, the student spotted some words. The student focused on the meaning of some lines.  They could get the main idea of the passage.

 

 This style is suited for competitive exams. You will be able to answer the easier questions. But there will be many questions where you might not get the correct answer.

If it’s MCQ type, you may be able to eliminate some options, but some options will be very close. You may take more time to read the passage, but you may not grasp the essence of the passage.

 

Student 3
 Reading style - Analytical Reading

This level of reading involves a deeper analysis of the text. The reader is looking for the author's main argument, the evidence they use to support it, and the logical structure of their argument. This might involve taking notes, underlining key passages, or writing summaries of each section

 

What did student 3 observe, while reading?

Student 3 took notes. While taking notes, the student observed that the first 3 lines of the passage were the descriptive lines. These lines describe the phenomenon presented in line 4.  Line 4 spoke about the main idea.

 The student also noticed that there are two opinion/judgment statements- scientists are not sure what caused the northern lights. Ancient people were afraid of these lights. The student didn’t focus on the words. The student focused on the essence of the passage

 While reading the passage, the student took notes.

 Note-making is a crucial skill that can hone this style. As you develop this skill, you will gain the ability to visualize the structure of the passage During exams, you won’t have time to take notes, visualization will help you save time.

 This style is suited for competitive exams. You will be able to answer all types of questions. You will be able to answer the questions faster as you are focused on the essence of the passage rather than on the keywords.

If you need help in GMAT verbal preparation, Feel free to ping me..

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

Happy learning

GMAT reading comprehension tips - 4 types of reading

There are many ways to read an article. 

 When we read a novel, we read it one way. a textbook another way

When we read an important document - company offer letter or a sale deed, we read it differently. 

While reading this book - " How To Read A Book by Mortimer Adler", I noticed that we can use the analytical reading style for GMAT reading comprehension.

Excerpts from the book

1. Elementary Reading

This is the most basic level of reading, where the reader simply reads the words on the page without much thought or analysis.

It's the kind of reading you do when you're reading a novel for entertainment, or when you re reading a text message from a friend.

2. Inspectional Reading

At this level, the reader is skimming the text to get a general idea of what it's about. This might involve reading the table of contents, the introduction, or the first and last paragraphs of a chapter.

The goal is to get a sense of the main points and the structure of the text.

3. Analytical Reading

This level of reading involves a deeper analysis of the text. The reader is looking for the author's main argument, the evidence they use to support it, and the logical structure of their argument.

This might involve taking notes, underlining key passages, or writing summaries of each section.

4. Syntopical Reading

This is the highest level of reading, where the reader is comparing and contrasting the ideas in multiple texts on the same topic.

The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the subject by seeing how different authors approach it. This might involve creating a chart or a diagram to show the relationships between the different texts.

The analytical reading style can be taught. 

You need to sit through 10-20 hrs of reading sessions to get the grasp of it. 

If you need help in GMAT verbal preparation, Feel free to ping me..

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

Happy learning

Indian School of Business (ISB) introduces a 20 month program

 Indian School of Business (ISB) introduces a 20 month program

 Ideal for - recent graduates or individuals with up to 2 years of work ex

Program commences on July 2025

 Taget GMAT score 635+(GMAT focus edition)

 Deadline Round 2- 10- DEC- 2024

 Admission requirement - GMAT , GRE or IIM(CAT)

 Admission process will also include  personal interview + application essay

 Scholarships options at ISB

 1. Merit-Based Scholarships:Awarded to candidates with exceptional interview scores, with scholarships covering up to 100% of the tuition fees.

 2. Need-cum-Merit Scholarships- For candidates demonstrating both strong merit and financial need.

 3. ISB Develop India Scholarship- For students dedicated to contributing to India's growth, supporting graduates in pursuing impactful careers.  

 How to ace the GMAT in 2 months

Lets take each section of the exam

 

Reading comprehension

GMAT passages are mostly abstract, drawn from varied sources- sciences, history, art, philosophy, literary criticism. The questions require you to read critically. We teach you critical reading dynamics. That is

• Drawing inferences from the passage
• Distinguishing between topic and the emotional content of a passage
• Recognizing the tone of a passage, attitude of the author
• Identifying the organisation and structure of the passage

Extensive passage analysis and discussion will empower you to read GMAT passages critically. Follow up reading practice ensures that you practice all types of passages and questions that appear in the exam.

Our action plan: Read 150 passages.

Students are given a curated compilation of passages.  First easy passages, then medium, then difficult..

Critical reasoning (CR)

Let’s face it. Few college books teach you to think critically. Hence, essential skills of reasoning have to be mastered now for GMAT CR success. This is precisely why our course is designed with an introductory module on basics of logic theory carefully illustrated with arguments as they appear in GMAT. Elements of logic theory comprise inductive and deductive arguments, methods of argument analysis and evaluation, common logical fallacies.

 In our interactives we’ll teach you, step by step, how to analyze issues, reason logically, and argue effectively. Our approaches to the 15 different types of CR questions - the first ever exhaustive listing - will ready you for the real test. The specific skills you acquire are:

• breaking down argument into its parts, to see what conclusion is drawn and how it is supported
• recognizing the line of reasoning employed in an argument
• checking logical validity of claims
• offering counter arguments using relevant hypothetical data
• supplying additional information
• drawing inference from the argument
• identifying logically similar arguments
• defining relationship between arguments
• evaluating a given argument for consistency 

 

Our action plan: We will teach you the 15 question types and the algorithm for each type.

 

You will be put through drills (500+ cr questions)

 

 

Problem solving and Data Sufficiency

The questions you get in the quantitative section of the GMAT, are drawn from arithmetic, algebra, geometry and statistics. We teach you math in 3 stages.

• Stage 1 of your preparation will involve thorough review of elementary math concepts
• Stage 2 involves application of concepts to problems in quantitative setting
• Stage 3 involves quantitative reasoning – strategies for data sufficiency, short cuts approaches to problem solving such as
• problem conversion and simplification
• working with answer option
• verifying adequacy of data
• estimating ranges of values which can satisfy the given relationship

 

Our action plan

· refresh math concepts thrice

· learn reasoning skills, which can help a student solve a question in less than 30 seconds

You need to work on 700+ questions.

 

GMAT Data insights

 tests your ability to analyse, synthesize, compare, contrast, infer from, integrate and judge data presented in multiple formats such as verbal texts, graphs, tables and charts.

 

IR tests both your numerical ability and logical skills. Your math and reasoning skills learnt in the other sections of the test will help you in this section.

 

We teach you how to interpret graphs, sort tabular data, draw conclusions by integrating data from multiple sources, and make decisions.

 

Extensive practice of IR questions will prepare you for the test.

 

Our action plan: You  are made to work on 150 Integrated reasoning questions.

You need to do

20 math section tests and 20 verbal section tests

5+ mock CATs to get test confidence.

 

If you need a customized study plan

Feel free to reach me 

My linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand

My facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT

 

 

 

 

Develop math skills for GMAT. - Working on fractions

If you are starting your math prep.You need to develop

Math Reasoning Skills.

Try this question

At the onset.. this sum looks challenging.. so much calculation.. Sometimes we need to modify the question. If you observe the denominators.. they are 2 4 5 10.. lets group them 

Read more... 

Click here for the answer

https://semanticslearning.com/blog/gmat-blog/math-reasoning-exercise-set-2/

If you need help in GMAT math preparation, Feel free to ping me..

My contact link is here:

LinkedIn profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

Facebook learning group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/semanticsGMAT/

Happy learning

Develop GMAT Math reasoning skills

 Want to develop #math logic for #GMAT.

If you are starting your math prep. You need to develop - Math Reasoning Skills. Tip: Identify patterns. Solve this question..

You need to play with numbers and use math operations.. You can focus either 1 row at a time or 1 column at a time

Click here for the answer: https://semanticslearning.com/blog/gmat-blog/math-reasoning-exercise-set-3/

Want to develop math logic for GMAT? Try this question..

If you are starting your math prep.You need to develop

Math Reasoning Skills.

Solve this question..

You got 1 answer.. That's good

There are atleast 5 answer options.. See if you can get them all..

Click here for the answer: 

https://semanticslearning.com/blog/gmat-blog/math-reasoning-exercise-set-2/