GMAT preparation tips - 5 tips to keep in mind

 

English is interesting

 

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..

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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 - 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..

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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..

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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/

GMAT or GRE: Which is right for you?

 

The Context:

If you see yourself in a leadership role in management or consulting, MBA will be helpful.

The MBA course covers marketing, finance and economics. The skills you learn will help you tackle scenarios which you will encounter as business leader

If you like to specialize in a particular field, a masters degree or a PhD is a better option.

So now comes the critical question:

Should I do the GMAT or the GRE?

If you are unsure which one to do. Do the GRE. Your options are more as you can opt for masters in science or business or a Phd. Many B-schools take GRE.

Keep in mind B-schools will accept both GRE and GMAT, the admissions committee may prefer that you take the GMAT. Do your research and ask around.

 

What is common to the GRE and GMAT?

• Both involve high school math- arithmetic, algebra and data analysis
• Both rely heavily on reading comprehension

The difference:

 GRE quant is easier than GMAT quant, but since GRE verbal is vocabulary heavy, you won't likely find GRE verbal any easier than GMAT verbal, and you may find that learning the vocabulary you need for GRE verbal is a huge task.If vocabulary is your strength, then take the GRE.

 

If you prepare effectively for GMAT quant and verbal, you should be able to increase your quant and verbal scores significantly in two months

Bonus tip:

Even though many business schools accept both the GMAT and GRE for admission, think about your post-MBA plans. If you’re looking to get into finance or consulting, beware that some of the top firms will look at your GMAT score as an element of your recruitment.

To join our online/offline classes click here

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

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Happy learning

 

10 must NOT DOs for GMAT reading comprehension

 10 must NOT DOs for GMAT reading comprehension

1.Reading only for the topic

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

2.Concentrating on the specific details

Higher weight-age questions demand overall intent, flow and tone of the passage.

3.Choosing a stated idea for inference question

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

4.Taking the notes too far

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

5.Losing track of ‘who says what’

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

6.Overlooking the question stem.

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

7.Undermining the need to build vocabulary

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

8.Over reading

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

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

10. First reading- a slow ‘thorough’ reading

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

Crack the new GMAT.. Schedule a counselling session.. Click here

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

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Happy learning

 

GMAT Critical reasoning 10 min test 1

5 questions in 10 mins

Directions: choose the right answer for each of the following questions.

1.Columnist: There are several symptoms of depression. One symptom is sleeping more than 12 hours a day. Therefore, you should buy an alarm clock so that you do not sleep more than 8 hours a day to cure your depression.

If the article also noted that excessive sleeping is caused by reduced serotonin levels resulting from depression, then which of the arguments below best describes the logical flaw in the columnist’s reasoning?

(A) Sleep has many beneficial effects.

(B) The columnist has mistaken an argument for an explanation.

(C) The columnist has mistaken a premise for a conclusion.

(D) The columnist has failed to consider that an alarm clock may not be a reliable means of assuring a person wakes up.

E) The columnist has mistaken a symptom for a cause.

2.For the safety-conscious Swedish market, a United States manufacturer of desktop computers developed a special display screen that produces a much weaker electromagnetic field surrounding the user than do ordinary screens. Despite an advantage in this respect over its competitors, the manufacturer is introducing the screen into the United States market without advertising it as a safety improvement.

Which of the following, if true, provides a rationale for the manufacturer’s approach to advertising the screen in the United States?

(A) Many more desktop computers are sold each year in the United States market than are sold in the Swedish market.

(B) The manufacturer does not want its competitors to become aware of the means by which the company has achieved this advance in technology.

(C) Most business and scientific purchasers of desktop computers expect to replace such equipment eventually as better technology becomes available on the market.

(D) An emphasis on the comparative safety of the new screen would call into question the safety of the many screens the manufacturer has already sold in the United States.

(E) Concern has been expressed in the United States over the health effects of the large electromagnetic fields surrounding electric power lines.

3.Most doctors recommend that pregnant women eat a nutritious diet to promote the health of their babies. However, most babies who are born to women who ate nutritious diets while pregnant still develop at least one medical problem in their first year.

Which one of the following, if true, does most to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

(A) Women who regularly eat a nutritious diet while pregnant tend to eat a nutritious diet while breast-feeding.

(B) Most of the babies born to women who did not eat nutritious diet while pregnant develop no serious medical problems later in childhood.

(C) Babies of women who did not eat nutritious diets while pregnant tend to have more medical problems in their first year than do other babies.

(D) Medical problems that develop in the first year of life tend to be more serious than those that develop later in childhood.

(E) Many of the physicians who initially recommended that pregnant women consume nutritious diets have only recently reaffirmed their recommendation.

4.The mayor boasts that the average ambulance turnaround time, the time from summons to delivery of the patient, has been reduced this year for top-priority emergencies. This is a serious misrepresentation. This “reduction” was produced simply by redefining “top priority.” Such emergencies used to include gunshot wounds and electrocutions, the most time-consuming cases. Now they are limited strictly to heart attacks and strokes.

Which one of the following would strengthen the author’s conclusion that it was the redefinition of “top priority” that produced the reduction in turnaround time?

(A) The number of heart attacks and strokes declined this year.

(B) The mayor redefined the city’s financial priorities this year.

(C) Experts disagree with the mayor’s definition of “top-priority emergency.”

(D) Other cities include gunshot wound cases in their category o top-priority emergencies.

(E) One half of all of last year’s top-priority emergencies were gunshot wounds and electrocution cases.

5. Several ancient Greek texts provide accounts of people being poisoned by honey that texts suggest was made from the nectar of rhododendron or oleander plants. Honey made from such nectar can cause the effects the texts describe, but only if eaten fresh, since the honey loses its toxicity within a few weeks of being made. In Greece, rhododendrons and oleander bloom only in springtime, when they are the predominant sources of nectar.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly support the accounts of Greek texts?

(A) There are no plants that Greece in ancient times that produce more nectar than rhododendrons or oleanders does.

(B) In areas where neither rhododendrons nor oleanders grow, honey is never poisonous

(C) A beehive’s honeycomb cannot have some sections that contain toxic honey and other sections that contain nontoxic honey.

(D) The incidents of honey poisoning that are related in the ancient texts occurred in the springtime or in the early summer.

(E) Whether the honey in a beehive is toxic depends solely on which plants were the source of that was used to make the honey.

Answer key:

1.E 2. D 3.C 4.E 5.D 

If you need further explanations on any question. Click here to ask a query. we will reach out to you with in-depth solutions. …..

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What is the GMAT focus edition?

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GMAT reading comprehension - Supplementary reading

 GMAT 750. the power of TLS

Times Literary Supplement(TLS) is arguably the best source for higher order, abstract passages.

If you have exhausted OG passages, read TLS online

Search for archives

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/

Even abstracts of essays will help

What to read?

- essays on North American history

-political essays

-literary reviews and criticism

-articles on art, philosophy

- write ups on Environment

-Research synopses….

No doubt, you need to invest time. But your test readiness is near perfect.

Try a practice reading comprehension exercise

Click here

5 points to keep in mind - GMAT critical reasoning

 

The CR puzzle

1. Critical reasoning has not been part of your school or college syllabus
2. 1/3rd of the verbal questions are CR
3. Official guide chapter on CR is tough to understand
4. Using ‘common sense’ and guess yield limited success
5. No one dedicated source book for GMAT/GRE cr    

Schedule a counselling session with our verbal tutor to get a customized plan

My contact link is here:
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Click here to do a critical reasoning drill

5 tips to keep in mind - GMAT reading comprehension

Do not take chances with reading comprehension

• Thorough preparation must
• Read all types of passages- science, art, literature
• Its critical reading not just understanding
• Ensure you know all types of question types asked
• Learn strategies for higher weightage inference questions

Schedule a counselling session with our verbal tutor to get a customized plan

My contact link is here:
LinkedIn profile   https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeanand/

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

What math skills are tested on the GMAT?

 

What math skills are tested on the GMAT?

The quantitative section of the GMAT is predictable. If you grasp the fundamentals, you
will be able to ace the GMAT math section.

What are the fundamentals skills, you should focus on…

 

#GMAT MATH SKILL 1: ARITHMETIC

The GMAT tests your ability to do the following:

• Work with fractions, decimals and ratios
• Understand properties and concepts of real numbers
• Work with multiples and factors
• Understand and apply concepts of percentages in sums dealing with profit loss discount, simple and compound interest
• Calculate indices, exponent and surds
• Know and apply counting methods (permutation and combination)
• Understand probability and apply this concept in word problems
• Work on sets (Venn diagrams)
• Understand descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode and standard deviation)

        

#GMAT MATH SKILL 2: ALGEBRA

The GMAT tests your ability to do the following:

Solve and manipulate

• Equations
• Inequalities
• Algebraic expressions (isolate variable and solve for a variable)
• Functions

#GMAT MATH SKILL 3: GEOMETRY

The GMAT tests your ability to do the following:

Understand the properties of

•  Lines, triangles, quadrilaterals and circles
• Solids (cuboid, cylinders, spheres.)

Use the concepts of

• Coordinate geometry
• Trigonometry

 #GMAT MATH SKILL 4: RATIOS and PROPORTION

The GMAT tests your ability to do the following:

• Work with ratios and measurement problems

Apply the concept of ratios in

• Time and work problems
• Time speed and distance problems
• Mixtures and solutions

Once you get the grasp of the fundamentals, then you need to apply them in problems.

Time management is also an important parameter during problem solving.  You need to arrive at an answer in less than 2 minutes.

Need help in math,, Feel free to contact me

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How to boost your GMAT verbal score from 28 to 35+.. Part 2/3

Today , We will focus on the Reading comprehension section.

Read part 1 on sentence correction section here 

To boost your score from VA 28 to 35+ 

Upgrade your critical reading skills

• Work out more abstract passages: art, literature, history
• Read high-end essays.eg. From Times Literary Supplement archives

Read the 10 must not do's here

http://letsgmat.blogspot.com/2021/02/10-must-not-dos-for-gmat-reading.html

Schedule a counselling session with our verbal tutor to get a customized plan

My contact link is here:

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

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

Note*

It is unlikely that a less than 30 raw score in the verbal section contain the range of concepts listed above. Be prepared for tougher questions than those you found in your earlier attempt. For guidance in any or all of the test areas presented above, 

Contact us

Online / offline interactive classes available at semantics:

ranging from 6 hrs to 30 hrs for select areas or for full verbal course.

Watch this space for the next post 

GMAT math thinking skills 11

GMAT tests your logical skills as well as your knowledge of math concepts. To score high, you need to remember various formulas, theorems. Also you need to master critical problem-solving skills.

Today I am going to  take you through one problem -solving skill – Diagramming

 Students with a non-math background usually.. do this

1. Read the complete math problem
2. Write equations.

Solving equations is time consuming.  You can make mistakes too..if your are not careful.

 

Students who are fairly proficient in quantitative reasoning..do this

1. Break the problem into parts. (they don't read the whole question in one assay)
2. Analyze each part, and represent that part visually

Rarely do they write equations. 

Then  they do mental calculations

This approach saves time...

Lets take this math problem

Observe the problem solving process…

If the average number of 8 terms is given to be 40 and the average of first 6 terms is given to be 35. What is the average of the remaining 2 terms?

Method 1:Conventional approach

Average = sum of numbers/ number of items

Average of 8 terms = 40

So let the 8 terms be a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h

(a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h)/8 = 40

(a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h) = 40*8 = 320…..equation (i)

(a+b+c+d+e+f)/6 = 35

(a+b+c+d+e+f) =  35*6 = 210…..equation (ii)

Subtract both equations to get g+h

g+h= 320-210= 110

Average = 110/2 = 55

 

Method 2: Visualization 

Let's visually represent the sum

Let's take 8 terms as 8 dashes.

The sum of the 8 terms = 8 x 40=320.  The sum of the first six terms is 6 x 35=210.

Subtract both sums to get the sum of the remaining terms = 320 - 210= 110

Hence average =110/2=55

The second method takes less time too.

So even if you have non math background, you can ace the math section by writing less equations and drawing more diagrams.

Feel free to contact me if you want to ace the math section by using simple strategies like this. 

My contact link is here:

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

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Let's try another sum

Solution is here

 http://letsgmat.blogspot.com/2021/07/gmat-math-thinking-skills-10.html

How can I raise my GMAT verbal score from V 30 to V 37 in 1 month ?

 

This is the score card of a student who took the 1 month score booster verbal program.

His math was strong. He wanted to maximize his verbal score.

We started off with a test. 

We identified his weak areas.

His weak areas were sentence correction and critical reasoning.

His reading comprehension skills were fair . He felt that if he had more time, he could have got all correct.

So we devised a strategy, were we could solve sentence correction questions fast and use that extra time to tackle reading comprehension questions. .

Sentence correction 

There are 25 errors tested in the GMAT. So we put him through drills. We

• honed his identification skills 
• exposed him to basic and advanced concepts 
• showed him time-saving tactics.

Watch this video to learn how to start your sentence correction prep.

  

Critical reasoning 

There are 15 questions types. We taught him logic and gave him an approach to solve each question type.

We gave him drills, with which he was able to deconstruct the argument 

Here is a small drill 

https://semanticslearning.com/blog/gmat-blog/gmat-gre-critical-reasoning-exercise-1/

After mastering the concepts, he did 5 mock tests. He was consistently scoring V 35+.

He scored V 37 eventually.

The sessions were one-on-one. We feel a focused intervention, like this, will help you hone your skills..

If you need help in GMAT prep

 My contact link is here:

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

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

Happy learning

Why you need a GMAT coach

This article is from Seth's blog

A coaching paradox

At the top tier of just about any sort of endeavor, you’ll find that the performers have coaches.

Pianists, orators and athletes all have coaches. In fact, it would be weird if we heard of someone on stage or on the field who didn’t have one.

And yet, in the world of business, they’re seen as the exception.

Part of the reason is that work feels like an extension of something we’ve been doing our whole lives. Figure skating isn’t like school, but showing up at work seems to be. “I’ve got this,” is a badge of honor.

And part of the reason is that a few coaches have made claims that stretch belief, and we’re not actually sure what they do. It doesn’t help that there’s no easy way to identify what sort of coach we need or what we’re going to get…

It turns out that the people with the potential to benefit the most from a coach are often the most hesitant precisely because of what coaching involves.

Talking about our challenges. Setting goals. Acknowledging that we can get better. Eagerly seeking responsibility…

And yet we avert our eyes and hesitate. It might be because having a coach might be interpreted as a sign of weakness. And what if we acknowledge our challenges but fail to overcome them? It could be that we don’t want to cause change to happen, or that we’re worried that we will.

One company I admire believes in coaches so much that they’ve put several on staff, ensuring that their leadership all benefit from one. But mostly, it’s something we have to pay for ourselves.

And so, paying for a coach, for something that’s hard to measure, which might be socially awkward, to get better at something that feels normal—combine that with a hesitancy to ask for help—it’s a wonder anyone has a coach.

The paradox is that the very things that hold us back are the reasons we need a coach in the first place.

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

My contact link is here:

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Ten ‘feel good’ factors about GMAT

 

Ten ‘feel good’ factors about GMAT 

• You can retake the exam to improve your score 
• There are hardly any surprise elements in the exam
• A great score in the GMAT can cancel out ‘not- so -great’ undergrad grades
• GMAT scores can land you merit scholarship 
• GMAT scores are valid for five years
• Many Indian business schools use GMAT scores for admission
• You don’t have to master ENTIRE Grammar.only select concepts
• Critical reasoning preparation helps in both reading comprehension and analytical writing
• Now you can choose the order in which you want to attempt the sections
• Both math and verbal learning comes handy in IR

for self-paced, individualized preparatory packages..mail/ call/ message me

My contact link is here:

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