English is interesting

 

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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Happy learning

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/

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

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Happy learning

 

GMAT focus edition 8 points

 

Schedule a counselling session with our tutor to get a customized plan to ace the new GMAT

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Time for A new habit - GMAT Reading tips

 Time for A new habit

“Do you read?”. I ask in my first meeting with a GMAT aspirant.

Mostly predictable responses: college text books, tech info and social media ( messages, forwards, news headlines…) much of these latter, on the mobile phone.

Well, these are sources of information ( not to forget a large chunk of misinformation too)that everyone is exposed to.

As a test prep professional, when I asked the question, I was referring to deeper reading of  longer essays: Essays from various domains of knowledge.

That, anyways, is a rare habit.

But one that has to change now, if you intent to crack the GRE or GMAT verbal section.

Sources:

Business

1. https://www.ft.com/

2. https://www.economist.com/

3. https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek

Science - Social & Biological

1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/

Literary reviews

1. https://www.nytimes.com/section/books/review

2. https://www.theatlantic.com/world/

3. https://www.newyorker.com/

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

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

Click here to do a critical reasoning drill

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/

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

Let's try another sum

Solution is here

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

Can you play with numbers - GMAT math tip

Some question in the GMAT test your ability to reason with numbers. 

That too, in 30 to 45 seconds.

So while preparing for an exam of this caliber,focus on

learning math concepts and math reasoning skills.

One of the math reasoning skills, you must hone, is  Playing  with numbers.

Tip:
Some of the concepts, you must pay attention to, are 
Factors and multiples · Prime and composite numbers · Tests for divisibility · Common factors and common multiples · Prime factorization.....

Try this sum

In an auditorium, 360 chairs are to be set up in a rectangular arrangement with x rows of exactly y chairs each. If the only other restriction is that          10 < x < 25, how many different rectangular arrangements are possible?

A. 4        B. 5         C.6          D.8         E.9

This sum is based on number properties. There are two methods to solve this problem.

Method 1 - the conventional way

You should know the concept of prime factorization.

As per the question

X rows x Y chairs = 360

The product of two numbers = 360

We can say that X and Y are integers.

Now Let's find the prime factorization of 360

360 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5

 

As per the condition given in the question 

The value of x should lie between 10 and 25.

The value of X should be a combination of the prime factors of 360

360 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 x 5

Pick few of the above numbers and find the product ( the product should lie between 10 and 25)

2 x 2 x 3 = 12

3 x 5 = 15. and so on...

Hence X can have values 12, 15,18, 20,24

 The pairs are

x = 12 & y = 30
x = 15 & y = 24
x = 18 & y = 20
x = 20 & y = 18
x = 24 & y = 15

There are five such possibilities

 Answer option: B

 

Method 2: Playing with numbers

Let us say you didn’t know the concept of prime factorization, then you can play with numbers and arrive at the answer.

X is a number between 10 and 25

Possible values of x

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

(Product of one of these numbers) x (a new number) should give 360

Did you notice that there are prime numbers in the middle. 

None of the prime numbers divide 360 - 13,17,19, 23

Rule out the primes

Whats left.............

12 14 15 16 18 20 21 22 24

(Product of one of these numbers) x (a new number) should give 360

The number should divide 360 and give an integer.. take one number at a time

360 /12 .. its divisible ... keep it..

360/14 = 360/(7x2) is not an integer ....360 is not divisible by 7.. rule it out

360/16 = 360/(4x4) is not an integer... 360 is not divisible by 4 twice.. rule it out

360/21 = 360/(7x3) is not an integer....360 is not divisible by 7.. rule it out

360/22 = 360/(2x11) is not an integer...360 is not divisible by 11.. rule it out

Whats left..

12 15 18 20 24

Hence 

There are five such possibilities

 Answer option: B

Hope you understood both the methods. Even if you are out of touch with math .. with logic 

you can ace this section...

If you need any help math help in your GMAT prep... Contact me...

My contact details are here:

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

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

What next? 

Take a GMAT math diagnostic test

How can I get a scholarship to study MBA?

 A Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree can help you  

• enhance your career opportunities
• achieve better salary, promotions
• change careers.

How can you fund your MBA? 

There are many options for financing your MBA abroad. It’s always better to think about multiple options, rather than depending on only one or two. 

Top Business Schools do offer generous scholarships to international students. But not everyone will end up with a free-ride (full scholarship). You also can avail bank loans

You need to pay the tuition fee. 

You also need to factor in your living expenses as well. 

You do need to think about your financing options early. It is as important as selecting the right business school or crafting your MBA essays in a compelling way. 

You can get scholarship 

• at the initial stage (admission process)
• after admission (few months after your course starts)

so how do you get the scholarship ?

5 Steps to get an MBA scholarship:

1. Research,  comb through financial aid sites and scholarship listings.
2. Look for scholarships in external sources, such as community groups and other organizations.
3. Get a great GMAT score.
4. Tailor scholarship applications to the scholarships you're applying for. ...
5. Apply early

So what are your scholarship options..

Scholarship options:

Category 1: Scholarships Awarded while applying to the B-school.

1. Merit based

Merit-based scholarships are generally offered to students with outstanding academic performance based on undergraduate GPA, standardized test scores or exceptional professional achievement. 

2. Dean's Scholarship

The Dean’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships and is awarded to a limited number of the most meritorious admitted students. This scholarship which covers full tuition and fees is presented in the name of Dean  and affords the opportunity to connect directly with Dean 

3. Faculty scholarship

 The Faculty Scholarship is designed to pair some of the most meritorious students with some of the college’s most distinguished and prestigious faculty. This scholarship, which covers full tuition and fees, matches admitted students based on their background and interests with a designated faculty member in that field.

4. Corporate (national and international)

This Fellowship (covers full tuition and fees and is awarded in conjunction with a partner organization). Students from various ethnic groups can apply.  Each college has its own partner organization. 

5. Diversity and  Gender-based

Diversity and Gender-based MBA scholarships help promote diversity in the student body of MBA programs. These scholarships help increase representation and advance the interests of traditionally underrepresented communities in MBA programs.

6. Country specific

Country of origin-specific - These are the scholarships that are awarded to international students planning to attend a study abroad program from a particular country. These are awarded as a motivation for students from that country of origin, to study in that college. You will have to check with government-sponsored education websites or student bodies to study to see what scholarships are available. 

7. Subject specific

Subject-based scholarships are awarded by colleges or government institutions to students according to the particular major or field of study they want to pursue. These scholarships require the applicant to be enrolled in the subject-specific courses while abroad. 

8. Need based

A few top business schools provide only need-based scholarships and fellowships to students who have received an admit. 

Need is determined based on the candidate’s 

• income from the last N years
• assets owned 

also from the external fellowships and scholarships received as well as the cost of MBA program …

9. International non-profit

Some college seek executives who are working in non-profit organizations. The college would fund your MBA program, so that you could, in the future, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of these non-profit organizations. The scholarship will provide the successful candidates with a tuition waiver of up to 25% of the total tuition costs for the MBA Program.

Category 2:  Scholarships awarded after admission 

Some scholarships are awarded to Full-time MBA students,  typically during their first semester. They are.. 

1. Research and Teaching assistantship

These assistantships are a way of financially assisting your educational expenses by working in part-time positions within the university. 

You may either be offered a monthly stipend and sometimes a reduction in the tuition amount.

Teaching assistantships involve assisting a professor in administrative or teaching tasks such as grading assignments, conducting office hours, etc. Teaching assistants generally help professors with undergraduate or in some cases graduate-level courses.

Research assistantships involve assisting members of the faculty with a research project. The nature of work depends on the specific research project.

 

2. Donor Awards for Second-Year Students

Through the generous support of alumni and friends, you have another opportunity to receive funding in your second year of the MBA program. All students are considered for second-year awards based on merit and the criteria specified by the donor. No application is necessary.

What next?

You can schedule a counselling session with me.

I can do a profile check...

I can also suggest ways of building your profile. 

You can schedule an appointment by filling your details here 

if you need help in GMAT.. Feel free to contact me here

My contact info is here..

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

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

Top one year MBA programs

You can opt for a 1 year MBA program instead of a 2 year MBA program.

Advantages:

• Fast paced
• Value for money
• Good for networking

Some of the top courses/colleges are:

North-western Univeristy,Kellogs School of Management        Illinois USA      http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/

INSEAD   France and Singapore     http://www.insead.edu/mba/index.cfm

IE Business School            Madrid,Spain   http://imba.ie.edu

University of Cambridge, Judge Business School        UK           http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/mba/index.html

University of Oxford, Said Business School     UK        http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/mba/         

Cornell University, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management          New YorkUSA         http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Academic-Programs/Full-Time-MBA/Accelerated-MBA.aspx

ESADE     Spain     http://www.esade.edu/bs/mba/one_year_mba

Emory Univeristy,Goizueta Business School   Atlanta,USA        http://www.goizueta.emory.edu/degree/fulltimemba/index.asp

University of Florida, Warrington College of Business Administration       Florida,USA        http://www.floridamba.ufl.edu/

Babson College     Masachusetts,USA         http://www3.babson.edu/MBA/programs/oneyear/ 

Statement of purpose ( SOP ) - Template

More  on  sops
A  proposed structure  of presentation

Para 1- achievements summary
Sub heading 1. Academic
Sub-heading 2. Co-curricular
Sub-heading 3- social/community work
Sub-heading 4- career achievements of the last 2-3 yrs – specific details of contribution- eg. Cost management, productivity improvement

Para 2- challenges  and dimensions of work
Challenging tasks assigned /volunteered at school or college level
Challenges in execution
At job - Geographical reach, size  of wares/service managed  and customer base served

Para 3 - initiatives
School/ college level –to solve an existing problem or to improve upon an existing practice
What work was voluntarily sought and successfully carried out in your job

Para 4 – the value placed on you
By your employer, for your consistency
Any rapid rise in your career, extra rewards earned...

April is the cruelest month

‘April is the cruelest month’, said 20th C poet par excellence, TS Elliot in his acclaimed poem ‘ The Waste Land’. I am sure some of you in the corporate world would agree with Elliot. What with appraisals ending there without apt raises! This in at least some cases would be unjustified, you could not meet the targets since the team was weak, funds and resources were limited, the target was unrealistic, the list can be made endless, if we wish to.
Don’t you, at least some of you find the ‘un-raise’( can we coin a new word?) unjustified? Or that you got a raise in pay and perks, but the moving up the ladder seem elusive?
Why don’t you think, one of the ways is to upgrade your education?

A business course for instance- MBA, PGPX, PGPMAX, MDP – eMBA, they come in all shapes and sizes.
Consider April as the new year( any ways it is, in biz jargon).. plan to apply for an MBA or executive program from prestigious colleges- IIMs, ISB Hyderabad, US, UK, Singapore.. start preparing for the GMAT, take the GMAT 3-4 months from now..be in a program this year itself

Is this unrealistic target? Nay… then let’s GMAT…

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Exciting times for students planning to go to Australia?

Exciting time, they are at( India and Australia), so they claim. while signing a new agreement in Melbourne. People to people contact is at the heart of the bilateral relationship.(provided the eyes and the hearts are spared!!!), sorry Sibalji

Experts from both sides comprise the India – Australia education council and the Australian govt’s earlier advise to Indian students ‘ don’t flash your expensive possessions! Blueberries, I pads....’,part of the new deal?)

Kapil Sibal and Gillard( Oz deputy PM) are meeting after six months( obviously waiting for the heat and dust to settle). What about the 40% drop in students going to Oz for studies? Sure they will be working out a mechanism—relaxation of visa rule, scholarships, longer work permit.. the works..you add more to it



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Grab the exclusive MBA seat at Harvard

Harvard has been in the forefront of management education since 1908. The MBA program is famous for its curriculum where it is required to apply the candidates decision making skills as many as 500 hundred times in two years through their case- method learning.

To get into Harvard, email your admission queries to admissions@hbs.edu. They look out for students with leadership potential and a capacity to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.

The candidates leadership potential can be gauged through various instances. It can be from organizing a classroom to running an independent business. Candidates with a potential for intellectual growth, sophisticated ideas, analytical ability and discussion skills are preferred.

Work experience will be considered along with GMAT scores. There is no minimum work experience required. At times it may be required for you to attend an on-campus summer pre MBA international programme.
For loan opportunities and research outside funding opportunities visit www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/loans.html and www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/funding.html



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a new course from ISB for senior executives

Here is a program tailor made for Executives in the fourties.
If life begins at 40, a new career horizon can also begin at 40.Atleast that is what ISB hyderabad believes with the introduction of the 15 month part time PGPMAX.

Who doesn't want to go back to the classroom. Those who have not yet conquered the highest levels of the leadership pipeline(let us says levels: functional management, group management & enterprise management),this could well be the passport to those positions.

The program involves overseas trip, classes at Wharton,and meeting head honchos of the industry. Program will commence from June 2010.

Visit www.isb.edu for more details



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Bschools in India taking GMAT scores

For our INDIAN friends............

MBA aspirants in India with reasonably good scores in the GMAT can use the score for admissions to select B. Schools within the country.
Here’s a list of those B.Schools
1.    Indian School of Business, Hyderabad
2.    IIM Ahmedabad’s PGPX
3.    IIM Lucknow’s IPMX
4.    MICA Ahmedabad
5.    Great  Lakes Inst of Management, Chennai
6.    NMIMS Mumbai
7.    IIMs for PGPX programs
8.    MDI Gurgaon for fellow programs
9.    Select IIMs for fellow programs

Increase in Female graduates in MBA programs

As per director of MBA admission Wharton school, the number of women in their MBA class has increased from 36% to 40%.
Similar trend has been noticed in other Business schools.  Harvard Business School’s
class of 2011 is 37% female, while the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business is 35%
and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management is 33%.

Stanford’s new admission policy

Most sources say that while applying for a Bschool,it does not matter when you send your application(1 year earlier or 1 day before the deadline), because they will read your application until the application deadline passes.

But Stanford it seems have articulated a policy that they will review the admission application and inviting applications for interviews before its first round deadline passes. This has been designed in order to balance the work load of the admission committee.

Although it is advisable to rush your application procedure, it is better to apply when you think you are ready.

Planning to study abroad

The general trend is that students aspiring to study abroad tend to apply for programs which they think will positively impact on their future earning potential.
If you are interested in studying for a course apply early because competition for entry to popular programs at good institutions is severe; an early application helps to secure both admit and financial support.’

Tour the tours
The US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Singapore and Canada, are ever on the list of those foreign bound. Attending education tours organsied by established agencies will help you gain information on suitable courses, application procedures, admissions criteria, visa requirements and scholarship opportunities.
The world MBA tour is offering an unprecedented US $ 1.1 million in exclusive scholarships for MBA. They are offered to candidates only if they visit the fair in their city of choice. So go for it.
Some factors

A. Work experience: how much?
The average work experience that MBA schools generally look for in prospective students is
Three to four years, although each school has its own standards. Business schools are not faculty- focused; peer to peer interactive learning, case work, projects, presentations all demand strength of experience of the MBA students. People with some real experience can contribute to quality group participative learning. Experience can be in diverse fields and industries, not necessarily managerial.

B. Given the volatility of the dollar, the cost?
For international students this is a concern. But cost, if viewed as ‘return on investment’ will scare you less. There are various ways to fund your business education- loans and scholarships. Schools will take extra care to ensure that the right applicants are absorbed into their courses.

C. The best destination for MBA?
The best study abroad experience can differ form country to country and institution to institution. And your interests, skills, specializations. The best for one student need not be the best for another. Let your personal aims and ambitions guide you in this. Research schools on an individual basis.

D. Education loans: from home country or those on campus?
Both are sought after. Interest rate, pay back time, speed of sanction- are to be considered. The tuition fee is obviously one of the biggest costs. Market rate tuition fees, the current practice, favor students. Other expenses to be taken into account are travel, accommodation, living and compensating for time away from employment. These are not uniform and vary for students form different nationalities.
MBAs will not go out of fashion even during recession times. Most banks know that MBAs are going to be among the highest earners within a short space of time and they can work in most industries. One should not wait until an admissions decision is received to identify outside sources of funding. Keep researching for fellowships and scholarships.

E. Other forms of aid?

Savings from your employment so far, family contributions, institutional scholarships and bursaries from your department of study, assistantships and part-time employment: (teaching / research assistantships are available in many institutions for postgraduate students, who can work up to 20 hours during term time)
*Australia and Canada, allow international students to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies.