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.



Bookmark this on Delicious

100 points more GMAT score improvement strategy -3

Part 3

Bookmark this on Delicious

100 points more GMAT score improvement strategies -2

Check part 2

Bookmark this on Delicious

100 points more GMAT strategy workshop -1

I have attached the Jpeg files of presentation. Do check out the strategies...


Bookmark this on Delicious

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

Bookmark this on Delicious

GMAT flash card set 1

Presented below GMAT flash card series. Today we start with GMAT flash card set 1.

Gmat flash card set 1

View more presentations from urmentorsemantics.

Bookmark this on Delicious

New feature in letsgmat

people have been asking me why the OG has 550 to 650 range of sums? I told them its makes business sense for OG to issue easy sums. So I have compiled list of higher order problems(750 to 800 range). I will weekly update them.

The problem+logic+solution is presented with each sum.
go ahead and lap it up

The logic has the thinking process behind the problem solving process..


Bookmark this on Delicious

100 points more in GMAT score improvement strategy workshop

You are invited to attend

‘100 points more’ score improvement strategy workshop for GMATers

Date: October 24th 2010 (Sunday)

Time: 10:00 am

Venue: Chennai, India


Registration form here


Who should attend?

If you have taken the GMAT/ mock GMAT CBT, And if you feel that the score you have got is not a true indication of your potential, then its high time you meet us. For those of you who want to find

•  where you went awry in your preparation so far
•  what remedial actions you have to take and for how long
•  what additional inputs you need to break the illusive 720 barrier.

attend the ‘100 points more ’ score improvement strategy workshop.


Why should you attend?

Our academic team has developed strategies to

• Master the 25 often tested errors in GMAT sentence correction. (Our list of errors identification strategies is exhaustive)
• Ace the critical reasoning section (algorithms to answer any question in critical reasoning section)( we teach you formal logic before GMAT CR)
• Crack the Reading comprehension section with ease(passage mapping eases the pressure)
• Write power essays to get you grade 6/6
• Solve the toughest of GMAT problems with the thinking skill based 3 layer math program(Concept review /Thinking skill intervention/Higher order problem solving)

You can read excerpts of our ‘learning innovations’ at http://www.gmatsuperia.com/


What you will takeaway from the event?


Your understanding about GMAT will be immense. You will learn the intricacies of adaptive testing. You will learn the common pitfalls students make while preparing for GMAT. Further

• You will get an individualized study plan on how to improve your score by 100 points.
• A customized solution which will address your particular problem.

Confirm your attendance by emailing to urmentor@semanticslearning.com or texting your name to 9884123808.


Forward this invitation to your GMATer friends/colleagues.

Bookmark this on Delicious

Move over IT, consulting, investment banking

Move over IT, consulting, investment bankingSunshine sectors make a beeline to ISB to fill top jobs. Pharma, healthcare, infra, realty, energy, media – all on a boom, can afford ISBians. This will result in fewer MBAs choosing start ups like they did last year. An ISB release claims.

Bookmark this on Delicious

Road to Harvard: Harvard 2+2 program for college students.

Harvard has launched a program for students who will complete their under graduate course in 2012.
So if you have it in you, here is some information to feed on.

What is the Harvard 2+2 program?
Harvard gives a confirmed seat in their MBA Program while you are still in the Pre-final year of your undergraduate degree. After you finish your degree, you will have to work for 2 years. The faculty at Harvard will assist you and introduce you to a wide network of recruiting partners. After two years you will undergo a two year full time MBA program from Harvard.

Who is eligible?
You should have at-least one remaining semester after June 2011 to apply for the program.

When should you apply?
Applications should be submitted by October 1st 2011(round 1), January 2012(round 2), and March 2012 (round 3). However it is better to submit the application by Oct 1st 2011 as HBS processes the applications on a roll on basis.

How many seats are available and what is the student profile?
Last year Harvard took 115 students. This year the intake can be more. The 2+2 Program is primarily targeted towards students who are not already on a business track. Apart from commerce and BBA students; engineering, liberal arts or sciences students also have a good chance of securing a seat.

What is the admission criteria?
You need to have:
• A strong academic background
• A variety of skills and accomplishments
• A GMAT score of 740+
• Should have demonstrated leadership skills


What do you mean by leadership skills?
Harvard recognizes leadership that may be expressed in various forms; from college extracurricular activities to academic or business achievements, from personal accomplishments to community commitments.
Harvard also appreciates display of leadership skills in organizing a classroom training program to directing a combat squad, from running an independent business to spearheading initiatives at work.

Do you get scholarship or any other financial aid?
Yes, approximately 75% of Harvard Business School students receive some form of financial assistance. Visit the Harvard 2+2 website to get more details on loan options and the fees.

How can SEMANTICS help you?
If you are a student based in Chennai or close to Chennai, then you can get mentored and trained by us. We will partner with you in:
1. Profile building 2.GMAT preparation 3. SOP evaluation.

We will analyze you with an HR test, align your interests with accomplishments, counsel you on various internship options which will fortify your profile, mentor you while you are interning with a company, prepare you for GMAT and ensure that you get 740+ and finally help you with your SOP’s.
You need to be associated with us for a year to achieve this.
So get in touch with – enquiry@semanticslearning.com or call 9884123808 (George IIM alumnus- HBS mentor)
Grab your seat, Grab your future.


Bookmark this on Delicious

The MBA oath – is anyone listening?

As a manger my purpose is to serve the grater good by bringing people and resources together to create value that no single individual can create alone. Therefore I will seek a course that enhances the value my enterprise can create for society over the long term. I recognize my decisions can have far-reaching consequences that affect the well being of individuals inside an outside my enterprise, today and in the future. As I reconcile the interests of different constituencies I will face choices that are not easy for me and others.
Therefore I promise:

• I will act with utmost integrity an pursue my work in an ethical manner.
• I will safeguard the interest of my stakeholders, co workers, customers and the society in which we operate.
• I will perform my duties in good faith, guarding against decisions and behaviours that advance my own narrow ambitions but harm the enterprise and the society it serves.
• I will understand and uphold, both in letter and in spirit the laws and contracts governing my own conduct and that of my enterprise.
• I will take responsibility for my actions and will represent the performance and risks of my enterprise accurately and honestly
• I will develop both myself and my coworkers so that the organization grows.
• I will be accountable to my peers and they will be accountable to me for living by this both.

Bookmark this on Delicious

It’s your luck now. IIM Lucknow offers IPMX.

Take the GMAT

Here’s an all new option for working executives with a minimum of 6 yrs, the International program in management for executives.

The objective of the program is to develop business leadership and managerial skills in executives with extensive experience in the industry. The program invites candidates who have been civil servants defense personnel, corporate workers, entrepreneurs, consultants, or other professionals.

An international module - at Europe or East Asia – provides students with a cross cultural perspective and an exposure to global business practices.

The program begins April 2011.

Short listing of candidates is based on GMAT score, nature of work experience and undergrad performance.

For more visit www.iiml.ac.in

Bookmark this on Delicious

11% jump in Salaries, offsets 5% jump in fee @ ISB

Global MBA giant ISB Hyderabad achieves yet another feat - 33% increase in the number of jobs offered. (Are firms looking at for high profile MBAs to make the green shoots to grow faster?) The intake also increases to 580 -570, 460 the last and previous year respectively- 19 lakh fee for a 1 year course (of course you can get return on investment in less than a year) It makes sense for global MBA seeking execs to head right to Hyderabad as well as Mohali (very soon a ISB campus there) with India opening up for foreign universities, with top notch professors returning to India, one can look beyond IIMs to walk slowly and steadily into the rooms with a view! phew!



Bookmark this on Delicious

GMAT prep notes for sentence correction

the more the merrier

1. Relative clauses: clauses beginning with who, whose, whom, that, which, whosoever, whomever, whichever, nevertheless – check their use in the question.
Antecedents (the nouns substituted by the pronouns) which, who, he, they, it etc should be clearly matched with their pronouns.
Scientists have observed large quantities of fossil fuel in the Cauvery basin, which are consistent with the growth of mining activities in the area. (which is ambiguously placed)
Scientists have observed large quantities of fossil fuel in the Cauvery basin, an observation consistent with the growth of mining activities in the area.

Wordy: Everybody likes apple pie, which for years has been a favorite American dessert.

Concise: Everybody likes apple pie, for years a favorite American dessert.
In most instances, a relative pronoun is unwanted.

Verb Tense
Incorrect: In the last ten years, dropout rate among minority primary school students fell drastically, while the number of minority students more than doubled.
Correct: In the last ten years, dropout rate among minority primary school students has fallen drastically, while the number of minority students has more than doubled.

Logical Equivalents
1. The study noted that, up to the present, interferon has been more impressive in preventing viral infections as to treat it.
2. The study noted that, up to the present, interferon has been more impressive in preventing viral infections than in treating them.


Bookmark this on Delicious

Dummys can tumble out of your GMAT test

GMAC will no doubt use the safety belts. Will not blame any mishap on ‘pilot’ error. Trial runs are round the corner before the debut. The 21011 GMAT test takers may have to don the duplicate’s garb. Iam referring to the new ‘ integrated reasoning’ section of the GMAT.

As a dummy or experimental section can we expect the new section in the GMAT in a few months time? We will have to wait and watch how the ‘pilot’ testing is done by GMAC. It is unlikely that the pilot testing is introduced immediately since the audio system that is part of the new test has to be implemented in all test centres, along with the infra facility. Already the GMAT is a long test. A dummy ‘integrated reasoning’ section would stretch the GMAT to a full four hours. To encourage test takers attempt the dummy section, GMAC may introduce a rewards.
Well enough of this speculation., let’s come back to our good old GMAT and prepare the current crop for the existing pattern which itself is no mean task.

Will the CAT makers make a beeline for the GMAT
The IIM CAT has gone through its ups and downs. Well Iam not referring to the 200 qn that the CAT began the decade with and ending with a 60 question test, jumping to the CBT format in short notice and the infallibility mask falling off.

The IIMs scare us with the ‘elimination’ threat. Not to forget the biggest threat of ‘unpredictable’ element – number of questions, question types, and the works to bring in the difficulty element. If no unpredictability elimination will take another route; school marks, academic consistency, extra curricular….
Now the GMAT is so predictable. But then with all the predisclosed knowledge, not many can score above 700. That is simply brilliant isn’t it?

If the CAT makers towed the lines of the GMAT, and made the CAT more reflective of the B school rigour, would the class composition differ?

Well, We will have to wait and watch for the next shocker from Indian B schools. Oh by the way, CAT is going the GMAT way, screamed the masthead of some newspapers last November. What happened? Well I have no clue, do you have?


Bookmark this on Delicious