GMAT sentence correction : How do I maximize my score

 

Can you maximize your score in the sentence correction section in less than 30 days..

Yes, it is possible ….

You can follow a 3-stage approach. You need to

• Understand the often-tested errors in the GMAT............(Concept Stage 1)
• Learn  to identify errors, using various techniques  .......(Application Stage 2)
• Learn to use logic and to arrive at a correct answer in less than 60 seconds.(Mastery Stage 3)

Before I discuss few strategies, let us understand the skills tested by GMAT in the sentence correction section.

SC type of question tests your ability to recognize the correctness and effectiveness of expression in standard written English. In choosing your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, and sentence construction. Choose the answer that produces the most effective sentence;

Sentence correction questions present a sentence, part or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence, you will find five ways of paraphrasing the underlined passage. The first answer choice repeats the original underlined passage; the other four are different. If you think the original phrasing is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. this answer should be clear and exact, without awkwardness, ambiguity, redundancy or grammatical error. 

An example:

 People who inherit the sickle cell anaemia gene from only one parent seem to be resistant to malaria, an evolutionary advantage that may explain why a genetic condition so debilitating to many individuals has survived in the human population.

A. seem to be resistant to malaria,

B. seemingly are resistant to malaria,

C. seem to be resistant to malaria and have

D. seemingly are resistant to malaria and to have

E. are, it seems, resistant to malaria, and they have

 

Sentence correction questions test three broad aspects of language proficiency:

Correct expression

A correct sentence is grammatically and structurally sound. It conforms to all the rules of standard written English, including noun-verbal agreement, noun-pronoun agreement, pronoun consistency, pronoun case and verb tense sequence. A correct sentence will not have dangling, misplaced or improperly formed modifiers; unidiomatic expressions or faults in parallel constructions

 Effective expression

An effective sentence expresses an idea or relationship clearly and concisely as well as grammatically. This does not mean that the choice with the fewest and simplest words is necessarily the best answer. It means that there are no superfluous words or needlessly complicated expressions in the best choice.

 Proper diction

An effective sentence also uses proper diction.(Dictionary refers to the standard dictionary meaning of words and the appropriateness of words in context). In evaluating the diction of a sentence, you must be able to recognize whether the words are well chosen, accurate and suitable for the context

 Note*

You will see results faster in sentence correction than critical reasoning or reading comprehension section. Because there are only 25 errors tested in this exam. 

Some of the 25 errors tested are:

•         Subject verb agreement
•         Pronoun error
•         Misplaced modifier
•         Wordiness
•         Lack of clear subject
•         Meaning conformity…

After knowing concepts, you need to focus on the application and mastery stages

There are various strategies, you need to know……….

 For example

 strategy 1 Identify clue words 

When you see these clue words……….. Use the error tool respectively.

More/less/greater … than………comparison error tool

And/but……………..Parallelism error tool

Unlike/like…………….contrast error tool

There are lots of clue words like this

I will be discussing each error tool in-depth in my classes.

strategy 2 Differentiate Verb & noun

Observe these sentences

1. The cost of drought to the country is in billions

2. Drought costs the country in billions

 

Sentences 1 and 2 are grammatically correct.

But you must choose option 2. Why?

Can you identify the subtle difference?

In statement 1: Cost is a noun

In statement 2: Cost is a verb

Tip: When you attempt the GMAT, give more preference to verbs than nouns.

 So you have to choose statement 2 and not 1

There are lots of things to learn when you prepare for the GMAT ....

Happy learning.

If you want help in GMAT math or verbal.. Feel free to get in touch with me

My contact link is here:

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GMAT math thinking skills - 8

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 –

Problem analysis with a diagram

Take this problem .

If you follow approach 1. 

You will use many formulas and theorems. You will get an answer, but it will take more time.

If you follow approach 2.

 You will minimize the number of formulas used. You will use your logical skills and reduce complex computation. You will solve questions faster.

In GMAT time-taken per question is the key. If you solve questions in less than 30 seconds, then you will have more time in the bank to solve harder questions. You will also be able to complete the section in the allotted time.

Penalty marks for un-attempted questions are huge.

Can logic be taught?

Yes!  Logic can be taught. If the tutor teaches you reasoning skills and demonstrates those skills on a wide range of problems, your thinking will get re-oriented. You will be able to solve questions using more than one approach.

I feel Logic is best taught in a tutor driven class, not through generic videos

If you need help in GMAT, here are my details

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Now let us understand both the approaches.

Approach 1

This approach involves formulae/theorem...

Area of square ABCD = side²

Side = 8. Hence area =64

F and E are midpoints of the respective sides. AB=AD=8

Hence AF=FB=4 and AE=ED=4

Triangle AEF, Triangle BFC and Triangle EDC are right angled triangles. Hence we can use Pythagoras theorem

This approach was time consuming. Also, This approach involves lots of calculation.

Approach 2 - faster approach

When you encounter geometry problems, look at the picture for few seconds.

Can you observe a square and 4 triangles?

Spend time observing the pictures and look for clues.

The area of shaded portion is equal to the area of the square – (sum of the area of the 3 triangles).

This approach requires you to know the area of the triangle = 0.5 x base x height.

Now let’s analyze the figure. F and E are the midpoints

The sides of the square are 8

Area of triangle AEF = 0.5x4x4 = 8

Area of triangle EDC = 0.5x4x8 = 16

Area of triangle FBC = 0.5x8x4 = 16

Area of square =64

Area of shaded region = 64- 16-16-8 =24

This approach is far easier and involves less calculation.

So always use logic to arrive at answers faster

 

 

Maximize your GMAT score in a month

 

If you are planning to take the GMAT in a month,  you need to work on SMART goals

S - Specific

M- Measurable

A- Achievable

R - Relevant

T- Time bound 

It would be beneficial, if you work with a GMAT tutor, who can design a custom-made program for you. 

If you want to maximize your scores in the GMAT.. Lets have a chat...

My contact link is here:

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

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

When students ask me to design a program, I usually focus on certain points.  Here are some of them

MATH cues

To aim for a good score in math section, you need to be good at questions, which test your mathematical ability and questions, which test your mathematical reasoning/logic.

You need to	some of the activities, which I suggest
1. Remember all the math formula	Collect all the relevant math rules and formulae. Revise them daily
2. Solve 500+ concept-based and application-based sums	Certain math questions are based on concepts . Others are based on concepts+ logic. You need a separate strategy for each To know about the math specific skill sets ..click here.
3. Solve a question in 60 seconds to 90 seconds	Learn time saving strategies like substitution/possibility generation… Some strategies are discussed ..click here.
4. Identify weak areas and rectify them	Maintain an error Log(document). The error log will help you identify weak areas easily.
5. Pace yourself properly during the test	Work on 20+ timed section tests. Spend more time on the first 10 questions and less time on the last 10 questions in a section test.  Understand GMAT pacing  here
6. Leave your ego aside and guess an answer, if you are not able to solve in 60 seconds	Make calculated guesses. you can still hit a Q50 score with 2-3 mistakes. However, there is a heavy penalty on leaving questions unanswered.
7. Follow a problem-solving process, so that you don’t get stuck while solving a question	Devise broad strategies which you can apply to a genre of sums. Discussion on the problem solving process  ..click here.
8. Follow a reasoning-based approach if you have a non-math background	Learn how to use logic more than math Click here to see how you can use reasoning skills to solve problems
9. Compile all the notes/short cuts/strategies in one notebook	Buy a good GMAT quant book apart from the official guide. Ping me if you want my notes.

Verbal cues

1.Work on sentence correction. In a short time, you can see results, if you follow the correct SC cues.

 2.Critical Reasoning can be a little more difficult to improve upon. If you work with strategies, your accuracy rate will zoom upwards.

3. Reading Comprehension is a bit crucial when it comes to improvement, for, if you do not comprehend a passage well you will end up making repeated mistakes. So you need to develop basic reading skills. Read read read.. there is no substitute for reading.

You need to	some of the activities, which i suggest
1. Remember all the grammar rules, that are often tested in the GMAT	Make a list of the 25 most often tested errors. Study them many times. Some errors are discussed here
2. Solve SC questions of various difficulty levels	Learn how to use logic more than just verbal rules to tackle harder questions how do I improve my sentence correction score click here
3. Learn critical reading – A reading style which will help you break complex RC passages into manageable chunks.	Read articles of different genres. Practice micro-skills- summary writing/passage mapping.. More on this here
4. Take logic lessons to  tackle the critical reasoning(CR) section	Derive an approach for the 10 critical reasoning question types. Practice micro-skills -diagramming/ logic identification Understand diagramming as a micro-skill for CR here
5. Solve question in 60 seconds to 90 seconds	Learn time saving strategies
6. Identify weak areas and rectify them	Maintain an error log/document
7. Pace yourself properly during the test	Work on 20+ timed section tests. Spend more time on the first 10 questions and less time on the last 10 questions
8.Leave your ego aside and guess the answer	Make calculated guesses. you can still hit a V 40 score with 2-3 mistakes. However, there is a heavy penalty on leaving questions unanswered.
9. Compile all the notes/short cuts/strategies in one notebook	Buy a good GMAT verbal book apart from the official guide. Ping me if you want my notes.

Happy learning !!

GMAT reading comprehension cues

Reading comprehension questions appear in the verbal section of the GMAT exam. 14-15 RC questions are drawn from 3-5 passages. 

The GMAT verbal section uses multiple-choice questions to measure your ability

•        to read and comprehend written material,
•         to reason and evaluate arguments and
•        to correct written material to conform to standard written English.

Because the Verbal section includes content from a variety of topics, you may be generally familiar with some of the material; however, neither the passages nor the questions assume knowledge of the topics discussed.

Typical reading comprehension questions you get in GMAT.

1. The main idea or central theme of the passage

2. Information specifically mentioned in the passage (mostly line numbered)

3. Information implied in the passage

4. The tone, intent or mood of the passage

5. The author’s point of view that’s projected through the article

6. What could have logically preceded or followed the passage

7. The scope of the passage

8. What is true or untrue of the passage

9. What is / are the applications of the ideas

Here are some cues to keep in mind, when you read the passage.

1. Summarize each para in your own words

While reading a passage make a mental map; what each of the paragraphs deals with, the author’s intent…

 Read the passage and form a mental summary

Sample:

The problem is the problem of success itself. Earlier Brazil was a food deficit country, now it is a food surplus one. With surplus production of food have come the problems of storage and in turn the problem of capital being tied up in food grains. The solution that everybody seems to talk about is diversification - into fruits, flowers, fisheries and animal husbandry. This, of course, is easier said than done. First, the farmer has to be convinced of the need to market his produce, which cannot be done without providing him infrastructural support - roads and cold chain. Then there must be someone to do the marketing. After all,even the most progressive farmer has to be assured of a market and of returns on his investment. Of course physical infrastructure is not everything. Knowledge infrastructure - how to deal with perishable produce and where to take it - is also important.

Summary: Diversification of crops, as solution to problems arising from food surplus, can be successfully implemented only when farmers are provided with physical and knowledge infrastructure.

 

The Summary usually comprises the main point of the passage and the different views

  

2. Notice opinions

When you read the passage, notice the different points of view.

You will get questions based on person A’s/B’s… opinion or Authors opinion..

Sample:

“Initially the Vinaver theory that Malory’s eight romances, once thought to be fundamentally unified, were in fact eight independent works produced both a sense of relief and an unpleasant shock.”

There are three points of view in the line above

1. Vinaver’s view – There are 8 books

2. Somebody view– The books are unified

3. Authors view – the books produced both a sense of relief and a shock

Each paragraph will have many opinion/counter opinions.. Identify all of them. 

 

3. Notice thought reversals- but/however..

These words indicate a change in opinions/views…

Positive view to a negative view.. to a positive view…

 Sample:

“ It might seem that certain traits would clearly define a species as a keystone species; for example, Pisaster ochraceus is often a…………………. But such predation on a …………………………………… roles. Moreover, ……………………………and at certain sites sand burial is responsible for eliminating mussels.”

Words like But/Moreover.. indicate thought reversals.

 

4. Skim through descriptive data

Some passages have illustrative data.

Skims through illustrative matter and scan through meaty points

 

Sample

 “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.”

 

Descriptive data:  “There………….. violet, blue and red”

These line talk about the shapes,colours, sizes..

You need to quickly skim these statements and get the gist of the paragraph as a whole. When you observe an opinion/claim….. read  the statements intently.

 

5. Make a mental map of the entire passage to identify the layout (example para 1:claim, para 2: evidence 1,  para 3: evidence 3...)

 

 Read and map the passage

While reading segregate the meaty statements from purely illustrative matter.

 

Sample:

“Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in the private and retiring, for ornament is in discourse, and for ability is in judgment and disposition of business. Reading  and pursuing knowledge allow us to do three things: entertain ourselves in private, adorn or embellish our speech and increase our ability to, for example, make better judgments and decisions in conducting our business. For expert men can execute and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one, but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs come best from those that are learned.

 Experts those who excel at or specialize in one thing, are good at handling particular problems within their area of expertise, but the larger issues of life are handled best by those who have studied more widely, who are more learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament is affectation; to make judgments wholly by their rules is the humor of a scholar. Of course spending too much time reading is

laziness, referring too much to our reading, dropping quotes everywhere, for example, is just showing off; and reacting to life according to the rules we’ve read is the characteristic of a scholar, some one who spends too much time in school, someone who doesn’t get out much into the real world" 

 The statements in bold are the main points/opinions/examples…These should be noted.  Also make a gist of the passage:

 Gist of the passage

The passage is about the benefits of reading- for delight, for communication and for better decision making. However, too much reliance on reading is acceptable, nor is using knowledge at every context welcome.

WHAT NEXT?

Read the the 10 must not Do's for reading comprehension here..

Understand how you can improve your accuracy and speed. 

WHAT ELSE?

These are some of the reading cues to keep in mind while reading the passage.

If you want to maximize your scores in the GMAT.. Lets have a chat...

My contact link is here:

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

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10 points - GMAT pacing strategy

You might have to modify this strategy as per your strengths and weakness...

1. If you are not able to get an answer in 30 seconds. Then guess and move on. If you                 cant get an answer in 30 seconds, mostly you wont get in 1 or 2 minutes.

2. Attempt a sentence correction question in 60 to 90 seconds

3. Attempt a critical reasoning question in 90 seconds to 3 minutes.

4. Attempt a 3 question Reading comprehension passage in 6 minutes. ( reading + answering      the questions) 

5. Attempt a 4 question Reading comprehension passage in 8 minutes. ( reading + answering      the questions)

6. Attempt a problem solving question in 30 seconds to 2 minutes

7. Attempt a data sufficiency question in 30 seconds to 3 minutes

8. For the math section, you should reach the

• 11th question with 40 minutes left on the timer
• 21st question with 20 minutes left on the timer 
• 31st question with 2 minutes left on the timer

Total questions-  31 questions ..Total time- 62 minutes

9. For the verbal section, you should reach the

• 11th question with 45 minutes left on the timer
• 21st question with 27 minutes left on the timer 
• 31st question with 10 minutes left on the timer

Total questions- 36 questions    Total time- 65 minutes

10. Complete all the questions in the allotted time. Unattended questions carry a huge                    penalty.  

The first 10 questions are more important than the last 10 questions.. So ensure that the first 10 are right. 

GMAT math thinking skills 7

You will encounter word problems like this in the GMAT.

Most of you will write equations and solve this sum. 

That approach takes a lot of time.   

I am now going to show you, two ways to solve this sum

Method 1 :  The traditional approach

This approach takes time, for those, who are not comfortable with math.

You are also prone to calculation errors.

Method 2: Substitution of numbers

This approach is a lot faster.

You can save lots of time, If you use numbers instead of variables like X and Y. You can use this approach to solve various types of sums, from different areas.

 

Let’s choose numbers such that k is greater than m.

 Lets put P =100 and E = 10 . You can choose any number…

Hence option D is correct.

If there are many variables, use method 2 to arrive at the answer faster. 

Do you want to try another question in this series.

Give it a shot

 

Solution is here : http://letsgmat.blogspot.com/2020/09/gmat-math-thinking-skills-6.html

If you want to maximize your math scores in the GMAT.. Lets have a chat...

 

My contact link is here:

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

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

 

GMAT sentence correction - concept parallelism - level Hard

This is a tricky question. 70% of the students got this question wrong, when I presented this question in class, .

Lets understand the question first before going into the options.

Clue words:

1. Which- Check the antecedent...

2. and  - check for parallelism

3. comma(,) after dialects.. - What is the subject in the second clause 

Also

Did you observe ...

The increased popularity and availability ..........has....

Shouldn't it be... have???

No."The increased popularity and availability " is a compound word so its a single unit. hence has...

Meaning of the sentence

The increased popularity and availability has led to a decline of dialects. Because of the increased popularity and availability - language variations originated and perpetuating.....

You should have observed that originated and perpetuating are consequences of "increased popularity".. hence they have to be participles  and not verbs.  

Quick tip: A participle phrases modifies the main subject. You can say that the participle phrase is one long adjective. 

So we have to use participles here.

And - indicates parallelism. 

Hence Participle and participle is the parallel structure in this sentence.

Let us analyze each sentence 

Option A: Errors

1. No comma before which.

2. originate and perpetuated.  - Originate is a verb and perpetuated is a participle. It should be originating from.  

Option B: Error

originated is a past tense verb not a participle

Option C: Error

Originated is not a verb. It might look parallel to perpetuated. But it is not as perpetuated is a participle and "originated" is a verb. The participle form is "originating"

Option D: answer

Originating and perpetuated are the participles. Hence parallel

Option E: Error

Perpetuating is the participle form. not perpetuated. 

Hope you learnt about participles today.

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GMAT sentence correction - concept: Parallelism/ countable vs non countable nouns/idioms

 

Correct answer  is D

search for clue words in the question statement:

And - is it parallelism ???

Fewer- Is cavities countable or non countable???

From X to Y - idiom...

Lets analyze

From X to Y is there in all options.

Cavities is countable so we have to use fewer not less. Hence Option B is ruled out 

Now lets check parallelism

In option A: Adults getting  fewer cavities and becoming more...

"adults are getting" is preferred over "adults getting"...

Option A is ruled out

In option C: Adults who are both getting fewer cavities and becoming

"adults who are" is wordy..

adults are getting is precise

Option C is ruled out            

In option D:  adults are getting fewer and are also becoming..

"Adults are getting and adults are also becoming..."

Sentence structure is perfect.

In option E: adults getting fewer cavities and becomes....

Getting and becomes not parallel

Hence option D is answer