Monday, September 30, 2024

GMAT reading comprehension tips - 4 types of reading


There are many ways to read an article. 

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

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

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

Excerpts from the book

1. Elementary Reading

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

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

2. Inspectional Reading

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

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

3. Analytical Reading

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

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

4. Syntopical Reading

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

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


The analytical reading style can be taught. 

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


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

My contact link is here:



Happy learning

Friday, September 27, 2024

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


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

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

Program commences on July 2025

 Taget GMAT score 635+(GMAT focus edition)

 Deadline Round 2- 10- DEC- 2024

 Admission requirement - GMAT , GRE or IIM(CAT)

 Admission process will also include  personal interview + application essay

 Scholarships options at ISB

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

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

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


 How to ace the GMAT in 2 months

Lets take each section of the exam

 

Reading comprehension

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

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

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

Our action plan: Read 150 passages.

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


Critical reasoning (CR)

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Problem solving and Data Sufficiency

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

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

 

Our action plan

· refresh math concepts thrice

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

You need to work on 700+ questions.

 

GMAT Data insights

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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


You need to do

20 math section tests and 20 verbal section tests

5+ mock CATs to get test confidence.

 

If you need a customized study plan

Feel free to reach me 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Develop math skills for GMAT. - Working on fractions

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

Math Reasoning Skills.

Try this question



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

Read more... 

Click here for the answer

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


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

My contact link is here:

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

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

Happy learning

Friday, May 17, 2024

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/

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

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/


Wednesday, May 8, 2024

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




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

My contact link is here:



Happy learning

 


Wednesday, April 24, 2024

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.


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

My contact link is here:



Happy learning

 



Friday, April 5, 2024

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. …..


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

My contact link is here:

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

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



Monday, January 29, 2024

GMAT focus edition 8 points

 



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

My contact link is here:

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


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


Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Scholarship options for students, who want to study in the USA


 
1. Fulbright Foreign Student program:

 The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States.

 Click here to know more 

 https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-student-program

 2. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship program:

 For professionals with work experience

 Click here to know more 

 https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/

 3. Tata Scholarships for Cornell University:

 Designed for Indian undergraduate students admitted to Cornell University, this scholarship offers financial assistance.

 Click here to know more 

 https://admissions.cornell.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-international-applicants

 4. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarships

These scholarships provide prizes and monetary support for young Indians acquiring diverse skills domestically and internationally.

 Click here to know more

 https://www.inlaksfoundation.org/scholarships/

5.  AAUW International fellowships

Offered by the American Association of University Women, only for women

 Click here to know more

 https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international/

6. Rotary Peace fellowship

The Rotary Foundation extends fellowships for master's and certificate programs at prestigious colleges.

 Click here to know more

 https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships

  7. East-West Center scholarships and fellowships

 Providing funding for international students from the Asia-Pacific region, these scholarships enable studies at selected institutions in the United States.

 Click here to know more

 https://www.eastwestcenter.org/education/opportunities-study-and-scholarship

 8. Japan-United States Friendship Commission

This collaborative effort between Japan and the US offers grant programs for Japanese students studying in the US and vice versa.

 Click here to know more

 https://www.jusfc.gov/

 9. Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship program

 Awarding scholarships to outstanding Asian students, this program covers tuition and student fees, enabling them to study at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, USA

 Click here to know more

 https://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/afford-aid/freeman.html

 

Source - internet

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

What is the GMAT focus edition?




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

My contact link is here:

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


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


Wednesday, November 29, 2023

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/

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

An essential reading comprehension skill to ace the GMAT reading comprehension section

 Distinguish between matter and Author's opinion.



Observe the passage below..

Passage:

 Dopamine is a hormone that sends  out that tingling feeling of anticipation, say like the night before a party at which you'll be honored age to with an award. Or the rush after a fantastic exam result. A substance released at the end of a nerve fibre, effecting the transfer of an impulse from one nerve to another, dopamine is, in essence, our morning's get-up-and-go neuro-chemical. "We used to believe it's all about  pleasure and reward; this is an old story. Now we say that dopamine amps up desire.Dopamine is the brain signaling you to indulge in an activity; it is the anticipation of the activity from which you derive pleasure.

 Like all good things, too much or too little is a problem Too much has been found in the brains of those who live with Tourette syndrome; too little in those with Parkinson's disease. But what's really worrying, researchers is the way it's being increasingly pumped out in the brain through our daily behaviour.


This passage has factual matter.. interlaced with opinions.. You need to read critically and differentiate the two. Lets work on this skill 


Authors opinions are marked in yellow.

Dopamine is a hormone that sends sends out that tingling feeling of anticipation, say like the night before a party at which you'll be honored age to with an award. Or the rush after a fantastic exam result. A substance released at the end of a nerve fibre, effecting the transfer of an impulse from one nerve to another, dopamine is, in essence, our morning's get-up-and-go neuro-chemical. "We used to believe it's all about  pleasure and reward; this is an old story. Now we say that dopamine amps up desire. 

 

Dopamine is the brain signaling you to indulge in an activity; it is the anticipation of the activity from which you derive pleasure

 

 Like all good things, too much or too little is a problem. Too much has been found in the brains of those who live with Tourette syndrome; too little in those with Parkinson's disease. But what's really worrying, researchers is the way it's being increasingly pumped out in the brain through our daily behaviour.

The rest of the matter is factual.


As you read, through a passage anticipate :
  •  which statement is matter..
  •  which is opinion..

You can get questions on both- matter and opinion..

 

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/


Monday, December 26, 2022

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


Wednesday, December 14, 2022

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/