GMAT INFORMATION

ViJiT

Vijith Pujari
There was a time when every engineering student’s dream was an MBA. Thanks to the IT boom, that’s not the case any more. But for those of you who still dream of a foreign MBA here’s the dope on the entrance test. Although it is is often referred to as the American version of apna CAT it’s not exactly of the same pattern. In fact Indians find the maths easier and the verbal part a lot tougher than CAT (the choices offered in this section are often mind-bogglingly subtle variations)

The Basics: The GMAT is composed of three sections

Section 1 - Analytical Writing Assessment
Consists of two 30-minute analysis essays. One is an analysis of an argument and the other is an analysis of an issue. Sample question: (Not from actual test): The following appeared in a Los Angeles newspaper. “The number of children below 18, involved in violent crimes has fallen drastically since the government announced tax relief for parents with children attending school. The same applies to literacy rate and unemployment, which have improved and gone down respectively. We should now expect a close to perfect society, not very far in the future” (Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyse the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument.) This is a typical example of such an AWA question. This is followed by another 30-minute analysis of an issue question.

Section 2 - Quantitative Ability
The curriculum for such questions is fairly simple but the questions can be very tricky and time is also rationed. For Indians, 10th std maths is more than enough. No calculus and higher arithmetic. Good na? Two types of multiple-choice questions are used here.


A: Problem Solving:
Tests basic arithmetic and geometry, typically includes calculations. Example : A barn 50 feet long and 30 feet wide needs to be fenced from all sides with a space of 10 feet between the fence and the barn from all four sides. What will be the perimeter of the fence surrounding the barn, in feet?

A) 80 feet
B) 90 feet
C) 180 feet
D) 240 feet
E) 370 feet
Sounds easy? Try solving it in 30- 40 seconds. Not a big deal when you practice and practice.

B: Data Sufficiency:
This checks if you understand whether a solution can be arrived at, based on the given data.
Example: Tom gives Jerry some peanuts, which are twice as many as what Hillary paid Ted. How many peanuts did Hillary pay Ted?
1. Tom gives Ted 11 peanuts.
2. Jerry gets 20 peanuts from Tom.

Choose from the following:
Statement (1)
ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;

Statement (2)
ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;

* BOTH statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question asked, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient;
* EACH statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question asked;
* Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data specific to the problem are needed.
There are plenty of tricks and short cuts to attack such questions and a lot of practice is needed to answer within the given time. Notice that here the answer is not important. The only question is “Can it be answered or not? If yes then based on what facts?”

Interesting stuff, but it’s a different way of testing and remember it’s a race against time too. GRE fellas, start compartmentalizing. GMAT strategies are different in many aspects.

Section 3: Verbal Ability
This has the following subsections

1. Sentence correction: A seemingly correct sentence is provided with a part or all of it underlined. Substitute choices for the underlined portion are provided. You have to choose the most correct one. This is probably the hardest part of the whole test. Most of us are so used to Hinglish that we have become oblivious, even negligent of grammar as it used to be. GMAT is very bookish and this section needs some knack, which can be acquired through strategies.
2. Reading Comprehension : This is like any other reading comprehension but with attention to detail and possibly long passages. The questions may be about passage inferences and may not be limited to facts inside the passage.
3. Critical Reasoning : Questions in this section test logical and analytical reasoning. A sentence or a small paragraph is provided. And a question is asked on it.

Examples:
Which of the following would be the best sentence to start the next paragraph?
Which of the following would best finish the last sentence?
Which of the following facts, would best cast a doubt on the writer’s conclusion in the above passage?

So that’s what GMAT is all about. Four and a half hours of testing in front of a monitor. I am sure many of you are used to this situation, but what if there are brain-scratching questions in front of you instead of that Indonesian chic who’s impressed with your snaps? And every second is clocked. And no, you can’t take a wishful break if MTV Grind comes on TV.


GMAT Facts
A Maximum score is 800, which is calculated after the actual score is computed.
B The GMAT follows Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). The better you do, the harder the questions will become till you make a mistake. But you get more credit for answering harder questions.
C Since the GMAT is taken on the computer, the scores of each section (except AWA) are almost immediately available.
D The Analytical Writing Assessment section is scored separately on scale of 1-6, with 6 being the best. You get this score only after 2-3 wks.
E Tried and tested methods in standard books can significantly improve your GMAT scores.

Useful books recommended:
* Kaplan GMAT CAT: ISBN 0-68485-6662
* Cracking the GMAT CAT: ISBN 0-37575-4059


GMAT Over, Now What?

Answer 1

A typical program is 2 years long. However it can stretch up to 2.5 to 3 years depending on performance and course load.

Answer 2
Don’t assume that. I have seen cases where someone secured admission in ten programs and did not get financial aid in even one. Never generalize an individual experience. Every case is different and every portfolio is unique. Do your own research on your schools and get in touch with current students in the same program. Contact faculty members directly.

Answer 3
For international students that’s close to impossible. Unless you are a permanent resident or have parents or close relatives as sponsors.

Answer 4
At many schools, summer intern ships can be shown as part of curriculum and even earn you academic credit. In that case you can legally work as an intern during off-semester months on your F 1 visa.

Answer 5
1. Ranking: Top ranking schools mean better faculty, better resources, better reputation and of course better prospects after graduation.
2. Faculty: Important, for those seeking financial aid. If there’s more research-oriented faculty, chances are they may need students as research assistants.
3. Career Center: Deals with internships and full time jobs.
4. Location: Having a business park close by or being located near an urban area can be an advantage as you may not have to relocate for your summer internship. You may also work part-time parallel to studies if it can be shown as academic work.
5. Average GMAT Score: Varies with each school - indicates the overall standard of the school and the program.
6. Living Expenses: Living in the city is more expensive than the suburbs. Apartment rents can be found out from the university-housing center.

Answer 6
There is considerable liberty in choosing courses. e.g. a program in MIS would consist of 15 courses, 4 of which will be preparatory courses, 5-6 may be required courses while the remaining 5-6 arelectives, which can be chosen from 15 courses. Some courses may be waived according to your background e.g. A student with a Bachelor’s degree in commerce may get Financial Accounting waived if it’s a required course. Or someone from a background in computer science may get Programming languages and algorithms waived. Electives should be chosen wisely as they sort of decide the area of inclination towards your future job.

Answer 7
Yes they can. A good strategy would be to do an internship in a company you’d like a permanent job with. Several companies sponsor F-1 students for H-1B status. Typically an F-1 student can work legally in the US for one year after graduation. During that period, the company’s lawyer will take necessary steps to change your visa status.

Answer 8
It’s hard to say if its easy or difficult. Companies choose the best candidates and may choose to invest in an international student as said above.
 

ViJiT

Vijith Pujari
Gmat Online Test

So, you decided to take the test...
I have both sections here,which are the same as in real GMAT, but they score only percentage of correct answers, so if your score is 2% it does not mean top-2%.

Another Math is different, 80 questions, so it will take you more than 75 min to solve all of them.

Click on the Links
Verbal section
http://education.kulichki.net/GMAT/verbal.html

Math section
http://education.kulichki.net/GMAT/math.html

Only Math - 80 questions
http://education.kulichki.net/GMAT/math1.html
 

ankitjain

Par 100 posts (V.I.P)
thanks this entire thread is good .. there are lots n lots of lines.. many of which we can find on google.. but which we might normally miss out..
cheers!!!
 

rajendrababu

New member
the info about GMAT was quite useful..........
i am working in software concern and i am planning to take the test......
can any body suggest the right time to take the test
 
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