GMAT again
I wrote GMAT again and scored a decent 740 (50/40/5.5). I'll be applying to MBA courses now. Amen!Following is my GMAT prep strategy and test experience:
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SC
SC is not a guess game; it is a science. You may get a couple of questions by ear-thing or sheer-luck, it can’t take you far. I learnt it the hard way. So, what is the right way to do it?
Buy a copy of Manhattan SC Book. Learn every concept mentioned in this book. After this, go through the OG SC questions and learn to apply the rules, laid out in book. This will give you an idea of what to look for in a sentence? I developed a strategy to not to look at answer choices until I find a mistake. If I find a mistake, I’d try to create my own version first (a rough one). Then, start with choice B. However, if it is a long, underlined portion, begin with E (no science here, just a tip). Strike out the choice, which have obvious mistakes or are awkward, convoluted, changing the meaning. In most of the cases, you’ll end up with 2 close choices, select the one, which is closer to your rough version and move forward. Even if you’re guessing, hell...you’ve 0.5 probability of hitting the nail. If I don’t find any mistake, before marking ‘A’, I’d quickly glance through the answer choice, just to be sure that there is no other, more concise answer choice.
Solving SC problems this way will give you an aptitude to solve the problems in an empirical manner. Isn’t it better than pure guesses? When you’re confident that you’re equipped with enough arsenals, start hitting 1000 SCs. Though half of the questions in them are not representative, they offer a good practice material. After you’ve practiced enough, take Manhattan SC Test (you get a free, online test when you buy a new Manhattan book). Those questions are ‘real’ close to GMAT (IMO) and those 25 biggies are good enough to make you realize where do you stand. If you can get more than 20-21 correct, you’d be okay. If you can’t, go back to basics and see where does the problem lie.. SC is a very important section and in most of the cases, 3 out of first 5 questions are would be on SC. Moreover, SCs make about 40% of the verbal part and help you in saving time for the monsters (you heard it right!), you better crack it well!
CR
Human mind has a great capacity but we don’t use more than 10-15 % of it (a well known fact). To do better, it is necessary to ‘hone’ your skills. Learning CR (read analytical) skills may be difficult but honing what you have is not. Moreover, GMAT requires us to use our analytical skills in a different, unconventional manner, which we don’t do in day-2-day life. Essentially what I’m saying is that you need to condition your brain to react in a manner, which it is capable of (those who have seen Madagascar and remember ‘Alex’ the lion might agree – when Alex, a tamed lion, acts as a wild lion under fierce conditions).
For the whole of last month, I took one test each day from LSAT tests (1000CR doc). Trust me, those tests are real good and doing fair on those tests will give your brain enough acclimatization. Just like SC, CR questions will also have 2-3 obvious choices, which can be skipped easily. A few people say that it is a good idea to read CR question before reading the passage, but I never believed so. IMO it is important to assimilate the passage, flow with the thought, form your own structure and then, check what does the question ask? After reading the question, I’d first guess my own answer and then check the answer choices. While many people also advocate skimming through the paragraph, I bag to differ. CR passages are written in a tricky fashion and one may not be able to judge everything just by perfunctory reading. You gotta understand. If you don’t, read it again!
When you’re comfortable and begin to maintain a strike rate of around 70-75% in LSAT CRs, it is time to hit other sources (if you desire so). However, I’d prefer to stay focused on LSAT CRs. They are good quality and are too many to practice. OG is a decent source but it has too few questions.
RC
I’m a slow-yet-contemplative reader. I read books and am also used to read stuff online. People tend to assume that since they read books, they may read at computer screen equally well. It may be true for a few, but take my word – reading online/ from computer screen is a different ball game altogether. To do well in RC in GMAT, first and foremost practice is to begin reading online articles, columns, opinions, etc. This should be a good starting point to begin prep for RC. Also, RC skills can’t be built overnight (for that matter, I wonder if any can be…) and it is very-very important to form a mind map with the author when reading a passage. In simple terms, you should be able to interpret what author is trying to say?
There may be 2 strategies to tackle RCs. One is to quickly skim the passage (total 1-2 mins) and then question-by-question, refer back to the passage. Second strategy is to begin slowly, understand the passage, form a mental structure (total 4-5 mins) and then attack the questions. I preferred the latter. Both processes have their pros-and-cons, however, adopting any of the strategies primarily depends on individual’s conform level. If you’re at the beginning of your preparations, I’d suggest try both the strategies and determine which one works best for you? It is also a good idea to take notes while reading the passage, but do this only if you’ve practiced to do so, not because I’m saying so. If you have not practiced for this and are writing GMAT shortly, you better stay away from doing so. Chances are that you’ll end up wasting the precious time in taking ‘inefficient and time consuming’ notes, which may not help you in answering most of the questions. I decided to take notes only when there are many names (in short form), dates, data, technical terms. In such a passage, my notes would look like:
I – 70, JM, Fusion
II – Now, HF, Battery, 85%
III – Eienstein, EdisonIV – Rford, 1990
This way, if any question would refer to the name, data, term in any of the questions, I can refer back to the relevant passage right away. In all other types of passages, I chose to paraphrase the topic by reading slowly at first time, revising quickly second time and then jump to the questions. I began my preparations with 1000 RC series and OG passages. If you want to focus on good stuff, don’t skip passage 64-85 in 1000 RC document. That is good stuff!
PS and DS
I’m wondering that what can I say about this section? Honestly, I never did put in a huge effort in this section, primarily because I’ve studied Math for a considerable time in my education. However, a few tips which you may always want to remember:
- Probability questions in GMAT are tricky not complex
- In DS questions, even if condition A gives you an answer, do not forget to check for condition B also. Answer may be D
- When solving question by putting values, check for –5, -3, -2, -1, -0.6, 0, 0.7, 1, 2, 3, 5, sqrt(2) and sqrt(3). This list may be smaller, if there are specific conditions for the values (such as a positive integer)
- Always write the DS question on scratch pad before evaluating the statements
- 1 million is 10^6- Zero is an even integer. It is neither positive nor negative
- If there are 2 criteria or 2 categories, use Venn diagram. If there are 2 criteria for 2 different populations, use tables
- Condition for unique solution for a Quadratic equation is b^2 = 4*a*c
- Similar triangles have RATIO of the sides equal, whereas congruent triangles have EQUAL sides
- Develop your own thumb rules/ tricks. You will remember them very easily. For example: 2 guys can finish a work in (x*y)/ (x+y) hrs
Do not forget to solve last 50 questions in PS and DS from OG. Apart from that, scoretop questions on Math are also pretty good.
Test Experience
I had taken a Saturday 1:15 appointment at a center in USA. Went a week before that to check location of the center. On the given date, reached the center 45 minutes early and registered. It is required for foreign nationals to appear with a passport. No exceptions!
Began test little early and used AWA as the conditioning mechanism. They really help you in settling down at the center and adjusting to the seat, monitor, background humming, etc etc. I also wore a sweater with the intention that I would keep it on, if cold or take off, if warm (I ended up taking it off during Verbal). It is always a good idea to dress in layers. I also had a heavy breakfast and skipped lunch, just to stay awake. I had AWA templates ready for Argument as well as for Issue. Used the template and finished both the sections with around 5 minutes to spare. However, stretched at my seat for 2-3 minutes before completing the AWA sections.
During first 10-minute break, I ate a biscuit, visited rest room, drank some water (‘some’ - since last thing you want is a full bladder while clock it ticking) and stretched with deep breath.
Math section – My strategy was to spend around 2 mins per question, check status at every 25-minutes and make sure that I do not make consequent mistakes. First question and I was faced with a medium-difficulty number theory question. Solved it, definitely was correct and second question was an equally competitive question. Third and fourth DS with moderate difficulty and I made sure that I re-check answers to avoid mistakes. From 5th question onwards, difficulty level began to rise and 20th question really got me. I could not even comprehend the question. I tried for a couple of minutes but realized that it is getting on my nerves. I made a calculated guess and moved on. Later, I realized that it was a wise move to do so. The question was making me tired and impatient. To get back to my natural stage, I had to cross this hurdle.
In GMAT, if you’re answering questions right, you’re bound to get tricky/ complex questions and idea is not to get bogged down by them. Between 30-35 questions, I also got a couple of extremely easy questions but no need to worry about that. It also is one of the tricks to make you nervous that why am I getting such dumb questions? Solve them, cross-check the answers and move on. By the time, I completed last question, I had around 7 minutes to spare. I did not finish my section, but instead took deep breaths and did a neck exercise while sitting in my chair. 2 minutes before the time limit, I clicked ‘Next’ and took the designated break.
Break II – Ate 3 biscuits and repeated the same rituals as break I. Also washed the face and hummed a song.
Verbal – My strategy for verbal was to spend 1-min on each SC question, 2-min on each CR ques and 8 min on each RC passage (including 4 mins for reading the passage). I also decided to do a status check at every 25-minute interval and resolved not to make any mistakes in first 15 questions (unlike last time). Started off with 2 SCs, 2 CR2, 1 SC and then a small-yet-cryptic passage. Right after completing the passage, the drill began and so did my battle. 2nd RC was also small and complex. 3rd and 4th RCs were slightly longer-but-simpler. I did not face any BF questions. However, my SC questions were of considerable length. II passage did try to spoil my time management, but I pulled the clock up by saving some time in SCs. I’m almost confident that this time, I did much better in CRs. I completed the section with 3 minutes to spare.
By this time, my heart was pounding at premium speed and blood was gushing at a tremendous pace. I hit ‘Next’ and a couple of question screens appeared. Completed them ASAP and came the decision making screen. Do you want to ‘Report the Score’ or ‘Cancel the Score’? I never understood this concept of canceling the scores. Even If one wants to do that, one would like to make that determination only after seeing the score. Why not give poor guy a chance? In any case, I had no doubt in my mind that I’ve to see my score. I knew that I’d score more than 700 and screen blinked with a score of 740!! Bingo! I raised both of my hands in prayer and completed my battle with the beast!
Resources
SC – 1000 SC, OG, Manhattan
CR – 1000 CR, OG, Kaplan 800 (average)
RC – 1000 RC (especially passage 64 to 85)
PS – Last 50 ques in OG, GMAT Prep (keep repeating), Scoretop
DS - Last 50 ques in OG, GMAT Prep (keep repeating), Scoretop
Scoretop is a great resource and its VIP membership is worth every cent. It is very important to understand the philosophy of collective learning. The more you share, the more you learn. Be an active participant and rather than simply quoting that “answer is A/ B/ C/ D/ E”, try to come up with your reasoning. It will benefit others and you too, since many a times, writing the explanation brings a different perspective. Tip is to CONTRIBUTE!!
-P-
Labels: GMAT
posted by Pramod @ 1:14 AM
1 Comments:
Hi. Could you please send me the 1000 SC, CR, RC, PS, DS series? My email address is sue.dalal@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.
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