Beat The GMAT

It’s common to take the GMAT twice; some have gone as far as retaking the test three or four times! At the end of the day, we all have the same reason for retaking this test: to get a higher score. Perhaps you need a higher GMAT score to compensate for a weak area on your business school application. Or maybe you wish to strengthen your performance on one section of the GMAT to indicate competency to MBA adcoms.

So what is the best strategy for retaking the GMAT? Before answering this question, it is important to assess your options.

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Not sure whether you should take the time and money to visit the b-schools you plan on applying to? While some adcoms admit to awarding brownie points and some swear that whether or not you visit has no impact on your acceptance or rejection, I believe that if you have the opportunity to visit the b-schools on your list, then you should absolutely do so.

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This is the latest in a series of “How To Analyze” articles that began with the general “How To Analyze A Practice Problem” article (click on the link to read the original article). This week, we’re going to analyze a specific Data Sufficiency question. The GMATPrep® problem we’re using this week is one that we’ve already discussed how to solve in a previous article; click here to read that article and try the problem first.

Here’s the problem again; if you didn’t read the first article and try the problem already, then try this problem now (2 minutes):

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One of our previous admissions myths destroyed was “Round 1 is Everything.” Today we take on the widely held myth that “final round is nothing.”

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Tone is the feeling or emotion associated with a passage or a part of a passage. An author creates tone with the specific words he or she chooses to include. Adjectives and adverbs give authors a chance to express emotion because they are explicitly descriptive; much of an author’s tone is created in the way he or she describes things.

Sometimes an entire passage has a tone. Take this example:

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Welcome back to this week’s Challenge Problem! As always, the problem and solution below were written by one of our fantastic instructors. Each challenge problem represents a 700+ level question. If you are up for the challenge, however, set your timer for 2 mins and go!

Question

A circle is inscribed in an equilateral triangle, such that the two figures touch at exactly 3 points, one on each side of the triangle. Which of the following is closest to the percent of the area of the triangle that lies within the circle?

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Applying to business school can require a lot more time and energy than you might initially think.  Many applicants reduce the number of schools they apply to after beginning work on the applications and realizing just how much is involved with each and every application; the average candidate applies to 3-4 schools.  With so many admissions factors (resume, work experience, GPA, activities, volunteer experience, GMAT score, recommendations, essays, interviews, etc), how should you prioritize your time?

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Last week, we covered the basic components of an Argument and how to identify them (Critical Reasoning for Beginners, Part 1: The Components of an Argument). Now let’s put the theory into practice and look at a simple Sample Argument.

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There are two types of interest problems on the GMAT, and they include simple interest and compound interest. Simple interest is the most basic and is a function of P, the principle amount of money invested, the interest rate earned on the principle, i, and the amount of time the money is invested, t (this is usually stated in periods, such as years or months). The resulting equation is:

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You’ve worked so hard and have nothing but dings to show for it. Sure, it’s upsetting. Sure, you never want to think about b-school ever again.

It’s time to gain a little perspective.

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Many business schools teach using the famous “case method”, in which you will analyze the real-world situation of a specific business at a time of crisis/transition/decision in order to gain practical knowledge of business theory as applied to an actual situation.  The theory behind the case method is that, by analyzing how, for example, Kodak needed to transition from a conventional (film) to a new (digital) business model, you will gain large-scale comprehension of a business principle in general, and not just an intimate understanding of one business.  With this experience, you can then apply your theoretical-and-practical understanding of a vast array of business principles to whatever situations will arise in your future role as a manager.

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Don’t worry, this is not nearly as complicated as it sounds. Knewton instructor Cole Entress lays it all out for you in this short lesson.
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The internship. After a couple months of developing a solid network of industry alums, recruiting season will kick off.  If you are going for the big three banking, consulting or CPG this will be a very structured process and take place in January to February generally.

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The GMAT is notorious for many reasons.  As you continue to study with relevant books and materials, you’ll find that one aspect of the test will continue to frustrate you – getting the correct answer, but not answering the right question.

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The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), which consists of two 30-minute essays (Analysis of an Argument and Analysis of an Issue), is the least important part of the GMAT and the least important part of your application to business school. Still, read on.

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