GMAT preparation: blueprint and study chapters

Here is a complete list of chapters relevant to GMAT
First phase: Reading comprehension
Extensive reading of various topical articles-
Science, economics, literary reviews, philosophy, and topics of contemporary debate.( double the reading of topics that you have not been in the habit of reading)
Second phase
How to actively read texts for tone and bias
How to read quickly and efficiently
How to analyze organization and structure
How to draw inferences from a reading text
The major question types and how to approach them
Practice with all types of passages and questions
Analyse extensively – questions, solutions, wrong answers, right answers.
critical reasoning
Phase 1
Lessons in formal logic, types of arguments, components of arguments, weak and strong arguments, inductive and deductive arguments, types of logic, common fallacies in argument, criteria of strong arguments
Phase 2
How to analyze arguments
How to spot weaknesses in arguments
15 Critical Reasoning question types and transferable strategies
Practice with quality questions.
Sentence correction
Phase 1
Parts of speech, grammar rules, diction, common idioms, grammar drills
Common errors in writing – agreement between parts of sentence.
Effective expressions: avoiding redundancy, wordy structures, awkwardness, ambiguity, unnecessary separation of elements, inappropriate diction, inconsistency
Phase 2
Typical sentence correction questions
How to identify trick sentence correction questions
Observe how options are constructed
Elimination method
Practicing with a wide variety of sentence correction questions
Problem solving
Phase 1
review of fundamentals of math
In arithmetic - Percentage, Interest, discount, Progressions, Uniform motion, Ratio and proportion, Grouping and counting, Data Interpretation, symbols, Progressions,
In algebra - study quadratic equations, linear/ bi-linear equations, trigonometry.
In Geometry - lines, quadrilateral, circles, polygons, trapezium and mensuration.
Phase 2
Learn how to interpret data graphs, pie charts, bar graphs and caselets and how to apply statistics concepts such as mode, mean, standard deviation and median.
Solve word problems, data sufficiency problems and reasoning in a quantitative setting. Work with a wide variety of problems –concept application, formula based, puzzles.
Analyse extensively
Work with higher order problems –caselets, data analysis, develop creative problem solving strategies- hypothesizing and verifying, working backward using option indicators, devising spot strategies
Build speed, work with timed tests

Essays:
brain storm and write at least 10 issue and 10 argument sample practice essays on original topics.
Brainstorm on a lot of topics from the real topics.
Have your essay evaluated by tutors or qualified friends

Mock exams and remedial work
5- 10 mock exams – do all sections at one sitting( you have to build stamina for a nearly 4 hr exam, no kid’s play) adjust time management . revise chapters, work on weak areas
Recommended concept resource: e-books www. semanticslearning.com
Recommended test practice: official guide
Recommended mock exams: powerprep test
With all these mastered, you will know exactly what to expect in the test.

Open your skills. Succeed.





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ENTER thinkin class

concepts tests, concept tests,concepts tests, concept tests,concepts tests, concept tests,concepts tests, concept tests.......

Hold On

GMAT has moved on....

Learn differently with thinkin class.
look at the link on your right.

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New feature in letsgmat

In lieu of the recent trends in GMAT.
"GMAT questions have become tougher".

I have decided to add study notes for those who are studying by themselves for GMAT.
On your left you will see a regular feature where i will post math,critical reasoning, sentence correction, data sufficiency questions with analysis and solutions.

Study these problems. The way the questions are analysed will be useful for you.
Generally in other sites you would have found questions, correct answer and and explanation.

Here I have gone one step further and I also have

• broken down each problem into its bare necessities
• written the logic behind each and every problem
• further variations(if any) which can be added to the problem to make it more complex

and more insights into the problem. So go ahead and lap it up.  Questions will be updated every week. so keep visiting....


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Downloadable material

Just to remind you people about the list of resources I have put for you to download.
1. Algebra GMAT basics
2. Arithmetic GMAT basics
3. Geometry GMAT basics
4. 5 FULL GMAT tests.

and much more....
check.....


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World Executive MBA @ GSBA Zurich

With the power of Zurich Living Case
Happened to see this on a lazy browsing afternoon session

Here’s the summary
With great strides in the field of management and economics, business schools have to shape their teaching and research to keep pace with the developments in order to remain competitive. The World Executive Education Alliance is the first academic alliance in business admisntration which offers management modules in fundamental disciplines of business administration on five continents in Brazil, South Africa, India, Russia and Switzerland.

The programme is a unique and copyrighted teaching and learning methodology called the Zurich Living Case.
GSBA students study at campus in Horgen/Zurich and at GSBA’s prestigious WEEA partner universities around the world. It ensures high class teaching with first class international faculty and an intercultural exchange among executive students and faculty.

Truly one of its kind. Any takers
Hear more at
info@gsba.ch
www.gsba.ch


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Essentials for GMAT data sufficiency.. Must read

What is Data Sufficiency?

Data sufficiency is designed to measure your ability to

1. Analyse a quantitative problem
2. Recognize which information is relevant
3. Synthesize data
4. Determine at which point there is sufficient information to solve a problem.

Data sufficiency questions contains a question statement, followed by two sub statements labeled (1) and (2). Do not waste valuable time solving a problem. Only determine the statements sufficient to solve a problem.

Follow the flow chart presented below.

 The order of preference while answering a question is

• D
• A/B
• C
• E

There are 5 possible scenario's while answering questions. They are:

Scenario 1:

Check question statement and statement (1) first. If you get an answer, wait
Then
Check question statement and statement (2)alone. If you get an answer now mark D

Scenario 2:

Check question statement and statement (1) first. If you get an answer, wait
Then
Check question statement and statement (2)alone. If you do not get an answer now mark A

Scenario 3:

Check question statement and statement (1) first. If you do not get an answer
Then
Check question statement and statement (2)alone. If you do get an answer now mark B

Scenario 4:

Combine question statement ,statement (1) and statement (2).
If you get an answer now mark C

Scenario 5:

Combine question statement ,statement (1) and statement (2).
If you do not get an answer now mark E

I hope you get your DS sums right now. Mail me at george@semanticslearning.com for your GMAT doubts...:-)



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Wow strategies for GMAT critical reasoning

Now some critical thoughts

Most people find the weaken/strengthen critical reasoning questions tough to crack.
Here’s good news!

If the question is weaken/ strengthen the logic is inductive. i.e. a conclusion is drawn
•from examples,
•from analogies(comparing two things)
•from cause effect relationship(causal logic)
•or from statistics( numbers, ratio, percentages)

To weaken argument from examples – choose counter example from options
To weaken analogy – choose the option that shows non- comparability
To weaken causal –choose alternative causes from option
To weaken statistics- choose option that shows unrepresentativeness

Reverse these m you are ready for strengthen.
How write strategy like the above for each logic type for strengthen question
Now work on 10 weaken/10 strengthen questions from OG. Voila! You’ve bloomed to be a logician (does that exist??)

Let me know if it works.


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GMAT Critical reasoning and AWA tips

hey guys, if you have been seriously preparing for GMAT, you would have noticed a lot of overlaps in critical reasoning and argument task of the writing section.

The logic as well as the way to analyse these is almost the same. So generously draw from your CR learning to analyse and compose response to your argument essay.(assuming that you did good preparation for CR). The argument topic presents a short passage(just as in CR) that presents an argument and specific instructions on how to respond to that passage.

The instruction is common across argument topics -to assess the logical soundness of the given argument.

keep in mind that the instruction for the issue topic varies from topic to topic).

The essays test you on critical thinking and analytical writing. Know that you are NOT being asked to present your own views on the subject.( that is in the issue topic). Here you have to analyse somebody else’s claim( easier right? To find fault with some one else! I find argument essay easier).

Make sure that you support your analysis with relevant reasons and/or counter examples( yes, if eg is used in issue, you use counter eg in arg; don’t forget we are finding fault with the speaker of the arg.) you can give hypothetical eg – drawn , personal, observed, read about..just ensure that your example is intelligible to a stranger…eg can be news items, research findings, general beliefs and so on. Ensure that they are relevant and positioned at the right place.

If the claim in the argument, for instance, is that Atkins diet is found to bring down blood glucose levels. So those who are diabetic should shift to Atkins diet. You may counter it by referring to a hypothetical report on the importance of physical activity in the lowering of blood sugar levels and that diet alone is no solution…etc etc.

Argument essay integrates critical thinking and writing skills. So don’t ignore language.

On that and snippets on issue task, iam saving for the nxt time…happy prep



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Exciting times for students planning to go to Australia?

Exciting time, they are at( India and Australia), so they claim. while signing a new agreement in Melbourne. People to people contact is at the heart of the bilateral relationship.(provided the eyes and the hearts are spared!!!), sorry Sibalji

Experts from both sides comprise the India – Australia education council and the Australian govt’s earlier advise to Indian students ‘ don’t flash your expensive possessions! Blueberries, I pads....’,part of the new deal?)

Kapil Sibal and Gillard( Oz deputy PM) are meeting after six months( obviously waiting for the heat and dust to settle). What about the 40% drop in students going to Oz for studies? Sure they will be working out a mechanism—relaxation of visa rule, scholarships, longer work permit.. the works..you add more to it



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Know your critical reasoning concept for GMAT – 1

There are two types of arguments commonly asked in the GMAT CR. Lets discuss them

• What is an inductive argument?
• What is a deductive argument?

An inductive argument is an argument where the conclusion is derived from the given premises only. The GMAT CR arguments are mostly of this type. This argument is weak because when the argument is critically analyzed it can be concluded that the conclusion cannot be derived from only the given premises.
Few examples of inductive arguments are given below.

Example 1:

Recently Algie Corporation has recruited a clever CEO to manage its operations and found its operational costs reduce by 30 percent ever since. A similar decision helped Beta Ltd to cut down operational costs by 33 percent. This shows that corporations can reduce operational costs considerably by recruiting astute CEOs.

The argument is weak because it cannot be concluded that the reduction of ops cost cannot be attributed to CEO only, it could be because of some other external factors.

Example 2

A few students of Joe School joined Luke College for liberal arts course. Mary is a student of Joe School. Therefore, Mary is most likely to join Luke College for liberal arts course.

The argument is weak because it cannot be concluded that Mary belonged to that group of students that joined Joe School

A deductive argument is an argument where the conclusion is claimed to follow necessarily from the given premises. Specific conclusions can be derived from universal premises. This argument is strong.
Few example of deductive arguments are as follows

Example 1:

All plants are green
Rose is a plant
Rose is green.

Example 2

All chemical factories in North America have effluent treatment plants within the factory premises. Fertilizer Max is a chemical factory in North America. Hence, it must have an effluent treatment plant in its premises.

Now why don’t you submit three inductive and deductive arguments . Let me check them.
You can also email your comments to urmentor@semanticslearning.com





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Move over IIM CAT, here comes GMAT.

Days after the union cabinet cleared the foreign educational institutional bill (This bill allows foreign universities to set up shop in India), GMAC has announced plans to set its third office in India(The other offices are in Virginia, USA and London, Uk)

For GMAC, India is a huge market with 8% of the total test takers being Indians. Also the number of institutes that take GMAT should increase.
Currently there are 26 Indian schools which take the GMAT. The GMAT test is currently used by over 4700 programmes in 1900 Bschools all over the world. ISB Hyderabad, IIM Ahmedabad ,Bangalore, Calcutta ,Lucknow and Indore take the GMAT score for their current programmes. The number of Bschools which will take GMAT will increases as most of them aspire to meet global standards.

Last year 2.65 Lakh students appeared for GMAT. This number should increase this year as more colleges should be considering GMAT in their admission criteria. The number of test takers has doubled from 2005 to 2009.

This means that you will have more globally ranked colleges to apply to......


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GMAT class room training program

I have just started a fresh batch for GMAT. I have come up with 8 different course variants for GMAT. I found that we cant be teaching the same course for everybody.
Call me at 09884123808 India for more details.





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Grab the exclusive MBA seat at Harvard

Harvard has been in the forefront of management education since 1908. The MBA program is famous for its curriculum where it is required to apply the candidates decision making skills as many as 500 hundred times in two years through their case- method learning.

To get into Harvard, email your admission queries to admissions@hbs.edu. They look out for students with leadership potential and a capacity to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.

The candidates leadership potential can be gauged through various instances. It can be from organizing a classroom to running an independent business. Candidates with a potential for intellectual growth, sophisticated ideas, analytical ability and discussion skills are preferred.

Work experience will be considered along with GMAT scores. There is no minimum work experience required. At times it may be required for you to attend an on-campus summer pre MBA international programme.
For loan opportunities and research outside funding opportunities visit www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/loans.html and www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/funding.html



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Component skills to master GMAT reading comprehension

GMAT reading comprehension tests you on many component skills.

There are a lot more analytical skills that go into high performance in the verbal. Here is a set of skills – of recognizing the fine differences between the list of terms.

Label passages into narrative, argumentative, expository, descriptive
Recognize- main points of the passage, factors, examples
Relate- between causes and effects, major and minor ideas
Critique- the author’s assertions
Translate- abstract and figurative expressions into more precise and literal language
Apply- information in the passage in hypothetical contexts
Draw- logical conclusions, inferences
Analyze- a text for weaknesses, strengths, validity
Compare and contrast different points of view
Recognize the organization of the passage
Integrate- new ideas into the passage
Defend/ rebut-the author’s position

For high score verbal, acquire a copy of RC topper module at.
Email your queries to urmentor@semanticslearning.com



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GMAT sentence correction error types

Re-write the following sentences correctly

Error type: Subject verb disagreement
1. When temperature increases, the ice caps melt and presumably, causes flood in summer.

Error type: Parallelism
2. The panel of contractual savings has suggested three major recommendations, namely, benchmarking of small savings against government securities, retain tax sops only on savings with maturities in excess of six years and transferring of the entire proceeds of small savings collections to states.

Error type: idiomatic construction
3. Some of’ the biographers of Leonardo have actually expressed regret that such a man, endowed by divine artistic genius would waste precious years of his life on such a lowly pursuit like engineering.

Error type: Misplaced modifier
4. Instituted by the law council, three years to a review of the legal profession was devoted by the task force.

Error type: Tense consistency

5. Debono’s recent research on cognitive processes had revealed that managers used intuition in distinct ways.

Error type: Countable, non countable noun use
6. During the economic recession, the wages of much unskilled workers were so less that many of them lived in abject poverty.

Error type: Pronoun and noun agreement
7. Almost a century ago biologists found that if it separated an animal embryo into two parts at an early stage, they would survive and develop as two normal embryos.

Error type: Illogical comparison
8. Unlike Singapore, the roads in Hong Kong are asphalted twice a year when the monsoon comes to an end.

Error type: Adjective adverb use
9. This perfect sound method to portray the text as it originally stood, is quite imaginative and with creativity than the new interpretation.

Error type: Faulty Diction
10. A policy outlook on the status of children in a country is essential but not quiet well enough condition to make a difference to the future of a generation.


There are 15 more error. In total there are 25 error types often tested in the GMAT. To know more information click http://www.semanticslearning.com/gmat-usage.asp


To download the entire error list and study notes click here.http://www.semanticslearning.com/downloads/GMATSentence_Correction.zip

Email me at enquiry@semanticslearning.com for doubts and queries. A GMAT verbal faculty will answer them.



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