What test prep books should I buy?

What test prep books should I buy?

We get asked this question a lot, so don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here is what you need to know about choosing the best resources for your GMAT or GRE preparation.

In a nutshell, all test prep books fall under two categories:

1. “Official Guides” published by the makers of the test (such as the GMAC or ETS)
2. “Strategy Guides” published by test prep organizations (such as Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, The Princeton Review, etc.)

If you’d like to understand how to best use these books in your preparation, it would be helpful to know what purpose these books serve, and what were they made for

.

Official Guides

Contrary to the popular belief, these books are actually not Guides, even though they are, indeed, Official. On the GMAT and GRE, these books are the only sources of real questions from past exams (aside from the official exam software made by the same test makers), so essentially these books are awesome question banks that you can (and should!) use for practice.

Because these books are published by the same people who make the tests, the Official Guides are not designed to help you beat the test (this would be a bit of a conflict of interest, wouldn’t it?), nor are they guiding you thorough the test preparation process. Instead, they are providing an overview of what theory is being tested, and give you a general guideline on what kinds of questions to expect on the real tests.

Please keep in mind that NO question from the book will ever appear on the real test. This is what’s very different about the GMAT and GRE (and other standardized tests, such as the LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT or SSAT). Most other exams we take for work or school are knowledge-based tests, i.e. they evaluate our knowledge of a specific subject matter. For example, the PMP (Project Management Professional) test evaluates your level of knowledge of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), and not how well you can actually manage projects.

On the other hand, the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and other skills-based tests evaluate your level of skills, relevant for the success in the programs, for which these tests were designed. For example, instead of testing how well you know Math or English, the GMAT and GRE evaluate your ability to apply various strategies to deal with complex problems and arrive at the right answer within a limited time.

Here is a quote from the GMAC (the markers of the GMAT) that will help put things in perspective:

Rather than testing your knowledge of business or any other subject matter, the GMAT exam measures higher-order reasoning skills – skills that matter in the management classrooms and in the 21st century workplace.

You will need basic – an operating, not an expert – knowledge of geometry, algebra, statistics, and the English language to demonstrate different types of reasoning skills.

Notice how the test-makers use the word “skills” 3 times in this short description. They are telling us to develop these higher-order reasoning skills if we wish to have success on the GMAT.

OK then – if the Official Guides provide an overview of the theory and a collection of past questions for practice, how can we actually learn the strategies to attack the tricky questions that will appear on the exams? This is where the Strategy Guides come into play.

Strategy Guides

“Strategy Guides” are books written by test prep organizations that were originally designed as handouts for the students who take test prep classes. At some point, test prep companies decided that selling these books in bookstores was a great idea for a couple of reasons:

1. They could make extra money selling the books. Despite the fact that some of these books are quite expensive (for example, a set of 3 Manhattan Prep guides costs around $200) and that the test prep companies that publish some of the most popular books on Amazon (Manhattan Prep and Kaplan) are actually owned by Amazon, this is not a huge source of revenue for these test prep companies. Here is where the second – and the real reason – comes in.

2. Because the “Strategy Guides” were designed as supplements to the instructor-led classes, the actual higher-order reasoning strategies are not in the books! The way that curricula at most test-prep organizations is designed is that students need to read the book, and then come to class to learn the strategies to apply the theory from the book to the exam questions.

So even though they are called Strategy Guides, they are helping the test prep organization teach you the strategies, but are not intended to replace the instructor-led courses. This is understandable, because why would a test prep company want to put all of the strategies normally taught in a $1,500 course into a $20 book?

For all it’s worth, because these books are designed to be read before coming to class, the test prep companies are actually hoping that you will buy the book, read it, realize that you need to learn how to apply the strategies, and then register for the instructor-led course.

To make it easier for them to market the course to you, the books usually come with a free online exam or some other form of free online access, so that you can share your contact information and get on the mailing list. This is how Marketing works – you will learn this in a business school 🙂

And, because the test-makers of the GMAT and GRE don’t license real questions for books sold in bookstores, 100% of the questions in these strategy guides are simulated questions written by the test prep companies themselves, not the real types of questions you’ll see on the real test.

So it is possible to study with books?

By now, you’re probably thinking that we will say no, it is not possible. After all, if the only 2 types of books available on the market are the Official Guides, which are simply awesome question banks, and Strategy Guides, written by test prep companies who want us to come to their classes, is taking the prep course my only real choice?

Not really.

It is definitely possible to prepare for the GMAT or GRE with books. Many people do. I did, too. What helped people like me prepare for the GMAT or GRE using books – or even free resources – was that we already had the skills necessary to achieve our target scores. Some people, like me, got really lucky in school and had amazing teachers who taught us how to think differently. Other people had coaches or family members who taught them these higher-order reasoning strategies at a very young age.

Because we already knew the strategies, all we needed to prepare for the test was to review the exam content and do a couple of mock exams. This is what the books and the online practice software is for. This is how I was able to achieve a 750 (99%-ile) GMAT score in just 2 weeks.

So if you got really lucky in school and have already learned the advanced, out-of-the-box strategies that can help you achieve your dream score on the GMAT or GRE, all you need is review the theory tested on the exam and do a couple of mock exams. If you’re preparing for the GMAT, you could get a FREE 7-day trial of our practice software that includes an awesome knowledgebase and a FREE mock GMAT exam here.

 

How do I know what’s right for me?

If you didn’t get so lucky in school yet, don’t worry! It’s never too late to learn the strategies that will help you not only get a high score on the GMAT, GRE, or LSAT, but also succeed in the grad school.

Here are the first steps we recommend when preparing for the GMAT (the steps will be very similar for other tests):

1. Review the Quant and Verbal theory tested on the GMAT. You can find a detailed overview of the basic concepts in the GMAT Official Guide or in the knowledgebase on our GMAT practice platform.

2. Take a mock exam to evaluate your starting level. You could take the GMAT mock exam here.

If your diagnostic score is very close to your target score, just make sure you’re comfortable with the theory and do a few more mock exams. You could take 2 free exams using the Official GMAT Starter Kit or purchase a set of 5 additional practice GMAT tests (with explanations) for only $39.99 here.

If your diagnostic score is more than 10-20% away from your target score, then, unfortunately, doing practice questions and mock exams will not be enough, as doing so may simply reinforce some bad habits. You would need to learn the strategies first and then practice them until they become good habits.

 

How can I learn these strategies?

Depending on your available time and budget, you could choose one of the 3 options:

Option 1. Self-paced prep course. This is the most affordable option because there is no live instructor teaching the class – all classes have been pre-recorded ahead of time.

This option gives you the flexibility to study on your own schedule, but please be careful choosing the course that includes support from a live instructor, as you will undoubtedly have questions along the way! The initial cost of the program may be low, but most prep companies charge $300-$400 for each hour of help from an instructor, so the costs could add up very quickly.

The Admit Master GMAT Mastery On-Demand course includes 3 hours of private tutoring and unlimited email support from an instructor for up to 1 year. The Admit Master GMAT Express On-Demand course is an affordable option that includes only email support if you’re on a tight budget.

Option 2. Live group course. The biggest advantage of the live group course is that that you can ask any questions in real time, and be part of the community of other like-minded individuals who are going through the same experience.

Be sure to choose a course where you can interact with your instructor in real time, as most online courses let you speak with a teaching assistant via a chat box, but not talk to your instructor.

The Admit Master GMAT Mastery course is the most in-depth GMAT prep course available on the market that includes 60+ live class hours, a free retake policy for 1 year, 3 hours of private tutoring, and all study materials for one affordable all-inclusive fee. It even includes FREE access to Math and Verbal foundations drills to help you prepare for classes ahead of time! Book your seat now.

Option 3. Private tutoring. This is the most personalized option that lets you study efficiently by focusing exactly on the topics and strategies you’re struggling with.

The fees for private tutoring range from $0 (if you have an experienced friend who can help you for free) to $500/hour or more. Because private tutoring is so valuable as you’re getting close to your exam date, we at Admit Master include 3 hours of private tutoring in most of our preparation programs. However, if budget is not an issue and you desire the most personalized VIP experience from an expert GMAT instructor, we offer a private GMAT Mastery course with 33 hours of tutoring and all study materials for only $3,999.

 

Can I talk to someone to help me make the best decision?

Absolutely! We’d love to help! We promise to be very upfront and honest with you, but please remember that we can’t make the decision for you. You need to be very committed to this process in order to beat the competition and get into top grad schools.

Do you have what it takes? Then we’d love to chat! Please book your FREE one-on-one consultation and please remember, you’ll be speaking with a real instructor and not with a salesperson, so there are no bad questions to ask!

Most Common GMAT Traps (Avoid them at all costs)

Have you ever done a GMAT question and were confident you did everything correctly, only to discover – to your huge surprise – that you got that question wrong?

If you have, you’re not alone! Almost everyone falls into GMAT traps sooner or later, so learning these traps will definitely help you avoid them! Moreover, knowing the silly mistakes that other people are making can often lead you directly to the right answer without doing too much work!

While there are too many traps to list in this short blog, here are the most common ones – among the dozens of traps that we teach in our GMAT Express self-prep program or the GMAT Mastery instructor-guided course:

Arithmetic Traps

How many numbers are there between 10 and 20, inclusive?…

Are you trying to decide whether there are 9, 10, or 11 such numbers? If you are, think again! There is an infinite number of numbers between 10 and 20. We mostly use whole numbers in our everyday lives, and the GMAT can’t wait to take advantage of our common habits! Unless the GMAT tells you that the number is an integer, it doesn’t have to be!

Speaking about habits, you may have experienced, by now, that sometimes our bad habits drag us down. The key to success on the GMAT will be learning good strategies upfront, and then practicing them until they become good habits.

When you shop around for a GMAT prep course, be sure to choose a course that not only teaches you good strategies, but also includes personalized coaching from an experienced instructor who will help you break old habits and replace them with new, good habits. An Admit Master GMAT Mastery course includes 60+ hours of live classes and 3 hours of private tutoring, giving you a superior personalized experience from start to finish.

Algebra Traps

If x/y>2, is x>2y?…

Most people will say yes, of course, but the answer is: we don’t know. What if y were negative? If we multiply both sides of the inequality by a negative number, we need to flip the sign.

Because y is a variable, it could be both positive and negative. Depending on the sign of y, we may or may not need to flip the sign in the inequality. Hence, we actually don’t know whether x>2y or x<2y. This rule will be super useful when you’re dealing with Data Sufficiency inequality questions, so make sure you’re super comfortable with it!

Geometry Traps

If the distance from A to B is 25, and B to C is 15, what is the distance from A to C?…

If you don’t draw a picture, it’s so easy to fall into this trap and think that the answer is 40. How do we know that C is not between A and B? Or, maybe, these 3 points are not even on the same straight line?

Always draw a picture on a Geometry question, even if one is shown to you. Almost always you need to do something with the picture, so having your own copy is super helpful! Moreover, the GMAT will often manipulate the picture and draw it “not to scale” to mislead you. Redrawing the shape will help you avoid visual traps in Geometry.

Sentence Correction Traps

Why would a dog’s tail be between its legs when it’s raining outside?

Do you know how to correctly use ‘s? Do you also know that its use in pronouns is different than in nouns? Paying attention to such details is going to be very important on the GMAT.

In fact, did you know that the most common skill tested on the GMAT Sentence Correction is attention to detail? How do you develop this attention to detail? By knowing what detail to pay attention to! In our GMAT Mastery and GMAT Express programs, you will learn exactly what to look for in each Sentence Correction question, so that you can master this skill with ease!

Critical Reasoning Traps

The Earth is flat. Therefore, one can fall off the Earth by walking far enough.

Could we weaken this argument by saying that the Earth is actually round? Surprisingly, the answer is no. The first statement was the evidence, and trying to weaken the evidence is one of the most common traps in Critical Reasoning.

Critical Reasoning is definitely a mind-bender, so knowing what to look for will be critical (no pun intended). Be very clear where is your conclusion and where is the evidence, and never strengthen or weaken the evidence!

Reading Comprehension Traps

Should you read the question first or the passage first?

It would be helpful to read the question first if there were only 1 question, but each passage has 3 or 4 questions! Reading efficiently, paying attention to just enough detail, and seeing the big picture is key to your success on Reading Comprehension.

Most people read passages more than once, but truthfully you barely have time to read it once! Some people just skim and miss important details. Some other spend too much time reading into the details that are not even that important.

You may have experienced this pattern in your studies, as well! Often, when we read a GMAT book, we find a lot of details about every topic, but did you know that some topics are way more important than others (obviously)?

In our GMAT Mastery program, we will show you what’s really important to know and what won’t show up on the test very often, so that you can study efficiently and enjoy the process!

Come join us at our next GMAT Mastery live program and get the structure, the coaching, and the support necessary to help you get into your dream business school. Or, if you prefer to study by yourself, check out our GMAT Express self-study program and ace the GMAT at your own pace!

Join our community today – check out self-prep study resources and sample live classes now!

[button color=”red” link=”/gmat-online/#StudyOptions”] See course demos and workshops [/button]

Financing your MBA

Getting accepted to your dream Business School is very exciting. However, when the initial thrill subsides, you might be faced with a very important decision: securing the resources to fund your program.

Financial matters are consistently ranked as one of the most important concerns for candidates when considering an MBA degree. While it is true that financing an MBA can be costly, financial worries should not be a deal breaker in the pursuit of your dream, as there are many options available to help you fund your MBA:

1. MBA Scholarships / Grants:

Many universities provide scholarship opportunities for prospective candidates. On average, the policies and criteria surrounding these scholarships and grants differ for each school. Your entire application will be considered, including work experience, gender, nationality, academic achievements, GMAT score, etc. However, as a general rule, scholarships and grants are mainly given to candidates with highly competitive profiles that are desirable to business schools.

2. Student Loans & Lines of Credit:

For Canadian and US students looking to pursue an MBA degree, many federal, state or provincial loan options are available to help finance post-graduate studies. If you’re located in Ontario, check out the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) website for more information. For US citizens, the Stafford Loans available from the Federal Government are a viable option.

Bank loans and a Student Line of Credit are also viable options for financing MBA studies, in conjunction with financial aid. Many commercial banks have loans available to finance graduate level studies, with low interest rates that can be paid back once the student has secured employment post graduation. In the US, many top schools have also forged partnerships with local credit unions to help students finance their studies.

3. Employer Subsidies / Workplace Sponsorship:

Many companies have tuition reimbursement / assistance programs embedded into their corporate policies. Do your research to see what options are available at your company and check if there is any post-graduate work commitment for you to be eligible. If you need to submit a request for tuition reimbursement to your manager, be sure to effectively convince them of the value of financing your MBA, and how that would benefit the company. Many business schools will gladly provide assistance and templates that you could use to communicate with your manager.

4. Part Time Work:

Throughout the duration of their studies, some MBA students take on the role of a Teaching or Research assistant at their Business Schools to help partly subsidize their tuition fees. While part-time work on campus can provide extra income, don’t rely on it exclusively to fund your MBA, as you will likely have little availability outside of your studies. Finally, remember to account for your internship income if your MBA program allows for a paid internship.

Don’t let your financial situation hold you back from attending your dream Business School. Consider all the options that are available. We can help you understand what scholarship options will be available to you!

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]

Study smarter, not harder… and beat the GMAT!

Why, oh why do we do it? Why do we get stuck in the same, old patterns of behaviour and never change them, even though they don’t get us the desired result? Most students, whether in high school, post-secondary, or graduate level studies believe they have perfected their tactics and mastered their studying technique when it comes to hitting the books. They repeat those same, time-honoured techniques they learned from their parents and teachers, over and over again, and yet, don’t seem to achieve the results they hope or expect to. On the other hand, how is it that some students, who seemingly invest half the time and effort, significantly outperform their peers?

Firstly, as a disclaimer — there is no substitute for investing the proper amount of time into your studies, especially if you are studying for tests that require very specific skills, such as the GMAT! Natural intelligence certainly plays a factor, but in most cases it simply boils down to better – and more efficient – study habits! In fact, developing these highly efficient study strategies can determine your success in further studies. It is not just about the time you put in, but it is also about the way you study. Read on to find out what key skills you need to build to study smarter, save time on the GMAT, and achieve your goals faster!

Your SMART GMAT Study Plan

1. Choose your GMAT resources wisely

When you first embark on your GMAT journey, you may be tempted to buy as many books as you can while you have the momentum, but diving head first and grabbing every textbook in sight isn’t necessarily going to help you! If you subscribe to the “less is more” philosophy, you’re already ahead of the curve in terms of the GMAT. While it is important to have good resources to help you to study; having an overwhelming amount of material won’t help you to study smarter—in fact, it’s more than likely that you won’t have the time to crack even half of the spines of those mountains of resources you have obtained. Resources should be comprehensive, but ideally should be kept to no more than what is needed to help you learn and review basic concepts and practise those concepts.

2. Research your target programs

Research the schools you are interested in applying to and the scores they are looking for. It is important to understand what their GMAT score criteria is, so that you are able to use this information to help you plan your studies. Once you have done your research and understand your score goal, it is imperative that you understand where you stand in terms of your present GMAT score. A key to studying smarter is knowing where you’re starting from — no matter how daunting it may seem to take a diagnostic test. You need a score to start from, so that you can better understand how much you need to do to reach that target, and have a more accurate picture of how long it might take you to get there. If you don’t start with a diagnostic test, you’ll feel like you’re trying to use the GPS to drive to a new destination without having any idea where you are at the moment! Understanding where you are missing the mark is important, so that you are able to build up your skill level in this area. Key takeaways: Never skip the groundwork, and don’t cheat the process! Accurately assess where you stand today, so that you can improve tomorrow.

3. Consistency and Persistence

Having continuity in your studies is important. Create a well thought-out study plan, and stick to it! Treat your study sessions like an important meeting you can’t afford to miss, and hold yourself accountable for the progress you achieve. Make sure you keep a record of your successes and failures. They are not meant to demoralize you, but to keep you honest and on track with your own progress. Select certain days you can dedicate to studying, and create a timetable on what topics you will cover in that time frame. Whether you can study for an hour every evening 6 days a week, or can spend a few hours twice a week—it’s imperative to establish a rhythm. You also don’t want to “overdo” it and overwhelm yourself. Don’t set timetables that you can’t realistically meet, especially if you have a lot of other things going on in your life. Pro Tip: Switch up the topics when studying for the GMAT, and break up your study time into realistic portions. You may have “crammed” a few all-nighters when you were in college, but on a skills-based test such as the GMAT, cramming all your studies in a few days is not going to work well!

4. Teach someone else, to teach yourself

One of the most effective ways to see if you have really absorbed the information, is to teach the concept(s) to someone else. This will check your understanding, as well as help you relay the concepts back to yourself. Key takeaways: If you are going to attempt to teach someone else a concept, it’s essential your own understanding is solid. Remember that if you don’t have a firm grasp on the concept yourself, the person you are trying to teach it to will not, most likely, understand it either. This is why it’s important to be able to summarize and understand the information you are studying, not simply memorize it!

5. Writing > Reading

An effective way to study smarter, is to write down your notes to help organize yourself. Scientific studies say that writing something down once is more effective than reading it seven times. This is understandable because writing something down increases the focus given to a specific piece of information. Though the process of written notes does take longer, increasing your effort by taking the time to write something down will actually help you encode that information much more efficiently. In other words, when you write something down, you will remember it better and it will stay with you longer.

6. Consider GMAT Study Groups / Professional Help

You might want to consider studying with someone or in a group to help motivate you, especially if you lack momentum and want a better sense of accountability. Studying with others is also helpful if you tend to procrastinate or put off your work, and need that extra push you get from others in a study group! If you want the motivation of learning in group settings, but are also specifically looking to learn important skills and get a highly competitive score, professional preparation may be invaluable for you. Why? You’ll learn the material from experienced, top-scoring instructors and learn the best ways to leverage your time and build your skills. You will have someone else to be accountable to and will have the responsibility of completing homework and practising constantly. Professional training of concepts and learning how to master difficult GMAT questions will certainly help fill the gaps in learning that you might experience when studying alone. Not to mention the confidence you will gain when you start seeing marked improvements!

As mentioned above, there is no substitute for investing the proper amount of time in your preparation, nor is there any “silver bullet” that will help you achieve the result you want without having to put in the work! When it comes to studying for important exams such as the GMAT, which can significantly impact your future career; it is essential not to cheat the process, however it is important to understand the process of training for a skills-based exam. The quality of the time spent dedicated to studying as well as learning how to maximize your efficiency will give you an envious score, without leaving you feeling overwhelmed!

7. Go ahead and create your personal GMAT study plan!

We will be happy to help! Please book your 1-on-1 Study Plan Review below. If you haven’t yet taken a practice test, take one first to get the most out of your free 1-on-1 consultation.

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/freetest”] Take a free practice GMAT test [/button]    [button color=”red” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a free GMAT Consultation [/button]

GMAT Exam is changing big on April 16, 2018

Starting on April 16, 2018, the GMAT exam will be shorter by 30 minutes to give you a more streamlined experience and help reduce your exam anxiety. The total test time on the updated exam will now be 3.5 hours instead of 4 hours, including breaks and instructions.

What exactly is changed and how does it affect you?

The most significant time reduction comes from shortening the Quant and Verbal sections. The number of questions on the Quant section will be reduced from 37 to 31 (reducing the total time of the Quant section from 75 to to 62 minutes). The number of Verbal questions will be reduced from 41 to 36 (reducing the Verbal section time from 75 to 65 minutes).

Additional time will be saved by reducing tutorial screens and moving them online. You will now be able to take the exam tutorial at home before coming to the exam centre.

You will still have unlimited time to choose your 5 target schools, and 2 minutes to decide whether to accept or cancel your score. However, the time on all other tutorial screens (including the time to choose your preferred section order) will be cut in half.

Why is the exam changing?

The GMAC aims to find ways to simplify test-taking experience and reduce candidate anxiety. This is a welcome change to help you manage stress levels and fatigue on the exam.

How does this affect exam scores?

The scoring algorithm is not affected by this change. As you are probably aware of, by now, each section has a number of experimental questions that are tested for future use, but don’t influence your score. The shortened exam will have fewer experimental questions, but the number of scored questions on each section will remain the same.

This means that you’ll waste a lot less time working on the questions that don’t matter! On the other hand, the proportion of experimental questions has been reduced dramatically, and there is now a much smaller chance that the question you guessed on did not count 🙂

When will this change take effect?

The shorter exam will become effective for all tests worldwide on Monday, April 16, 2018.

I’ve already booked my exam. What should I do?

When you appear for your exam, you won’t be able to choose a “shorter” or a “longer” exam. For this reason, if you booked your exam before April 16 and would like to take advantage of a shorter exam, please call the GMAC at (800) 717-GMAT (4628) before April 11, 2018 to reschedule your exam to a later date for free (online reschedules will still carry a $50 fee).

I’m still studying. Will the practice exams be updated?

The Official GMAT prep software will be moving online at the end of April 2018. The 2 official practice tests will reflect the shorter sections at the time of release.

The downloadable GMATPrep software will not be updated and will be released in 2019.

The Admit Master practice tests will remain at 75 minutes for the time being, while we’re updating our software. However, we still recommend using them for practice, since the time per question on the exam will not change, and taking longer exams at home will help you build stamina for the exam date.

NB: The All-Inclusive Admit Master GMAT Mastery Course includes 9 online practice tests and access to a very large question bank of over 5,000 well-explained practice questions.

You can also access a free GMAT practice test here, or purchase a pack of 5 tests here.

I have more questions. What should I do?

Reach out to us any time for clarification! Sign up for the free 1-on-1 consultation, or register for our All-Inclusive GMAT Mastery Program in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, New York City or Online. We have already incorporated the updated exam structure in our curriculum.

[button color=”red” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]

Master the GMAT: Build the Right Skill Set

GMAT is a test of skills, rather than knowledge

As of July 11, 2017, for the first time in the history of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), test-takers can choose the order of the four exam sections (a small pilot was run in 2016, but it affected fewer that 1% of test-takers). Why was this change implemented, how will it affect your test-taking experience, and, most importantly, what could you do to take advantage of this change to maximize your GMAT score?

Developed specifically as an admission test to business schools, the GMAT exam has been evolving over its 65-year history to better assess candidates’ potential for success in b-school. The initial version of the GMAT contained just Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning sections. In 1994, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section (that contained two types of essays) was added to the GMAT to help schools assess candidates’ writing abilities. In 1997, the exam was transformed from a pen and paper test to the computer-adaptive format (CAT) that ensures a more precise evaluation of the level of the skills tested, based on an intricate scoring methodology that selects the questions based on the answers of the previous questions. In 2012, one of the two essays was replaced with a new section – Integrated Reasoning (IR) – that evaluates a candidate’s ability to synthesize and analyze data from multiple sources and different formats to solve complex problems.

Following the recent change, candidates can choose the order of the four sections of the exam – you can now start with the Essay (as in the “traditional” GMAT format), the Verbal, or the Quant section. This change provides greater flexibility to test-takers and enables candidates who are challenged by the Quant or Verbal sections to potentially improve their scores by starting the test with a “harder” section, while they are less tired.

Before you decide what strategy works best for you, a thorough understanding of the essence of the test is a must.

So what is the GMAT all about?

GMAT is unlike almost any other test you’ve ever taken. Most exams test your knowledge of specific content, such as Math, English, or Chemistry. Even during your professional life, you may have taken certification exams that evaluate your understanding of a certain Body of Knowledge. GMAT is an admission test to graduate-level business and management programs, so you may be forgiven for thinking that this exam measures how well you know business. Then, if you looked at the exam structure (the GMAT consists of an Essay, as well as Quantitative, Verbal and Integrated Reasoning sections), you may have thought that the GMAT is an exam of Math and English language…

Both of these misconceptions are quite far from the truth. Here is an excerpt of the official GMAT brochure: “Rather than testing your knowledge of business or any other subject matter, the GMAT exam measures higher-order reasoning skills – skills that matter in management classrooms and in the 21st century global workplace.” The creators of the test have said it themselves: the GMAT is a test of skills, rather than knowledge – yet most candidates completely miss this fact! Even if they don’t, many of them still focus on trying to memorize a lot of content instead of on developing the right skillset that not only will help them reach a 700+ score, but also will be invaluable for their MBA studies and for their future careers.

So what skills does the GMAT actually test?

You already know, by now, that the GMAT measures advanced reasoning skills that are relevant to your success in a business school and beyond. Moreover, because the GMAT is the only standardized way for admission committees to evaluate candidates from different backgrounds, business schools look at GMAT scores very seriously. Your GMAT results will help MBA Admission Committees assess how well-developed your skills are and, therefore, how likely you are to be successful in the MBA program.

At Admit Master, we strongly believe in long-term value of skills development. All our GMAT Courses (available in person in Canada and the United States, and online globally) follow a skills-based approach. We call the skills tested on the GMAT “Thinking like a CEO”. If you’re able to analyze and synthesize information, ask the right questions, make the right decisions, and manage your time well, you’ll not only do well on the GMAT, but will also be a valued candidate for future employers after graduation. After all, if you want to become a CEO, you should first learn how to think like one!

If the GMAT is a test of skill, why do so many people try to study for it by memorizing content?

Mastering skills instead of memorizing content not only takes longer, but is also an unfamiliar way to study for most people. As you may remember, most exams you’ve ever taken required you to memorize lots and lots of concepts, so this is how most of us are used to studying.

Unfortunately, many GMAT preparation resources and even some GMAT prep courses offer “content-based curriculums” that are designed for the memorization style of learning because this is what most people can easily relate to. While these resources may cover the GMAT content in great detail, they often fall short in helping students develop the higher-order reasoning skills that will help them achieve the “gold standard” score 700+ (on a 200 – 800 scoring scale). As a result, an average GMAT test-taker will get a score of around 550 – certainly limiting their chances of admission to top tier business schools. Sign up for a free Online GMAT Practice Test here.

Moreover, developing skills takes time and effort. Many people don’t see quick progress and get discouraged, or may even give up. However, if you stick with the process of building the right skills, if you focus on understanding the big concepts and their applications for the test, and if you get the right support and coaching, you can achieve remarkable results, as many of our students do.

Getting a 700+ GMAT score requires investment of a lot of time and effort. Is it worth it?

When we meet new candidates, and ask what score they’d like to get on the GMAT, we often hear: 700! So why is getting a high score on the GMAT so important? Indeed, there is a lot of value in doing well on the GMAT.

A high GMAT score will help you:

  • Demonstrate that you have developed a skill set for success in business school and in managerial roles.
  • Meet the admissions requirements of a large variety of reputable MBA programs globally.
  • Qualify for higher entrance merit-based scholarships that will consequently boost your ROI and free up your resources for new business ventures.
  • Have a better chance at landing a job in a competitive industry, because recruiters in these industries consider GMAT scores to filter top candidates.
  • Signal that you are a top candidate committed to exceeding expectations with persistence and dedication.

 

We at Admit Master strongly believe that anyone can achieve a high score (and many of our clients do); however, statistically only 10% of candidates get a score of 700 or more. Achieving a high score on the GMAT not only requires knowledge of rules or formulas, but also a deeper understanding of the test, as well as commitment to developing the skill set for success in business school and beyond. The GMAT is not just an admission test – it is a learning opportunity that prepares you for success.

Have personal questions related to MBA Admissions or GMAT preparation, or would like to receive a free professional evaluation of your profile?

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]

This article was originally published in the Access MBA Guide, 2017-2018 Edition.

Acing the MBA Admissions Interview

You’ve worked hard on your MBA application, aced the GMAT, told a great story through your CV and essays, had your application package reviewed by a professional MBA Admissions consultant, obtained glowing references, and submitted your application on time. Now what?

The next crucial step in your application is an interview. If you were invited for one – congratulations! This means that the Admissions Committee at your dream business school considers you an interesting candidate and would like to meet you to further assess your qualifications and your personality.

Some candidates believe, mistakenly, that the interview is just a formality. If you were applying for a job, would you think that an interview was only a formality? Getting an interview simply means you’re still “in the game”, so take the interview seriously!

Remember, there are many applicants vying for limited seats in the MBA program, and your job is to “sell” yourself to the Admissions Committee. Be sure to know what the school is looking for in candidates and highlight your achievements that are most relevant to that particular business school.

A common question that many candidates ask is: How do I know what the school is looking for? Chances are, this is the first time you’ll be applying to an MBA program, and you may simply not know what you don’t know. The easiest and most straightforward approach is to hire an MBA Admissions consultant with lots of experience in the industry. After all, you can only do your MBA once, so getting into the best possible school that fits your profile and your career aspirations may mean the difference between living your dream career or getting stuck in the jobs you don’t like for another 30-40 years of your professional life.

How do I prepare?

Remember that the interview is a culmination of your entire application. It is a chance to clarify and elaborate on the “story” you told through your application, and make a good impression that will likely result in an offer of admission.

For this reason, your interview prep should begin well before you’re invited for one! When you’re putting together your “story”, be sure to highlight 3 main areas:

1. Where you came from: your background, education, work experience, and community involvement.

2. Where you’re going: your career objectives, your dream job after the MBA, where do you see yourself in the next 2, 5 and 10 years.

3. How this business school can help you get there: why the school is the perfect fit for you, how you would benefit from the MBA, and how you would contribute to the success of others.

If getting professional help with your MBA Applications is not practical, be sure to do extensive research on your own: read com-ments and profiles of other candidates who were successfully admitted to the same school; visit the school campus and talk with cur-rent students; search your LinkedIn network and connect with students and alumni from that school; ask for advice; and definitely have someone, ideally a friend or a colleague who successfully applied to the same or a similar business school, run mock interviews with you and give you honest feedback.

How should I present myself at the interview?

Make a good first impression from the moment you walk into the reception area. Shake hands, maintain a good eye contact and keep a positive attitude. Be humble but confident. Be well rested and well dressed. Be prepared, but don’t sound like you’re reading from a prompter. Most importantly, relax and be yourself. After all, you want the business school to admit you for who you really are!

Should I simply answer questions?

While it’s important to answer your interviewer’s questions, your job is to tell your “story” and further strengthen your application. Be sure to tailor your answers and highlight unique personal stories that make you different.

Let the interviewer guide you through the first steps, but then gently take control of the conversation. Be polite; never cut off the interviewer when he or she asks questions or makes comments. Start your answer by repeating the question; this will help you stay focused. Avoid one-word answers.

Most importantly, prepare 2-3 compelling questions, answers to which you can’t easily find on the Internet. Asking interesting and unique questions will make you more memorable and could tip the scales in your favour even more!
Finally, remember to follow up no later than 1 day after the interview, and ideally the same day if your interview is in the morning. Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and reiterate your interest in the program. Good luck!

Have personal questions related to MBA Admissions or GMAT preparation, or would like to receive a free professional evaluation of your profile?

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]

This article was originally published in the Access MBA Guide, 2016-2017 Edition.

Smaller classes, more opportunities: true of MBA programs, true of GMAT courses

Bigger doesn’t always mean better. A small class size often provides a much more personalized learning experience. Here are some things to consider in your search of a perfect MBA program or a GMAT prep course.

1. A good fit

MBA is not simply an academic program where you learn the basics of business. It is a professional degree designed to help you boost your career. A smaller program will often give you more opportunities for closer interaction with your peers, faculty, the career centre, and with the school’s industry contacts at networking events.

Be sure to visit the school’s campus and attend classes and information sessions to get a feel of the school’s culture and understand if a smaller class environment is the right fit for you.

When it comes to selecting an ideal GMAT prep course, you need to look for a personal fit as well. GMAT is unlike most other tests, because it measures not your knowledge of specific rules or formulas, but the skills that will make you a successful MBA student and a successful future manager: skills such as analytical abilities, critical thinking, and decision making.

A good GMAT course will provide not just the knowledge, but the right training environment to help you develop these skills. In a large GMAT class, your instructor won’t get to know you and won’t be able to offer any personalized feedback – the feedback that will be crucial to help you develop the right skills to succeed on the test.

Be sure to contact the GMAT prep centre, ask about the class size, and attend a free sample class, if one is available. Find out if there are is a money back guarantee if you are promised a small class and end up in a class of 25+ people – because you can’t learn effectively in a class this large, you might be better off taking a class at a different prep centre that guarantees small classes.

2. More specialized

Many smaller MBA programs are highly specialized and are designed to meet the needs of specific industries. For example, some world-class MBA programs such as Luxury Brand Management MBA at ESSEC, Hospitality Management MBA at EHL and Wine Marketing and Management MBA at INSEEC may not be as well known as Harvard or Insead, but are much more focused, practice-oriented, and have excellent reputation in their field – many graduates from these smaller specialized programs have multiple job offers from the best companies in their industries before graduation.

Many GMAT courses offer cookie-cutter one-size-fits-all courses. You might be in class for many hours, listening to things you already know, because in a larger class an instructor must progress slowly and can’t afford to lead the class efficiently based on your individual needs.

Admit Master GMAT courses are smaller, more personalized, and are designed for MBA candidates who are targeting 650-700+ scores on the GMAT. Before taking classes, you will take a full-length diagnostic GMAT test, will meet 1-on-1 with an expert instructor to discuss your study plan, and will work on refreshing your basic knowledge of theory by completing practical Math & Verbal exercises online.

Because every candidate coming to the Admit Master GMAT course is well prepared, and because in a small class of 12-15 people your instructor will know you personally, the course will progress much more efficiently, saving you time and letting you focus on harder topics that will make a real difference in your GMAT score results.

3. Marketing

Large business schools can afford to spend more money on advertising, yet schools with smaller enrollments could still be among the best in the world (take Stanford GSB, for example).

The same pattern could be seen in the GMAT prep industry. Prep centres with larger classes spend a lot of money on advertising to fill these classes, yet don’t necessarily offer the best classroom experience, because a large part of your tuition is spent on marketing. These programs tend to be very generic and mass-oriented, where you become just a number. Remember your undergraduate class of 100-500 students? 🙂

Smaller programs, such as Admit Master’s GMAT Mastery program, tend to attract many students through word of mouth and can focus on providing quality training and personal support instead of expensive advertising.

Be sure to read reviews from real past students on Google or Facebook, and don’t hesitate to ask the GMAT prep company to put you in touch with candidates who took the course before you – this will help you not only learn from experiences of others, but also understand if the company indeed cares about each student and keeps in touch with them after the course is over.

4. Cost

An MBA is a major investment. While cost of the program is important, you need to look at the value the MBA will provide to your future career. Don’t choose a program just because it’s cheap – you can only do one MBA, and a cheap program from a less reputable business school may prove to be a poor investment. At the same time, a more expensive program doesn’t always mean a better value – you need to see whether your tuition goes to providing a high-quality, personalized education, or on other things that don’t add value to you.

We recommend picking a program that’s the best fit for your career and that offers the best long-term value, and then maximizing the value of your investment by securing an entrance scholarship based on your competitive GMAT score and your attractive overall MBA application package.

GMAT courses cost a lot less than MBA programs, but an opportunity cost of taking a poor course could be significant: many larger courses are designed for average candidates and won’t help you get a high score within a short time. Thus, you may need to spend more money on additional resources and private tutoring, and may need to delay your MBA application – a decision that may cost you $30,000-$50,000 or more in foregone salary because you will graduate a year later.

Admit Master’s GMAT courses include everything you need to succeed on the GMAT – small classes, personalized attention, online resources and practice tests, free course retakes for 1 full year, and even 1-on-1 tutoring. To maximize the value of your investment in the GMAT course, be sure to register early to take advantage of early-bird discounts, and set aside 8-10 hours per week to do your homework, so that you can get to your dream score faster.

5. Strong network

Smaller, more exclusive MBA programs often have stronger alumni networks. Smaller classes not only facilitate opportunities to get to know your classmates on a more personal level, forging quality lasting relationships and helping you build a stronger professional network, but also allow for greater opportunities to tap into more tight-knit alumni networks that could be invaluable in your post-MBA job search.

For example, two world-class MBA programs – Queen’s & Ivey – have smaller class sizes and are located outside of the Greater Toronto Area, yet many of our students who went on to study at these schools praise excellent recruiting opportunities with the best companies in Toronto – a testament to the strength of the alumni networks at these business schools.

A GMAT course is often your first opportunity to develop lasting relationships with future MBA students at different business schools. This is your perfect chance to expand your network beyond your chosen business school, so don’t take it lightly!

Most GMAT courses offered at University campuses serve almost exclusively applicants to these Universities. Even if you’re planning to apply to these Universities, you’ll be better off taking a GMAT course outside of the campus and expanding your network beyond that one University.

Because Admit Master’s GMAT Mastery program is designed for candidates targeting high GMAT scores of 650-700+, most of your peers in the GMAT course will be successfully admitted to the best MBA programs in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Take full advantage of the opportunity to get to know your classmates in the GMAT course, and you’ll be well on your way to building awesome professional relationships for years to come!

Choose wisely

One of the greatest benefits of smaller programs is the feeling of community. During your program, you will get to know everyone in class. Your trainers, professors, and the staff will be there to support you on a more personal level. When you graduate, you will feel part of a stronger alumni family.

Choose your MBA program and your GMAT course wisely. Do your research, visit the school, and don’t fall for empty promises and one-size-fits-all marketing messages. Find the right learning environment and look for a good fit with your personal and professional goals. Don’t underestimate small programs, because small is indeed beautiful and small can be your perfect match!

Learn more about Admit Master’s GMAT course in Toronto, Chicago, Montreal and Online.

Need help choosing the best GMAT prep option or the best MBA program for you?

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 GMAT & MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]

GMAT is the key to open doors to many business schools

The GMAT exam is the first step towards achieving your dream career! As the gold standard for admission to the world’s top ranked business and management programs, the GMAT exam will help turn your life’s passion into profitable and successful career.

Today the GMAT exam is the most widely used test for graduate management admissions and the most reliable predictor of academic success in graduate business and management studies. The exam measures your verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The GMAT exam is the key to quality MBA programs that attract the best candidates and bring the best professional opportunities in the future.

More than 5, 400 graduate-level business and management programs around the world use the GMAT exam to help identify students who can succeed in their programs. Rather that testing your knowledge of business or any other subject matter, the GMAT exam measures higher-order reasoning skills – skills that matter in management environment and global workplace. You will need basic knowledge of geometry, algebra, statistics, and the English language to demonstrate different types of reasoning skills.

1. Analytical Writing Assessment measures your ability to evaluate the reasoning behind an argument and convey your position in writing.
2. Integrated Reasoning section measures your ability to synthesize and analyze data from multiple sources and different formats to solve complex problems.
3. Quantitative section measures your ability to solve quantitative problems, interpret graphic data, and know what data you need to solve a problem.
4. Verbal section measures your ability to read and analyze text, reason and evaluate arguments, and convey ideas effectively in English.

[styledtable]

GMAT Section # of Questions Time Score Scale
Analytical Writing Assessment 1 essay 30 min 0 – 6, in 0.5 intervals
Integrated Reasoning 12 questions 30 min 1 – 8, in single digit intervals
Quantitative 37 questions 75 min 0 – 60, in single digit intervals
Verbal 41 questions 75 min 0 – 60, in single digit intervals
Total score is based on performance on the Quantitative and Verbal sections, reported on a 200 – 800 scale.

[/styledtable]

Take the GMAT exam seriously, start preparing in advance, as you already know – a good GMAT score is the best way to get the world’s top business schools to notice You!

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 Consultation [/button]

Best strategies for attending an MBA fair

February is a busy time for MBA candidates. You may be still trying to put together applications for September, or are beginning to explore your options for the following academic year. The best way to meet different business schools in one day is to visit an MBA Fair. For the past couple of weeks, cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Boston, and New York hosted multiple events: QS World Grad Grad Tour and MBA conferences organized by QS and The MBA Tour.

If you haven’t had a chance to join MBA fairs in your city this time, we would like to share some tips on how to make the most of your time at the next MBA event you’ll be attending.

Do your homework

Create a list of programs you believe will suit your individual goals, abilities and circumstances. Check the list of the schools that are coming to the fair, visit their websites and at least read some information on their home pages and in program guides. Showing that you know a bit, or a lot, about a specific school indicates that you’re serious about doing your MBA.

Ask the right questions

At the fair, focus on the schools you already know are likely to be a good match, and come prepared with a list of questions to ask, such as teaching style, mix of students, academics, areas of specialization, future career options and the cost of living. Do not ask questions, answers to which could be easily found on the business school’s website. Be interesting, ask challenging and creative questions.

Make a good impression

You won’t have much time with each prospective school, so you’ll want to make the most of it. Take a few moments to introduce yourself and be memorable. Tell the Admissions representative about your background, career goals and how you’ll be able to contribute to your future MBA class. In addition to an engaging and a meaningful conversation, you’ll want to make an impression by establishing great eye contact, having a firm handshake, and telling a memorable story. Bring a hard copy of your resume and don’t forget to exchange business cards!

Make connections

An increasing number of schools now bring alumni to fairs alongside their admissions personnel. Probe them for insights about the pros and cons of their MBA experience. Attend different seminars and panels, ask the right questions, talk to business school representatives and alumni to get more useful and unique information.

Dress for success

While it’s certainly not mandatory to wear a black suit, remember this is your first opportunity to make a good impression. It only makes sense to look and act in a professional manner.

Impress the business schools by knowing the GMAT

At the fair, talk to representatives from Admit Master to get more insights into the strategies for acing the GMAT and for preparing an application that will help you stand out. Come to a free GMAT class before going to the fair, or better yet, begin preparing for the GMAT by joining the GMAT Mastery program designed for 700+ scores.

Not only will you get a head start on the admissions process compared to other applicants, but you’ll also show to the business schools that you’re taking this process very seriously.

Can’t visit us at the fair or can’t wait to get tips on how to ace the GMAT? Sign up for a Free 1 on 1 Consultation with one of our expert GMAT & MBA Application Advisers.

[button color=”green” link=”http://admitmaster.com/free-consultation/”] Sign up for a Free 1-on-1 MBA Admissions Consultation [/button]