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THE GMAT
• What is the GMAT and how is it used?
• What does the test involve?
• How can you best prepare?
The basics
• What GMAT means• How the GMAT may be used– by schools• one of several metrics• test of character
– by you• application• CV• learning
Test overview
• Essay (AWA) ~ 30 minutes• Integrated Reasoning ~ 30 minutes• 8 minute break• Quant ~ 75 minutes• 8 minute break• Verbal ~ 75 minutes
The less important bits 1
• Analytical Writing Assessment– importance– how to ace it• template• keep it simple• be clear & concise
– preparation• planning
– timing• plan, write, review
The less important bits 2
• Integrated Reasoning– importance
1. according to GMAC2. according to schools & tutors
– preparation• question types• synthesising information
– timing– all multiple choice
The less important bits 3
• Do– stay calm ~ you know what to expect– keep it simple (AWA)– do what you can (IR)
• Don’t– take them too seriously– show off (AWA)– worry about getting everything right (IR)
Quant overview
• 37 questions– almost exactly 2 mins per question
made up of…
• 22 Problem Solving (normal Maths)• 15 Data Sufficiency– same theory, different format
Verbal overview
• 41 questions– a little less than 2 mins per question
• Sentence Correction– correcting grammar and style
• Critical Reasoning– a question about an argument
• Reading Comprehension– what it sounds like
Problem Solving 2
Other reasonably important areas are..
Fractions & PercentagesPowers & Roots
StatisticsRate & Ratio
Geometry
Problem Solving 3
And finally, don’t worry too much about..
SequencesVenn diagrams
Coordinate geometryFunctionsProbability
CombinatoricsSymbolism
Data Sufficiency 1
• Requires same theory as Problem Solving
• You are asked a question• You are given statements (1) and (2)• You decide whether the statements
give sufficient information to answer the question
Data Sufficiency 2
“What is the value?” questions
ExampleWhat is the value of x + y?(1) x = 3 and y = 5(2) a = 2 and b = 1
We can answer with (1) but not with (2)
Data Sufficiency 3
A similar exampleWhat is the value of x + y?(1) x = 7(2) y = 11
We need both statements together to answer the question; one statement on its own is not enough
Data Sufficiency 4
Yes / No questions
ExampleIs x a prime number?(1) 6 < x < 8(2) x has two factors
Got an answer?
Sentence Correction 1
Theory required:
Rules of (old-fashioned, formal, written) English grammar
ANDAn understanding of (good) style in written English
Sentence Correction 2
Format:• You are given a sentence, some or all
of which is underlined• You must replace the underlined
portion with one of five options• Answer choice A is always the same,
i.e. the sentence is correct as it stands
Critical Reasoning 1
Format:• You are given an argument.
Arguments may contain the following:– Premise (fact)– Assumption– Conclusion (opinion)
• You get a question on that argument–multiple choice answers
Critical Reasoning 2
Sample questions:• What would strengthen/weaken the
argument?• On what assumption is the argument
based?• What would help us to better
evaluate the argument?
Reading Comprehension 1
Format:• You are given a passage of ~350
words• Any topic ~ no outside knowledge
needed• You answer 3 (or sometimes 4)
multiple choice questions
Reading Comprehension 2
Sample questions:• What is the primary purpose of this
passage?• The author would most likely agree
with which of the following statements?
• Theory A differs from Theory B on which of the following points?
What To Do 1
Quant first steps• Learn the theory• Use a Maths book• Do one topic at a time• Practise processes until they become
automatic
What To Do 2
OG questions• Start with the lower-numbered
questions in each section as they’re easier (supposedly)
• Work out what you don’t know, or can’t do, and then fix it
How To Do It 1
When you sit down to study,HAVE A LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Never an amount of questionsNever a set time
By the end of this session…What do I want to have achieved?
I want to be better at….. what?
How To Do It 2
When going through the OG,DO EACH QUESTION
(AT LEAST)3 TIMES
1. Test conditions2. Long as you like3. Review (later)
How To Do It 3
REVIEW EVERYTHING!
(especially when you’re tired after work ~ save new questions for when you’re fresher)
FIND YOUR WEAKNESSES
Fixing it 1
I didn’t know what to do =(
• Look for clues– Keywords– Answer choices
• Compare similar questions
Fixing it 2
It took too long =(
• Practise processes• Learn to read questions (clues /
similar questions)• Find shortcuts• Just get the answer however you
can!
Fixing it 3
I don’t understand this topic very well =(
• Go back to basics• Work on one topic at a time• Practise until you do understand• Ask for help
Fixing it 4
I made a silly mistake =(
• Work out why– copying error– going too quickly–messy working–misread the question
• Always re-read the question!
Top tips 1
Have a timing strategy
• Time as an investment ~ ROI
• Faster and slower ~ what difference does it make?
Problem Solving skills
• Multiplication and division• Prime factorisation• Identifying number properties• Deriving algebraic equations• Solving algebraic equations• Applying formulae
• Reading the question
Sentence Correction skills
• Applying rules of grammar• Spotting small differences• Developing an instinct for the sound
of a sentence• Giving reasons why things that sound
wrong are wrong
Critical Reasoning skills
• Simplifying an argument– line of reasoning
• Identifying premises, assumptions, conclusions, inferences etc.
• Knowing what is ‘outside the scope’• Clarifying the two sides of an
argument– double negatives
Reading Comprehension skills
• Speed reading• Summarising• Mind-mapping or other note-taking– descriptive vs argumentative
• Identifying keywords• Recognising synonyms
Resources
• GCSE level Maths book• The Official Guide to GMAT Review• A book on English grammar and style• mba.com free software• Other online resources
e.g. khanacademy.org
More fun ways to prepare
• Sudoku• Spot the difference• Crosswords• Card games• Philosophy• Old newspaper reports• Numbers in everyday life
Deliberate mistake 1
Is x a prime number?(2) x has two factors
Statement (2) is the definition of a prime number, therefore statement (2) is sufficient
BUT…
Deliberate mistake 2
Is x a prime number?(1) 6 < x < 8
x does not have to be an integer, therefore statement (1) is NOT sufficient