GMAT Prep II

Below is a random collection of tips that I found useful when I was preparing for the GMAT. I hope that you find some of it useful also.

Common Myths

• MYTH: You need a GMAT score of 700+ to be a competitive applicant.

• FACT: Only 7% of all GMAT takers score 700 or higher.

• MYTH: The GMAT tests your knowledge of business principles.

• FACT: The GMAT tests your basic quantitative and verbal abilities

• MYTH: The GMAT tests complex math concepts.

• FACT: GMAT math is tough because of the way the concepts are tested, but you don’t need to know more than high school algrebra and geometry.

• MYTH: All of the questions on the GMAT count equally towards your score.

• FACT: Questions at the beginning of each section have a greater impact on your score than do questions that come later in the section. Basically, take extra care with first 10 questions of each section. The harder the test gets, the better you’re doing.

Basic info about GMAT scoring

• Two Overall Scores

• AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment) 0-6.0 (Avg. is 4)

• Total (Verbal + Quantitative) 200-800 (Avg. is 530)

• Separate Verbal and Quantitative scores out of 60

• Verbal >42 and Math >50 are rare.

Suggested scoring for young applicants

To be competitive with other applicants, you should aim to score in the respective tiers (see below) depending on the school’s reputation and ranking. Typically, the younger you are as an applicant, the higher your GPA and GMAT needs to be—Both should be at or above the schools average.

• 95-99th percentile 710+ (top 15 schools)

• 79-90th percentile 630+ (top 40 schools)

• 61-75th percentile 570+ (need very compelling story, should take it again)

• 37-50th percentile 500+ (should definitely take it again)

How many times should you take the GMAT?

Ideally, one. I don’t think any b-schools have a specific limit on how many times you can take the GMAT but I wouldn’t take it more than twice. If an applicant has a perfect 800 after 6 tries, it probably won’t look better than a 710 on the first try. The schools can see how many times you took it. If you’re taking it that many times, it just means you’re spending your time preparing and practicing for a test and that you’re probably not busy doing something else more compelling. There are plenty of good practice tests out there so you should not take the GMAT until you are completely comfortable with where you’re at. Don’t waste your first attempt.

Some tips I found helpful for the AWA portion:

• It’s all about structure–use simple, clear language.

– Computer Grader and Human Grader–they take the avg. score

• Analysis of an Issue

– Given a topic, take a position, back it up

• Analysis of an Argument

– Given argument, say it’s a bad argument, give reasons

– Try this intro and conclusion–I found that it will work for any topic. Use this and you’ll basically just have to fill in the 3 paragraphs for the body.

Intro: The author’s argument is unconvincing because his conclusion depends on several unsubstantiated assumptions. Each of the following areas merit further explanation before the author can be given any degree of credibility.

Conclusion: Due to the many holes in the reasoning of the author’s argument, it is difficult to take the author seriously. Unless further evidence surface in each of the areas discussed above, the given premises are insufficient proof that the conclusion drawn is viable.

Suggested prep materials

• GMAC Official Guide to GMAT (Must Have)

– Real GMAT Questions. But don’t use this before you take PowerPrep Tests! The PowerPrep tests come free when you register for the test and they are very accurate at predicting your score. However, like the official guide, they draw on the same questions used on previous tests. If you use the guide first, you might be inflating your test scores.

• PowerPrep CD (comes free when you register for a test)

• Kaplan GMAT book

– Get the complete one—w/CD, Math, Verbal

– Extensive Math Prep

– Practice tests great for pacing with CAT–they look and feel exactly like real thing, just harder

• Princeton Review Verbal Workbook

– Essay and Verbal Prep

Suggested Schedule:

• Give yourself at 2-3 months

– Avg. 2 hours a day (except for test days) 3-4 days/week

• Start with diagnostic Test (Kaplan)

– Gives you a good breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses. Spend more time on yoru weaknesses–your marginal return on your score will be much higher.

• Work Through Kaplan book and Princeton Review—Take 2 Kaplan Practice Tests • Take PowerPrep test & Evaluate

• Work Through Kaplan book and Princeton Review on needed portions—Take remaining 2 Kaplan Practice Tests

• Take 2nd PowerPrep test & Evaluate

• If needed, work through Official GMAT Guide

• Take Free Princeton Review Test Online

After each powerprep practice test, if you like your score, you should just go take it and move on to the other 99% of your application–your essays and rec letters.

Good luck!

Symon