Happy New Year from GMAT Malaysia

Seasons Greeting from GMAT Malaysia

NUSConnect @ Kuala Lumpur on 8th Dec 2012

Want a free GMAT Review book for Christmas?

BusinessBecause.com is giving away 10 copies of the Official GMAT Review 13th Edition this Christmas. Want to win yourself a copy? Send your answer to this question to Kate Jillings

Question: Why do you want to apply to business school in 2013?
For more information, check out here.

Jimmy Low

HKUST MSc in Global Finance - Class Sit-in Opportunity

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School is offering an sit-in opportunity to experience in person the "Fixed Income Instruments and Markets" class by Prof. Jennifer Carpenter for the MSc in Global Finance, a joint HKUST Business School and NYU Stern Business School programme. Only 5 seats are available per session.

Session 1:  July 6, 2012 (Friday), 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Session 2:  July 8, 2012 (Sunday), 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

at HKUST Business School Central, Room 1501 02, 15/F, Hong Kong Club Building, 3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong (MTR J3 Exit).

For more information and sit-in registration (closing date: July 5, 2012) , kindly contact

Ms. Tracy Chau

Program Assistant

tracy@ust.hk

Tel: (852) 2358 5028

 

For more information about the MSc in Global Finance, check out.

Jimmy Low

Ready or Not, Here IR* Come .....

* stands for Integrated Reasoning

The Next Generation GMAT that everyone is waiting for (good or bad is a matter of perception :P) The Integrated Reasoning (IR) will replace one of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) come 5th June 2012. In this new section, you are tested on your ability to analyse a case within 30 minutes. You will given info from various sources, graphs or charts to interpret and table to analyse. Yes, all these within 30 minutes. Phewwww!

ManhattanGMAT offers an analysis of what you can expect in the Integrated Reasoning section.

For those who are going to take GMAT after 4th June, tell us about your Integrated Reasoning experience.


Jimmy Low

GMAT Malaysia Poll

Judging from the questions we got, we are curious how did you prepare for GMAT. Please take the poll (see the Poll at the side bar). Poll ends 31st Dcember 2012.

Thank you for your participation.


Jimmy Low

Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition

The Official Guide for GMAT Review is now in its 13th edition. A necessary companion for any GMAT takers; this Guide has over 800 questions for the Verbal and Quant sections as well as AWA essays. Included in this edition is the online companion to help you prepare for the Integrated Reasoning section, which will be introduced from 1st June 2012.

According to mba.com, the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition Online Integrated Reasoning Section features:

• 50 Integrated Reasoning practice questions and answer explanations
• Comprehensive details about what the Integrated Reasoning section measures and how to understand each question type
• Links to additional resources to prepare for the GMAT exam

The Online Integrated Reasoning Section is available separate from the Official Guide for GMAT Review, 13th Edition until 5 June 2012. After then, it will only be available as a part of the book.

So, what has changed in the 13th Edition? ManhattanGMAT provided a detailed analysis of the 13th Edition.

You can get a copy from Amazon, mba.com or Kinokuniya Kuala Lumpur (for those in Malaysia).

Good luck in your preparation, from all of us at GMAT Malaysia.


Jimmy Low

LUCENT Admission Counselling

LUCENT (Technologies) was famous for its Bell Labs, which was once part of the US telecommunications giant AT&T before Lucent was acquired by Alcatel. When I received an email from Tilia Wong about Lucent Education, the name Lucent brought back good memories of my years with the company (my so-called flying years).

So, what is Lucent Education about? Started by two ladies, one of them Tilia Wong from Malaysia, Lucent Education offers university admission counselling to top universities in USA for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Lucent Education is keen to support South East Asian (SEA) students in their admission to top USA universities. A recent article in The Star "Not Up to Mark" highlighted the growing concerns of the quality of Malaysian applicants and being not competitive. Perhaps it is timely that additional help from those who knows the US education system and how best to give you that extra boost you need (caveat: the quality of a candidate is very much dependent on his or her past achievements - academic and extra-curricular. Admissions consultants can only help you "polish" what you already have. Lucent Education and GMAT Malaysia are not responsible for the final outcome of your admission).

If you seek that extra help in your US universities admission, perhaps Lucent Education can help make you shine.

GMAT Malaysia Readers Offer!

Lucent Education offers a free 30-minute admission consultancy to all GMAT Malaysia readers. Please contact Tilia Wong at info@lucenteducation.com and mention the promotion code "GMAT Malaysia".


Jimmy Low

SMART TEST GMAT Prep

One of the frequent questions I received is where they (my readers) take GMAT prep in Malaysia. While in most cases GMAT takers self-studied or take online courses, there is now a prep centre in Petaling Jaya for those who need the extra face-to-face help. SMART TEST offers prep courses for GMAT, GRE, SAT and TOEFL English proficiency test as well as admissions counselling.

SMART TEST offers 30-hours GMAT group prep course or 18-hour GMAT private tutoring. Their fees include study materials.

SMART TEST also helps students to review their postgraduate admission essays.

So, if you need additional help to boost your GMAT score, why not check out SMART TEST at www.smarttest.com.my.


Jimmy Low

Tell the World about Your Program!

We would like to help you reach out to your targeted audience. We received over 20,000 pageviews to-date and still growing with readers from Malaysia, USA, Germany and India being the top countries.

If you want your program to be known, send me (my email address on the sidebar) the details about the program or class preferably 7 days in advance (if there is a deadline). This would give me time to post on GMAT Malaysia and my readers to respond to your ads.

And, it is free. Nothing works better than a (reliable) word-of-mouth.


Jimmy Low

P/S: I am selective in what I post here. Not all advertisements will be accepted as I would need to screen and understand the contents before posting. There is no obligation on your part nor on mine.

Sit-in at HKUST/NYU Stern MSc Global Finance Class

Considering a Master in Global Finance with top HK and US universities HKUST (ranked 10th in world, 1st in Asia*) and NYU Stern (ranked 17th in world, 10th in US*) Business Schools? HKUST offers 5 seats per session for those interested to pursue a Master in Global Finance. Sit in with the current MSc Global Finance class in the Asian financial capital, and listen to the discussion about the Derivatives Market, led by Professor Menachem Brenner of NYU Stern.

The available sessions are:

Session 1:          11 Mar (Sun),  2:30 - 3:30pm

Session 2:          12 Mar (Mon),  12noon - 1pm

Session 3:          13 Mar (Tue),  12noon - 1pm

held at: 
         HKUST Business School Central
         Room 1501 – 02, 15/F, Hong Kong Club Building
         3A Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong (MTR J3 Exit) (map)

Sit-in participants have to be punctual, keep silent and cannot involve in discussions.

Please contact Ms. Tracy Chau to reserve a place by 7 March 2012 (Wed) at tracy@ust.hk or tel: (852) 2358 5028.

For more details about the MSc in Global Finance, click here.


Jimmy Low

* according to Financial Times 2012 MBA ranking

12-Point to Business School Experience - Preparing for MBA

Kelvin Chiu of Chinese University of Hong Kong's (CUHK) MBA class 2013 shares with Business Because his 12 points to make the most of his MBA experience. Perhaps you too are preparing yourself for an MBA experience soon. Read what Kelvin has to share. Perhaps you can share with GMAT Malaysia readers how you are preparing for your MBA experience. Post your comments below.

You can read my ESMT MBA 2010 Endurance Expedition experience here.


Jimmy Low

Post MBA Visas - Preparing before Graduation

Most of us, when choosing to do our MBA in a particular country, also choose to stay back to gain employment. But how often do we prepare ourselves in advance. Very often we just prepare for admission but not beyond. Will the country where you do your MBA restrict you from staying back?

Business Because posted a guide to post study visas for MBA graduates in Germany, Canada, the USA, Australia and Singapore. Read on.


Jimmy Low

ESMT goes Mobile

ESMT website on MacBook Pro and HTC Desire HD Android smartphone

ESMT launched its mobile version of ESMT website for those on the go. You will find all the essential information about ESMT and its programs by entering www.esmt.org/en/mobile on your mobile browser.

Main page and full-time MBA page as viewed from my HTC Desire HD Android smartphone

Jimmy Low

Nanyang's MSc Technopreneurship & Innovation Program

Nanyang Technopreneurship Center offers its Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation Program (MSc TIP) as a global entrepreneurship and innovation program based in Asia.

Offered by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) since 2002, this revolutionary curriculum equips candidates with the skills and experiences to take full advantage of advanced technology and global business practices.

The NTU MSc TIP is a one-year, full-time program based in Singapore. The program focuses on experiential hands-on learning and includes immersion trips to US and China. A class is typically made up of participants from about 10 countries and from various educational and industry backgrounds.

For more information, visit NTU's TIP website. 

Jimmy Low

Digital GMAT Books on Amazon Kindle

The proliferation of smart devices such as smartphones, tablets and e-readers, offers a new avenue to read books and acquire knowledge. Amazon Kindle offers more than 1 million digital books, among them books on GMAT.

For those looking for GMAT materials and are always on the move (or trying to squeeze some time for GMAT while commuting), consider GMAT books in digital format. All the popular books by Kaplan, Princeton Review, Veritas and Manhattan GMAT are available in this digital format from Amazon Kindle.

 

Amazon Kindle app (left) and GMAT digital books search results (right) on my HTC Desire HD Android smartphone

The only catch is you can't sell your digital books (or could you?)


Jimmy Low

GMAT Letdown DOES NOT end your MBA Dream

Recently, I received an email from a reader, asking me what is a satisfactory GMAT score. QS Top MBA published a timely article entitled "The GMAT Letdown" and answered along that same line as I did to my reader. I am sure you too have these question in mind. Read them and perhaps it will give you some comfort in your GMAT preparation.

Look at any business school admission requirements and you will find these components as part of your application package: (1) reasonable or satisfactory GMAT score, (2) undergraduate degree, (3) English language proficiency TOEFL or IELTS, (4) minimum 2 or 3 years working experience and curiculum vitae, (5) admission essays and (6) letters of reference or recommendation. I examine each of them.

Reasonable or satisfactory GMAT score
You will notice that most business schools will start there is no minimum score and yet will not state what is the score they want you to have. While GMAT score is a standardised measure of your quantitative and reasoning abilities (and yes, GMAT can be tough for some of us), many have been able to beat the GMAT. It takes a lot of practices and some right guidance to ace GMAT. While some score above 700 but that does not mean a business school will admit them. This shows that GMAT is one but not the only selection criteria. So then, what GMAT score could be reasonable? The hint is in the current class profile. Take a look at the class profile. It will tell you the average score of the class, and perhaps a range too. You will notice that the business school admits some with lower GMAT score and some with high GMAT score but most of them would fall within the average. This will be a good guide on what GMAT score to aim for. Of course, always safer to aim higher.

Undergraduate degree
The undergraduate degree is usually of little weightage other than to say that you have graduated. Some matured students without undergraduate degree do get admitted. Watch out for this requirement though. Some business schools insist you to have a 3- or 4-year degree depending which country you are from.

English proficiency
Most of not all MBAs are in English. Assignments and discussions are in English. The English proficiency requirement ensures that you are able to articulate your views, both orally and in writing. Those who did their degree in English or from countries where English is the native or first language could be exempted from this requirement. I did my degree in Australia; thus, did not require an English proficiency test.

Working experience
Here, most business schools state 2 or 3 years working experience but again the class profile will tell you the average and range of working experience of their candidates. Some business schools prefer to have students with more working experience especially managerial experience. There is no hard and fast rule. You need to research more about the school and their program. Talk to the admissions officers.

Your CV should cover 3 areas: Education, Experience and Extra-curricular. While the first 2 Es are clear, applicants often undercapitalise the Extra-curricular part. Your activities outside work demonstrate your involvement in other voluntary work as well as leadership and team-work.

Admission essays
Often, applicants do not pay much attention to this area especially when they have scored high on GMAT. I have spoken to some of the admissions officers during the MBA fairs in Kuala Lumpur and all of them told me to focus on admission essays. So, I share with you this advice from them.

Take a look at the admission essay questions. The admission essays is one of the ways the admissions committee get to know you without you being present. How? From your answers and how you answer. The questions focus on YOU, YOU and YOU. It is about you and all about you from different angles. They ask you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, your leadership in dealing with a problem or stressful situation, your leadership outside work, etc. All these questions are meant to weed out different aspects of yourself and for you to reflect on them. In fact, this part is the toughest of all. I have advised many people to really take a good look at the questions and do some soul-searching. You can't run away. If you succeed in this part, you have projected yourself and ready to embark on the MBA journey. Oh, one more this. If you are selected for a face-to-face interview either with 1 or 2 alumni or the admission committee, the same questions will be asked.

Letters of reference or recommendation
Generally, 2 referees are required - usually from your supervisor or peer. The referees will be sent a list of questions about you - mainly aiming at gettting a third party perspective about yourself. So, do not choose just anyone. Choose someone whom can talk about your, some schools required that one referee should be your immediate supervisor. Do not choose relatives or someone who could not vouch your work or curricular activities.

Bear in mind, referees also carry weight. If you referee is an alumni of the school you want to attend, then you could stand a good chance of admission as business schools like recommendations from one of their own.

So, you can now see that GMAT is only one part of the admission requirements. The lack of GMAT can be compensated by other areas. Nonetheless, I do wish you to do your very best in GMAT. It takes a lot of effort. We in GMAT Malaysia has for the last 4 years shared various tips and guidance to make your GMAT a less painful one. I hope we have succeeded to some extent. The rest is up to you.

Good luck in your GMAT and MBA dream!


Jimmy Low

Choosing MBA Concentration

Sometime last year, I wrote about whether To Specialise or Not to Specialise. My advice, then and still is, is look for an MBA that will bring you to where you want. If there is a concentration that you want, then go for the best school in that area. Of course it would be nice to have the top 10 schools as your choice but if it does not give you what you want or can afford, then using concentration is a good selection criteria.

Kelsey Sheehy of US News shared 5 tips on choosing MBA concentration. Read further here how you can narrow your choices. Kelsey echoed some of what I have shared earlier.

MBA is an investment - both in terms of foregone income during your study period (12 to 18 month, plus up to 6 months after graduation if you have not landed a job offer by then), MBA tuition and living expenses during that period. Like any investment, you want to make sure the next career will give you a lasting return, not just the fastest. It is possible as some of my classmates have found theirs. I am sure many other MBA graduates have found their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The search process takes time and talk to those who have gone through the process will give you some heads up as well as comfort what works and what does not. They are the living examples of what decisions that made that led them to where they are today. So, network and seek help.


Jimmy Low

Financial Times 2012 MBA Ranking

The 2012 ranking has been released. This year, the only Asian business school HKUST Business School occupied the Top 10 position. The other Asian business schools within Top 100 were: India Institute of Management Ahmedabad IIMA (11), Indian School of Business (20), Singapore's NUS School 0f Business (23), CEIBS (24), Chinese University of Hong Kong (28), Singapore's Nanyang Business School (34), University of Hong Kong (37), Peking University: Guanghua (54) and South Korea's Sungkyunkwan University: SKK GSB (66). South Korea's Kaist College of Business, positioned 99th in 2011 ranking, was out of this year's list.

Here are the top 10: (2011 ranking in parentheses)
1. Stanford University GSB (5)
2. Harvard Business School (3)
3. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton (1)
4. London School of Business (1)
5. Columbia Business School (7)
6. Insead (4)
7. MIT: Sloan (9)
8. IE Business School (8)
9. IESE Business School (9)
10. Hong Kong UST Business School (10)

The full list of top 100 MBA programs is available here.


Jimmy Low

GMATPrep Software for Download

Would you like to know how ready you are for the real GMAT test? MBA.com offers a trial software for you to download and test your GMAT. This software is available only for Windows-based PC, simulates the actual test environment. Thus, treat this test as a real test.

Instructions:
1. Allocate 3 hours for this test
2. Sit in a quiet room (no handphone or disturbances)
3. Only 5 sheets of overhead transparencies and one non-permanent black felt pen (Fine) (Faber-Castell or Stabilo)
4. No handphone, watch or calculator!

Register at MBA.com and download the software here.

Good luck!


Jimmy Low

Best Time to Take GMAT is .....

ESMT MBA director Nick Barniville believed that the best time to take GMAT is when you are still in the undergraduate. The GMAC statistics showed that Candidates (Men and Women) under 20 represented on average, 0.34% of total candidates of all ages. Of those 0.34%, 66% are Women, thus, Women under 20 effectively represented only 0.22% of all candidates. The largest GMAT candidates in any given year comes from age group 22-25 (38.3%), followed by age group 26-30 (30.3%) and age group above 30 (16.3%). Those who were in their final year of undergraduate studies, typically around age 20-21 represented only 14.5% (Source: GMAC Profile of GMAT Candidates 2006-2011). So is there a right age to take GMAT? Should you start as early as possible, bearing in mind minimum age for candidacy is 18?

I have received many questions in the last 4 years, seeking advice on GMAT. One of the questions I pose back is how many years of work experience does the person have. In this post, I share my view when you should start.

If you research the class profiles of various MBA programs, you will find that on average the candidates are around 29-33 for the European MBAs and 24-25 for the American MBAs. On paper, a general requirement is at least 2-3 years working experience, although some would have at least 4 years experience before doing MBA. In Asia, undergraduates complete their study around age 22-23. Most, if not all, would be eager to earn their first income and own their first car, house, etc. Building work experience, in my opinion, would be the first step. After all, you want to put into practice what you learned in undergraduate. MBAs are typically for those who have years of technical experience and would like to get into management or those with business background, would like to enhance their management knowledge and skills. So, doing MBA too soon defeats the purpose of leveraging on your MBA; it ends up a paper-chase, if that is the intention.

GMAT score is valid for 5 years from date of examination. While this is the case, typical GMAT candidates will apply within 12-24 months from their test and be admitted within 24 months. As the taking of GMAT is usually closely timed with their intention to do MBA, this gap between GMAT test and MBA admission could be close (perhaps GMAC or MBA admissions committees could validate this hypothesis). However, I do not discount the fact that there are "early birds" and have planned long-term what they want in life.

So, when is THE best time to take GMAT? My answer would be ... WHEN YOU ARE READY FOR MBA!


Jimmy Low

Gong Xi Fa Cai in this Year of Dragon 2012!

Wishing all our GMAT followers a
Prosperous Year of Dragon in 2012!

Jimmy, Cimdaa, JK