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

GMAT Club: Everything about GMAT and Beyond

GMAT Malaysia was created to share our GMAT, MBA applications and later MBA program experiences. While we did our best to share what we know, there are more out there whom can assist you too. I have given you www.topmba.com and www.businessbecause.com in my earlier posting. If you are seeking help how to prepare for GMAT or answer some of the tough Quant and Verbal questions, look no further than GMAT Club (www.gmatclub.com). Again, lots of questions and resources in their forum for you to tap on.

GMAT Club has also created iPhone/iPad/iPod mobile app "GMAT Toolkit" that you can download and use while on the go.

You need all the help you can get. I wish you good luck in your GMAT!


Jimmy Low

Next Generation GMAT: Coming to you in June 2012

Starting from June 2012, GMAT takers will have to sit for a new section called "Integrated Reasoning". The Integrated Reasoning section is a 30-minute test which covers a combination of quantitative (interpreting graphs, spreadsheets, data) and verbal (critical reasoning, analyze information, draw conclusions and discern relationships between data points, etc.). The Integrated Reasoning questions may include multiple parts but they are non-adaptive, according to GMAC, the official GMAT provider.


Source: mba.com


Format of Integrated Reasoning section
This section takes 30 minutes and will have 12 to 15 questions covering:

• Multi-Source Reasoning. The questions are accompanied by two to three sources of information presented on tabbed pages. Test takers click on the tabs and examine all the relevant information─which may be a combination of text, charts, and tables─to answer questions.
• Table Analysis. Test takers will be presented with a sortable table of information, similar to a spreadsheet, which has to be analyzed to find whether answer statements are accurate.
• Graphics Interpretation. Test takers will be asked to interpret a graph or graphical image, and select the option from a drop-down list to make response statements accurate.
• Two-Part Analysis. A question will involve two components for a solution. Possible answers will be given in a table format with a column for each component and rows with possible options; test takers will be asked to consider the options provided.
  
  

As you might get between 12 and 15 questions and finish within 30 minutes, you can only afford between 2 and 2.5 minutes per question (including reading, understanding and perform whatever calculations). I hope GMAT prep providers (those listed on the right sidebar) have developed Integrated Reasoning questions for practice.


Sample question
Manhattan Review posted a sample table/graph and a set of questions. See for yourself how the questions will be structured and tested. In this case, the questions were TRUE/FALSE. Try answering these 5 questions in 10 minutes.


Between now and May 2012, inclusive
The current GMAT structure - 60-min essays (2 essays), 75-min Quant (37 Qs) and 75-min Verbal (41 Qs) remains until May 2012, inclusive. Takers can opt-in to try the Integrated Reasoning section and will not be counted towards your GMAT score. GMAC is offering a monetary incentive for those who opt-in to take this Integrated Reasoning section.

From June 2012 onwards
The Integrated Reasoning section will be part of your new GMAT score. The total test time will remained unchanged at 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding break time. Instead of 2 AWA essays, you will do 1 essay for 30 minutes and Integrated Reasoning for 30 minutes. The Quant and Verbal sections remained unchanged.


For more information:
Next Gen GMAT press release, here.
Next Gen GMAT more information, here.
Integrated Reasoning format, here.
Integrated Reasoning test, here.

Commentary:
I do not know how the actual Integrated Reasoning section is tested but judging for the above video clip, my take is it will be a good addition for future GMAT takers and potential MBA students. I don't see having 2 AWA essays actually beneficial since you are tested on your ability to write and analyze. You could easily score a 4/5 on the AWA if you know the trick. Furthermore, AWA score does not form part of your GMAT score. If you can't write well, you are unlikely to get pass the admissions committee anyway (the admissions essays are even tougher)

Based on what was shown in the video clip, I understand the benefits of having Integrated Reasoning. The charts, graphs and spreadsheets are common in case studies, the basis of many MBA learning and teaching. To be actually tested in GMAT for something that you will do in MBA raises a host of questions. Rightly or wrongly, I believe it is a refreshing move by GMAC and hope that future MBA students will benefit from the Integrated Reasoning section.

Don't delay your GMAT (after all the your score is valid for 5 years from date of test) or be ready for the next generation GMAT.



Jimmy Low

No Calculator Please, We Are GMATers!

That's right. NO CALCULATOR on exam day. In fact, you can't bring anything into the exam room. All pens and plastic transparent sheets will be provided to you by the center.

So, it is time to crack some brain cells when you prepare for Quantitative section. The tricks in solving Quant(itative) questions are (1) to rephrase the question into an mathematical equation, (2) ask yourself what is the "x" they want you to solve, and (3) play the elimination game. Of the 5 answers, eliminate those that you know are wrong. This increases your chances of getting the right one especially when you run out of time.

Remember, you must answer all questions. Leaving any unanswered means heavy (and I do mean heavy) penalty on your final GMAT score!


Jimmy Low

Greater Benefits of GMAT

By now you would have heard a lot about GMAT. So, what's so great about GMAT besides it being the dreaded graduate test that everyone who wants to do MBA (or some MSc, MA even PhD. requires)?

Looking at the bigger picture of GMAT, it has taught me a few things:
a. From Verbal (Sentence Correction), I learnt about the 3Cs - Correct Grammar, Clarity and Conciseness. My business writing has definitely improved tremendously after learning the 3Cs. Subject-verb agreement, parallelism, idioms, modifiers, etc. are emphasized in Sentence Correction; things we take for granted when we write but how power when you apply them correctly.

b. In Quant (Problem Solving), I learn to be quick in deriving answers. Those days in school, we take many steps to arrive at an answer. In GMAT, you use approximation/estimates, 2- or 4-steps to solve a problem and analyse the question from the right angle.

c. In Quant (Data Sufficiency), your mathematics/algebra principles and foundations are strengthened through how you tackle a question. Besides rephrasing the question, you look for variables that are important to answer the question and throw out red-herrings.

I must say I am pleased with what I have achieved through GMAT. I hope you too, will benefit greatly from GMAT than it just being a preparatory test for your MBA/Masters.


Jimmy Low

Part 1: Tackling Quant Questions

Some members asked me what's "best" way to tackle GMAT quantitative questions. Well, I don't have the "best" answer but I have approached quant questions from different angles during my study and came out with one that suits me. You can give it a try and see if it suits you (always find an approach that you will be comfortable with).

In earlier blog, I wrote about "2-4-6" rule. I am sure someone might have invented this but let's say I gave it a name. Let's recap this rule: 2 minutes per quant question, 4 steps for "easy" question and 6 steps for "hard" question.

Now, we take this rule a few steps further. My approach to quant questions as follow:

1. When you read the stimulus and question stem, immediately take note of the topic(s) and sub-topic(s) you are being tested on. Yes, at times, especially "harder" questions, you are being tested on two or more topics or sub-topics. Therefore, your ability to syntisize the questions and pull them together helps a lot.

You might be asking what I do mean by "topic" or "sub-topic". GMAT Malaysia is using ManhattanGMAT Prep books as our guides; thus, you will find the structures in their books. As you study, you should build into yourself the principles and rules covered in each sub-topic.

2. Once you know what is being tested, immediately you should recall the principles and rules.

3. Now, apply those principles and rules to answer the question stem. Is it about Prime Factorisation? What do I need to know about prime numbers? What are prime numbers?

4. Most of time, the stimulus is in 2-3 sentences. Convert them into algebraic equation(s). This is what GMATters call "rephrasing".

5. Once you do this, you can see what the question is actually asking and at times, the answer just pops right in front of your face.

6. Look for the answer. At times, the answer is in another form e.g. in the form of inequalities. In this case, you think to know the rules of inequalities.

Okay, so much talk, show me the action. Here is one question from Official Guide (11th Edition):

PS Q26: If the quotient a/b is positive, which of the following must be true?

(A) a > 0
(B) b > 0
(C) ab > 0
(D) a-b > 0
(E) a+b > 0

This question is testing you on Positive/Negative Values and Divisibility but the answer choices are given in form of Inequalities.

When you rephrasing this question, value (a/b) being greater than 0. For a/b to be greater than 0, both a and b must be positive or negative. Either one cannot be negative, or the stimulus will not be true (in this case, the stimulus is a/b > 0).

Let's examine each answer choice.

(A) a > 0, but says nothing about b. Not determinable.
(B) b > 0, and like answer choice (A), says nothing about a. Not determinable.
(C) For a * b > 0, a and b must be positive or negative AND neither one can be negative. This is what we are looking for when we analyse the stimulus. Correct
(D) a - b > 0. If a is positive, then b must be smaller than a such that will still result in a - b as a positive number. Or, a can be negative and b can be negative such that the b is greater than a. Too many possibilities, not sure what values a and b could be. Not determinable.
(E) a + b > 0. If both a and b are positive, then this is correct. If a and b are negative, then this is incorrect. Or, either a or b is negative, then it dependable on which value is smaller negative value. Again, not determinable.

What I have done in analyzing and breaking down the stimulus is restating the stimulus into these two conditions:

i. For a/b to be greater than 0, both a and b must be positive or negative.
ii. Either one (a or b) cannot be negative, or the stimulus will not be true

And, answer choice (C) met these two conditions.

Get yourself into this regime and soon you will ace in both problem solving and data sufficiency questions.



Jimmy Low

"2-4-6" Rule for Quantitative

When we prepare for GMAT Quant(itative), most of us, if not all, will devise our own "rules" in answering maths questions. Then again, GMAT is pretty mechanical, so to speak. One rule that I find useful and which others will tell you the same is what I call a "2-4-6" rule.

So, what's "2-4-6"? 2 minutes for each Quant question (37 questions over 75 mins, ~2 mins per question), 4 steps for "easy" questions and 6 steps for "hard" questions. Now, what's "easy" and "hard" question? I can't say for sure because it is up to each individual. Some of us have weak spots in certain areas say, geometry but it would be a strong spot for others. "Easy" or "hard" becomes a relative measure. With sufficient practice, your "hard" questions can be "easy".

You must be asking how do I solve an "easy" or a "hard" question in 4 and 6 steps respectively. Well, you need to. 2 mins is not a "long" time. Before you know it, reading and thinking about the question alone will take you the first 30 seconds. Searching for the answer, clicking the radio button and press "Next" will take you the last 30 seconds. That leaves you with ~60 seconds to work out the answer. If you can't do a 4- or 6- step within that 60 seconds, then you know you started on a wrong footing - misinterpreted the question, applied the whole rule(s) or formula, or forgotten the basics.

So, to apply "2-4-6" Rule, it boils down to knowing your fundamentals. As simple as A-B-C.


Jimmy Low

Deciphering GMAT

GMAT is an interesting yet complex test. It tests your academic ability in quantitative, verbal (not exactly verbal as this means speech) and writing skills. When it tests your ability, it adapts to your ability too. Difficulty or easy is a perception but the test will score you accordingly.

As you should know by now, GMAT starts with 2 Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) essays of 30mins each, 75mins Quantitative and 75mins Verbal. Between each major components, an optional 10-min break.

The 3 Components of GMAT

(Color scheme corresponds to color of the Official Guide book, except for AWA)

The above sub-components are self-explanatory and the respective books will elaborate more.

Many of you wonder how the components fit together. As far as Quant and Verbal as concerned, you are tested on different abilities. However, for Verbal and AWA, there is a relationship. This diagram explains the inter-relationship.

See the connections? As you prepare for Verbal (Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning), take note of what you are learning, how each of the sub-topics relates and how you will apply them in AWA and Reading Comprehension. The above inter-relationship is just a guidance. Look into past questions in the Official Guide - Verbal or GMAT Review and observe the common themes and angle of questioning.

While AWA does not affect your Total Score, AWA is still important and should not be taken lightly. How you write and score in AWA tells about the other aspects of you not measured by Quant and Verbal tests. Adcomms can request for your AWA essays and compare with your application essays. Thus, your writing style is revealed and matched.

Jimmy Low

New Posting on Data Sufficiency

If you are looking for help on Data Sufficiency, read my updated posting - Data Sufficiency - Sufficient or Not?


Jimmy Low

Hit At Least 40 in Verbal and You Have A Home Run

Sometime back, I blogged about the importance of GMAT and the average GMAT score of the Top 50 USA business schools. Today, as I revisited my GMAT strategy, I discovered that the Verbal section is too important for anyone to miss; especially non-English native students.

(Source: Manhattan GMAT)

To score above 700, your Verbal score must be at least 40/60 and/or your Quant hitting 50/60 to pull your overall score up. No joke! What a pressure to do well.

Jimmy Low

Data Sufficiency - Sufficient or Not? (Updated)

(Note: Since my last posting on this topic, I have learnt new techniques on answering Data Sufficient questions. Please reread this section for the new knowledge)

The Quantitative (Quant) section is divided into two sub-categories: Problem Solving (PS) and Data Sufficiency (DS). Out of 37 quant questions, about 13/14 questions or 1/3 will be on Data Sufficiency. For most of us, Problem Solving should be easy to score. However, I find DS more challenging:

1. We have been taught to solve problems, not on whether the information is sufficient to solve a problem; thus, the tendency to spend time and solve it.


2. We learnt by rote. We memorize workings and through practice, perfect our speed in answering problem solving questions.

Data Sufficiency tests us on the quantitative concepts and principles; the foundation. You are to decide whether the statements — either individually or in combination — provide enough information to answer the question.

(A) If statement 1 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
(B) If statement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
(C) If both statements together are needed to answer the question, but neither statement alone is sufficient.
(D) If either statement by itself is sufficient to answer the question.
(E) If not enough facts are given to answer the question.

Here is a tip that I find helpful and is represented by these two triangle (below)

Now, which to use - AD/BCE or BD/ACE?

A and B refer to Statement (1) only and Statement (2) only respective. Depending on the question stem, which statement is easier to understand? Let's take this example.

Class A and class B took the same test. The average (arithmetic mean) score for class A was 79.5. What was the average score for all the students in both classes?
(1) The average score for class B was 80.5.
(2) Class B had 25 fewer students than class A.

For this question, you need these variables to solve the question:
a. average of Class A (given)
b. average of Class B
c. no. of students of Class A and B or ratio of Class A and B.

Statement (1) only average of Class B is given. Not Sufficient; eliminate A and D.
Statement (2) only does not tell us how many students in Class A and what's the average of Class B. Not Sufficient; eliminate B.
Both Statement (1) and (2) also not sufficient because the missing part is still no. of students in Class A or the ratio of Class A and B students. Eliminate C.

The correct answer is "E" and I took less than 1 minute. By rephrasing the question stem and knowing what information you need, you can play the elimination game. I started with Statement (1); which alone is will not solve the question, thus, immediately eliminate answer A and D. You have increased your chances of finding the right answer from 20% (1 out of 5) to 33% (1 out of 3).

You can also tackle this question starting with Statement (2) as folllows:

Statement (2) does not tell us how many students in Class A and we do not know what is the average of Class B. Not Sufficient; eliminate B and D.
Statement (1) alone does not tell us about no. of students of Class A and B or their ratio. Eliminate A.
Both Statement (1) and (2) also not sufficient because the missing part is still no. of students in Class A or the ratio of Class A and B students. Eliminate C.

Whether you use AD/BCE or BD/ACE, you can still come to the right answer. Then does it matter which one? Well, whichever statement (1) or (2) is "easier" for you to start. If Statement (1) is "easier", then use AD/BCE, use BD/ACE. After some practice, you should be able to master this technique and shave 1 minute from "easy" data sufficiency questions. If half of data sufficiency questions, say 6 questions, are "easy" ones, you have saved 6 minutes which you could use to tackle 2-3 "difficult" questions.

Look at the triangle again and visualize how it works. After a few attempts, you should be able to master this triangle. Draw this triangle at the start of your test and use it whenever you come across DS questions.

Jimmy Low

P/S: As you noticed, I use the quote/unquote marks when I mentioned "easy/easier" and "difficult" questions. What is "easy" for me might be "difficult" for you. It is a question of relative difficulty. But, with a strong foundation and more practice, you can handle them.