So here is part 2 of how to Conquer the GMAT. If you haven't seen the context below- scroll down to see part 1. Rather than going through the various techniques, strategies, and other information that everyone can find all over the web, The Great Weebee will simply tell you the most common errors people make on the GMAT, which is why they don't do well.
1.) Not Putting enough time into the GMAT.
Probably the #1 mistake people make, and then they wonder why they suck on the test. They are not studying hard enough on the test. While it may be easy for some, its no walk in the park either. For my owner, he tried studying off and on. He scoffed at the suggestion that he needed a library to study- figuring he could just study at home. Guess what? He bombed the GMAT. It was only when he got a full membership at the local library, lived there on and off, and spent the last week holed into the library that he got a good score. His regiment on the last week went like this:
(Take week off work)
11AM: Wake up, get coffee, pack dinner, load up on hot mugs for coffee, fill up backpack and head to favorite sandwich place. Eat lunch and head into Library:
12PM - 1PM. Find slot in library, and study, study study. Walk around and take some short breaks every hour or so, but that's about it.
6PM-6:30PM. Eat Dinner down at the dining area. Fill up mug with hot water, buy some more health drinks and get back to studying.
10PM: Take a short break, think a bit, let mind wander and then get back to studying.
2AM- 3AM. Wrap up, go home (take taxi or subway), and repeat all over.
This "balance" (well not much balance) of sleeping enough to function and spending all the other time in the library allowed him to push his score up from a 650 (roughly practice tests) to 700 (real thing) in a week.
Only through an intense focus (studying a couple of hours a day or really holed up in some place) can actually allow you to achieve a great score. Generally the consensus agreement is that you need to put in at least 100 hours. Yes 100+ hours, that is if you want to score in the 700 and have a chance at the top schools. Not 15, not a week, 100 full hours of studying. Unless of course you're the 730+ type without trying (see post below) in which case you wouldn't be reading this blog.
2. Not Studying Effectively
This is one of the hardest parts to judge. My owner spent years paying private tutors, prep services, online guides, and it still didn't matter. What mattered most was how he studied- sure you can have the best teacher in the world, but he/she isn't going to take the test for you- you need to learn the material. One of the key things is being able to find time to study, and then getting a space where you easily won't be distracted. That means going to the local library, or finding a quiet place in your house, or going to a coffee shop where you won't be distracted. Do not study in a place where you easily have access to distractions (TV, radio, internet- unless of course you're using an online GMAT training tool, etc). After all the things my owner has tried (own bedroom, kitchen counter, office on weekends, friend's place in San Francisco), the most effective place he found was a library. YES, a library. The fact that you see students also studying, minimal distractions, a quiet atmosphere really sets your mind to focus on studying. My owner found that was the most effective.
The second part is the materials you use (books, online, etc), and also whether use some sort of tutoring. It really depends on the person- some don't need tutors, while some do, and even then they don't use them effectively. Obviously the best books are the official guides from GMAT. The big book with math and verbal, and then the two other books from GMAT. Then it depends on personal preference, as they will support (but never replace) the official books. Then of course is whether to get some tutoring, either private or via a course. This could also be very useful too- especially if you are not that disciplined to study. Weebee will do a more indepth analysis of all the different type of prep programs in another post.
3.) Not pacing yourself through the exam
Everyone talks about how the first 6 questions are the most important part of the exam. The more you get right, the harder the questions you get and the higher your score. The less you get right, and then you're stuck with a very low range. While this is true, its also important to get the last 6 questions right- much less experimental questions- and they key to do that is to: NOT RUN OUT OF TIME. This has happened to my owner several times, and he wondered why. The way to avoid this is to pace yourself- if you see a question and you have no )(*#*(#&$*(^ clue, then its actually beneficial to just click D (statistically the most common) or anything and just move on. That way you spend seconds instead of 3-4 minutes trying to figure out the question and then guessing anyway. In fact- a VERY good rule (and this applies especially for perfectionists) is that if you can't solve the question in 2 minutes, you MUST skip and move on. "But Weebee!" you say, "I can solve this!!!". It doesn't matter. If you can't do it in 2 minutes you can't solve it. Rather if you had spent 10 seconds realizing you can't do it and then just skipped, you now have more than 3 minutes to solve a problem that you may be able to do. What most people realize is that you don't need to get all the questions right to get a good score. In fact, letting some go in pursuit of the other ones ensures that you can leave a bit more time for the last questions (by going faster in the middle where more are experimental) and thus score better on the GMAT. A lot of rookie test takers run out of time and then have to click C, C, C, at the end as you DON'T want time to run out and you haven't answered all the questions. That's even worse.
I'd post more, but Weebee is quite tired. Until next time when he updates the post. Feel free to ask questions, though not sure when I'll get around to them...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
How to Conquer the GMAT- Part 1: What score should I aim for?- By Weebee
The great Weebee has returned from his slumber and rest to do a quick post about the GMAT. For those who don't know what that is, it is the Graduate Management Admission Test published by the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®). It goes from a scale of 200 (from just writing your name) to 800 (practically everything correct). Almost everyone who goes to a top tier MBA program has taken it, and everything thinking about business school will probably take it. Sure the GRE is starting as a substitute, but its still a new concept for business schools, so not all schools take it, though that's changing.
However, given that you want to maximize your chances- Weebee still recommends choosing the GMAT if you are set on going to business school - if you fail multiple times, you can just start doing the GRE and no one will need to know your GMAT score! Obviously if you are not sure about business school and are thinking about international diplomacy instead- go for the GRE.
The most important thing to figure out is realistically what is the highest score you can get. Figure out how much time you can spend, and what starting point you're at. While the great Weebee finds all the questions very easy and can do 800 no problem, I watched my owner struggle for 2 years on that test taking it numerous times before he managed to break 700. The amount of money he spent on books, online tutorials, private tutoring, library memberships, transportation and actually registering for the GMAT, could probably buy a nice car. Just imagine if he had spent all the money on me!?!
Alright so back to scores- what score should you aim for?
Obviously the higher the better- we'd all like 800, but this is not possible, Instead, look at the average or median GMAT of the business schools you want to go to- scoring above that is obviously best, but if you can't, somewhere close to it is fine. I'd say that 20 points below is fine, 40 points below the average is really pushing it, but still possible to get in. (need to be unique (i.e. female, minority, super job or super recs. etc). I've seen many friends do it. Anywhere below that and I would seriously consider retaking it.
What is the highest score I can get?
If you have never taken the test- go to MBA.com and download the free test on the website. (You'll need a PC to do this). Skip the writing sections (just put in a couple of lines and click go), and go on to the numerical and verbal parts. You'll need to block off a couple hours to do this, in a quiet area to represent test taking conditions. Then see what score you can get and look below.
If you scored in the 730+ range:
You're probably lying. No one scores that high on the first go, except for tutors of other standardized tests and perhaps super quants and nerds who like test taking (and are probably still in school). You probably wouldn't be reading this website and would have already went to the test center already.
If you scored in the 680-720 range:
Wow. That's all I can say. Assuming you've haven't reviewed a math concept or verbal reasoning in years, you're in fantastic shape. Study for about 3 months for a couple hours a day, get a good book (Official GMAT Guide and some others) and you should be good to go. I know a girl with a 680-690 who ended up with a 770, and a guy who got a 710 and studied for 3 months to get a 790. He claims he didn't get perfect because he got the first question on one of the sections. Boo for him. People in this range usually do well on standardized testing- you probably did well on your SATs too. Any score is really possible for you at that level.
If you scored in the 630-670 range:
Good stuff. You've done really well and with a couple months of studying (or less depending on whether you are at the top end of the range) you could break 700. A good estimate is what they call "half to 800". Others have some other name but essentially you take the difference from 800 and your score, and half that number and then minus it by 800 to get what is very possible for you. So let's say you scored a 660. 800-660 = 140, so divide that by half or 70. 800-70 = 730, so that's the score you can probably expect after months of studying for the GMAT.
If you scored in the 580-620 range:
Have no fear! Weebee is here! Not all hope is lost. My owner scored at the bottom end of that range, and after pain (yes MUCH PAIN) he managed to scrap to a 700. Not impossible, but will require a LOT of commitment. Again same "half to 800" principle. Someone with a 580 can probably get a 690 with a couple months of intense study. My owner did that through relentless commitment and focus. Perhaps I should have given him some of my powers, as it was painful to watch him go through it. A lot of it will be really learning the concepts, and you should probably take a course to help you with that. More on that in another post.
If you scored in the 530-570 range:
You can probably expect a score in the 660-680 range after relentless studying and focus. Things are going to be very tough if you want to break 700. Perhaps consider spending 6 months or more focusing on that test should you want to break 700. If all you need is a 650, then studying for a few months and you should be good to go.
If you scored in the 480-520 range:
You've got a tough battle to climb. It is possible to do well- note that one guy went from 480- to 640 to 720 at the website Wall Street Oasis I've also heard how someone went from a 480 to 720 directly- but bear in mind that there was a huge time difference between taking the 1st and 2nd test (something like 10 years or something). It's hard to predict a score when you are here because you can study very hard and pull it up to the 600 range, or you can devote a significant amount of time- (as in YEARS) and bring it up to the low 700 range. What is important to note is that you probably won't be hitting the 760+ range (or the 99th percentile) no matter how hard you try, so don't focus on that. Go for 700, but be happy with a 650 if you only can/want to spend a couple months.
If you scored below 480:
Man I feel your pain. It must be a very sad feeling. You're not alone though, as the average is in the 500s, so there is a significant population that scored what you did. Yes it may seem like every GMATclub forum of some sort talks about getting that 650 to a 700, but there are sites out there where people who score very poorly go. Check out MBA Journal to see others who have scored the same way, and then make a judgment call. Either you want to revamp your entire method of studying (going for 700+ so you quit job, move to a Siberian Mountain, spend a fortune for studying- I'm talking tens of thousands for tutoring, prep, etc) or just cut your losses by studying a bit more for the 500 range (getting a book, tutoring, etc), and apply to schools in that range.
You can get around the GMAT by 1) Apply to business schools where you don't need the GMAT (work experience can double for it) or 2) Don't go to business school at all. It isn't for everyone, and you don't necessarily need it to succeed. 3) Take the GREs instead. I'm not sure how valid that is because if you are indeed scoring below 480 you probably won't do much better on that test either- but maybe worth considering for a "fresh" start.
___________________________________________________________________________
I remember my owner had an interview question with a professor at the Judge Business School at Cambridge where she asked a tough question on whether he thought GMAT was important. He said no and was waitlisted. I truly believe the GMAT does NOT measure how successful you will be in life, but that's not what most business schools care about. Some people are not good at standardized tests, but are still brilliant. What he should of said was that GMAT is important, but up to a certain point it doesn't matter- does getting a 800 really mean you'll be more successful in life than someone with 700? Probably not. But someone with a 700 WILL probably be more successful than someone with a 600- simply because they will get into a MUCH better school, better network, and greater opportunities.
_________________________________________________________________
Obviously the ranges of what you can get on your GMAT after doing the first test is based on an average scale. Someone who has been working for 10 years and hasn't opened a textbook since could easily score a 480, and then relearn the concepts, and get to a 720. Some people could just "choke" on the exam and bomb the test, and then relax and do better (assuming he or she has studied enough). I am simply giving simple guidelines of what is reasonable to expect (all the the great Weebee's opinion of course).
Read on for Part 2 for the most common mistakes, and what you can do to "conquer the GMAT"
However, given that you want to maximize your chances- Weebee still recommends choosing the GMAT if you are set on going to business school - if you fail multiple times, you can just start doing the GRE and no one will need to know your GMAT score! Obviously if you are not sure about business school and are thinking about international diplomacy instead- go for the GRE.
The most important thing to figure out is realistically what is the highest score you can get. Figure out how much time you can spend, and what starting point you're at. While the great Weebee finds all the questions very easy and can do 800 no problem, I watched my owner struggle for 2 years on that test taking it numerous times before he managed to break 700. The amount of money he spent on books, online tutorials, private tutoring, library memberships, transportation and actually registering for the GMAT, could probably buy a nice car. Just imagine if he had spent all the money on me!?!
Alright so back to scores- what score should you aim for?
Obviously the higher the better- we'd all like 800, but this is not possible, Instead, look at the average or median GMAT of the business schools you want to go to- scoring above that is obviously best, but if you can't, somewhere close to it is fine. I'd say that 20 points below is fine, 40 points below the average is really pushing it, but still possible to get in. (need to be unique (i.e. female, minority, super job or super recs. etc). I've seen many friends do it. Anywhere below that and I would seriously consider retaking it.
What is the highest score I can get?
If you have never taken the test- go to MBA.com and download the free test on the website. (You'll need a PC to do this). Skip the writing sections (just put in a couple of lines and click go), and go on to the numerical and verbal parts. You'll need to block off a couple hours to do this, in a quiet area to represent test taking conditions. Then see what score you can get and look below.
If you scored in the 730+ range:
You're probably lying. No one scores that high on the first go, except for tutors of other standardized tests and perhaps super quants and nerds who like test taking (and are probably still in school). You probably wouldn't be reading this website and would have already went to the test center already.
If you scored in the 680-720 range:
Wow. That's all I can say. Assuming you've haven't reviewed a math concept or verbal reasoning in years, you're in fantastic shape. Study for about 3 months for a couple hours a day, get a good book (Official GMAT Guide and some others) and you should be good to go. I know a girl with a 680-690 who ended up with a 770, and a guy who got a 710 and studied for 3 months to get a 790. He claims he didn't get perfect because he got the first question on one of the sections. Boo for him. People in this range usually do well on standardized testing- you probably did well on your SATs too. Any score is really possible for you at that level.
If you scored in the 630-670 range:
Good stuff. You've done really well and with a couple months of studying (or less depending on whether you are at the top end of the range) you could break 700. A good estimate is what they call "half to 800". Others have some other name but essentially you take the difference from 800 and your score, and half that number and then minus it by 800 to get what is very possible for you. So let's say you scored a 660. 800-660 = 140, so divide that by half or 70. 800-70 = 730, so that's the score you can probably expect after months of studying for the GMAT.
If you scored in the 580-620 range:
Have no fear! Weebee is here! Not all hope is lost. My owner scored at the bottom end of that range, and after pain (yes MUCH PAIN) he managed to scrap to a 700. Not impossible, but will require a LOT of commitment. Again same "half to 800" principle. Someone with a 580 can probably get a 690 with a couple months of intense study. My owner did that through relentless commitment and focus. Perhaps I should have given him some of my powers, as it was painful to watch him go through it. A lot of it will be really learning the concepts, and you should probably take a course to help you with that. More on that in another post.
If you scored in the 530-570 range:
You can probably expect a score in the 660-680 range after relentless studying and focus. Things are going to be very tough if you want to break 700. Perhaps consider spending 6 months or more focusing on that test should you want to break 700. If all you need is a 650, then studying for a few months and you should be good to go.
If you scored in the 480-520 range:
You've got a tough battle to climb. It is possible to do well- note that one guy went from 480- to 640 to 720 at the website Wall Street Oasis I've also heard how someone went from a 480 to 720 directly- but bear in mind that there was a huge time difference between taking the 1st and 2nd test (something like 10 years or something). It's hard to predict a score when you are here because you can study very hard and pull it up to the 600 range, or you can devote a significant amount of time- (as in YEARS) and bring it up to the low 700 range. What is important to note is that you probably won't be hitting the 760+ range (or the 99th percentile) no matter how hard you try, so don't focus on that. Go for 700, but be happy with a 650 if you only can/want to spend a couple months.
If you scored below 480:
Man I feel your pain. It must be a very sad feeling. You're not alone though, as the average is in the 500s, so there is a significant population that scored what you did. Yes it may seem like every GMATclub forum of some sort talks about getting that 650 to a 700, but there are sites out there where people who score very poorly go. Check out MBA Journal to see others who have scored the same way, and then make a judgment call. Either you want to revamp your entire method of studying (going for 700+ so you quit job, move to a Siberian Mountain, spend a fortune for studying- I'm talking tens of thousands for tutoring, prep, etc) or just cut your losses by studying a bit more for the 500 range (getting a book, tutoring, etc), and apply to schools in that range.
You can get around the GMAT by 1) Apply to business schools where you don't need the GMAT (work experience can double for it) or 2) Don't go to business school at all. It isn't for everyone, and you don't necessarily need it to succeed. 3) Take the GREs instead. I'm not sure how valid that is because if you are indeed scoring below 480 you probably won't do much better on that test either- but maybe worth considering for a "fresh" start.
___________________________________________________________________________
I remember my owner had an interview question with a professor at the Judge Business School at Cambridge where she asked a tough question on whether he thought GMAT was important. He said no and was waitlisted. I truly believe the GMAT does NOT measure how successful you will be in life, but that's not what most business schools care about. Some people are not good at standardized tests, but are still brilliant. What he should of said was that GMAT is important, but up to a certain point it doesn't matter- does getting a 800 really mean you'll be more successful in life than someone with 700? Probably not. But someone with a 700 WILL probably be more successful than someone with a 600- simply because they will get into a MUCH better school, better network, and greater opportunities.
_________________________________________________________________
Obviously the ranges of what you can get on your GMAT after doing the first test is based on an average scale. Someone who has been working for 10 years and hasn't opened a textbook since could easily score a 480, and then relearn the concepts, and get to a 720. Some people could just "choke" on the exam and bomb the test, and then relax and do better (assuming he or she has studied enough). I am simply giving simple guidelines of what is reasonable to expect (all the the great Weebee's opinion of course).
Read on for Part 2 for the most common mistakes, and what you can do to "conquer the GMAT"
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