THE GMAT

1. THE GMAT • What is the GMAT and how is it used? • What does the test involve? • How can you best prepare?

2. Part One What is the GMAT and how is it used?

3. 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

4. Part Two What does the test involve?

5. Test overview • Essay (AWA) ~ 30 minutes • Integrated Reasoning ~ 30 minutes • 8 minute break • Quant ~ 75 minutes • 8 minute break • Verbal ~ 75 minutes

6. 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

7. The less important bits 2 • IntegratedReasoning • importance • according to GMAC • according to schools & tutors • preparation • question types • synthesising information • timing • all multiple choice

8. 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)

9. Your mission in the first hour is… Be freshand focused for Quant and Verbal!

10. 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

11. 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

12. N.B. • In both sections, question types are mixed up • All questions are multiple choice (A-E)

13. Problem Solving 1 The two big areas of theory are.. Number Properties and Algebra

14. Problem Solving 2 Other reasonably important areas are.. Fractions & Percentages Powers & Roots Statistics Rate & Ratio Geometry

15. Problem Solving 3 And finally, don’t worry too much about.. Sequences Venn diagrams Coordinate geometry Functions Probability Combinatorics Symbolism

16. 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

17. There are two types of questions…

18. Data Sufficiency 2 “What is the value?” questions Example What is the value of x + y? • x = 3 and y = 5 • a = 2 and b = 1 We can answer with (1) but not with (2)

19. Data Sufficiency 3 A similar example What is the value of x + y? • x = 7 • y = 11 We need both statements together to answer the question; one statement on its own is not enough

20. Data Sufficiency 4 Yes / No questions Example Is x a prime number? • 6 < x < 8 • x has two factors Got an answer?

21. Data Sufficiency 5 Either statement on its own is sufficient to know that the answer is Yes

22. N.B. If a statement (or statements) is sufficient to give a definite answer of NO, that’s ok too

23. Sentence Correction 1 Theory required: Rules of (old-fashioned, formal,written) English grammar AND An understanding of (good) style in written English

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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?

27. 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

28. 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?

29. Part Three How can you best prepare?

30. 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

31. 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

32. How To Do It 1 When you sit down to study, HAVE A LEARNING OBJECTIVE Never an amount of questions Never a set time By the end of this session… What do I want to have achieved? I want to be better at….. what?

33. How To Do It 2 When going through the OG, DO EACH QUESTION (AT LEAST) 3 TIMES 1. Test conditions 2. Long as you like 3. Review (later)

34. 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

35. Fixing it 1 I didn’t know what to do =( • Look for clues • Keywords • Answer choices • Compare similar questions

36. 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!

37. 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

38. 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!

39. Top tips 1 Have a timing strategy • Time as an investment ~ ROI • Faster and slower ~ what difference does it make?

40. Top tips 2 Use the answer choices • Issues • Similarities and differences • Clues, common elements

41. Top tips 3 Learn to eliminate wrong answers

42. Problem Solving skills • Multiplication and division • Prime factorisation • Identifying number properties • Deriving algebraic equations • Solving algebraic equations • Applying formulae • Reading the question

43. Data Sufficiency skills • Being methodical • Finding a method that works for you

44. 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

45. 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

46. Reading Comprehension skills • Speed reading • Summarising • Mind-mapping or other note-taking • descriptive vs argumentative • Identifying keywords • Recognising synonyms

47. 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

48. More fun ways to prepare • Sudoku • Spot the difference • Crosswords • Card games • Philosophy • Old newspaper reports • Numbers in everyday life

49. 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…

50. 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