Month: May 2010

Standardized test is an essential tool required to evaluate the student’s proficiency in English, which is crucial to study abroad. It is the test administered and scored in a consistent manner. The tests are designed in such a way that the “questions, conditions for administering, scoring procedures, and interpretations are consistent” and are “administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner. These tests are the utmost way to ensure you get the results you want from the standardized tests you take. It really helps to be as prepared as you possibly can be. The Standardized tests that are often taken by the students to study abroad are:

GRE:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a commercially-run standardized test, which is required for obtaining admission to study higher education in the USA and in other English speaking countries. GRE was formed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) in 1949. The test primarily focuses on testing abstract thinking skills in the areas of math, vocabulary, and analytical writing.

In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely between schools and even departments within schools. The importance of a GRE score can range from being an important selection factor to being a mere admission formality.

TOEFL:

Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a common standardized test, which is highly taken by many students in India. The test evaluates the potential success of the test-taker to utilize and analyze Standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. TOEFL is also required in various institutions such as government agencies, businesses, or scholarship programs. The test scores are valid up to two years from the test date and then is deleted from the official database.

TOEFL test is a registered trademark of ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is administered worldwide. The test was first administered in 1964 and has since been taken by nearly 20 million students.

IELTS:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardized test that evaluates the proficiency of the test-taker in English language. IELTS is established in the year 1989 and is jointly managed by British Council and IDP Education Australia. IELTS is accepted by several education providers of the world and recently even many US universities are accepting IELTS in their admission process. The test results of IELTS or Test Report Form (TRF) is valid for two years.

In 2007, IELTS tested over a million candidates in a single 12-month period for the first time ever, making it the world’s most popular English language test for higher education and immigration.

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive standardized test conducted to evaluate the test-taker’s aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. A high score in the GMAT exam is essential to get admission in top business schools. The test consists of three modules: GMAT Verbal, GMAT Math and Analytical Writing.

Business schools commonly use the test as one of many selection criteria for admission into an MBA program. It is given at various locations around the world. As of 2007, the fee to take the test is U.S. $250 worldwide.

SAT:

SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. It is formerly known as ‘Scholastic Aptitude Test’ and ‘Scholastic Assessment Test’. The test was introduced in 1901 which is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, and was once developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which is now administering the test. The test is classified into 3 sections viz, Math, Critical Reading, and Writing with 800 points in each, along with other subsections scored separately.

OET:

Occupational English Test (OET) is an English language proficiency test for overseas trained health professionals who want to work or study in Australia. The test is administered by The OET Centre. The test consists of four sub-tests: Listening, reading, writing, and speaking. OET is recognised by the Regulatory Authorities of 12 Australian health professions. Currently, one should obtain at least B for all four sub-tests to be eligible to work as a doctor in Australia.

Having taken admission in one of the most ambitious exams of my career GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test. My GMAT registration is only a small step forward to my career ambitions.I have to get into a top management program in a leading business school to have some hopes of having a flying career.

My GMAT scores would determine whether I get a shot at a prestigious business school or not. Gone are the days when the management school aspirants with average GMAT scores still were hopeful of getting their shot at glory. However, now is a time when competition is so stiff that I need to be as close as possible to the magic figure of a perfect GMAT score of 800 or so.

What could make or break my career ambitions is how I tailor my GMAT prep. I need to have a methodical GMAT prep in place for even a slight hope of achieving my set objectives. My GMAT prep should be a mix of a rigorous GMAT test schedule which includes attempting online GMAT sample test papers for me to get familiarised with the online computer-adaptive nature of the test.

I would also have to vastly improve my time management skills and go through a vast knowledge bank of resources available online and in the form of popular GMAT books. Infact, I have been told that there are many GMAT books which could help me in my endeavour.

Most of all I believe I need to be in the tutorage of a wise GMAT guru who can guide me with some GMAT tips and GMAT pitfalls to avoid. I am looking for someone who has already taken the plunge and scaled the mammoth mountain of GMAT. I just hope that I conquer the Everest called GMAT. Wish me luck everyone.

Having a great GMAT score alone does not guarantee you entry into a high-ranked MBA programme, but it will definitely help you put your foot firmly through the door. But besides just doing GMAT practice questions, it’s also helpful to know the common pitfalls that other test takers have experienced. Learning from others’ mistakes will help you avoid them and achieve a score that you truly deserve. So read on and check out the following top common mistakes:

1) Being misled by lots of confusing details

GMAT is specially designed to test your ability to handle lots of confusing details in a very short span of time. Most of the questions are inserted with easily missed, but very important details. If you are not careful, you will end up spending more time and energy on it than necessary. So remember to pay attention to every single question and detail.

2) Choosing the wrong method to solve the problem

Test takers are prone to lose unnecessary marks by choosing the wrong method to solve the problem. For example, in a question that deals with percentages, test takers might end up calculating a percentage bottom up instead of the opposite.

This happens because test takers tend to start working on the problem by using the date given instead of figuring out the main target of the question. To avoid this pitfall, jot down exactly what you need to find, solve to find it and make sure you to confirm your answer before looking at the choices given.

3) Panicking due to lack of time left

When you realise that you do not have enough time left for the rest of the questions, you might panic and increase your work pace, thus increasing the chance of making mistakes. To overcome this problem, you need to learn to skip difficult questions. You may also choose the elimination technique, which is basically just making an educated guess on the answer. Before the test day, be prepared by practising working under time constraints with computerised simulation.

4) Making a mistake in calculation

This pitfall usually happens on the last step of calculation. GMAT writers are fond of using statistics collected from past tests to analyse the mistakes most test takers make and insert the wrong answer into the answer choices. This mistake is especially common when you lose your concentration for just one minute.

5) Misinterpreting the question

Take note that some questions are deliberately written in such a way that it may be difficult for you to understand them. You will be able to avoid this mistake by being familiar with GMAT common phrases and how GMAT questions are specifically structured. This can be achieved by doing plenty of GMAT practice tests.

6) Not bothering to check

Don’t be over-confident. The failure to check your answers may result in you losing unnecessary marks over careless mistakes. Never feel too sure, check your answers before the time is up.

So remember all the given pointers and you should be on your way to achieving a score as high as 760 on your GMAT test. Of course, intensive practices are crucial. But with these pointers, you will know how to avoid losing unnecessary marks.

I plan on taking GMAT in a few, given the high price of paying for prep classes, I am trying to get my hands on some free resources. Does anybody know how can get this done?

The GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized assessment.  It measures the basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that students have developed over a long period of time in education and work. It is also a computer-adaptive test (CAT) where questions are selected based on responses to previous questions, adjusting to the student’s individual capability as the examination progresses.

 

An organization called the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) began in 1953 as association of nine business schools. Their aim was to develop a standardized test to help business schools select qualified applicants. That was how GMAT was established. By 2006, GMAC transitioned vendors to a combination of ACT Inc, which developed the exam questions and computer-adaptive test (CAT) software.

The GMAT assists business schools evaluate the credentials of applicants for advanced study in business and management. It helps match the students who are most likely to succeed academically in the competencies with program demands.

For the registration, examinees may register online or by calling one of the test centers. To schedule a test, an appointment must be made at one of the designated test centers. GMAT preparation study guides are available as well as GMAT study materials such as books, or online and offline tutoring.

The examination includes the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), the Quantitative section and the Verbal Ability section.

For the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section, the examinee will analyze an argument and then analyze an issue of an essay. The examinee is given 30 minutes to write and is scored on a scale of 0-6.

The Quantitative section is the Mathematics section. It measures basic understanding of arithmetic, algebra and geometry. This is divided into two categories, the Data Sufficiency section which requires a sense of logic, the Problem Solving section which involves traditional computing skills. Examinees are given a maximum of 75 minutes to complete this section which typically contains 37 multiple-choice questions

The Verbal Ability section contains three types of questions which are Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. The success in this section will depend on the examinee’s ability to read and understand the written material, reason and evaluate arguments as well as familiarity with the stylistic conventions and grammatical rules of written English. Examinees are given 75 minutes to complete this section for 41 multiple-choice questions.

GMAT scores are valid for five years. The maximum score that can be achieved on the exam is 800. Most schools do not publish a minimum acceptable score of examinees generally publish the average and median score of their latest examination.

After making sure you know all you need to know about the GMAT, master all concepts tested on the exam by following proven test-taking strategies and sharpening fundamental verbal and problem solving skills. It helped hundreds of students score much higher. There are many GMAT preparation guide to choose from. Choose what suites you best.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), the name says it all.

The GMAT test is an important entry point in to various graduate management programmes offered by leading B-schools. The race to finish amongst the high GMAT scores is really one battle worth a view if you are not involved yourself. However, with me its different. Cracking the GMAT has been my obsession for the past 2 years now. It is not that I have failed or not been up to the mark in my previous attempts. Well, the benchmark or expectations out of every GMAT taker are really sky high.

Having completed my GMAT registration 2 years back I was sure I will sail through in the first go. Well, I thought I had an ace GMAT prep under my belt to achieve my target. I had mugged up online resources and all I got was a GMAT score of 600 which was not enough to assure me a seat in my target business school. And I tried again the next year which was again a quote unquote disappointment, fetching me a GMAT score of 614. That is when I told myself that my target GMAT score is 700+ and I will get there no matter what. Period!

To achieve my target GMAT score I knew I had to overhaul a lot of wrongs in my GMAT prep and come up with an ace winning GMAT strategies to scale the Everest. I got in touch with a GMAT guru who was a top GMAT coach and learnt some basic strategies which I intend to touch upon with this write-up.

Because of the online and adaptive nature of the GMAT I was told to be in tune and improve my time management skills. I did this by introducing online GMAT mock tests in my GMAT prep. I have also discarded outdated GMAT books and now I am only consulting top GMAT books which is bound to have a positive impact on my GMAT prep.

These tips from my GMAT guru has surely helped me and I am sure the results would now reflect on my GMAT test schedule.

For many international students, the United States of America is a hot destination for graduate studies. How does the U.S. draw thousands of international students to its fold? The reason is clear: The U.S. is the world-leader in many fields–from computers to medicine to engineering. Naturally, foreign students flock to the U.S. shores to enhance their knowledge and skills and to shape their careers.

Get Started: In America, there are more than 1000 universities and colleges. So, how do you select a university / college? Base your choices on your academic profile, test scores (more on it below), the opportunity for financial aid, your budget for graduate studies, and others. Are you interested to pursue graduate studies only in top-tier universities? Do you want to study in a university in a big city or do you want to enroll in a university in a quite town? Does cold weather bother you? The answers to such questions may also play a role in the selection of a university.

Eligibility to Apply for a Graduate Program: A majority of U.S. universities require that international students have a minimum undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0. Almost all of the graduate schools require TOEFL. It tests your proficiency in the English Language. Several universities also require GRE / GMAT, which tests your knowledge of high-school level math, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing ability, among others. Note that the test format of GRE and GMAT is different. Visit ets.org and mba.com for official and latest information on TOEFL and GRE and GMAT respectively.

Before you take the TOEFL and GRE / GMAT, select a few universities according to the guidelines in Get Started above. Why should you select graduate schools before you take the tests? Without paying additional fee, you can designate up to four universities, when you take the test, to receive the official scores of the tests. If you wish to send official score reports to more universities you can do so by paying an extra fee for each report.

How to Apply: Many American universities allow students to apply online through their website for graduate programs. Applying online for admission is faster, convenient, and cheaper.

Pay the application fee using your credit card. Next, complete the online application form and upload your statement of purpose / personal essay, transcripts / marks card, and other required documents.

Request your professors to recommend you for admission. Ask them to upload their recommendation letters through the university website rather than send the letters by snail mail. Again, speed, convenience, and cost savings are the benefits of online recommendation.

Financial Proof: U.S. universities require that international students prove that they have the funds to pursue a graduate program. The proof is usually in the form of bank statement that certifies that your or your sponsor’s-parents, relatives, or others-account has specific money. It must cover the cost of graduate education.

Some universities require that applicants send / upload the financial certificate along with their application for a graduate program. With other schools, you have to send the bank statement only if your application is approved. In any case, financial proof should be with the university before it can issue you the I-20 form, which is necessary to obtain the student visa.

Financial Aid: Graduate Assistantship (GA), Teaching Assistantship (TA), and Research Assistantship (RA) are the three types of financial assistance available for graduate students. GA, TA, and RA are competitive and are limited for international students. American universities consider your undergraduate academic record, GRE / GMAT scores, and recommendation letters, among others, to award financial aid to you. The mantra to get financial help from a university is “the better the academic profile and test scores, the higher the chances of financial aid.”

If you’re in the third or fourth year of your undergraduate studies, strive to create as impressive academic record as possible. Through hard and smart work, obtain top grades / percentage and boost your financial aid prospects. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, work toward getting as high a score as possible on GRE / GMAT and TOEFL.

On-Campus Employment: International students often work on-campus that helps cover a small portion of their overall cost of graduate education. You can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Most on-campus jobs pay the minimum wage. It is, at present, $7.25 per hour.

Final Note: With a good academic record, high test scores, and strong recommendation letters, among others, you can fulfill your dreams of getting a masters / doctoral degree from an American university.

Basics information on the GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), a computer adaptive test in Mathematics and the English language, helps business schools assess the aptitude of applicants towards advanced study in business and management. The test is considered as one of most important selection criteria for getting admission into an MBA program in a prestigious business school. Today, in order to secure admissions in top business schools, students have to secure a high GMAT score. Therefore, whether you are taking the GMAT test for the first time or trying to raise your previous score, taking an online GMAT course, which helps students securing higher GMAT scores, might give you a good boost.

Evaluating an Online GMAT Course

Before joining a course, it is very important to evaluate if the course meets your specific needs. You need to keep in mind both your personal learning style and your time schedule before you enroll in a course. For a working person, traditional classroom style instructions won’t be a good option, as lots of time will be wasted in traveling, thus an Online GMAT course is recommended for working professionals.

Recognized and reputed GMAT coaching classes play an important role in the GMAT preparation cycle and can greatly help obtain good scores in the GMAT. Personalized GMAT diagnostic and review test sessions of online test prep vendors assist GMAT takers in identifying weaker areas where they need to focus while preparing for the GMAT. Most of the reputed online GMAT course providers are taught by instructors who have a history of teaching a number of students for various leading test preparation institutes.

Online Vendors offering GMAT Preparatory Courses

Most of the leading test preparation and MBA services companies strive to provide industry leading services that address the entire MBA life cycle. They strive to provide quality GMAT preparation products, admissions consulting, as well as career counseling services and anything that is needed to ensure their student’s MBA success. Some of the common services include:

•    GMAT Preparation Courses
•    MBA Admissions Consulting

Online GMAT Course

If you are evaluating taking a GMAT course, then it is advisable to go with an online GMAT course as it offers an in-class learning experience through live audio, video, and computerized practice questions to simulate the actual GMAT test environment.

After having completed my GMAT registration, the next immediate question which confronts me is how to solve the GMAT riddle? How should I structure my GMAT prep and ensure I have a winning GMAT score. Expectations are sky-high when it comes to GMAT scores. Leading Business schools all over the world factor the GMAT scores the most in their scheme of things. I stand no chance if I do not get a decent GMAT score. That is where the catch is to fall in to that decent bracket I must crack open at least a GMAT score of 700+ to stand any chance of getting admitted in to my target colleges.

Therefore, I have decided to make GMAT my way of life from now onwards. I will have to prepare a GMAT test schedule which is in sync with the high expectations of the B-schools. My GMAT prep needs to be absolutely airtight and should not have any room for lapses in preparation if I have to scale the Everest. I want to scale the peak in one go and not give any repeated attempts.

So what is the best GMAT prep?

The other day I got to meet a GMAT guru who happens to be relative of one of my acquaintances. I had a lengthy interaction with the genius who introduced me to the nitty gritty’s of the GMAT test. One of the best and realistic advices I got from him was that I need to have a strong mastery over my Time management skills before digging deep into the mathematical, analytical and verbal part of it. That made sense especially because of the online computer adaptive nature of the GMAT exam. He also shared with me names of some popular GMAT books especially in GMAT reading comprehension, GMAT math and GMAT quant which will surely provide me detailed insights into the GMAT.

I am sure the GMAT riddle is a tough cookie to crack for me considering the high benchmark that I have set for myself. But it is a given that I will incorporate the valuable tips I got from my GMAT guru in to my GMAT prep and definitely scale the peak.

The Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is a computer adaptive test which tests the verbal, analytical and mathematical skills of the person taking the test. Leading Business Schools (B-Schools) all over the world factor the GMAT scores the most while granting admissions to students applying for graduate programs in their respective universities. Therefore, getting a top GMAT score becomes the prime objective of the student aspiring for admissions to management programs in top B-Schools.

Basically there are three main sections under which the online GMAT is divided into:

• The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

• Quantitative Section

• Verbal Section

The GMAT AWA consists of two essays. First expecting the student to analyze an argument and the second an issue. 30 minutes is what is allotted for each essay. So time is of essence here. One needs to leave all the preset notions aside and reply to the questions in an objective fashion.

Next comes the GMAT quantitative section consisting of 37 multiple choice questions to be answered within the space of 75 minutes. These questions are related to problem solving and data sufficiency.

Last but not least is the all important GMAT verbal test which involves 41 multiple choice questions to be answered in 75 minutes. Sentence correction, critical reasoning and reading comprehension are the three main subjects checked through the Verbal Section.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is the governing body which conducts the GMAT exams and streamlines various issues related to the same. GMAT has never been a cake walk for the many examinees who take it for the simple reason that passing the exam is not the benchmark for the GMAT takers as they target scores on the high 600s and possibly some even the perfect score which happens to be 800, the maximum possible.

I hope the above information is helpful in your efforts to ace the GMAT exam.