FiF for GMAT

Thanks 12rk34 but I am not able to download the things on that link, since I am not that old on this forum. I found a better link on esnips - 800bob - eSnips Search I am actually looking for just his explanations for the specific SC questions not the whole discussion. But, the above link seems good. Let me know if you find any better material. PM me.

Even I bought it from Amazon. You can try Sterling Book House in CST, Mumbai where I normally shop. Did you miss this - Could you help me with the note that lists 800Bob's explanations on SC questions. Is it floating somewhere, any website?

General advice would be: 1. Have clarity of purpose 2. Find your comfort level - very important for execution Regarding your questions, let me explicate as follows: 1. I was at your level previously, the highest I scored in actual GMAT was 640. GMAT, I think, is all about grasping the information quickly and correctly and then applying concepts to solve problems because concepts can be mugged. When I started practicing in RC only (since I like working on one part at a time), I was worse in two areas - low energy, low concentration while reading. For energy, I increased my frequency/content of non-veg food in my diet (since I am primarily a vegetarian). For, reading concentration, I bumped onto a book, Breakthrough Rapid Reading, that increased my reading speed with an acceptable loss of comprehension. Suddenly, I was able to read the dense passages in around 2 minutes. I was not reading and trying to remember the details which were extraneous, but working on information which related to the main idea of the passage. So, basically after the first read, I knew where each detail is located and how does that relate to main idea. I have also explained the approach to someone in my last post on RC about science passages. Try searching my posts. 2. 'LSAT Superprep' gives you the strategy for attacking each category of questions and the explanations for the answers are voluminous, therefore it is valuable. GMAT materials are seriously lacking in this case and also the level of questions in the official material is lower. If you are from India, you would know, the materials for CAT by the training institutes suffice for studies, but not in this case. Whether it is worth purchasing would depend on your ambition and your preparation strategy. If it is high, I would recommend it. 3. Try esnips..com, I got several materials from there. Maybe, you can get LSAT superprep. But the questions of LSAT are already in 1000CR. I have a tendency to write long. But, the point is to work diligently whatever your strategy. Disclaimer - This is my strategy considering my temperament, so think before you make your strategy. Could you help me with the note that lists 800Bob's explanations on SC questions. Is it floating somewhere, any website?

Dahcrap, could you tell us the number of practice tests you took and the scores you got (or the range)? And, was the level of difficulty level of the actual GMAT higher than that of GMATPrep?

Thanks star for your valuable input. I think for Sentence correction I will have to make some lengthy notes. The first para was just for levity or digression or just like that, I do not know. Primarily, I think one should not be overwhelmed by the GMAT test. According to you, does the OG and/or GMATprep reflect the difficulty level of the actual thing? I have heard otherwise and therefore, I am working on LSAT material. And, I am glad that I did. Can I PM you for more queries?

Looks like you are smart with people. But my surroundings are not mellow. I am a son of a businessman who is mercurial and short-tempered. And, he understands one thing that is business. He made a good businessman out of me but I have a certain streak of temper in me which spins out of control sometimes. To calm myself down, I dream of a utopian world by listening to 'Soulful' songs. Ha! Hope it helps for GMAT. Thank you for your advice, it was pertinent. In your last response to Hardikrs you mentioned that the approach towards solving OG problems should be less towards gauging the accuracy and more towards examining ways of applying the concept. I understand. But, then materials for practice are very less in GMAT. Can you please explain it by using an example of any section of GMAT right from concept to practice to real-time successful application? The approach towards the section and which materials should be used at which stage? Let me know about any other holistic advice. And, by the way, I am not able to access my private messages. Could you tell me why? Good luck for your applications.

Science passages would have some technical terms which can require more time to sink in. You can see the time it takes to absorb 1. Renaissance 2. Schistosomiasis Although, it takes time to absorb the second word since it is not colloquial or in everyday usage. But, in GMAT or LSAT or GRE a person is not tested on whether he can remember the information as it is pronounced or any technical knowledge about the arcane term. Renaissance would explain about its effects, its cause, its repercussions, the opinions about it. Schistosomiasiss (spelling mistake - but its not important even if you just say it as S) would also explain about the disease its effects, the cause, opinions about the treatment and so on. So, do not be unnerved by the newness of the terms, just focus on what are the things that relate to the main idea. I would say a person's reading efficiency is better tested by the science passages or passages with arcane terms. I hope this helps. Maybe, even I feel better about it after explaining. Cheers.

Great score, the score works in most of the B-Schools. Remember, GMAT is part of the process.

Congrats, star on your score. The struggle paid off. I'm working on GMAT targeting 750+. For that, I am working on LSAT materials first for RC and CR. I think a person's state of mind is very important while taking the test. Twinnsplitter said that its like working like an athlete does while training in a gymnasium. One thing at a time. But an athlete also works on his diet, his nutrition, his overall well-being to be able to achieve his target. Do you think a person's dietary practice i.e. Can my being a vegetarian be a hindrance to achieving a score around 750? Thanks.

Guys, I am working on LSAT RCs for GMAT and have set a target of 90%+ accuracy in the stated time. I am practicing from the Next 10, LSAT book and have used the LSAT Superprep for attacking strategy which is really good. And, I have also tried to improve my reading speed and that has really helped. Earlier whenever I was reading the obtuse passages of LSAT, I used to get confused, but now I am adjusting my reading speed to achieve my stated goal of getting to the central idea of the passage in the first read and then I spend time on parts of the passage as the question demands. Looks efficient to me. My best score was 22 correct out of 26 questions but that was in 43-44 minutes. I am taking one passage at a time and then evaluating the answers and the passage. Although, it does not take more time to see through the wrong answers. I have actually reduced the target time of 2 mins per question to 1 min 20 sec per question Now, I am not able to tighten the noose to 35 minutes per section with the targeted accuracy. I was aiming for 8-9 mins per passage to complete the section . The Quicksilver In the middle of working on the RC passages and after having immediately read the LSAT superprep advice, I was attacking the passages confidently with sometimes 100% accuracy in 8-10 minutes for each. But that tradition has not continued for later performances and sometimes I have this notion, maybe superstitious, that I should read some parts of the Strategy again to get the right mindset to attack the passages. Once it worked that way. But its like you are training before every slice of your sword in the battle. I was actually surprised and dejected about my performance. I have not taken a date since I want to strengthen my foothold on RC and CR (I haven't worked on CR, yet) through LSAT with 90%+ accuracy. Then I think, I can be confident of achieving the target score of 750+. Could be a circuitous way to get things but it has had a good success rate among GMAT test-takers such as imjimmy and twinnsplitter. And, I am a repeat test-taker (several repeats). I am of a non-native background. Should I take a GMAT date and then work on them? Sorry, for making it a long post. Thank you. Let me know your inputs.

Hi JJacc, Thanks for your responses. Anyways, I was not selected in NUS. You have scored well in your GMAT but you are not satisfied with your result in Verbal. I believe LSAT materials are good for that purpose. I also want to improve the verbal part of my score, which is 51%ile. If you have the LSAT materials please tell me because they are not available here in Bombay, India. Since you live in Singapore, can you tell me how is it like to live there? How is the city? Growth prospects? Thanks. Fif

Hello guys, I would like to have materials of Official LSAT. So, if some of you have finished taking the LSAT and want to give it to me for money, please reply to this mail. Or else, assisst me in finding a vendor who sells Official LSAT books in Mumbai, India. Thanks, FiF

No GMAT Bong, I am not in finance. Even if I would have been I wouldn't have chosen Hong Kong because of the language problem, which is not there in Singapore. Is NUS MBA recognised worldwide meaning in US or Australia? How is it compared to the ISB's MBA?

I got an interview call from NUS, Singapore for MBA. I am waiting for their decisions. In the meantime, Could you guys give me your opinions about Singapore job market, market value of NUS MBA degree? How easy it is to get a job in Singapore after the MBA?

Although I agree with you on this issue that such things do happen, but I fail to understand the reason for it. Why wouldn't a topper be selected in a foreign country, assuming a meritocratic society?

Ya its ok, we all have our own priorities. No hard feelings.

Tam, maybe you are inexperienced about how things work outside India. India is expected to grow but it would take time considering the attitudes of people in general in India. So growing in a country which is famous for its Indian Standard Time is not me. I cannot go with a weaklink in my aromur and have to be open with it.

lalita5, I don't think an MBA is anything except a fancy name on the CV. If you want to start off your own business, all you require is a business mind. MBA would give you certain technical skills to analyse better but it is not necessary if you are not targeting Banking/Consultancy. There is nothing like entrepreneurship - its the best thing. A better reader is not necessarily a better businessman.

Hi Gbong, Your responses have helped in taking good decisions about GMAT and MBA admissions. Although, I haven't taken any major step in the application process because of my non-conformation with something mediocre. Although, I have applied to NUS MBA program as a second option and also because of the money factor. To refresh your memory, My GMAT score is 630/ 3 yrs of family business experience as a director/ TOEFL 260. One of the reasons for pursuing MBA abroad was to settle abroad. Since I don't like India. You must have stayed in US for a quite some time now, I guess. GMAT bong, do you have any idea of some other way to get into US or Canada. How to get a job in those places and would you recommend taking such a step? Or should I apply to programs such as that of Baruch and get in US. Any other information if you have so. Any links Thanks/Regards

Hi Twinn, I really appreciate your analysis Twinn. The thing is I did study harder in that one month fearing that I would lose the grip on the test and that burned me out. I was also working part-time plus a 6 hr/day study schedule. So burning out does affects one's score. Now, since I would know more about the practice tests and OG (did it so many times - Verbal hit rate 80%) and other non-official materials such as GMATPlus, there is only one book left and that is of LSAT. I think my weakness is Critical Reasoning. Twinn, now I am apprehensive of attempting GMAT unless I get sure of nailing higher percentiles (90+). For that, I think the best way is to practice LSAT materials and in that in CR my hit rate is 40%. What should the benchmark be for me considering my target. What do you think? I'm a non-native speaker of English and people say that that affects one' score. I'm not sure to what extent that is true and if it is, what are the other areas where I would require improvement. Regarding the scores, After one sees the questions in the OG its not difficult to score 780 on the Powerprep. Now, since I have seen most of the questions, I wouldn't have a fair idea of the actual score based on the practice test performance. And the Princeton Review and Kaplan are so much lacking in either content or in scoring. What do you think? Twinn, I'm down, burned out and therefore cannot take the test right away. But will keep on moving in that direction. I can stay mentally tough and focused but its tough to stay relaxed.

So, GBong, should I attempt the GMAT again. What do you think? And I'm a non-native speaker - does that make any difference?

GBong, My hit rates in the OG verbal were : RC - 85% SC - 75-80% CR - 80% GMATBong, you must have scored around 700. So, you must be aware of a differentiating factor between a person who scores 630 and a person scoring 700+. Because the practice scores are not a good indicator of one's ability - in my case. And I have to be pretty sure of nailing 700 if I attempt again. So, could you tell me about any benchmark that if one reaches that person has a higher probability of getting a score above 700. And Please answer this question - does it happen to a few people that there is a substantial gap between the GMATPrep scores and the actual GMAT score. GMATBong, keep up your good work.

Hi GMATBong, I was trying to nail the reason for my bad performance in the GMAT. I studied GMAT for 2-3 months and in GMATPrep I got 690 & 700 and in Powerprep 780. I studied intensely in that period, 6 hrs a day, that is my style. The day before my scheduled date I postponed the exam for a month since I wanted to cross 700 substantially. The next day I just totally lost the rush and the enjoyment that I was having, it all turned into a responsibility. I started burning out. But, I was relieved to see scores like 740 in GMATPrep a week before my postponed date. I didn't take any days off since I felt that if I do so I would lose the rush. I was also working part-time in my family business. And I was working but my body systems were losing the grip. I ended up with 630 - a total disaster after slogging hard. I am very intent on removing my weaknesses in Verbal - 51%ile. Let me tell you that I started with 470. Then, it was a different case since OG was not considered as a 'bible for GMAT' by me. Now, if I work I would want to go through the LSAT CR and RC. Since, they are much better explained. The dilemna that I am facing is of lost time, bad results and more energy that I have to spend to get into that GMAT rush. The laidbackness has gotten into me that I don't like but maybe one gets bored after some time. The question that I want to ask you is whether the postponement could have robbed me of my expected score or it happens to a few people that there is a substantial gap between the GMATPrep scores and the actual GMAT score. If I have to start, when should I start and how should I do it. I have been reading the Economist for getting better. I would be grateful if you could reply to my questions. I am also ready to provide you with more information regarding my GMAT preparation. Please analyse the situation, I really need it since, I'm losing my sleep. Thanks.

Twinn, does GMAT preparation has a short shelf life. I mean if one does not apply it what one has studied, instantly, does one loses the ETS' way of thinking. Because, once I postponed the test. Prior to postponement, I got 780 in the Powerprep and 700 in GMATPrep. I got a month's gap in between and that, I think, lowered down my confidence and could have robbed me of the way in which ETS tells you to think. Although I got higher scores in my practice tests ie above 730 in GMATPrep, I actually scored 630 in the Actual GMAT. Please comment. Its like a total disaster for me. I don't know, sometimes I still think that I can get 700. Thanks.

Thanks and What should be the accuracy rate to get above 80%ile in Verbal GMAT. Since I might retake the test, are you sure that if I understand every word of CR and RC in the LSAT book my reasoning and reading power will be sharpened. Congrats for getting into Stanford, great school. Fif