Blog

When it comes to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. In this weekly blog series, Manhattan GMAT’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense.

Have you ever experienced the “panic stare”? That’s when you stare at a problem for way too long without really doing anything besides thinking that you don’t know what to do. Or you sit down to study, but you’re not sure where to begin, and so you take way too long to get started, while you shuffle your papers aimlessly.

The more decisions we need to make, or the more options we have, the harder it is to act, or the more likely we are to act rashly or make snap decisions. Last year, the New York Times published an article on this topic entitled “Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue?”

During a test like the GMAT, decision fatigue can manifest as the “panic stare,” or as a feeling of “not caring” any longer, so you begin to answer too quickly without checking your work or being careful.

This can also happen while you’re studying. There’s a lot to study. You’re having to make constant decisions: What am I going to study next? How am I going to study it? Should I write this down on a flash card? And this doesn’t even include the decisions we have to make while answering the questions themselves!

One of your tasks while studying is to figure out how to minimize the number of decisions that you have to make while taking the test. Hmm, I could do the problem this way or that way. Which way should I do it—how do I decide? That’s a great question to ask while you’re studying because then you’ll be prepared to make a quick decision during the test.

So, when you’re studying, think about ways that you can reduce the number of decisions that you need to make, and ways to make those decisions simpler. In general, yes/no or binary decisions are easier than decisions that require us to formulate actual sentences and complete thoughts. (For example, don’t ask: Hmm, which difference should I examine first in this Sentence Correction problem? Instead, ask: Do I know how to deal with the specific difference I’m looking at right now? Yes or no?)

One more thing that might seem obvious now that you’ve read this: don’t make a bunch of decisions about a lot of other random things on the same day before you take your real exam. Know what you’re going to eat for breakfast, know how you’re going to get to the exam center—basically, decide everything ahead of time so that your brain is as fresh as possible for the start!

When it comes to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. In this weekly blog series, Manhattan GMAT’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense.

Many business schools, including Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton, accept either the GMAT or the GRE. Which test should you take?

The main thing to determine is this: would you have a significant scoring advantage on one test versus the other?

The general consensus is that GRE math is easier than GMAT math. If math is a weakness for you, then put a “plus” in the GRE column. Further, in June of 2012, the GMAT will add a new section called Integrated Reasoning. This section will combine math and logic—yet another reason to take the GRE instead if quant is your weaker area.

Both tests are generally similar in verbal difficulty, but they emphasize different skills. Both test reading comprehension and logical reasoning about equally. For the remaining test questions, the GMAT emphasizes grammar while the GRE emphasizes vocabulary. Which is more of a strength for you?

Here’s how you can tell for sure: take a practice GMAT and a practice GRE. Most companies allow people to sign up for one free test. Make sure that you take each test under 100% official conditions (including the essays—you probably don’t care much about the essay scores, but the essays come first, so skipping them can give your multiple choice score an artificial boost). Also, take the two tests several days apart; don’t give yourself an artificial handicap on one by taking it later in the same day you took the other.

When you’re done, check your percentiles. (You can’t compare the scaled scores against each other because the two tests use different scoring scales.) If there’s a significant difference in your starting percentile ranking, then you know which test to choose! If not, then take a look at the results in more detail. If your quant is generally stronger, or if you’re good at grammar, then you may want to choose the GMAT. If your quant is generally weaker, or if you’re good at vocabulary, then you may want to choose the GRE.

Several business schools pose questions about the unique contributions you can make to their particular programs.

Many candidates unwittingly make the mistake of thinking that they have expressed their contribution by offering a bland, summary statement: “and I will bring my leadership skills to Fuqua.” One of the reasons we prefer to work with candidates “from start to finish” is so we can proactively prevent such problems. Simply relating a story about one of your past leadership experiences and then repeating the main point does not demonstrate that you will make a meaningful contribution to the school. Ideally, you want to go further, explaining how you would apply and use your experience while at the school, and thereby showing a true understanding of your fit with that particular program.

Example 1: “…thus my experience as a stand-up comedian will allow me to bring humor to the Kellogg environment.”

With this statement, the admissions committee is left asking, “How exactly will this applicant bring humor to the environment? Does he really know what our environment is about?” In contrast, consider the following:

Example 2: “….thus my experience as a stand-up comic will prove particularly useful at Kellogg, a dynamic environment where I will be constantly joining new and energetic study teams. I am hopeful that I can use my sense of humor to create more relaxed team environments, helping everyone feel comfortable contributing. However, I intend to use humor judiciously, such as offering an appropriately timed joke to diffuse tense moments during late-night study sessions.”

In Example 2, the writer has applied his personal experience to the Kellogg experience, and has thereby shown a clear connection with the school, proving that he has a true identification with it and an accurate understanding of its nature.

The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth—aka Tuck—is located in the quaint town of Hanover, New Hampshire. Hanover has a population of only approximately 20,000 and is thus considered a small college town, but “Tuckies,” as the school’s students are known, have no shortage of access to global learning opportunities. Students gain hands-on international experience through the “Tuck Global Consultancy” course, which gives second-year students the chance to put their education into practice worldwide. Since 1997, students in this course have consulted with more than 90 global organizations on more than 135 projects in more than 45 countries. On-site consulting projects are led by small teams of students working under the supervision of Tuck professors with extensive consulting backgrounds. A high percentage of the second-year class participates in this elective, and at the end of the program, students present their findings to their clients from around the globe.

For more information on other defining characteristics of the MBA program at Dartmouth Tuck or one of 15 other top business schools, please check out the mbaMission Insider’s Guides.

mbaMission is proud to introduce a first-of-its-kind MBA application writing class led by veteran mbaMission admissions consultant Angela Guido. Throughout this four-session, 12-hour course, we will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a compelling MBA application that reveals your unique character and will inspire the admissions committee to grant you that coveted letter of acceptance. This class is designed to jump-start your application process—you will brainstorm for unique ideas, practice the techniques of effective storytelling and resume construction and learn how to structure and draft essays for your target school—so that you are headed in the right direction with all your applications.

Expected Outcomes

In this class you will accomplish the following:

• Understand how to view essays through the lens of the admissions committee
• Learn to identify the characteristics of a great essay and avoid common pitfalls
• Dig deep into your past experiences to reveal your most compelling stories
• Start constructing your essays with feedback and direction from your peers and the instructor
• Benefit from the workshop leader’s deep expertise on the admissions process and top programs
• Workshop your essays in an online session after the formal instruction sessions to enhance your drafts and move your work toward the final draft stage
• Get a head start on your recommendations and interviews in an extra hour of recorded content and develop a process for completing the rest of your applications

Class Dates:

Online Winter A:

• Sunday, Feb. 19 (10 a.m.—1 p.m.)
• Sunday, Feb. 19 (2—5 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Feb. 21 (8—11 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Feb. 28 (8—11 p.m.)

Online Winter B:

• Sunday, Mar. 11 (10 a.m.—1 p.m.)
• Sunday, Mar. 11 (2—5 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Mar. 13 (8—11 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Mar. 20 (8—11 p.m.)

*All times listed are in Eastern Time Zone

Fees:

Online Winter A: Regularly $699, but register before February 12 to receive a 10% early bird discount!
Online Winter B: Regularly $699, but register before March 4 to receive a 10% early bird discount!

Space is limited. Visit www.mbamission.com to sign up today!