GMAT for Noobs

The GMAT can be a tricky exam for many but worry not! There is a method to the madness that the GMAT is.

The most important thing to understand about the GMAT is that it is not a test of intelligence. It is a test of mental agility, time management and strategy.

It is also important to keep in mind that you do not have to get every GMAT question right. The exam itself allows room for mistakes. You can even get 15 questions wrong and still score over 700.

The best way to figure out how to maximize your score would be to go to a good GMAT coaching class that prepares you with all the utility to be able to strategize when it comes to the exam time.

Remember, the GMAT is an exam of strategy more than it is an exam of intelligence

GRE during COVID19

The GRE or Graduate Record Exam conducted by ETS has given candidates the opportunity to take the test from home. This has caught on really well as many applicants have begin to opt for the GRE test from home.

In addition to the GRE, ETS also offers the TOEFL as a test from home option. With both their main exams being offered from the convenience of taking them from home, many people have benefitted. 

Even those who are going for GRE coaching classes, can take their test from the coaching centre however it is not recommended by the ETS as there can be ways to be duplicitous. Therefore it is best to opt for taking the test form the comfort of your own home rather than looking for a GRE testing centre that has an available slot for your convenient date and time

The best GMAT study tips

Preparing for the GMAT can cause many people to lose their cool. But worry not because these tips and tricks can help  you breeze through your GMAT preparation whether you are studying on your own or attending GMAT coaching classes.

1.       Organize your time during the day : You need to be putting in a minimum of 2 hours per day towards your GMAT prep if you are working or otherwise occupied and up to 6 hours a day as your exam approaches.

2.       Break down your practice questions into sets : by doing sets of 15 questions at a time, you can make sure that you do not bog yourself down with too much work and at the same time cover a lot of practice questions this way

3.       Time yourself : each of these sets should not take you more than half an hour to solve AND verify your answers.

GMAT explained

The GMAT is the bane of many MBA aspirant’s existence. This is quite a common occurrence all over the world for test takers everywhere. The GMAT unfortunately, is an exam that most of these test takers misunderstand.

Everyone begins their preparation for the GMAT expecting it to be a test of Math and English proficiency, however, it happens to be more than just that. The GMAT is a test of mental agility and time management more than anything else.

So it is important to prepare accordingly for it. GMAT coaching classes can really play a very helpful role in making sure that you get the desired GMAT score. It is important to note that the concepts in math and English that you need to learn account only for 5-10% of what is considered the overall preparation for the GMAT.

So do you r best in learning the concepts but do even better for learning how to manage your time and think quick.

GMAT Scenario during COVID19

 The pandemic has hit many things that we have come to take for granted. You would think that an exam like the GMAT would have been the first to fall in demand. However, clever applicants from the world over spotted an opportunity where there would automatically be less interest from students applying to universities abroad (study abroad programs), due to the pandemic.

This has only been evident because of the intake of students into GMAT coaching centres. In some areas of the world, GMAT coaching classes have all but stopped. But even with the switch to online GMAT classes, there are some major cities in the world where it is very evident that there exist many an opportunist and bless them for it.

These are the ones who have learnt to see things for what they are, and that is an invaluable skill that any efficient leader requires.

GMAT Journeys: 470 to 740 in 1 Month

 As someone with 11 years of work experience in multiple fields of work, I found it quite challenging to perform well on the GMAT. I have a fairly impressive and successful career, as can be validated by the fact that I am a board member in multiple companies. My career has been good enough with sufficient exposure and achievements to impress even the best of the MBA universities. 

But here I was, a man in my mid-30s, unable to do well in an exam that consists of syllabus from 10th grade Math and basic English. And then, out of sheer luck, I came across a little GMAT coaching centre that had been making waves with their students scores. So out of curiosity, I gave them a call and decided to give them a shot. 

At first, I realised that their fee was slightly more expensive, but as desperate as I was, I decided to jump in. And I am so glad that I did. In a matter of one month, these GMAT coaching classes took me from a 470 to a 740. 

They cared about me and they cared about making sure that I understood what the GMAT expected out of me. One of the best experiences in my life. They have really opened my mind to various schools of thought. And if I did not know better, I think they focus on teaching their students how to think rather than just spoon feed them or superficially teach the concepts in such a manner that it is inadequate to answer the kind of questions you would see on the GMAT. 

This was a few months ago, and thanks to them, I am applying to top tier MBA colleges, in stead of some random nameless MBA college. They are worth way more than they fee that they charge. In a way, they have helped me get a better shot at my entire life ahead of me.

PTE for Immigration

PTE or Pearson Test of English is an English language proficiency test that is required to be taken for the purposes of immigrating to a native English-speaking country either for PR (permanent residency) or for study abroad. It is one of the three main English language proficiency tests – the other two are TOEFL and IELTS. 

The PTE is mainly taken for immigration and study abroad purposes for Australia and New Zealand. It is not as popular as the other two tests and major immigration destinations like Canada, USA, UK, etc, still do not accept the PTE as a standard of evaluation. 

The PTE is an easy exam for a native English-speaker but for someone who is unfamiliar with the language, it can be a daunting task. Signing up for PTE classes can prove to be immensely helpful. Keep in mind that learning to effectively communicate in another language other than your own can take time, especially when the standards expected of you are those that are required to function effectively in that country.

SAT for beginners

There are millions of high school students who take up the SAT, from all over the world, after they graduate from school. The SAT is a common entrance exam that students who have graduated from high school take in order to secure an admission in a university for their Undergraduate courses.

The Scholastic  Aptitude Test is a computer-based exam that tests students on their mathematical and reasoning ability as well as their familiarity with topics ranging from history to astronomy and everything in between.

While there is no external knowledge you require to answer the questions in the SAT, it is always advisable to take SAT coaching classes in order to maximize your chances of getting a high score.

Securing a high score on the SAT is important as it will give you the chance to get admission into a top tier college, which will have a snowball effect on your career and future life plans.

TOEFL classes for going to Canada

The TOEFL is an English language proficiency test that is required for the purpose of applying for PR or permanent residency status for countries like Canada, USA, Australia, etc.

For people in countries where English is not the national language, it is important to take TOEFL coaching classes. There are many TOEFL centres, however, only very few of them will be able to help you get a good score. These TOEFL classes generally cost a little more than the others as they understand what is required of the students.

A good score on the exam is typically above 105. For people from developing countries, where the language of communication in the work place is English may think that they know English well, however, based on evidence and past history, it is very clear that the standard of English is not up to the mark.

TOEFL for beginners

 The TOEFL or the Test Of English as a Foreign Language is an English Language proficiency test that needs to be taken in order to immigrate to an English speaking country. This test can be taken for both academic purposes and for PR (Permanent Residency). 

The same test can be taken for both admissions into universities and for immigration purposes. The exam is easy for those who are native-English language speakers, however, for those from developing nations where the National Language is not English, the exam can be a little harder. 

Taking TOEFL coaching classes can really help boost your performance in the exam. It is important to keep in mind that a good score on the TOEFL is anything above 105. This implies that you need to get a minimum of 25+ in each of the sections. This can be achieved over a period of time that is determined by how familiar you are with the English Language.

Top 3 GRE Coaching Centres – September 2020

India is a hotbed for students wanting to go abroad for their Masters programs. With so many good engineering and arts colleges in the country, there are students from all over the world that come to study in India. With so many people wanting to go abroad, the demand for GRE coaching centres and GMAT coaching centres has increased tremendously. There is a myriad of educational consultancies that do not offer GRE classes or GMAT classes, but they help with the admissions process. 

However, you need to keep in mind that any educational consultancy or admissions counsellor who does not charge you a fee, is making money off of you when you pay your tuition fee to one of the colleges that they suggest for you. This severely compromises the integrity of the counselling that they do. 

But there are only a few centres that care about their students and will do everything in their power to make sure that their students get into top tier universities across the world. The top 3 are listed below: 

Plan A:

This is one of the newest educational consultancies that have cropped up within the last few years. They have produced excellent results from their students across the GMAT and GRE with the lowest scores being 640 on the GMAT and 312 on the GRE. These are the lowest scores from their centre mind you!!! 

They have a team of consultants that help you with everything. They conduct both GRE classes and GMAT classes. And they even help with admissions and career guidance. Even their online coursework is so much better than most of the market. They have simple explanations for complex concepts and they faculty at Plan A use the concepts to teach you how to think, thereby equipping you with more than just training for an exam.

Gradvine:

Gradvine is another such consultancy that really gets invested in the future of their students. They have access to hundreds of students that they have helped get into top tier universities who in turn act as consultants for the admissions process and essays and so on. They have a very friendly and welcoming community of advisors and consultants, who have all been on the same journey as their clients at some point of time or the other. 

Gradvine feels like a bunch of friends helping you out. They however, doe not offer GMAT classes or GRE classes. 

Crackverbal:

Crackverbal is an institute that has presence all over the country and is the oldest of these 3 consultancies. They have the most experience in terms of volumes and can be categorized as a giant compared to the previous two companies. However, due to their volumes, they find it harder to adhere to their standards than Gradvine or Plan A. 

While the two smaller companies have higher success rates (more like >98%), CrackVerbal has bigger numbers when it comes to the number of students who have been successfully trained and admitted.

In conclusion, the smaller or niche brands offer more guidance and a personal touch, whereas CrackVerbal has a lot more resources at its disposal. The choice is up to you. But these 3 consultancies come highly recommended. 

Educational Consultancies that help get you into Ivy League Universities

There are over 100,000 Educational Consultancies across the world that all claim that they can get you into an Ivy League College, but unfortunately for you, there are hardly a 100 all across the world that are even equipped to be able to do that. Some are pure admissions consulting firms whereas some are equipped as GRE coaching centres and/or GMAT coaching centres.

For those that offer you GRE classes or GMAT classes, they stand a better chance of helping you get into a good school as they know what score they need to equip you for. Even this is a big question mark as most of these GRE training centres and/or GMAT training centres do not have stable faculty.

So, it is in your best interests to do your research and figure out which kind of consultancy works best for you.

Does ISB accept GRE? – Indian School of Business

 Yes, the Indian School of Business does accept the GRE score for their MBA application or PGPM application. This is in response to a recent trend in multiple top tier MBA universities where more of them are accepting applicants with a GRE score rather than the GMAT score.

What started this trend you may ask? The answer to that is quite simple. The GRE is an easier exam to crack than the GMAT.

A lot of test takers despite having spent weeks and months studying at GMAT coaching centres do not end up doing well on the GMAT. This leads them to get disheartened and they tend to give up on their dreams of getting into B schools. However, a few universities began accepting GRE scores for the MBA applications and that gave way to this mass adoption of the GRE over the GMAT.

Today, there are far more GRE coaching centres and online GRE classes than there are for GMAT.

Home Based GRE Test

 After the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent lockdown, ETS has begun to offer a home-based version of the GRE. That means that a test taker can appear for the main GRE from the comfort of their own home. 

Of course, there are a few extra steps and procedures to take and follow, but it is quite convenient. A surprisingly large number of test takers have opted to take their GRE from their homes rather than postponing their GRE test date. 

If you are not sure about how to go about this process, then kindly verify with an ETS partnered GRE coaching centre to find out more. They may even be able to help you more than other centres with GRE classes. 

Find the best way forward under counsel and consultation as this will have a large impact on your future and where you end up studying and working.

GRE – Best Practices for Preparation

 The GRE can be an overly complex exam for a lot of people. But there are a significant number of GRE test takers that have performed exceptionally well on the test. Most of these test takers are ones that are products of some of the best GRE coaching centres in the world. 

It is exceedingly rare that someone who has scored above 330 on the GRE has not had the help of GRE classes. So, your first step if you find yourself overwhelmed by the GRE is to join GRE coaching classes.

However, if you insist on preparing on your own, for whatever reasons, then the following are some of the best practices for GRE preparation. 

• Study regularly for at least 2 hours everyday

• Learn 40 words per day

• Practice 20 questions every day

• Take a minimum of 6 Mock tests

• Always revise 

Universities that do not need GRE scores

 There are many universities all over the world that accept applications without the need of a GRE score, however, most of these universities are not amongst the best. These are institutions that are trying desperately to grow and increase their student pool and market value. 

The quality of education and the quality of future you will have if you graduate from one of these universities is far lesser than what they would  be if you were to graduate from a university that requires the GRE. 

Your reticence to take the GRE reflects your own self-worth and motivation for self-improvement and self-care. Would you rather not put in the effort for two or three months to get a chance at a much better life, by studying for the GRE?

If you need help, then sign up for GRE classes. There are many good GRE coaching centres that can help you ace the test.

GRE – Verbal Section – Tips and tricks

The verbal section on the GRE can be a thorn in the side of many a test taker. But it does not have to be. Unlike the GMAT, the GRE has a very set syllabus that has boundaries of what can and cannot be asked. 

This implies that there is a set amount of knowledge that you will need to learn in order to ace the Verbal section on the GRE. 

The GRE Verbal Section consists of basically 3 types of questions:

1. Vocabulary – Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence

2. Critical Reasoning

3. Reading Comprehension

Out of these 3 categories, the only one that requires you to put in effort to learn is the vocabulary section. This consists of approximately 4000 words that you need to know. A native English speaker is bound to know at least 1500-2000 words. 

If you do not know that many words, it is best that you sign up for GRE classes. 

If you do know at least 1500-2000 words then it should take you only about 4-6 weeks to learn the remaining words as most of them are synonyms of words that we already know and use regularly. 

As for the other two sections, they test your logical and reasoning ability. The best approach to this would be to practice as many lateral thinking problems as possible. Even practicing some of the free GMAT resources can help as the difficulty level of similar questions on the GMAT is higher than the GRE counterparts. 

What GRE score is best for MIT?

 Getting into the top universities is not as simple as doing well on the GRE. There are many aspects of the application process that need to meet the minimum requirement for each college. Not only that, the requirements vary depending on which stream you are applying for even if it is the same university. 

One such requirement is your essay or your Statement of Purpose. The best bet for you would be to attend GRE coaching classes, to develop not only your quant and verbal skills but also acquire sufficient information about the application process. 

However, if you want to know what a good or rather a competitive score is, it varies for each college and the stream that you are applying for. 

On average a 315-320 on the GRE should get you through into most of the good schools.

The need for GRE

 The GRE or the Graduate Record Exam, is a competitive aptitude and reasoning test that is used to apply for top colleges and the best universities all over the world. It is a very versatile test in the sense that the GRE scores can be used to apply for various streams, including management degrees and MBAs. Unlike the GMAT, the GRE’s counter part for management programs, the GRE is a much easier test to score well in, compared to the GMAT.

If you are uncertain about which test to take, it is best that you consult with a reputable GRE coaching centre. Often it can be confusing to decide which might be the best exam to take, because the GMAT is easier to study for, whereas the GRE is an easier exam to take. 

GRE Verbal – Best Strategy

 The verbal sections of the GRE can be challenging for many to master, but there are some GRE coaching centres that ewuip their students with some really useful GRE tips and tricks for the verbal section. Now, while every “GRE expert” may claim that they know the best methods to master the GRE verbal section, it is not uncommon for most of these sources only giving you the basic learning methods.

However, the most important thing to keep in mind, is that everyone of us have our own learning style. The same strategies will not work for everyone. We even have our own strengths and weaknesses, so how then can the same plan of action work for everyone?

And that is where the real “Gurus of GRE” can teach you – how to think, how to evaluate yourself and then develop and apply your own strategy.