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 |  Subject: Article: Debunking GMAT® Myths Sat Aug 28, 2010 9:21 am | |
| Debunking GMAT® MythsBy Anthony Russomanno.Princeton Review Premier Tutor & GMAT Admissions Expert Source | Princeton Review wrote: |
Chances are you’ve heard your share of Urban Myths. They start quite harmlessly. How about the guy who bought a chihuahua in Mexico only to find out that it was a rat? Familiar with the story of the infamous $250 cookie recipe from Neiman Marcus? Do pop rocks and coke really explode when combined? Have you tried standing a raw egg on end during the vernal equinox? Anyway, you get the point.
Sadly, the GMAT has spawned its own set of Urban Myths, which have been passed down from MBA-bound students over the years. Fortunately, we can set you straight about these.
MYTH #1: You need advanced math skills to get a high score on the Quantitative section of the GMAT.
FACT: The Math on the GMAT appears challenging because of how the concepts are presented not because the concepts are difficult per se. You won’t see any calculus or trigonometry on the GMAT but rather the basic math concepts you learned in middle and high school (algebra, geometry, and basic arithmetic). The data sufficiency problems present you with statements and ask you if you have enough data to solve the problem.
Click here to see Myth #1 examples.
MYTH #2: You need to actually solve a problem to get the correct answer.
FACT: Well, that is not the case for many questions on the GMAT. Having a strategy is key, especially with the time constraints. Sometimes, fully working out a problem will actually slow you down.
Click here to see Myth #2 examples.
MYTH #3: You need a GMAT score of 700 to be a competitive applicant.
FACT: GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. The reality is that only 7% of all GMAT test takers score 700 or higher, with two-thirds scoring between 400 and 600. Some schools report an average GMAT score of around 700, but it’s important to remember that this is just the mean. A sizeable portion of the class actually scored below 700. Plus, even a score of 700 -does not guarantee admission. Remember, your GMAT score is just one of the factors that admissions committees will consider.
MYTH #4: The GMAT tests your knowledge of business principles, so it is a measure of how well you’ll do in business school.
FACT: The GMAT tests your basic quantitative, verbal and analytical writing skills. It does not test business principles except, perhaps, when presented as scenarios for problem solving or reading comprehension passages. Your college GPA is usually a better predictor of how you will perform in business school.
MYTH #5: All of the questions on the GMAT count equally toward your score.
FACT: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test. This means the test always begins with a question of moderate difficulty. If you answer correctly, you’ll get a slightly harder question. If you answer incorrectly, you’ll receive a slightly easier question. All the questions count but the CAT algorithm uses the first 10 questions you answer to make an initial assessment of your ability. That’s why questions at the beginning of each section can have a greater impact on your score.. As you continue to answer questions, the algorithm self-corrects by computing an updated estimate based on all the questions you have answered, and then administers new questions that closely match the updated estimate. Your final score is based on all your responses and considers the difficulty of all the questions answered.
MYTH #6 – It is more important to answer questions correctly than to finish the test.
FACT: There is a severe penalty for not completing the GMAT. If you don’t finish the test, your score will be greatly reduced. Failing to complete the verbal section, for example, could bump your score down from the 91st percentile to the 77th. Pacing is critical, if you are stumped by a question, give it your best guess and move on. If you get it wrong, the computer will give you an easier question, which you are more likely to answer correctly.
MYTH #7: Taking the GMAT after a night of partying and little sleep will actually help your score.
FACT: Wrong. The night before the exam, should be like any normal night for you. Don’t stay up late, but don’t go to bed right after dinner either. Both are detrimental.
MYTH #8: The same letter choice can’t be the right answer 3 times in a row OR “C” is the most popular choice”
FACT: Statistically every answer has the same chance of being correct every time. There is no pattern – ever.
Urban Myths can be fascinating, but don’t fall for these traps. The bottom line is this: with adequate preparation you can achieve your best GMAT score. And remember, never flash your headlights at cars with their lights off, because everybody knows what happens then. |
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