opportunity__cost

May 11 2010

I definitely need to learn English

Well, I am keeping pretty stable position on the quantitative side, scoring 47-48Q on the most of practice tests. However, my verbal drives me mad. I didn't realize it's going to be that big issue as it's now.

Okay, after running a few practice tests, I found out that my verbal sucks (in general), but gradually looks like the following:

The best thing I'm scoring is Critical Reasoning. I don't know why, maybe because it is what it is. :)
Sentence Correction is something in the middle. I'd say, it's closer to CR, than to RC. It's still bad. Even while I'm starting to think I'm catching up, I'm still failing.
The worst thing is my Reading Comprehension. It is like 20% away from the SC, which is already bad enough.

So I'm pretty much gearing towards verbal now.

I grabbed PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible for CR. It's one of the most recommended book for it, although I've heard complaints of it being boring.
Manhattan's Sentence Correction is also a sure leader for SC. A lot of memorization though, as it seemed to me from the first sight.
And none for RC. Harvard Business Review was recommended many times, as well as many other books and magazines. However, they don't seem to me helping. I need to come up with a better strategy here.

We'll see how it works out for me.

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Apr 6 2010

Daily GMAT questions

Every weekday, GMAT Hacks publishes a realistic GMAT practice question. In general, you'll see Quant problems on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Verbal questions on Tuesday and Thursday. You'll always be able to find them at www.gmatdaily.com.
Give today's question a try, and check your answer.

via gmatdaily.com

After several weeks of these daily GMAT questions, I'm opting out. They are too easy. But this doesn't mean I'm too good. Actually, I'm not. Really not. I'm still struggling. But I see no reason to waste the time for questions that typically take me less a minute to shoot, and rarely require to touch a pencil. Ciao.

daily gmat hacks questions

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Nov 15 2009

"Tough" questions from GMAT 800

I saw a number of positive reviews for the sample questions from the Kaplan GMAT 800 book (now Kaplan GMAT Advanced). Not a problem, just got a copy for myself, and went through it.

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To avoid confusion, I completed only Critical Reasoning part of it. However, making in average 75% of correct answers (1 mistake in every 4 questions set), I got some serious doubts about extraordinary type of questions there.

They are good, but not much more.

On the other note, format of the book is really weird. I don't like it. I believe the willingness to do a guidebook drove them to such a style, but it doesn't help at all. I'd prefer something closer to a "classic" approach, when I clearly have a set of questions to work through, and the answers to clearly state correct answer, but not looking for it in the several blocks of explanations.

book critical criticalreasoning gmat questions reasoning review

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Oct 29 2009

Must-know idioms for GMAT

The following GMAT idioms list is based upon official GMAT sentence correction questions that the test-makers publicly released.

Practice these idioms using our proprietary sentence correction questions.

GMAT Idiom Book1 Question2 Answer Page3

Official Guide for GMAT Review (12^th Edition)

x is more than y 12^th Edition 4 686

unlike x, y 12^th Edition 20 694

in contrast with x, y 12^th Edition 20 694

in contrast to x, y 12^th Edition 20 694

estimate to be 12^th Edition 27 698

the same to x as to y 12^th Edition 32 700

depends on whether x 12^th Edition 34 701

so x that y 12^th Edition 37 702

targeted ... at 12^th Edition 40 704

rivalry between x and y 12^th Edition 44 706

expended on 12^th Edition 46 707

the ability ... to 12^th Edition 51 710

x is to y what w is to z 12^th Edition 58 714

amount of x 12^th Edition 74 722

attributes x to y 12^th Edition 79 724

not just because of x, but because of y 12^th Edition 83 726

distinctions between x and y 12^th Edition 96 733

either x or y 12^th Edition 109 740

to consider x y 12^th Edition 117 745

less successful than 12^th Edition 123 748

so x that y 12^th Edition 124 748

x is dated at z years old 12^th Edition 140 756

Official Guide for GMAT Review (11^th Edition)

x is more than y 11^th Edition 2 662

in contrast with x, y 11^th Edition 16 669

estimated to be 11^th Edition 21 671

in danger of 11^th Edition 27 673

seem + infinitive 11^th Edition 29 674

as much as 11^th Edition 30 674

to credit x with 11^th Edition 31 674

as many ... as 11^th Edition 37 676

between x and y 11^th Edition 40 678

require x to do y 11^th Edition 53 684

restrictions on x 11^th Edition 54 685

not only x ... but also y 11^th Edition 55 685

there is no doubt that 11^th Edition 58 686

as a means to 11^th Edition 60 688

attribute x to y 11^th Edition 67 691

as many as 11^th Edition 76 695

used x as y 11^th Edition 79 696

not x, but rather y 11^th Edition 87 700

order x to be y 11^th Edition 92 702

just as x, so y 11^th Edition 99 706

distinguish between x and y 11^th Edition 107 710

both x and y 11^th Edition 112 713

so x that y 11^th Edition 118 716

Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review

not...but Verbal Review 4 256

the rising cost Verbal Review 8 258

range from x to y Verbal Review 9 258

except for + noun Verbal Review 13 260

between x and y Verbal Review 14 260

to mistake x for y Verbal Review 17 261

to think of x as y Verbal Review 20 262

with the aim of + (verb)ing Verbal Review 25 264

not only x ... but also y Verbal Review 46 274

prohibit x from doing y Verbal Review 48 275

more x than y Verbal Review 50 276

not only x ... but also y Verbal Review 52 277

so x that y Verbal Review 58 280

not x, but rather y Verbal Review 60 281

not only ... but also Verbal Review 66 284

in order to x Verbal Review 69 285

as x as Verbal Review 75 288

worried about Verbal Review 81 291

either x or y Verbal Review 84 292

better served by x than by y Verbal Review 89 295

ordered x to do y Verbal Review 90 295

both x and y Verbal Review 93 297

x rose almost as fast as y Verbal Review 94 297

between x and y Verbal Review 95 298

more x than y Verbal Review 98 299

x rather than y Verbal Review 99 300

isolated from Verbal Review 106 300

not only x ... but also y Verbal Review 108 304

as a result of Verbal Review 113 307

This GMAT idioms list is available in PDF format.

GMAT Idiom	Book1	Question2	Answer Page3
Official Guide for GMAT Review (12^th Edition)
x is more than y	12^th Edition	4	686
unlike x, y	12^th Edition	20	694
in contrast with x, y	12^th Edition	20	694
in contrast to x, y	12^th Edition	20	694
estimate to be	12^th Edition	27	698
the same to x as to y	12^th Edition	32	700
depends on whether x	12^th Edition	34	701
so x that y	12^th Edition	37	702
targeted ... at	12^th Edition	40	704
rivalry between x and y	12^th Edition	44	706
expended on	12^th Edition	46	707
the ability ... to	12^th Edition	51	710
x is to y what w is to z	12^th Edition	58	714
amount of x	12^th Edition	74	722
attributes x to y	12^th Edition	79	724
not just because of x, but because of y	12^th Edition	83	726
distinctions between x and y	12^th Edition	96	733
either x or y	12^th Edition	109	740
to consider x y	12^th Edition	117	745
less successful than	12^th Edition	123	748
so x that y	12^th Edition	124	748
x is dated at z years old	12^th Edition	140	756
Official Guide for GMAT Review (11^th Edition)
x is more than y	11^th Edition	2	662
in contrast with x, y	11^th Edition	16	669
estimated to be	11^th Edition	21	671
in danger of	11^th Edition	27	673
seem + infinitive	11^th Edition	29	674
as much as	11^th Edition	30	674
to credit x with	11^th Edition	31	674
as many ... as	11^th Edition	37	676
between x and y	11^th Edition	40	678
require x to do y	11^th Edition	53	684
restrictions on x	11^th Edition	54	685
not only x ... but also y	11^th Edition	55	685
there is no doubt that	11^th Edition	58	686
as a means to	11^th Edition	60	688
attribute x to y	11^th Edition	67	691
as many as	11^th Edition	76	695
used x as y	11^th Edition	79	696
not x, but rather y	11^th Edition	87	700
order x to be y	11^th Edition	92	702
just as x, so y	11^th Edition	99	706
distinguish between x and y	11^th Edition	107	710
both x and y	11^th Edition	112	713
so x that y	11^th Edition	118	716
Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
not...but	Verbal Review	4	256
the rising cost	Verbal Review	8	258
range from x to y	Verbal Review	9	258
except for + noun	Verbal Review	13	260
between x and y	Verbal Review	14	260
to mistake x for y	Verbal Review	17	261
to think of x as y	Verbal Review	20	262
with the aim of + (verb)ing	Verbal Review	25	264
not only x ... but also y	Verbal Review	46	274
prohibit x from doing y	Verbal Review	48	275
more x than y	Verbal Review	50	276
not only x ... but also y	Verbal Review	52	277
so x that y	Verbal Review	58	280
not x, but rather y	Verbal Review	60	281
not only ... but also	Verbal Review	66	284
in order to x	Verbal Review	69	285
as x as	Verbal Review	75	288
worried about	Verbal Review	81	291
either x or y	Verbal Review	84	292
better served by x than by y	Verbal Review	89	295
ordered x to do y	Verbal Review	90	295
both x and y	Verbal Review	93	297
x rose almost as fast as y	Verbal Review	94	297
between x and y	Verbal Review	95	298
more x than y	Verbal Review	98	299
x rather than y	Verbal Review	99	300
isolated from	Verbal Review	106	300
not only x ... but also y	Verbal Review	108	304
as a result of	Verbal Review	113	307

via platinumgmat.com

For those who are too cheap to buy himself or herself a copy of Manhattan GMAT "Sentence Correction GMAT Preparation Guide", here is the list of the most popular GMAT idioms that are likely already known by native speakers, and must be memorized by non-native speakers (like I am).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982423861/iwhite-20

For those who do own a book, take a look at chapter 9, page 142. I am not sure I would be able to memorize all that, but at least I have one more useful guide to refer to.

book correction gmat idiom idioms sc sentence sentence corrections

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Oct 28 2009

Sentence Correction must-have book

There is one book that is absolutely must have for you to do well on Sentence Correction part of GMAT.

That's a "Sentence Correction GMAT Preparation Guide" by Manhattan GMAT.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi51l36nopjlbo2204203200pisitbstickerarrowclicktopright3576aa240sh20ou01jpg_yeeiiedhiqchghf

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982423861/prokhorenkous-20

They do not have any either sample GMAT questions or a bunch of tests to try yourself on. But they did their best to cover a lot of potential tricks taken by GMAT creators to find your gaps in English. I'm really surprised and really excited about going through this. I just came to Chapter 4 and I have already learned a bunch of stuff. This is so great.

However, I do miss the sample GMAT questions. The books sends me to Official Guide and this is sorta lame. Been there, done that.

book correct gmat have must review sc sentence sentence correction

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Oct 23 2009

Typo hunter's on the road again

Typos happen. Sometimes they don't bother you much. Sometimes, the do. Like in the books that have question and answer combos.

Like, you know, for the quantitative part of GMAT, for example.

Yes, I'm talking about the EZ basic math workbook.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi615cpj1d2bxlsl500ss75jpg_heyijwhoekhbezf

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605621579/iwhite-20

It has a lot of typos. What's worse, it has a lot of errors, too. Like the one show above, which is page 113, question #20. Twice 32 equals 64, but not 62. Where the heck is editor? Proofreader? Anybody else?

It's not the only example, but I just wanted to show you that reviews like this (even if it's the only one), should not be ignored:

there are a lot of examples in the book that are completely wrong. The further you go in the book the worse it gets. Its like the author got exhausted by the end.
ex:
1) a question will ask you about blue ribbons but will calculate due to green ribbons.
2) some of the combinatorics questions have missing combinations that the question is asking about.
I can go on and on ...
The book is very easy and has bunch of errors. Work with it at your own risk.
BTW to put some weight behind my words: I have already taken GMAT and got above 700.

by BebaZyabovna.

Take care.

ez fail gmat math review typo

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Oct 22 2009

EZ Basic Math

Okay, I've got 200 more sample questions and 2 parts left from the EZ basic math workbook.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi615cpj1d2bxlsl500aa240jpg_fyzwyieoventcgh

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1605621579/iwhite-20

Listen. Get it if your math is really bad. I mean, you really suck. Or you feel like you suck. Otherwise, you don't need it. It sucks to be able to solve all samples. I'm not the brightest guy, but it's too easy even for me.

So I'm planning to take a pause with math and get back to Sentence Correction.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi51l36nopjlbo2204203200pisitbstickerarrowclicktopright3576aa240sh20ou01jpg_orbefctbakltgtc

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0982423861/iwhite-20

And only after it I'm going to spend more time with EZ advanced math workbook. I hope it would be way more interesting, because I found myself doing pretty well with The Quest for 700: Weekly GMAT Challenge posted every Wednesday on http://www.mbamission.com with answer following Thursday. Otherwise, screw the Amazon's reviews for EZ books, because they're wrong. Anyway I don't like the format of EZ books. I'd prefer to stay closer to GMAT format, because, well, you know... this is for GMAT. Why is it titled so, huh?

basic ez gmat math quantitative review workbook

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Oct 19 2009

My progress with EZ basic math

While I didn't spend a decent time with the book, the results so far so good. Out of almost 200 questions, I've yellow-marked 4 or 5 solutions, even scoring the 100% correct answers. Those solutions were a little bit easier way comparing to what I chose.

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This is quite a nice number to see, however, I was expecting for something more challenging. It's easy to be a smart guy when you're facing very basic problems, isn't it? :) I'm starting to think that getting a basic math workbook was not so good idea. I should start from advanced one. However, I'm not going to drop out now, and I'm going to complete it.

basic book ez gmat math review

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Oct 16 2009

EZ Basic Math for GMAT

Well, I'm pissed of.

EZ Solutions - Test Prep Series - Math Practice - Basic Workbook - GMAT

First of all, this title sucks. How do you imaging me telling a friend about this book when it has some many words inside? Do they all make sense? Doubt so.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi615cpj1d2bxlsl500aa240jpg_nyotadevzmwypvf

I've read so many positives reviews about EZ books for GMAT. Speaking about this specific book it was like 7 five-stars and 1 one-star. None of the did mention that the basic book is so freakin' basic.

I've went through almost a hundred of questions so far, and none of them are challenging. They are basic. But I'll keep going. Hopefully, this book will undercover some hidden gem and it will make me happier about the twenty I spent.

book ez gmat math workbook

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Oct 14 2009

Sentence Correction freaks me out

Out of 113 question I'm scoring barely 60% correctly. This is a total crash. I'm wasted.

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Is it supposed to be that tough? I guess it's not tough for the most of natives, but what about not-native ones, like me? I don't have an academic experience in US.

While my math score is running high 80% - low 90%, and both Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning sections don't fall down the high 70% (what does, frankly speaking, suck too), Sentence Correction is a disaster.

Media_httpecximagesamazoncomimagesi51l36nopjlbo2204203200pisitbstickerarrowclicktopright3576aa240sh20ou01jpg_ltfjhdckbnzryut

I do have the 4th edition of Kaplan's Sentence Correction already. I heard a lot of positives about this book and hopefully it's suitable for non-native speakers, like I am. I'll do my best to spend the most quality time on it, to make sure I can improve my score and get to at least 80%'s. I'll let you know how it works out.

Okay, now I'm planning to get back to EZ solutions set of two math workbooks. While I think it's getting easier to me, I still want to make sure that I can get a solid 90%'s percentage on sample questions, so these two books might help me.

Media_httpwwwezmethodscomimagesezbooks10jpg_fuusfbbcghwhusc

The rest is Sentence Correction one (ouch!) and that's it. I'm planning to run a few full-time sample tests and schedule a date.

See you soon.

book correction gmat kaplan review sc sentence

0 Comments

I definitely need to learn English

Daily GMAT questions

"Tough" questions from GMAT 800

Must-know idioms for GMAT

Sentence Correction must-have book

Typo hunter's on the road again

EZ Basic Math

My progress with EZ basic math

EZ Basic Math for GMAT

Sentence Correction freaks me out

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