GRE vs GMAT

I guess a lot of you might have already started thinking about this. GRE goes for a makeover this August and for the first time, comes closer to the pattern and format of GMAT. Why is this important?

A lot of you might already know that GRE is accepted by almost 400 b-schools, including some of the biggies like Yale, HBS, Stanford, MIT, Insead to name a few. I am sure with this change, more b-schools might consider accepting GRE scores. Basically, ETS is going for a makeover with the change in GRE format. According to Clearadmit, the follwoing changes in GRE are significant:

Quantitative Section
• More data analysis
• Less geometry
• The introduction of numeric entry questions that require test takers to provide a specific answer rather than select from multiple choices
• An on-screen calculator, which could mean more complex math questions

Verbal Section
• No more antonym or analogy questions
• The introduction of in-context questions designed to test both reasoning skills and vocabulary
• New “strengthen/weaken” reading comprehension questions, similar to those on the GMAT

Does the above changes sound similar? Yes, GRE is coming closer to GMAT. It would be interesting to see how GMAT responds to this change when it goes for a makeover next year. As of now, it is good for the applicants if more b-schools start accepting the GRE scores.

But here is one catch. It seems that people taking the GRE test in august won’t be able to get their scores till November. Personally, I feel that it is not fair and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal on behalf of all test-takes from August to all the b-schools accepting GRE scores or are planning to accept, kindly make some changes to your deadlines to accommodate special cases like this for the current year. I feel that any step by b-schools to address this concern of applicants would play a big role in their fairness to the system and the candidates.

I would also request my readers to support this appeal by just clicking on the like button or sharing this post across. Additionally, I would also request the admission consultants and Admission Committees of all b-schools, if they are reading to consider the applicants taking GRE in August fairly and not to discard them right away just because they are yet to get their scores.

Source: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2011/02/important-information-for-prospective-mba-applicants-considering-the-gre/

Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Belated but it was there and I did not want to miss out this opportunity.

I started my journey on this blog when I started my journey to pursue an MBA. After that it was on and off but I was sure I am going to do this. Nevertheless, this post is not about me. Its about you, guys.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone:

My Readers: You are the best. Without you, I would not have come this far. Thank you again. I would also request request all my silent users to speak and regular readers to speak more and let me know how I can help you out guys.

My special friends: Marquis Parker and Kaneisha Grayson. Thanks a lot, Marquis. Without you, this journey was very tough for me. Hopefully, I am going to fly to Chicago one day to meet you in person soon . Let me tell you, I can’t wait to do so. Thanks Kaneisha for your kind words and help. You are always sweet. may The Art of Applying reach the heights you have dreamed of.

MBA Consultants: ClearAdmit, Accepted.com, especially Linda Abraham, Beat the GMAT, special mentione to Eric Bahn and David Park and of course, Art of Applying, you guys are amazing and I would like to thank you for featuring me time and again in your blogs. I would also like to thank you all for recognizing my small tiny contributions to this MBA blogging community by giving me precious moments, some of which I shared on the blog back again.

Finally, last but not the least, Hella. I remember that the first time I mentioned you on my blog, I referred you as “SHE” and you corrected me by your comment. You were one of the first persons to comment on this blog, Hella. Thanks Hella for including me in your database, without which I would have never been able to reach such nice people in my life, some of whom have become my life-long friends now

To everyone, we might have problems in our lives. We might be tensed about what is going to happen to our applications. Some of us might be worried about our GMAT preparations. Honestly, I know how it feels because I am in the exactly same state. But still, I would like to urge all of you to take some time off, go back to your friends and families and ENJOY!!! Thank GOD for this wonderful LIFE, thank your friends and families without whom we would be as lonely as the only person on this planet. Because what one can do has been done and now only we can do is believe in ourselves, in our applications and hope things work out. May all of our Dreams come true

Happy Thanksgiving Again, Guys!!!

Golden Opportunity for Exclusive MilestoMBA Readers

Hello All,

As mentioned in my earlier post, here I offer you 4 giveaway prizes (I had five but my brother took one): Premium Account for BTG Practice Questions. 700+ questions of $99 worth, all free for the first 4  people who comment on this post. Do leave your email id to which I can communicate you the details.

Thanks Eric Bahn and the whole BeatTheGMAT for the offers. BTG has always been very generous Keep your great work going…

BeatTheGMAT New Practice Questions Review

Thanks Eric for such a wonderful opportunity to review the new set of questions that BTG is planning to release today. Honestly, at the very outset, let me confess that I could not devote ample time to look into all the 200 questions that were part of the review. I have been very busy juggling deadlines at work-place, applications and interview preparations. Somehow, I managed to go through some of the question sets and patterns. So, lets discuss starting from the dashboard:

Dashboard:

The Dashboard is very interactive. The first thing to point is the Summary chart that gives a comprehensive status of the questions you answered. It is divided into various criteria such as Questions Answered, Your Percent Correct, Average Percent Correct, Your Pace and Average Pace. Additionally, the factors are judged both as section wise (Quantitative/Verbal) and area wise (Quant-Data Sufficiency/Problem Solving and Verbal-Critical Reasoning/Reading Comprehension/Sentence Correction). So, one can judge the competency and improvement level as per the area itself.  Click on any are and you can revisit the question that you have answered and attempted.

The Dash board also allows to start either Quantitative Test/Verbal Test or a customized test. Personally, I liked the concept of customized test a lot. I can choose the areas that I want to test on. This format may be useful when I have covered one area of study and would like to build my competency. Both the Quantitative and Verbal sections have lot of exhaustive list of areas to cater to these needs.

Additionally, I feel the customized part caters to the needs of all GMAT takers. If one is confident of a good score, he can test his competency level set to 700+ only. If one is less confident, he can choose his level of competency or just go for the Adaptive mode of test. Isn’t it interesting?

Now, lets come to the question/answer section:

We have two options:

• Answer one question at a time: Suitable for people who are busy and not sure that they can sit for certain amount of time continuously w/o distraction. Ideal Scenarios could be office.
• Choose number of questions you want to answer and start the test. Useful to build the stamina gradually. Suitable for most of us because being out of college for substantial period of time, this is perfect way to start building the stamina for 4 hr duration real GMAT.

What is good here?

1. It records your time you take to answer the question and submit the answer. You can judge your performance relative to other users. Improve if you lag.
2. There is a text explanation to the answer.
3. Still not clear, look at the video explanation. Trust me when I say the video explanations are definitely better or at par with other trainers and you would definitely not miss the opportunity of being in a class and getting explained by an instructor. You have an instructor right with you always.
4. The “Your Result” Section shows the various parameters that might be useful for your own introspection: Difficulty Level, Your Pace and Average Pace. Work on the parameters, if you level goes into the RED color. Strive to be in the GREEN color always.
5. The “Question Details” Section gives the Title, Section, Subject parameters.
6. Please don’t forget to “Rate the Explanation” because that is how we at BTG, can improve on the quality of questions.
7. On a final note, I must say the questions are definitely of very high quality and resembles the REAL GMAT to a great extent. A must WIN-WIN situation for all those opting for the course.

Lets come to the final and most important part: The Review Section.

• You get to know all the details of the questions of each section that you have attempted and answered.
• Other than the available parameters such as your pace, average pace and other, one thing that sets the review page apart is the ability to choose your areas. For example, if you want to look into the questions that you have attempted in last 3 days since you finished studying the algebra, just look at your progress and competency level of algebra by setting appropriate filters.
• Still in doubt and want to reconsider coming back w.o forgetting about a question, “FLAG” it.

Overall, I feel BTG has done an amazing attempt to familiarize and assist students of GMAT in their preparation. No need of carrying books. Study anywhere any time with just a click away. I did not test the application over mobile but I feel it should be compatible too because from the technology point of view, I felt the application is very light and robust.

In the words of BTG, I feel happy to share some of the salient features of the product:

• More than 700 GMAT math/verbal practice questions.
• Every GMAT practice question features a video explanation for the given question, written/produced by a veteran GMAT instructor.
• Completely online practice – study at work or at home, without carrying book around.
• Ability to customize you prep based on subject area with just a few clicks.
• Performance reporting to identify your strengths, weaknesses on GMAT subject areas.
• Adaptive practice algorithm that mimics the real GMAT – the better you do, the harder the questions become in your practice session.
• 30-day Money-Back Guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

Now, the most important question: how much would it cost for me? Just $99 for 1 year access.

When is it going to go Live?: November 2nd, 2010.

What are you waiting for: Go immediately to http://practice.beatthegmat.com and register yourself.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank Eric Bahn, the co-founder of BTG, for entrusting me and giving me an opportunity to review the practice questions. I, also, thank David Park who is now a very dear friend of mine and have been very supportive and helpful.

Surprise: Oh yes, there is a surprise. Do come back because Eric has assured me of some prizes to distribute in lieu of this review on the blog. So, watch out this space for more!!!

Updates

Hi Guys,

Hope all of you are doing great Like you, I am also very busy with my applications and deadlines.

Though GMAT score was not what I expected, but it was nevertheless satisfying. I have already submitted a couple of applications and keeping my fingers very tightly crossed. There are some more in pipeline this month with next three weeks all tied up. So, pardon me for not being regular with my blog. It is really hectic but honestly, I am enjoying the journey with a hope that my flight lands up at its right destination without any distractions.

I, also, apologize David Park, CEO of BTG,  and Kaneisha Grayson, The Art of Applying, for not being able to write few posts as I promised to you guys. I am still on it and I assure you that I will be on it as soon as I find some time. You guys have been of great assistance to me

Between, I completed by Competent Communicator certification from Toastmasters International and recently, presented my club in the Area Level Humorous Speech Contest. Though I did not win, but the experience has been amazing. Hope to do better next time in International Speech Contest.

Do wish me Luck and give me couple of weeks more to be back on the blog with full throttle and help you in whatever way possible. Your wishes means a lot to me and they are very very important Thanks again for all the patience and support.

Sherlock Holmes tips on GMAT

This is an amazing article by ClearAdmit. It quotes Sherlock Holmes:

“When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” – Sherlock Holmes

Did you find the link between the quote and the GMAT. In short, GMAT, to certain extent, is all bout making strategies and eliminating all possible wrong answers till you find the right answer. Don’t we follow the same logic while answering questions of GMAT. Irrespective of whether it is the quantitative section or the verbal section, process of elimination is a handy tool. If we are in confusion, it helps in increasing the probability of answering the question correctly, If we know the answer, it helps in answering the questions faster by eliminating the obvious errors.

The article concentrates on this aspect exactly. A Must read for GMAT aspirants. In fact, the logic applies to all competitive examinations such as  GMAT, GRE, CAT, SAT and many more you can name. Enjoy reading the article: http://blog.clearadmit.com/2010/09/gmat-tip-what-sherlock-holmes-can-teach-you-about-gmat-inferences/

Articles and Some Updates

This post is primarily to pass two great articles I came across recently. Sorry guys for keeping the posts short now a days but I am really struggling very hard to keep the ends meet and going. Applying to a B-School is not a game, trust me on that. You got to do your job right: Researching Schools, talking to your recommender and convincing him/her, networking, attending webinars, preparing for GMAT, keep your passions and interests going and writing essays. All this on the top of your day job. Its definitely not a joke and I understand that completely now. Okay, the articles first:

1. This article discusses the importance of Work Experience and GMAT/GPA with respective to B-School and applicants’ perspective. The article is short and worth reading. As per the author, the bottom line is: “students excelling in the program do not necessarily have tremendous work experience, but they do express commitment to the program, willingness to learn and the desire to succeed” – MUST REMEMBER ALWAYS, my personal take.
2. This article is a audio podcast at Stanford GSB (I did not have to repeat myself how Stanford GSB is close to my heart; Readers who have been reading my blog might have already known that) and is directed at addressing Visa Formalities to work in USA, especially if you, like me, are keen to work in a start-up after your MBA. Again, a MUST for all INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS.

Okay, now personal updates:

1. My Senior Director visiting schedule is confirmed now and I am all set to take my GMAT date in a day or two. Will definitely wind it up in coming 15-20 days time period.
2. I talked to my Supervisor for his recommendation yesterday and as expected, he is very supportive and somehow, I feel he has a lot of confidence on me on my candidature. Thanks MH. Additionally, he appreciated my top 4 school choices and as already an MBA from a top B-School of USA, appreciated my top choices of b-schools as he felt the schools are perfectly in alignment with my post MBA goals and career aspirations. In fact, he felt that they are the perfect match. So, I guess I am in the right path. It did not surprise me when he mentioned that somehow he felt this coming from me sometime and honestly, this is one guy I have admired and looked forward very passionately in my firm. I feel really luck to have worked under him. I am going to talk to my second recommender this week and close the deal by the end of this week with a peer recommendation too.
3. I have started with my b-school essays. As I finish my first one, I felt I am finding it difficult to trim my essays to the word-limit and hence, decided to approach my father and a friend to help in the process. Of course, they are my sole choice of reviewers also. I feel that probably I am getting a little bit biased while trimming the essays because it is my story.

Do tell me guys, whats going on with you too. Lets enjoy this wonderful journey and hopefully, all of us will have our dreams come true

PS: I feel going forward, I will have more frequent but short updates and sometimes, elaborate on requests and time. I hope all of you understand the need of the hour. Additionally, I am updating my ABOUT page to setup few ground rules on that type of questions I will not answer till I get an admit, probably. So, please try to refrain yourselves from such questions.

De-Brief of Kaneisa’s webinar

As mentioned to you earlier, I attended the webinar of Kaneisha on July 8.  I did logged in bit late. It was 5.30 am Indian Standard Time and I am not a kind of early morning bird but still managed to get in 10 min late. The webinar was very informative and as expected, Kaneisha was at her best. Here are my quick few takes from the webinar:

About Kaneisha:

1. Seems to be an amazing girl: very good at speaking. I exchanged few emails with her and she is just terrific. I, highly, recommend her and her style.
2. Seems to have complete control and knowledge of the MBA application process: was visible from her preparation of the webinar and approach.
3. An interesting person to me with a helping nature, similar to what I found in my friendship with Marquis.

About the webinar:

1. Very well planned.
2. Very well organized.
3. Nice usage of color and theme of presentation, considering this is her first webinar, though I am sure she would have done numerous such presentations in HBS. perfect start.

Some take-aways from the webinar:

1. Don’t dwell upon GMAT too much. she mentioned how one of her client got admitted to Kellogg despite a score of 640.
2. Concentrate on your essay and always bring the best of yourself in your essays.
3. See if you can get some alumni to review your essay, if possible.
4. Networking is the key. I, too, feel the same but sometimes take networking to another level because that’s where it gets interesting.
5. If you have done 3 attempts to the GMAT and did not get your desired score, either work hard on your essays or move on to GRE.
6. A special webinar for Indian MBAs in planning. Visit http://bit.ly/IndianMBAGuys for details. Will highly recommend for all my Indian Readers. Do go and register for this special webinar by Kaneisha right-away.
7. Kaneisha announced two packages: individual, where she is going to work on the essays on individual basis and guide the clients thorugh each process, and a group-based, where she is going to address the concerns in a group. Kaneisha has still not updated her payment mechanisms right on her website but one can look forward to her packages at http://theartofapplying.com/services/packages/. The group program details are at http://theartofapplying.com/bdo/join/
8. No matter whether you are from traditional or non-traditional background, believe in yourself and your stories in your essays.
9. Last but most important, irrespective of any webinar, always be look out for information. I got one amazing information for my HBS essay, will keep it a secret for my essay. but again this is one of my take-away from the webinar.

Contact Kaniesha at http://theartofapplying.com/contact/ or follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/kaneishad

Good Luck Kaniesha for your venture. I feel it was a perfect start and I look forward to interact with you more in future.

Season starts hard way

Yeah, I did not get through the Reliance Fellowship but never mind, I am still gonna apply because deep in my heart, I know how I feel about Stanford GSB. I could still not forget the time when I was working on the roads o f the university in 2008 without a slightest hint that I will be pursuing Stanford so hard in future. Anyways, GMAT is down the line this month. It is going to be my final attempt and irrespective of the score, I am going to apply to my schools.

The application decision window said:

====================================================================================================

Thank you for submitting your application for the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship. It is gratifying to see your interest in earning an MBA from Stanford and contributing your talents to the future of India.

We regret that we cannot invite you to continue as a finalist in the program.

We reviewed all applications on the basis of merit, commitment to India, and financial need. The number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship finalists we can name.

You still may submit an application to the Stanford MBA Program. The criteria used to evaluate applicants during the first stage of the fellowship process are not the same as the criteria for admission to the Stanford MBA Program. If you choose to apply to the Stanford MBA Program, you will receive the same consideration as all other applicants, without regard to the fact that you applied for the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship. Stanford likely will offer admission to a number of Indian students who applied but, for various reasons, were not eligible for the Fellowship; need-based financial aid is available to all candidates admitted to Stanford.

The application for the Stanford MBA Class of 2013 is available atwww.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/apply. Please visit www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/admission/ to learn more about the admission process.

We are sorry that we could not bring you better news regarding your Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship application. We hope you will learn more about the Stanford Graduate School of Business and that you will apply to join the MBA Class of 2013.

Sincerely,

Stanford MBA Admissions Office
Reliance Industries, Ltd.

====================================================================================================

If I have to re-evaluate my application, the only thing that I see as an obstacle to my candidature is my well-paid job at an MNC. No doubt, it is comparable to some of the fresh graduates of IIMs. Not a problem, but atleast Stanford should have mentioned the criteria for rejection to be the financial need. Now, I am in a fix whether I missed anything in my essay. So, terrible confused feeling. Anyways, good thing is that I am still eligible for financial aid in case I get an admit from Stanford GSB, which I feel I will.

Keeping fingers crossed. I have started working on my GSB essays, in fact. The resume is kind of ready after various round of reviews from friends. I have asked my friend, Marquis Parker, to have a blog post as how an IT applicant can prepare resume for MBA applicantions. His insights into my resume was very thoughtful and of great help in getting the 1-page that I see today. So, do look out for his upcoming post. I will definitely write about it here whenever the post is up.

Lastly, Imy few words to Stanford GSB: Look out for my essays and let us talk because this is the only way you can know me and I am sure you are going to love me more than in fact I love you.

Attacking MBA Applications Kung-Fu Panda Style

My Aplogies guys but I have been terribly busy with some work. As promised earlier, here goes the post of looking this admission season in kung-fu panda style.

If a giant panda can become a mighty kung fu warrior – so could you. Not kung fu warrior, but whatever — ballet dancer, arctic explorer or investment banker.I can already hear you say, “Hey, that happens only in the movies.” Well, yes and no.

Here are some definite takeaways from Kung Fu Panda for all those of you struggling with questions of what, where and how to steer your career.

Lesson # 1: If you want something badly enough, you get it somehow.

Po the panda wanted to be a kung fu warrior really really badly. He followed every kung fu teacher, every battle, every hero there ever was. The chap was a walking Kung Fu Encyclopedia!

And of course, he dreamt about kung fu too. Ask yourself — do you care about something in your life that strongly? If you do, it will be yours one day. So, if you want to be in a B-School, you will definitely get an admit. Don’t stop believing in yourself irrespective of your performance in GMAT.

Lesson # 2: It could take a while but you’ll get there.

If you believe Lesson # 1, the next question is ‘how’? Now sometimes you may get there the straight and easy way. The way to be a kung fu warrior is to train under a great Master, right?

Well, Po got the job another way. He bumbled and tumbled up the mountain and finally literally ‘dropped in from the sky’. Master Oogway then pronounced: “He is the one, the great Dragon Warrior”. To everybody’s surprise!

In real life there aren’t enough Oogways who can see a diamond in the coal; a kung fu champion in a blubbering mass of fat. But how many of you have struggled like the panda to even get to that mountain top where there may be a Master waiting for you? S, did you take the pain to do whatever to make your admit to your dream b-school true? This situation will make more sense to the case of re-applicants.

Lesson # 3: ‘A peach tree will blossom into a peach tree. It can’t become an apple tree…’ -- Master Oogway

Why many of us come to grief is we don’t know ‘who we are’. Are we a peach tree, or a jasmine tree or a cactus? Every one of those is beautiful and useful in its own way. No one is ‘superior’ to the other.

Yet, in life, many of us believe that we must all be peach trees, ie MBAs and engineers. The aroma of the jasmine is lost to the world and all we have is peach, peach and more peach (fruity burp!). The point here is if you work hard to plant right seeds of aspirations and dreams and your tree will definitelt be that dream. Talk to alumni, students and connect with b-schools in whatever way possible and the results could be an admit to your dream b-school.

Lesson # 4: ‘There are no accidents in life…’ – Master Shifu

Yup, the fact that you did not make it to the HBS or Wharton or had luck dating that cute chick on the second floor – this is the way it was meant to be.

Think about Steve Jobs being forced to exit his own company in 1985. He went through hell but was forced to think of new ideas, new directions. It led to the creation of Pixar and a whole new kind of animation. And ultimately, he went back to Apple with iTunes and iPod.

Could he have done all this had he never left Apple? I don’t know. But I think greatness is born more out of adversity than in nice hot bathtubs.

Hold on to your dreams. Everything in life is destined. Believe in your dreams and trust your destiny.

Lesson # 5: There is no secret ingredient in the secret ingredient soup.

And this is especially relevant at a time when we are all on the quest for the Holy Grail. We believe that joining the right college, the right course or the right company is the secret ingredient that will spice up our soup — our careers, our lives.

The truth is, it’s all about what you believe. The moment you join HBS or Stanford you start believing,”Hey, I am really, really good”. You get the confidence to take on the world, the chutzpah to say,”The world is my oyster”.

Clearing those super tough exams is like running a lawnmower through your own mental garden. It crushes the weeds of self doubt and self pity which we’ve allowed to grow. Exam or no exam, you can choose to yank out those weeds. Then look the guys who think they know better in the eye and declare,”My soup is as kick-ass as yours.”

The same applies to your application. Research yourself. Find your fit to your dream b-school. Connect the bridge with your passion and aspirations. I am not an expert but I, strongly, believe there is no secret other than this approach to attack your essays.

Putting it in practice
Okay, try practicing and I wish all of you a very best of Luck in your applications.

PS: Do wish me luck back too!!! I may sound selfish but an admit is equally important for me as it is to you.