GMAT Handbook 2

GMAT
HANDBOOK
Everything you need to know and agree to

when scheduling your GMAT exam.
Last updated: 19 July 2015
For more information, please visit mba.com
TAKE CONTROL OF
YOUR GMAT
EXPERIENCE
1
2
3
Get your best GMAT score

with a solid study plan.
As you get started with your studying, download our free GMATPrep
software and use the Exam Pack 1 supplement. The enhanced
diagnostics in Exam Pack 1 will give you detailed, personalized
information about your performance on your practice exams giving
you valuable insights on how you handle different question types
and pacing. Take the worry-free approach to preparing for the GMAT
exam so theres no surprises on test day.
Register and take

the exam.
Select a date, time, and test center thats convenient for you and
register at mba.com.
Preview your
score.
Now you can preview your score before sending to your designated
schools. The Score Preview feature on the GMAT exam gives you
more control over your score. You decide if you want to accept your
score and send to schools or cancel them to re-take the test at a
later date.
Evaluate your
performance.
Get
noticed.
The new GMAT Enhanced Score Report is the only post-test report
that guides you through your test results, providing an inside look
at how you performed on each section. Now you can know exactly
what questions took you the longest to complete and see where
you stack up next to other test takers. If you have the suspicion that
you can do better, the Enhanced Score Report gives you a detailed
analysis by question type, areas for focus, and pacing so you can
focus your studies and do even better next time.
Make it easy for schools to find you. Use the free GMASS search
service and connect with business schools around the world based
on your background, lifestyle, career aspirations, study destination,
and more.
Get more control over your

GMAT experience at mba.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTACT US
Find everything you need to know and agree to when scheduling and taking your GMAT exam.
Check each section to be sure you have read all of the necessary information. For the most
updated version of the handbook. Please visit mba.com
The GMAT Exam is owned by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). We

develop and deliver the exam with the help of our service providers: Pearson VUE and ACT.
We wrote this handbook for you, the test taker. Please contact us if you need assistance.
PAGE
#
CHECK
Z
CONTACT US
READ THE GMAT HANDBOOK
TOPIC
Visit us on the web at mba.com

Phone, email or fax us:
MARKET YOURSELF WITH THE GMAT EXAM
YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A GMAT TEST TAKER
FAX:
SCHEDULE YOUR GMAT EXAM
EMAIL: GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@pearson.com
PAY FOR THE EXAM
RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL YOUR EXAM
WE PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
COUNTRY SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
PREPARE FOR THE GMAT EXAM
STRUCTURE OF THE EXAM
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
10
ON EXAM DAY
11
CHECK IN
11
PRESENT APPROPRIATE IDENTIFICATION
11
VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY
11
BEFORE THE EXAM
AGREE TO THE GMAT EXAMINATION TESTING RULES & AGREEMENT
12
AGREE TO THE GENERAL TERMS OF USE AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
14
ACCEPT YOUR SCORE
15
AVOID TESTING VIOLATIONS
15
18
PICK UP YOUR UNOFFICIAL SCORE REPORT
18
REINSTATE YOUR SCORE
18
EVALUATE YOUR PERFORMANCE
19
VIEW YOUR OFFICIAL SCORE REPORT
20
COMPARE YOUR SCORES WITH OTHER TEST TAKERS
20
SEND SCORE REPORTS TO SCHOOLS
21
BEWARE OF SCORE CANCELLATIONS
22
REPORT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
23
SUBMIT A CONCERN ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE
23
CONSIDER RETAKING THE EXAM
24
AFTER YOUR EXAM
2015 Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). All rights reserved.

The GMAC and GMAT logos, GMAC, GMAT, GMATPrep, Graduate Management Admission Council, and Graduate Management
Admission Test are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council in the United States, European Union,
and other countries. American Express is a registered trademark of American Express Company, JCB is a registered trademark
of JCB, Co. Ltd. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa
International Service Association.
REGION
ASIA PACIFIC
(except China and India)
CHINA
CONTACT INFORMATION
PHONE: +852-3077-4926
+60 38319 1092
PHONE:
FAX:
EMAIL:
INDIA
+86 10 82345675
+86 10 61957800
GMATservice@neea.edu.cn
PHONE: +91
120 439 7830
EMAIL: GMATCandidateServicesAPAC@pearson.com
EUROPE,
MIDDLE EAST,
AFRICA
NORTH AND
SOUTH
AMERICA
PHONE:
FAX:
+44 (0) 161 855 7219
+44 (0) 161 855 7301
EMAIL: GMATCandidateServicesEMEA@pearson.com
PHONE:
FAX:
1 800 717 GMAT (4628) (US and Canada)
1 952 681 3680 or 1 952 681-3681
SERVICE TIMES
Telephone services are available
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9 AM TO 6 PM
Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Email services are available
Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Response time for email sent outside
of these times may be up to 48 hours.
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:30 AM TO 5 PM
China Standard Time.
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:30 AM TO 5 PM
China Standard Time. Response time
for email sent outside of these times
may be up to 48 hours.
Indian Standard Time.
Greenwich Mean Time.
Greenwich Mean Time. Response
time for email sent outside of these
times may be up to 3 business days.
MONDAY FRIDAY, 7 AM TO 7 PM
Central Standard Time
EMAIL: GMATCandidateServicesAmericas@Pearson.com
>> SEND MAIL:

Send all mail inquiries to the address below. Please keep in mind that it can take up to
eight weeks for letters to reach the United States from some countries.
Pearson VUE-GMAT Program
5601 Green Valley Drive
Suite 300
Bloomington, MN 55437 USA
GMAT HANDBOOK
READ
THE GMAT HANDBOOK
Pursuing a graduate degree is a rewarding experience. The GMAT exam is part of that
process. We are here to help you understand everything you need to know and do to take
the GMAT exam.
This handbook is designed to help you through this process. Since you must agree to our
policies as a condition for taking the GMAT exam, we describe what you need to know
about the exam, what you need to do, and when you need to do it. Use the convenient
checklist in the Table of Contents to track your progress toward the next step in your
graduate management degree. Be sure to read this handbook carefully as you will
be bound by its content.
MARKET YOURSELF WITH THE GMAT EXAM

TAKING THE GMAT EXAM CAN SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS:
More than 6,000 programs worldwide use GMAT scores to help them find,
recruit, and select the students who best fit with their programs. Take the exam
to let them know you are serious about graduate management education.
Your scores are a way to compare yourself with other graduate applicants.
Figure out what you need to focus on to help your application.
The GMAT exam gives you information about your strengths and weaknesses. Identify the
skills you need to focus on to be successful in your graduate program.
YOUR RIGHTS AND

RESPONSIBILITIES AS A
GMAT TEST TAKER
As a GMAT test taker, you have certain rights and responsibilities. You maintain these
rights only if you comply with all GMAT policies and procedures.
OUR COMMITMENT
TO YOU
YOUR PROMISE
TO US
WE WILL:
YOU WILL:
Provide you with free, detailed

information about the exam
(format, content, question types, fees,
and scoring), and information on
accommodations for disabilities
Read all of the information in

this handbook
GMATPrep Software:
mba.com/gmatprep
GMAT Handbook Supplement
for Test Takers with Disabilities
Develop and deliver the exam
according to professional standards
Treat you fairly and with impartiality,
regardless of personal characteristics
protected by law
Familiarize yourself with the testing

format and content
Show up at the testing center with
the proper identification
Follow the rules in this handbook and
report any violations you observe
Know the consequences if you do not
show up, fail to complete the exam,
or violate our policies
Share our privacy policy with you
Read the GMAC Privacy Policy and

know how your information will be
collected and used
Treat your personal information with

respect and confidentiality
Share only your official scores

with institutions
Send you an Official Score Report online

or by mail
Send us any questions you may have

about any of the information presented
in this handbook or other GMAT
publications and communications
Share your official scores with only those

institutions or organizations you specify or
allow (except when issues arise relating to
your scores)
Send us any concerns you may

have about the testing process or
your results
Respond to you in a timely and helpful

manner with information about how we
will address your concerns
This statement of your rights has been adapted with permission from the APA, AERA,
and NCME Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.

GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
BEFORE THE EXAM

>> SCHEDULE YOUR GMAT EXAM
We want this process to be easy for you. Follow these four steps to plan and register for
your GMAT exam. Check Z the boxes as you complete each task.
STEP 1: Gather information

Z Understand the minimum requirements for scheduling the exam:
You must be at least 18 years old. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you must
get permission from a parent or legal guardian. If you do need permission, you must
provide written proof of your guardians consent prior to scheduling the exam.
You may take the exam no more than five times within a 12 month period.
You must wait at least 16 days after you take the exam before you can take
it again.
You must wait at least five years to test again if you have previously achieved a
perfect Total score of 800.
You must follow all of the registration and testing rules.
Z Research schools and check application deadlines for programs that interest you.
Z Check our Country Specific Regulations for any guidelines that may apply to you.

See p.5.
STEP 3: Schedule and pay for your exam

Z You can schedule your exam online, by phone, postal mail, or fax and pay by credit

ONLINE Schedule your exam for free on mba.com. Log in and create an
account, and follow the homepage link. Its easy and fast.
Z Request reasonable testing accommodations if you have a disability. You must be

approved for any accommodations before you schedule your exam, and you
must follow any special registration instructions you receive.
PHONE Call GMAT Customer Service in your region. You may be charged
an additional service fee of US$10.
Z Plan for your exam preparation and determine how long you will need.
POSTAL MAIL Complete the form on mba.com and mail with your payment
information. If you pay by check or money order, this is your only option.
Z Visit mba.com/testcenterlist to find test centers near you and determine availability.

card or debit card, check, or money order. If you are applying for accommodations for
a disability, you must follow special procedures, which you will find in the
GMAT Handbook Supplement for Test Takers With Disabilities. If approved, you will
receive an accommodations approval letter with instructions on how to schedule your
accommodated exam. Regardless of how you schedule your exam, we will send you
an email confirming your registration.
Include DoD and Military sites only if you have a US Military ID that allows you to
enter the military site.
FAX Complete the form on mba.com and fax to the number shown.
Z Make sure you have entered your name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and gender

EXACTLY as they appear on the identification you will present at the test center.
STEP 2: Build your timeline

Z Build your timeline below using the information you gathered in Step 1 above.
STEP 4: Review your confirmation letter
Z If scheduling by mail, add time for standard shipping times to the US.
Z Ensure that your name listed on the confirmation letter EXACTLY matches your form
Z If paying by personal check or money order, add at least 10 days for processing.
Z Confirm that the GMAT test date and location are correct.
Z If applying for accommodations, add time to gather your documentation and submit
Z If your test center name includes DoD or Military, make sure you have proper
your application.
GMAT HANDBOOK
of identification.
identification. If you will not have proper identification by your exam date, reschedule
your exam now.
GMAT HANDBOOK
>> PAY FOR THE EXAM
>> RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL YOUR EXAM
You will find the current registration fee and tax rates (where applicable) on mba.com
under Pay for the Test.
You can reschedule or cancel your exam online or by phone. If you are scheduled with
accommodations, refer back to your approval letter for the number to call.
CREDIT CARDS AND DEBIT CARDS*
If you reschedule or cancel your exam appointment by phone, you will be charged an additional
service fee of US$10. Cancellations, refunds and rescheduling fees will apply, depending on when
you request the change and as applicable by local law. Current fees are available on mba.com.
Visa
MasterCard
American Express
If you miss your appointment, you may schedule a new exam without waiting a full 16 days,
but you must schedule by phone and pay the full registration fee.
JCB
Changes within 24 hours prior to your appointment cannot be made.
*In India some banks will not allow debit cardsto be used on the internet unless the
merchant participates in Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code. This requires that
the customer enter a pin number. We do not participate in this program. Please contact
your bank for assistance.Some banks may be willing to issue their customers a special
onetime use card or lift the pin restriction so you can use it on our website.
Charges on your credit card statement will most likely appear as: VUE*GRAD MGMT TEST
If your credit or debit card is declined, your appointment automatically will be canceled.
You are responsible for scheduling another test appointment with a valid payment.
If you use a stolen or fraudulent credit or debit card, your registration will be canceled,
any of your previous GMAT scores may be canceled, and GMAC may notify both schools
and law enforcement authorities.
If you wrongfully challenge or dispute the fee with your credit card company, you may be
blocked from taking further exams or from requesting additional score reports.
CASHIERS CHECKS, MONEY ORDERS, AND PERSONAL CHECKS MUST:
>> WE PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

We respect your privacy, and we treat your personal information with respect and confidentiality. We want you to know:
What data we collect and how we use it
Be payable to Pearson VUE-GMAT, in US dollars and drawn on a US bank
What laws are applicable
Be for the full amount, including taxes, where applicable (see mba.com/gmatfees
for tax information)
Where to get the full GMAC Privacy Policy
List the current date (do not postdate)

Have the appropriate signature(s)
Have the bank name and its location preprinted on the face of the check
Be received at least 10 days before the appointment date to allow for processing
If your check is returned for insufficient funds, Pearson VUE may deduct a service fee from
your account electronically (see mba.com/gmatfees), and your appointment will be canceled. You are responsible for scheduling another test appointment with a valid payment.
GMAT EXAM VOUCHERS
If you have received a voucher, you may apply it to the exam fee. However, you may not
use it for rescheduling fees or receive a refund (except as required by law).
For Terms and Conditions governing the use of GMAT Exam Vouchers, go to
mba.com/voucherterms.
The following are highlights from the full GMAC Privacy Policy related to taking the GMAT
exam. You are required to agree to the full GMAC Privacy Policy found on mba.com
when you register for the exam, and again when you arrive at the test center to take the
exam. The Privacy Policy is available at mba.com/legal/privacy-policy.aspx. Please
review the entire Privacy Policy before you register to test.
WHAT DATA DO WE COLLECT?
Required information for all test takers:
Contact information including your full legal name (given and family/surname),
address, telephone, and email address
Background data, including gender, ethnicity (United States only), date of birth,
country of citizenship
Identity data verified or collected at the test center such as government-issued
identification, a digital photograph, signature, palm vein pattern, and audio/video
recording of the test session
Payment data for GMAT fees
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
OPTIONAL FOR TEST TAKERS:
STRUCTURE OF THE GMAT EXAM
Other data about you including: fax number, native language and education history
TIME LIMIT
(in minutes)
NUMBER OF
QUESTIONS
30
Analysis of an Argument
0-6
HOW DO WE USE IT?
ANALYTICAL
WRITING
ASSESSMENT
Required information is used to:
INTEGRATED
REASONING
30
12
Multi-Source Reasoning
1-8
Opt-in selections for information about our other products and services, surveys,
and other research
Score sending preferences
SECTION ORDER
QUESTION TYPES
Table Analysis
Schedule, reschedule or cancel your exam appointment(s)
Graphics Interpretation
Respond to your customer service requests
Two-Part Analysis
OPTIONAL 8-MINUTE BREAK
Conduct GMAT exam research and statistical analyses, in aggregate

QUANTITATIVE
Cooperate as required by law or in legal proceedings
75
37
Data Sufficiency
0-60
Problem Solving
Authenticate and verify your identity to maintain the integrity, quality, and
security of the GMAT exam
Share your payment information with our financial partners and vendors to
process your payment
SCORE
RANGE
OPTIONAL 8-MINUTE BREAK

VERBAL
75
41
Reading Comprehension
0-60
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction
Protect the security and integrity of the examination process

Ultimately, all data we receive are sent to the US and subject to US law. All US legal
proceedings involving our privacy policies must be filed in a court of suitable jurisdiction
in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Depending on the schools you select or other products
and services you request, your data may leave the US and will be subject to the recipients
local privacy laws, which may be different than those in your home country.
THE GMAT EXAM USES ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY

The GMAT exam is available only at authorized test centers around the world. The exam
is given only on computer, which ensures consistency and fairness. Our computer exam
allows you to:
Test around the world on almost any day of the year
>> COUNTRY SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

The GMAT exam is administered worldwide in accordance with US and other local laws,
where applicable. Special registration guidelines, taxes, identification requirements,
testing rules, and privacy policies as applicable will apply in certain countries and to
citizens of certain countries. For the most up-to-date country-specific policies, go to
mba.com/countryregulations
>> PREPARE FOR THE GMAT EXAM

To best prepare for the exam, you need to know what is on it and how it works.
THE GMAT EXAM MEASURES MULTIPLE SKILLS
The GMAT exam is made up of different types of questions so that you can demonstrate
your ability in several skills required to be successful in graduate school.
THE GMAT EXAM IS FAIR
Track your time and the number of questions you have to answer
Receive unofficial scores when you finish the test
The two longest sections (Quantitative and Verbal) are adaptive: As you progress
through the section, the computer evaluates your answers, updates your score, and
selects the next question by adapting to your level of skill. You may not skip or return to
questions. For several reasons, we consider this the best testing method:
The test has fewer questions than others, because you will not see
questions that would be too easy or too hard for you.
Your scores are updated based on all of your answers, not just the
previous questions.
Questions are selected for you and other test takers individually, but the rules
about the number and types of questions ensure fairness of the overall test.
The uniqueness of each test enhances the security of the exam.
Regardless of the variety of questions, to be fair to everyone taking the test around the
world, all test takers will:
For more information on computerized adaptive testing, you can go to

mba.com/GMATformat
Be evaluated on the same number of questions

Answer the same type of questions
Be subject to time limits
Be tested in similar conditions
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

Regardless of your current skills with reading, writing, arithmetic, or the computer, you
will be able to do your best only if you prepare and practice.
ON EXAM DAY
The information below will help you have a successful testing experience.
Knowing what to expect will save you time and effort at the test center. Watch
our video about the testing facilities: mba.com/the-gmat/test-day.aspx
Practice with question types so you spend time on the question, not on decoding what is being asked.
GMATPrep software is FREE and includes adaptive practice tests, so you know
about how difficult the questions selected for you will seem.
Planning study time for the GMAT exam will help you develop skills that make it
easier to plan study time when you start your graduate management program.
CHECK IN
WHAT THIS MEANS
PRESENT
ID must:
APPROPRIATE
Be current (not expired)
IDENTIFICATION
Be valid and
government-issued
NOTES
Acceptable forms of ID:
Passport book
(mandatory in some countries and
required if testing outside your
country of citizenship)*
Be the originally issued

ID (no photocopies)
Practice with GMAC resources:

To get the free GMATPrep software, go to mba.com/gmatprep
Government issued drivers license

Government issued national/state/
province identity card
(including European ID card)
Exactly match the

name, birth date, and
country of citizenship
you used when you
scheduled your exam
Contain a recent,
recognizable photo of
you and your signature
To purchase other official GMAT preparation materials, go to mba.com/store

For a list of questions that have been used for the Analytical Writing Assessment, go
to mba.com/GMATformat and click on the link for Analytical Writing Assessment.
Miltary ID card Laminated

government issued learners permit
(US only)
Permanent resident/green card
(US only)
See: mba.com/countryregulations
CAUTION!
THE PENALTIES FOR CHEATING ON
THE GMAT EXAM ARE SEVERE.
THE FOLLOWING IS
CONSIDERED CHEATING:
THE PENALTIES
FOR CHEATING ARE:
Hiring someone to take the test.

Taking the test for someone else.
Memorizing test questions.
Sharing answers with others.
Cancellation of your scores.

Ban on future testing.
School notification.
Possible legal prosecution.
READ THE
GMAT
EXAMINATION
TESTING RULES
AGREEMENT
This will help you:
VERIFY YOUR
IDENTITY
You will:
GMAT Examination Testing Rules

Agreement
mba.com/legal/privacy-policy.aspx
Avoid policy violations

(the consequences of which
Non-Disclosure Agreement
may result in your score
mba.com/NDA
being canceled)
Provide your palm vein

scan (where permitted
by law)
Provide your digital
signature stating you
understand and agree
to the Test Taker Rules
& Agreement
Sit for a photograph
BEGIN YOUR
GMAT EXAM
Comply with all applicable

policies and procedures
while you are testing
HAS SOMEONE BEEN TRYING TO GET YOU TO ACT ILLEGALLY?

FILE A REPORT VIA EMAIL: PVTESTSECURITY@PEARSON.COM
10
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
11
>> AGREE TO THE GMAT TEST TAKER RULES & AGREEMENT
DURING A BREAK:
You will receive a copy of the following GMAT Test Taker Rules & Agreement at your test
center prior to taking the exam; in order to test, you must agree to comply with and be
bound by the rules set forth in this Agreement.
1. You may ONLY have

Water
Food
GMAT EXAMINATION TESTING RULES AGREEMENT
Tobacco products (at the discretion of the test center)
Everything you do after signing this Agreement is part of your exam. If you remain in the
test area, you will be bound by this Agreement. Leave the test center immediately if you
dont agree to be bound by this Agreement and these Rules.
If you need additional details about any of the Rules or your expected conduct, please
ask the Test Administrator for a copy of the GMAT Handbook.
If you do not follow the Rules, including Rules that prohibit improper conduct or tampering
with the computer, Pearson VUE may
Report the incident to GMAC
Report the incident to the schools you selected
Comfort items, such as tissues or cough drops as pre-approved by GMAC and

Pearson VUE
2. You must return from breaks on time. If you are late, time will be deducted from
the next section of your exam.
3. You may not access your cell phone/study materials.
4. You may not remain in the testing room at your workstation. You must take your
break in the test center lobby, locker area and or nearest restroom. You are not
allowed to leave the test center during this time.
5. If you return from your break early and request to be checked into your exam,
you must immediately begin your exam. You may not sit at the workstation for the
remainder of your break.
Invalidate your test and cancel your score

Take other action, such as prohibiting you from retesting
Keep your exam fee
If you are found accessing prohibited items, your exam will be terminated, your scores
will include a violation code, and other actions may be taken. See page 15.
WHILE IN THE TEST ROOM:
AFTER THE EXAM:
1. You may bring ONLY the following items into the test room:
You must not
Your ID
Key to the supplied locker
Record
Prescription eyeglasses
Copy
A light sweater or light non-outerwear jacket
Disclose in any fashion
Comfort items ONLY if they were pre-approved as accommodations received

in advance
any exam question or answer, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means (orally, in
writing, on any internet chat room, via SMS/text, or otherwise).
2. Many test centers have small lockers where you can store your belongings.
Whether that is the case or not, the test center is not responsible for lost, stolen,
or misplaced personal items.
Exam results are encrypted and transmitted to Pearson VUE and GMAC. The palm vein
pattern template and the digital photograph may be compared against those of other test
takers for fraud detection purposes.
3. Notify the administrator immediately if you have a problem with the computer,
software, or any other issue.
For additional information concerning the collection, transmission, and processing of your
personal data (including, without limitation, exam results, palm vein pattern template,
photograph and signature, and the audio/video recording), refer to the GMAC Privacy
Policy available in the GMAT Handbook and at mba.com.
4. Use only standard English characters in your responses.

5. You may leave the testing room or your seat only if you are escorted by a Pearson
VUE employee. You must raise your hand for assistance or to leave your seat.
6. You may not copy, record, photograph, or otherwise attempt to duplicate in any
way whatsoever any questions or answers that are on your exam when you take
the GMAT exam.
12
GMAT HANDBOOK
By providing a digital signature, I give GMAC and Pearson VUE my permission to retain and transmit my personal data and test responses to the United
States, which may be outside of the country in which I am testing. I understand
the information provided above and agree to comply with and be bound by this
GMAT Examination Testing Rules Agreement.
GMAT HANDBOOK
13
>> AGREE TO THE GENERAL TERMS OF USE

You will need to agree to the following terms at your workstation prior to taking the exam:
I understand that, after finishing the test, I will be prompted to decide whether to cancel or
report my test scores. I understand and agree that if I do not select either the Report Scores
or Cancel Scores option within the time allotted, my scores will be canceled automatically.
I have read and I understand and agree to the procedures and rules I was shown when I
checked in with the test administrator.
I understand that if I do not agree to these conditions, I will not be permitted to take the
test, and I will forfeit my test fee.
I certify that I am the person whose name and address appear on the application
check-in screen.
>> ACCEPT YOUR SCORE
I also certify that I am taking the GMAT exam for a valid educational or legal purpose, and I
agree to comply with and be bound by the GMAT Terms of Use, including the confidentiality
and non-disclosure requirements.
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms and conditions set forth in the
GMAT Handbook, including without limitation those related to:
When you complete your exam, you will be shown your unofficial GMAT scores
(Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, and Total (note that the total score does not
include Integrated Reasoning and AWA). You will be given two minutes to decide whether
to cancel or accept your score. If the time expires before you make a selection, your score
will be automatically canceled. If you choose to cancel you scores, you will not receive a
hardcopy of your unofficial scores at the test center and will not be able to access your
official score report.
GMAT fees, re-test and other testing policies, and score cancellations for irregularities and inappropriate examinee conduct
>> AVOID TESTING VIOLATIONS
Ownership of the GMAT test, all rights therein, and all test related records by the
Graduate Management Admission Council
To avoid testing violations, read and understand the GMAT Examination Testing Rules
Agreement. The Agreement will explain what you are allowed to do on the day of your exam.
Privacy policies describing the collection, processing, use and transmission to

the United States of my personally identifiable data (including the digital photograph, palm vein pattern, signature, and audio and video recording collected at
the test center), and describing the disclosure of such data to GMAC, its service
providers, and score recipients I select, and others as necessary to prevent fraud
or other unlawful activity or as required by law
The exclusive remedies available to me in the event of an error in scheduling,
administration or security of the reporting of my scores.
I understand that the GMAT test is a confidential and secure test, protected by civil and
criminal laws of the United States and elsewhere.
I certify that I have not knowingly accessed live GMAT questions or answers that might
appear on my test and will not discuss the content of the exam with anyone.
I will not record, copy, or disclose any exam questions or answers, in whole or in part, in
any form or by any means before, during, or after I take the GMAT exam (orally; in writing;
in any Internet chat room, message board, or forum; by SMS or text; or otherwise).
I understand and agree that if I provide false information or if I violate any of the GMAT
rules and procedures, or any other terms or conditions stated in the GMAT Handbook:
The test administrator may immediately dismiss me from the test session.
IN TESTING ROOM
DURING BREAK
Your ID
Water
Key to supplied locker
Food
Prescription eyeglasses
Tobacco products
(at the discretion of the test center)
A light sweater or jacket

(non-outerwear)
Comfort items if they were
pre-approved on an accomodation
Comfort items pre-approved by

GMAC and Pearson VUE
(ask the test administrator)
ALL OTHER ITEMS, INCLUDING CELLPHONES AND WATCHES, ARE NOT PERMITTED
TO BE ACCESSED UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF YOUR EXAM. THEY ARE TO REMAIN
IN THE SUPPLIED LOCKER.
We like to focus on what you can do (as provided above) rather than on what you
cannot do. But there are a few things you need to avoid. To provide fair and consistent
testing to all of our test takers, we enforce several policies before, during and after the
exam. The following tables outline two types of violations, and the consequences of such
violations: 1) policy violations, and 2) serious policy violations.
My scores may be canceled without refund, and a school receiving my

scores may be informed of the reason for the cancellation.
I may be banned from retaking the GMAT test.
I may be subject to other consequences, as GMAC or Pearson VUE
deems appropriate.
14
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
15
>> POLICY VIOLATIONS
>> SERIOUS POLICY VIOLATIONS
All policy violations may result in canceled scores, notification to schools, and/or
forfeiture of test fees. Some violations may incur additional consequences, as noted
in the chart below.
A serious policy violation may result in canceled scores, notification to schools,

forfeiture of test fees, and/or restrictions on future testing. Some violations may
incur additional consequences, as noted in the chart below.
POLICY VIOLATION
HOW TO AVOID A
POLICY VIOLATION
ACCESSING OR USING: You must store all types of

electronic, communicative, or
>>Cell phones
computer devices. You may not
access or use them at any time
>>Electronic
(including breaks) after you check
devices
into the testing center.
>>Computers
ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES
OF A POLICY VIOLATION
Ban from testing for
up to three years
Score revoked
Notification to schools
>>Communication
devices
SERIOUS POLICY
VIOLATIONS
HOW TO AVOID
SERIOUS POLICY VIOLATION
DISRUPTING OTHERS
(includes verbal
altercations, lewd
acts, and physical
violence)
You must act in a manner that

does not disturb, interfere or
threaten other test takers or
administrators.
Ban from test center for

one year to lifetime ban
FALSIFYING SCORE
REPORTS
You may not alter or falsify

an unofficial or Official
GMAT Score Report

three years
STORING ITEMS
IMPROPERLY
ANY OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED
ITEM
16
Score revoked
Score revoked
>>Music players
ACCESSING
STUDY GUIDES
ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF
A SERIOUS POLICY VIOLATION
You must store all notes, study

materials or any other written
material in your locker until you
have completed your exam. You
many not refer to these materials
after check-in, including during
your breaks.
Ban from testing

for one year
You must store all items in your

locker. Refrain from storing items
in any other area, including
bathrooms, the hall, emergency
exits, etc
Possible one year ban

from testing
You may bring ONLY your

identification, locker key, a
light sweater, and prescription
eyeglasses with you into the test
room. Personal items including
food, drink, and candy are not
allowed in the testing room
unless expressly pre-authorized
for a disability.
Score revoked
Score revoked
TAKING THE TEST FOR You must take the test for yourself.
OTHERS
You may not test for anyone or
have another person test for you.
You also must not present tampered or altered identification.

five years
DISCLOSING TEST
CONTENT
Do not disclose, discuss, or

access questions that come
directly from a GMAT exam.
Disclosing or accessing live
questions from an exam in any
format is prohibited before, during,
or after the exam is administered.
This includes, but is not limited to:
online forums, blogs, discussion
boards, test prep programs, test
center communication books, etc.
Ban from testing from

one to three years
Using a fraudulent payment

method to register for the GMAT
exam is prohibited. You may not
cancel a payment for any product
or service received or ordered.

three years
Score revoked
PROVIDING
FRAUDULENT
PAYMENT OR
CANCELING
PAYMENTS
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
Score revoked
Score revoked
Score revoked
17
AFTER YOUR EXAM
>> EVALUATE YOUR PERFORMANCE
>> PICK UP YOUR UNOFFICIAL SCORE REPORT

If you accepted your scores, please pick up a printed copy of your unofficial score report
at the front desk.
Your Official Score Report will include several ways to interpret your exam results. You
may be tempted to pay attention only to your Total score, but the other scores are also
meaningful. Those scores offer you and the programs receiving your scores insight into
your strengths and areas for development.
SECTION
>> REINSTATE YOUR SCORE

You may reinstate your score if you decide to cancel at the test center for a fee of $100.
The reinstate option will be available for 60 days from the date of the exam. To reinstate
your score, contact customer service in your region. See page 1.
ANALYTICAL
WRITING
ASSESSMENT
INTEGRATED
REASONING
SCORING
0.0-6.0
1-8
HOW THE SECTION IS SCORED

Each essay is scored at least twice, once by a human reader
and once by a computer. The scores are all averaged to
provide one section score, reported in intervals of 0.5.
The Integrated Reasoning Section is not an adaptive
test. Your score is based on the number of questions you
answered correctly. Some questions may have multiple
parts; a candidate must answer all parts to a question
correctly to receive credit for that question.
Scores are reported in intervals of 1.
Since these sections are computer adaptive, each score
is based on three factors:
1. Number of questions you answer
2. Whether your answers are correct
QUANTITATIVE
AND VERBAL
0-60
You will earn a higher score if you answer a higher

number of questions, answer more of them correctly, and
qualify for questions of a higher difficulty level.
Scores are reported in intervals of 1 and the standard
error of measurement is 3 points. Some scores are rare:
Below 7 and above 50 for Quantitative, below 9 and
above 44 for Verbal.
Schools are looking for you

Schools are looking for the best candidate YOU. Simply answer a
few questions about your background and your career aspirations to
get noticed by schools around the world and learn about scholarship
and financial aid opportunities.
3. Difficulty and other qualities of the questions

you answered
TOTAL
200-800
Total scores are based on your calculated performance

before scores are given for the Quantitative and Verbal
sections. The raw calculation is then converted to a
number in the Total score range.
Scores are reported in intervals of 10. The standard
error of measurement is 30-40 points.
The unofficial report includes your Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and
Total scores. You may use this report to determine:
If you are a competitive applicant to the schools of your choice
Whether you want to retake the exam
mba.com/schoolconnection
18
Although this unofficial report can be very helpful to you, you may not use it for your
admissions applications.
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
19
>> VIEW YOUR OFFICIAL SCORE REPORT
>> PERCENTILE RANKING EXAMPLES
Within three weeks of your test date, we will send you a notice by email that your official
scores are available. The email will include instructions for online access to your scores.
In addition to your Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Total scores, the
Official Score Report will include your:
EXAM DETAILS
WHAT THIS MEANS
TEST DATE: 01 July 2008
The day you took the exam
Analytical Writing Assessment score
SCORE REPORT DATE: 21 July 2008
When your score was reported
Scores from other GMAT exams you have taken within the past five years. GMAT
scores that you have canceled will not be shown. Scores canceled due to testing
issue or policy violation will be shown.
TOTAL SCORE PERCENTILE: 75%
Your score is higher than 75% of all other

test takers who took the GMAT exam from
2005 through 2007.
Personal data provided during the registration and test process such as your
address, phone number, date of birth, etc.
EXAMPLE 1
Please visit mba.com to see a sample score report.
TEST DATE: 01 July 2008
The day you took the exam
>> COMPARE YOUR SCORES WITH OTHER TEST TAKERS
SCORE REPORT DATE: 01 March 2011
You report your scores to schools a few

years after taking the test.
Comparing your exam scores with other test takers scores can be misleading. To better
understand how your scores compare with other test takers scores, you need to know
about standard errors of measurement.
Standard error of measurement essentially means nothing is perfect, not even standardized
exams. Like a scale or a ruler or other measurement instruments, the precision of the scores
may be subject to different effects. Although the GMAT exam is proven to be very precise,
the score should be considered an estimate of your ability. For more information on standard
error and comparing scores go to mba.com/percentileranking
>> UNDERSTAND YOUR PERCENTILE RANKING

In addition to your scores, you will also see percentile rankings on your score report for
each exam section and your Total score.
The percentile is another way for you to compare yourself with others who took the GMAT
exam, because it tells you the percentage of the test takers who scored lower than you.
Generally, your percentile is based on all test takers for the previous three full years from
the date your score is reported. Since the Integrated Reasoning section was launched
in June 2012, the percentile rankings for that section are being updated more frequently
until we have three full years of scores to report.
>> ORDER YOUR GMAT ENHANCED SCORE REPORT
Want more details of your exam performance? The GMAT Enhanced Score Report (ESR)
can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses on the skills tested in each section.
The ESR provides overall section performance and ranking by question type, average
response time and time management ranking, percentage of questions answered
correctly, ability to benchmark against other test takers from the past three years, and
customized summary report for each section that assesses strengths and weaknesses.
The ESR is $24.95 (USD) and can be purchased at mba.com/store.
20
GMAT HANDBOOK
Your Total Score Percentile is now 76%.

Your score is higher than 76% of all test
takers who took the GMAT exam between
2008 and 2010.
TOTAL SCORE PERCENTILE:76%
EXAMPLE 2
Do not be alarmed by changes in your percentile. Since the percentile is calculated based
on three full years of tests, changes are rare and small over time. Although percentiles
help you understand how you compare with other recent test takers, you must also know
something about the applicants your program of choice typically accepts.
>> SEND SCORE REPORTS TO SCHOOLS

We will send your Official Score Report to up to five programs that you select on test
day. You will not be able to change the selection once made or select your initial five
free of cost at a later date. We will send them electronically or by mail, depending on the
programs preferences. You may ask us to send your official score to as many additional
programs as you like (fees apply), as long as the scores are not more than five years old.
To have your scores sent to additional programs, go to mba.com to use the Additional
Score Reporting service and pay the required fee. Here are a few things to remember:
Each score report will include GMAT exam scores you have accepted within the
past five years. GMAT scores that you have canceled will not be shown.
Score reporting fees are non-refundable
You may not remove recipients once you have submitted your request.
If you have scores older than five years but less than 10 years, you may ask us to send these
scores to programs as long as you have not taken the GMAT exam within the past five years.
GMAT HANDBOOK
21
>> BEWARE OF SCORE CANCELLATIONS

We can report your scores ONLY if you follow all the test policies and procedures.
GMAC and Pearson VUE reserve the right to take all action that they deem appropriate if
an individual fails to comply with the test terms and conditions or the test administrators
directions. We also reserve the right to cancel or withhold any test scores when, in our
judgment, there is a good faith basis to question the validity of a score for any reason. If we
discover any violations, on or after test day, we may withhold or cancel your scores, even
without prior notice.
Scores are withheld or cancelled for reason code T (Testing Issue) when a testing
irregularity occurs. Testing irregularities refer to events that affect the administration of a
test. When testing irregularities occur they may affect an individual examinee or multiple
test takers. Note that in some instances, we may cancel your scores even if we cannot
confirm your direct involvement in the violation. This includes any incident or pattern that
causes us to question the validity of your scores, such as:
REASON
CODE
MEANING
GIVEN WHEN
Administrative errors
Registration or
payment errors
Inadvertent access to or
disclosure of test content
Testing Issue
Disruptions at the test

center that were out of
the test takers control
Policy Violation
Test taker committed a

policy violation
Scores withheld or canceled;

noted on Official Score
Reports for five years
Serious Policy
Violation
Test taker has cheated on

the exam, falsified score
reports, knowingly shared
access or test content, or
committed fraud.
Score cancellation; schools

notified; noted on Official
Score Reports for five years;
possible ban on future testing
and other legal remedies
Unusual score changes

Inconsistent performance on different parts of the exam
When scores are canceled by GMAC, your Official Score Report will have special notations
in the place of actual test scores.
In the case of a score being cancelled for T, the candidate may be offered the option
either to retest at no additional fee or to receive a refund of his or her examination fee
(unless the affected examinee is found to have caused or been involved in the conduct
that resulted in the corrective action). If a retest is offered and an examinee selects that
option, the examinee must retake the entire exam in order to produce a valid score.
These are the exclusive remedies available to examinees whose score was cancelled for
Testing Issues. Candidate will have 15 days from date of notification to schedule a free
retest or request a refund, if either is offered. The free retest can initially be schedule out
as far as 6 months. If the candidate decides to reschedule the exam for a different date or
for further out, the candidate will be responsible for paying the rescheduling fee.
Scores withheld or canceled;

noted on Official Score
Reports for five years
Other testing
circumstances leading
to the questionable
validity of scores
Possible exposure (purposeful or accidental) you may have had to test content
Unusual answer patterns
CONSEQUENCES
>> REPORT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Fair testing is as important to us as it is to you. If you notice anyone violating test rules or
suspect someone of cheating, you should report it.
Report your concerns to the test center administrator on test day or contact GMAT
Customer Service after you leave the center.
We will treat your report confidentially, and your name will not be revealed to the person(s)
you are reporting.
>> SUBMIT A CONCERN ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE

If you experienced a disruption on test day and believe it affected your performance, report
the incident by email, fax, or mail within 30 days of your exam date. Include Attention:
GMAT Complaints in your communication. We will research your concern as quickly as
possible and provide you with a response.
The following are actions we may take at our discretion. They are the only available remedies:
1. If we confirm a problem with your registration, your testing experience, or within
the exam you received, we will make reasonable efforts to correct the problem.
2. If we cannot correct the error, you may reschedule your exam at no additional
cost or request a refund.
22
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
23
>> APPEAL A DECISION WE HAVE MADE ABOUT A VIOLATION

If you believe we should review a decision we made about your exam, you may appeal to the
GMAT Program within 30 days from the date of our decision. Under certain circumstances,
we may shorten or extend the 30 days.
Please send your appeal in writing by email, mail, or fax to GMAT Customer Service.
IMPORTANT! Scores are canceled if there is a good-faith reason to question their validity.
Your appeal must provide information that resolves these issues.
>> ANALYTICAL WRITING ASSESSMENT RESCORING SERVICE
GET YOUR ENHANCED

SCORE REPORT
Pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses and
boost your confidence
You may request rescoring of your AWA essay by an independent reader for a fee of
US$45. Requests for rescoring must be made within six (6) months of your test date. A
request received after six (6) months will not be honored.
>> CONSIDER RETAKING THE EXAM

Did something go wrong? You may think that you can do better if you take the test again.
Did you feel rushed? Your scores are adjusted if you do not finish a section. If
you believe you can do better with different pacing, it may be worthwhile to take
the test again.
Were you nervous? Once you know what the test center looks like and what taking the test feels like while you are there, you may be able to take the test again
with less anxiety.
Did you struggle with certain areas? Targeted study may help you learn new skills
or refresh old skills to help you on your next test day and even in your future
graduate program.
If you are eligible to retake the exam, you may register for the exam on mba.com just as
you registered for the first exam.
Available at
mba.com/store
MAKERS OF THE GMAT EXAM
24
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
25
OFFICIAL
GMAT PREP
More practice questions than ever before
mba.com/store
Whether you have three days or three months until your

exam date, we have products that fit your needs.
26
GMAT HANDBOOK
GMAT HANDBOOK
27
The Graduate Management Admission Council, a nonprofit education organization of leading graduate business schools and
owner of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT exam), now celebrating its 60th year and used by more than 6,100
graduate business and management programs worldwide. GMAC is based in Reston, Virginia, and has regional offices in
London, New Delhi and Hong Kong. The GMAT exam the only standardized test designed expressly for graduate business
and management programs worldwide is continuously available at approximately 600 test centers in 113 countries. More
information about the GMAT exam is available at mba.com. For more information about GMAC, please visit gmac.com.
GMAT Test Study

Guide
Copyright StudyGuideZone.com. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
GMAT TEST RESOURCES................................................................................................................... 5
GMAT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 6
TESTING AND ANALYSIS................................................................................................................. 8
INTRODUCTION TO THE GMAT .................................................................................................. 10
THE GMAT SCORING SCALE ......................................................................................................... 11
QUANTITATIVE TEST ....................................................................................................................... 13
PROBLEM-SOLVING QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................... 13
DATA-SUFFICIENCY QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................... 13
QUESTION TYPES .................................................................................................................................... 15
ARITHMETIC ............................................................................................................................................ 16
DIVISIBILITY ........................................................................................................................................... 17
MULTIPLICATION ..................................................................................................................................... 18
ADDITION ................................................................................................................................................ 19
SUBTRACTION ......................................................................................................................................... 19
EVENS AND ODDS .................................................................................................................................. 21
PRIME NUMBERS ..................................................................................................................................... 22
PERCENTS ................................................................................................................................................ 24
SQUARE OF A NUMBER ........................................................................................................................... 28
EXPONENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 30
ROOTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 32
AVERAGES ............................................................................................................................................... 32
VERBAL TEST ........................................................................................................................................ 34
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS .............................................................................................. 34
What Is Measured ........................................................................................................................ 35
CRITICAL REASONING QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................... 35
What Is Measured ........................................................................................................................ 36
SENTENCE CORRECTION QUESTIONS ................................................................................................... 36
What Is Measured ........................................................................................................................ 37
READING COMPREHENSION ................................................................................................................... 38
FLYING OVER THE PASSAGE .................................................................................................................. 38

CREATING A TENTATIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 39
OPENINGS AND ENDINGS ...................................................................................................................... 40
EXTRANEOUS INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 40
USING KITCHEN LOGIC .......................................................................................................................... 41
GETTING INTO THE AUTHORS MIND .................................................................................................... 41
EMOTIONAL WORDS ............................................................................................................................... 42
FINDING THE KEY WORDS ..................................................................................................................... 43
MAKING PROPER INFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 44
APPLYING IDEAS FOR GENERALIZATIONS ............................................................................................. 45
USING CONTEXT CLUES ......................................................................................................................... 45
BREAKING DOWN PASSAGE ORGANIZATION ....................................................................................... 47
FIRST WORD ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................... 48
UNDERSTANDING THE INTIMIDATION ................................................................................................... 49
FINDING YOUR OPTIMAL PACE .............................................................................................................. 50
DONT BE A PERFECTIONIST .................................................................................................................. 51
FACTUALLY CORRECT, BUT ACTUALLY WRONG .................................................................................... 52
DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ........................................................................................................................ 53
SENTENCE CORRECTION ........................................................................................................................ 54
TRY EVERY CHOICE ................................................................................................................................ 54
READ CAREFULLY .................................................................................................................................... 54
APOSTROPHES......................................................................................................................................... 55
Possessive Nouns ......................................................................................................................... 55
Possessive Personal Pronouns vs. Contractions ............................................................... 55
COMMA ERRORS ..................................................................................................................................... 56
PROBLEMS WITH REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 58
PROBLEMS WITH AGREEMENT ............................................................................................................... 60
LACK OF PARALLELISM ........................................................................................................................... 63
MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS .................................................................................................................. 64
CRITICAL REASONING ............................................................................................................................ 68
IDENTIFYING PREMISES AND CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................... 70
DIAGRAMMING CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS ........................................................................................ 74
CLASSIFICATION ..................................................................................................................................... 77
SEVEN COMMON FALLACIES .................................................................................................................. 83
ANALYTICAL WRITING TEST....................................................................................................... 86
ANALYSIS OF AN ISSUE .......................................................................................................................... 86

What Is Measured ........................................................................................................................ 86
ANALYSIS OF AN ARGUMENT ................................................................................................................. 86
What Is Measured ........................................................................................................................ 87
PLANNING STAGE ................................................................................................................................... 87
STICKING TO THE PLAN.......................................................................................................................... 88
REVIEWING THE PLAN ............................................................................................................................ 88
BRAINSTORMING SMART ........................................................................................................................ 88
MAKING THE CUTS ................................................................................................................................. 91
ENDING AT THE START ........................................................................................................................... 91
STAYING CONSISTENT ........................................................................................................................... 93
MAINTAINING THE FLOW........................................................................................................................ 93
BACKING UP YOUR POINTS .................................................................................................................... 94
USING PROPER GRAMMAR ..................................................................................................................... 95
WATCHING YOUR VOCABULARY ............................................................................................................ 96
AVOIDING TUNNEL VISION .................................................................................................................... 96
JUST DO IT ............................................................................................................................................. 97
CONCLUSION IS REVIEW........................................................................................................................ 98
COMMUNICATING REASON, NOT PASSION ........................................................................................... 99
ANSWERING THE WHY? ....................................................................................................................... 100
GETTING READY FOR TEST DAY.............................................................................................. 101
POST GMAT.......................................................................................................................................... 103
GMAT Test Resources

Free GMAT Practice Tests
http://www.testprepreview.com/gmat_practice.htm
Financial Aid Facts
http://www.finaidfacts.org
Scholarship Help
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org
Study Tips and Information
http://www.studyguidezone.com/resource_tips.htm
GMAT Overview
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is indeed a difficult
examination, and as such, it was required that media be chosen by
which intellectual ability could be measured. In the case of the GMAT,
math, verbal, and writing were the selected media. While there is an
ongoing, low-profile controversy about whether or not this test truly
measures your abilities with regards to what youll need for graduate
school, that is not the purpose of this book. The purpose is, however,
to make sure that youre able to achieve the best possible state of
preparation, allowing you to maximize your score potential - no matter
if your actual aptitude has been measured.
As no test can measure all aspects of a persons intelligence, the GMAT
measures those skills deemed most critical to a new graduate student.
Then again, if any admission test, no matter how cleverly assembles,
is inherently inadequate, why perform this type of testing at all? This
is a question posed by every student who sees the GMAT looming
ahead of him/her. Nevertheless, the answer to this question is quite
simple, and quite reasonable; to make graduate school acceptance a
more fair experience, by expanding the basis approval beyond your
grades.
Your GMAT score is one of the most critical elements to your
qualification for graduate school, so it is naturally much too important
for you to take this test unprepared. The higher your GMAT score, the
better your chances of admission will be for a respected, competitive
graduate program.
While different graduate programs assign a different weight or

importance to your GMAT scores, it is safe to assume that your GMAT
will be a major determining factor when it comes to the final admission
decision made by each graduate school to which youve applied.
Careful preparation, as described in this expert guide, along with hard
work, will dramatically enhance your probability of success. In fact, it
is wise to apply this philosophy not only to your graduate school
applications, but to other elements of your life as well, to raise you
above the competition. Your GMAT score is one of the areas in the
graduate admission process over which you have a substantial amount
of control; this opportunity should not be taken lightly. Hence, a
rational, prepared approach to your GMAT test as well as the rest of
the admission process will contribute considerably to the likelihood of
acceptance.
Keep in mind, that although it is possible to take a GMAT test more
than once, you should never take the test as an experiment just to
see how well you do. It is of extreme importance that you always be
prepared to do your best when taking the GMAT.
Testing and Analysis

It wont take you long to discover that the GMAT is unlike any test
youve taken before, and it is probably unlike any test you will ever
take again in your academic career. The typical high school or college
test is a knowledge-based test. The GMAT, however, is skills-based.
What does this mean to you? It means that youll have to prepare
yourself in a completely different way! You wont simply be reciting
memorized facts as they were phrased in some textbook.
The GMAT requires you to think in a thorough, quick and strategic
mannerand still be accurate, logical and wise.
This test is designed to judge your writing, verbal and mathematical
ability in the ways that graduate schools feel is vital to the success of
first year graduate students.
To some extent, you have already gradually obtained these abilities
over the length of your academic career. However, what you probably
have not yet become familiar with is the capability to use these
abilities for the purpose of maximizing performance within the complex
and profound environment of a standardized, skills-based examination.
There are different strategies, mindsets and perspectives that you will
be required to apply throughout the GMAT. Youll need to be prepared
to use your whole brain as far as thinking and assessment is
concerned, and youll need to do this in a timely manner. This is not
something you can learn from taking a course or reading a book, but it
is something you can develop through practice and concentration.
This guide provides you with the professional instruction you require
for understanding the traditional GMAT test. Covered are all aspects
of the test and preparation procedures that you will require throughout
the process. Upon completion of this guide, youll have the confidence
and knowledge you need for maximizing your performance on your
GMAT.
Introduction to the GMAT

The purpose of the GMAT is to establish a standard method of
measurement for the skills that have been acquired by graduate school
applicants. These skills are considered critical to graduate schools for
a first-year student to be able to succeed. The principle behind the
GMAT is similar to the SATs that are required for application to
American colleges. Although these tests are similar experiences, the
GMAT is much more challenging and complex.
Fortunately, the GMAT does not change very dramatically from year to
year. What this means to you, is that it has become possible for
quality practice tests to be produced, and if you should take enough of
these tests, in addition to learning the correct strategies, you will be
able to prepare for the test in an effective manner.
10
The GMAT Scoring Scale

GMAT scoring is not hard to comprehend when it is properly explained.
There is no passing score to the GMAT, but you will need to know
what the cut off average score is for the graduate schools to which
youre looking to apply. For this information, check their website, or
call, and theyll tell you the average score of students who are
accepted.
Each graduate school has a different policy for weighing GMAT scores
with your GPA. The majority of graduate schools will weigh your GMAT
score more heavily than your GPA. In fact, some schools will weigh
your GMAT at 70% and your GPA at 30%, which means that this one
examination is worth more than your 4 years of undergraduate work.
Its up to you to look into the graduate schools to which youll be
applying, so that youll have this information, and know the exact
value of your GMAT. Many schools will make their calculation
structure for the combination of GMAT and GPA available to the public.
Knowing this information before you enter the GMAT examination
means that you know exactly what youre facing that day. You will
have a realistic perception of the worth of the test, and you will have
the proper motivation to fully apply yourself to reach your maximum
potential.
11
Youll also be able to realistically judge the type of school to which you
should be applying, and you can better set out your future plans in
your mind.
12
Quantitative Test
The Quantitative section of the Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT) measures basic mathematical skills, understanding of
elementary concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve
quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data. Two types of
multiple-choice questions are used in the Quantitative section of the
GMAT: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency.
Problem-Solving and Data-Sufficiency questions are intermingled
throughout the section. Both types of questions require knowledge of:
-arithmetic
-elementary algebra
-commonly known concepts of geometry
Problem-Solving Questions
Problem-Solving questions are designed to test:
-basic mathematical skills
-understanding of elementary mathematical concepts
-the ability to reason quantitatively and solve quantitative problems
Data-Sufficiency Questions
Data-Sufficiency questions are designed to measure your ability to:
-analyze a quantitative problem
-recognize which information is relevant
13
-determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve a

problem
Data-Sufficiency questions are accompanied by some initial
information and two statements, labeled (1) and (2). You must decide
whether the statements given offer enough data to enable you to
answer the question. You may answer that:
-Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) is not sufficient.
-Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) is not sufficient.
-BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement
ALONE is sufficient.
-EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
-Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.
To identify the skills that need extra work, complete a practice test
that gives additional information, or, complete a practice test and look
for yourself at the areas where you excelled, and the areas where
struggle was apparent.
Your critical math skills will be in the areas where you have made the
most wrong answers on your practice test.
Those will be the math
skills that will best help your score in the shortest period of time, if
you manage to practice and better these skills. This is the area in
which you can maximize your score increase potential.
To master your critical math skills, there are certain steps you may
take:
14
Read over the skill lesson in this book, very carefully
Find some practice tests and work specifically on the questions that
test your critical math skills, practicing the new skills that you have
learned in through your review.
Use textbooks for increased detail, assistance, and question

examples for the areas in which you are struggling the most.
Practice, practice, practice!
The best way to get to learn your math skills is to rehearse them with
as many new sample questions as you can get your hands on. The
questions you do, the more you will become familiar and comfortable
with that type of question, so that you can move on and concentrate
on other areas for perfection.
Question Types
The test is very consistent with the type of mathematics questions that
it uses, year after year. The following are the types of mathematical
questions that you are likely to encounter:
Arithmetic
Divisibility
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
Evens and Odds
Prime Numbers
Percents
Square of a Number
15
Exponents
Roots
Averages
Arithmetic
Arithmetic skills refer to the questions that can be solved by using
addition, subtraction, multiplication and/or division.
Since calculators are permitted in the test, the questions will obviously
not be purely arithmetic - theyre not out to measure your ability with
a calculator. So in this style of question, youll need to recall your
order of operations. A good trick to recall your order of operations is
Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sallybefore you say huh? recognize
the first letters in this phrase:
Work within Parenthesis
Simplify Exponents
Multiplication and Division
Addition and Subtraction
The majority of arithmetic questions will require you to take multiple

steps, and will likely test other skills as well, instead of being purely
arithmetic. Often, the questions will be presented in the form of word
problems, where you will need to decide when to add, subtract,
multiply and divide.
For example:
16
How many egg cartons are needed to hold 300 eggs, if each carton
can hold one dozen (1 dozen = 12)
A. 15
B. 18
C. 22
D. 25
E. 28
Note: the answer is 25
Divisibility
The factors of integer X are the integers by which X can be divided
without leaving a remainder. Thus, X is divisible by its factors.
For example:
The number 10 is divisible by both 5 and 2. 10 can be divided by both
of these integers without leaving a remainder.
To review the rules of divisibility, have a look at the following:
1. Numbers divisible by 2 end in even numbers.
2. Numbers divisible by 3 can be determined by adding the sum of
their digits and checking if that number is divisible by 3 (for example
the number 123: 1+2+3=6, 6 is divisible by 3 with no remainder).
17
3. Numbers divisible by 4 can be identified if their last two digits will

divide by 4 without a remainder (for example, the number 624: the
last two digits are 24, which are divisible by 4 with no remainder).
4. Numbers divisible by 5 end only in 5 or 0.
5. Numbers divisible by 9 occur when the sum of its their digits are
divisible by 9 (for example, the number 639: 6+3+9 = 18, which is
divisible by 9).
6. A number is only divisible by 10 if it ends in 0
The following is an example of a divisibility question:
Which of the following integers divides into both 200 and 150?
A. 3
B. 7
C. 30
D. 50
E. 300
Note: The correct answer is (D)
Multiplication
The following are a few simple rules to keep your multiplications on
track:
Positive x Positive = Positive
Negative x Negative = Positive
18
Negative x Positive = Negative
Addition
Here are some rules to be certain that there are no slips while doing
addition:
Positive + Positive = Positive
Negative + Negative = Negative
Negative + Positive = either positive or negative (you must use the
absolute value of both: subtract the smaller from the larger and keep
the sign of whichever absolute value was larger)
Subtraction
The definition of subtraction is: A - B = A + (-B)
A minus B is the same as A plus (the opposite of B)
X > 0, means that X is a positive number
X < 0, means that X is a negative number
-(A - B) = -A + B = B - A
(-X)2 = X2
If X - 0, X2 > 0
19
If, on the number line, one number occurs to the left of another
number, the number on the left is the smallest number.
Therefore, when studying the line above, you will know that X < Y and
Y < Z.
For example:
Use the number line to make conclusions with regards to whether each
number is positive or negative.
In this situation, you will have an easier time if you implement specific
numbers to fit the problem. For example, let X = -7, Y = -2, and Z =
3. Be certain to utilize some negative numbers while substituting.
The following is an example of a subtraction question:

Y-X
Solution: Positive Y is greater than X.
-2 - (-7) = -2 + 7 = 5
20
Evens and Odds

An even number is any word that is divisible by 2: numbers that are
within the set {-6, -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6,}. Remember, though, that an
even number is divisible by 2 and not have any remainder. Keep in
mind also that 0 is an even number. Consecutive even numbers are all
located 2 units apart. For example, if x is an even number, then the
next consecutive even number would be represented as X + 2.
Odd numbers, on the other hand, are numbers within the set {-5, -3,
-1, 1, 3, 5,}.
The following charts demonstrate the properties of odd and even
numbers. To check the property of a number, you can simply
substitute the appropriate numbers.
Properties of odd and even numbers with Addition
Property
Example
Even + Even = Even
2 + 8 = 10
Odd + Odd = Even
3 + 9 = 12
Odd + Even = Odd
3 + 8 = 11
Properties of odd and even numbers with Addition

Property
Example
Even x Even = Even
4 x 6 = 24
Even x Odd = Even
4 x 5 = 20
21
Odd x Odd = Odd
3 x 9 = 27
Consider the following example:

If R is an odd integer, what are the next two consecutive odd integers?
A) T and V
B) R and R+1
C) R+1 and R+2
D) R+2 and R+4
E) R+1 and R+3
Note: the correct answer is (D)
Heres another example:
If x is an odd integer and y is an even integer, tell whether each
expression is odd or even.
A. x2
B. xy
C. y2
D. x + y
E. 2x + y
Note (A) is odd. (B) is even. (C) is even. (D) is odd, and (E) is even.
Prime Numbers
A prime number is defined as an integer that is greater than 1, and
has only two positive factors, 1 and itself.
22
For example, 7 is a prime number, as its only factors are 1 and 7.

However, 6 is not a prime number, because its factors are 1, 2, 3, 6
The first ten prime numbers are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29
Note, though that 1 is not a prime number, and both the smallest and
the only even prime number is 2.
Prime factorization is the process by which you express a number as a
result of only prime numbers.
For example:
To create the prime factorization of 24, youd represent it as:
2 x 2 x 2 x 3 or 23 3
To create the prime factorization of 15, youd represent it as:
5x3
An example of a factor question is:
If xy = 13 and both x and y are positive integers, then what is the sum
of x + y?
A. 13
B. 14
C. 16
D. 20
23
E. 26
Note: the answer is B
Here is another example:
What is the sum of the first 5 prime numbers?
A. 18
B. 28
C. 30
D. 34
E. 38
Note: The first five prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and their sum is
28. The answer is B.
Percents
The word percent means hundredths or a number which is divided by
100. Converting a number into a percentage involves multiplying the
number by 100.
A percent can be determined by performing the division of the part by
the total and multiplying it by 100:
Percent = Part x 100
Total
24
For example, if Wendy missed 12 out of 80 examination questions,

what is the percent of questions she missed?
Percent = missed questions x 100 = 12/80 x 100 = 0.15 x 100 =
15%
Total
The phrase X is N percent of Y can also be written mathematically as
X=N
xY
100
The word is means equal (=), while the word of means multiply
However, before multiplying, you must change a percent into a
decimal or fractional format.
For example:
5 is 20% of 25, means 5 = 0.20 x 25
To change the fraction into the percent, you must first change the
fraction into a decimal, and then multiply by 100 (or move the decimal
point by 2 places to the right)
For example:
Change the fraction 1/5 into a percent.
25
First, change the fraction 1/5 into the decimal 0.2, and multiply by 100
(move the decimal 2 places to the right). Therefore:
1/5 x 100 = 20%
The following table provides the common percentages that you will use
on a regular basis, and may wish to memorize.
Fraction
Decimal
Percent
1/100
0.01
1%
1/10
0.1
10%
1/7
0.1428571
14.3%
1/6
0.16666...
16.6% or 16.7%
1/5
0.2
20%
1/4
0.25
25%
1/3
0.33
33.3%
1/2
0.5
50%
3/5
0.6
60%
1.0
100%
3/2
1.5
150%
Please note that numbers over 1 achieve percentages that are greater
than 100%
26
What is 20% of 50?

A. 5
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
E. 15
Note: the answer is C
To solve this question, you must rewrite it as an algebraic question.
Therefore, let x represent the unknown number.
X = 0.20 x 50
Keep in mind that to change the percent to a decimal, and that the
word of means that you should multiply.
X = 10
Here is another example:
5 is what percent of 2?
A. 2.5%
B. 25%
C. 100%
D. 250%
E. 500%
27
Rewrite this as an algebraic equation. 5 = n 2

Solve for n and remember to change the answer to a percent.
n = 5/2 = 2.5 = 250%
Therefore, the answer is (D)
Square of a Number
Squaring a number means to multiply that number by itself.
The notation for squaring a number (x) is as follows: x2
When squaring an integer, the result obtained is called a perfect
square.
When preparing for the test, make sure that you are fully capable of
understanding and reproducing the following table, as well as
recognizing the numbers that are perfect squares and perfect cubes.
n2
n3(n > 0)
n3(n < 0)
-1
-8
27
-27
16
64
-64
25
125
-125
36
216
-216
28
49
64
81
10
100
11
121
12
144
You will not
You will not
need to know
need to know
any higher
any higher
Squared numbers and special properties
x2 > 0 always, except for x = 0
x2 > x for x > 1
x2 < x for 0 < x < 1

*important
x2 = x for x = 1 or 0
The square root of x2 equals the absolute value of x.
If x2 = y2, then either x = y, or y = -x, or x = -y.
The following is an example:

Of the following numbers, which is a both a perfect square and a
perfect cube?
A. 4
29
B. 8
C. 9
D. 16
E. 64
Note: the answer is (E)
Exponents
The mathematical notations for numbers which are the result of a
number that is multiplied by itself a number of times is called
exponents.
Examples:
x3 = x x x
x5 = x x x x x
The expression of xn is also called the nth power of x. The x is the
base, while the n is the exponent. Math questions will usually only
utilize integral exponents. x2 is read as x-squared, and x3 is read as xcubed. All others are read as a power of x. x4 is read as the 4th power
of x.
When it comes to the power of 10, there is a simple, quick rule that
simplifies the powers of 10, by writing it as 1, followed by the number
of zeros as specified by the power.
30
Examples: 105 = 1 followed by 5 zeros. 100000 = 100,000.

An example you may find is:
Represent 32,456 to the power of 10.
The solution would be as follows:
32,456 = 3 104 + 2 103 + 4 102 + 5 101 + 6 100
Solve for x: (x - 3)2 = 49.
You could use algebra and take the square root of both sides or since
49 is a perfect square you could guess integers for x. Just remember x
-3 must be positive or negative.
If you try guessing, the integers 10 and -4 work. To get an algebra
solution, do the following:
(x - 3)2 = 49
x - 3 = 7 or x - 3 = -7
x = 10 or x = -4
It is your goal to get problems correct quickly. Sometimes guessing
(Guessing in this case means substituting in numbers to see which
satisfy the equation.) is faster than solving an equation, if you train
31
yourself to use the technique. Of course, if you cannot "see" the

answers fast enough, use other approaches to answer the problem.
Roots
The test will require you to manipulate both square roots and cube
roots. Some of the questions will measure whether or not you
understand these expressions.
You should remember that none of the following should ever occur:
1. No perfect square can be left underneath a radical (square root)
sign.
2. No radical can be within the denominator.
3. No fractions may occur within the radical sign.
Averages
There are three basic components that comprise an average problem:
1. Total
2. Average (also known as a mean)
3. # of numbers
The average is the total of elements that are within the set.
To discover the average, simply divide the total by the # of numbers.
For example:
32
Jennas last four test scores were 35, 56, 75, and 28. What is the
average of Jennas test scores?
A. 43
B. 48.5
C. 52.5
D. 54
E. 47
Note: the answer is (B).
35 + 56 + 75 + 28 = 194
194 / 4 = 48.5
Five things to remember when solving averages:
1. If a number that is the same as the average is added, the new
average will not change.
2. If a number is added and it is less than the average, the average
will decrease.
3. If a number is added and it is greater than the average, the
average will increase.
4. If a pair of numbers are added, and they are balanced on both
sides of the average, the arithmetic mean is the middle value.
5. To discover the average between two evenly spaced numbers, add
the first and the last terms and divide them by 2.
33
Verbal Test
The Verbal section of the Graduate Management Admission Test

(GMAT) measures your ability to:
-read and comprehend written material
-reason and evaluate arguments
-correct written material to conform to standard written English
Three types of multiple-choice questions are used in the Verbal section
of the GMAT: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and
Sentence Correction.
Reading Comprehension Questions

Reading Comprehension passages are up to 350 words long. Topics
contain material from the social sciences, physical or biological
sciences, and business-related areas (marketing, economics, human
resource management, etc.).
Because the Reading Comprehension section of the GMAT includes
passages from several different content areas, you may be generally
familiar with some of the material; however, no specific knowledge of
the material is required. All questions are to be answered on the basis
of what is stated or implied in the reading material.
Reading Comprehension passages are accompanied by interpretive,
applied, and inferential questions.
34
What Is Measured
Reading Comprehension questions measure your ability to understand,
analyze, and apply information and concepts presented in written
form.
This section evaluates your ability to:
-Understand words and statements in reading passages. Questions of
this type test your understanding of and ability to comprehend
terms used in the passage and your understanding of the English
language.
-Understand the logical relationships between significant points and
concepts in the reading passages. Questions of this type ask
you to determine the strong and weak points of an argument or
to evaluate the importance of arguments and ideas in a passage.
-Draw inferences from facts and statements in the reading passages.
Questions of this type ask you to consider factual statements or
information and, on the basis of that information, reach a
general conclusion.
-Understand and follow the development of quantitative concepts as
they are presented in verbal material. Questions of this type
involve the interpretation of numerical data or the use of simple
arithmetic to reach conclusions about material in a passage.
Critical Reasoning Questions

Critical Reasoning questions are designed to test the reasoning skills
involved in making arguments, evaluating arguments, and formulating
or evaluating a plan of action. Questions are based on materials from
35
a variety of sources. No familiarity with the specific subject matter is

needed.
What Is Measured
This section measures your ability to reason effectively in the areas of:
-Argument construction. Questions of this type may ask you to
recognize the basic structure of an argument, properly drawn
conclusions, underlying assumptions, well-supported explanatory
hypotheses, or parallels between structurally similar arguments.
-Argument evaluation. Questions of this type may ask you to analyze
a given argument, recognize factors that would strengthen or
weaken an argument, reasoning errors committed in making an
argument, or aspects of the methods by which an argument
proceeds.
-Formulating and evaluating a plan of action. Questions of this type
may ask you to recognize the relative appropriateness,
effectiveness, or efficiency of different plans of action; factors
that would strengthen or weaken a proposed plan of action; or
assumptions underlying a proposed plan of action.
Sentence Correction Questions

Sentence Correction questions ask you which of the five choices best
expresses an idea or relationship. The questions will require you to be
familiar with the stylistic conventions and grammatical rules of
standard written English. You must also demonstrate your ability to
improve incorrect or ineffective expressions.
36
What Is Measured
This section tests two broad aspects of language proficiency:
-Correct expression. A correct sentence is grammatically and
structurally sound. It conforms to all the rules of standard
written English, e.g., noun-verb agreement, pronoun
consistency, pronoun case, and verb tense sequence. A correct
sentence will not have dangling, misplaced, or improperly
formed modifiers, unidiomatic or inconsistent expressions, or
faults in parallel construction.
Effective expression. An effective sentence expresses an idea or
relationship clearly and concisely, as well as grammatically. This
does not mean that the choice with the fewest and simplest
words is necessarily the best answer. It means that there are no
superfluous words or needlessly complicated expressions in the
best choice. In addition, an effective sentence uses proper
dictionthe standard dictionary meanings of words and the
appropriateness of words in context. In evaluating the diction of
a sentence, you must be able to recognize whether the words
are well chosen, accurate, and suitable for the context.
The reading comprehension section of the GMAT Verbal test measures
a test takers ability to understand, analyze and evaluate written
passages. The passages will contain material that will be from a
variety of sources and on a number of different topics.
37
Each of the passages in the section will be followed by a series of

questions covering the content of the passage or statement, in which
you will have to answer questions, which will demonstrate how well
you understand the passages and are able to draw conclusions about
the material.
Reading Comprehension
Flying Over the Passage
A topic that is hotly debated among test taking circles is whether or
not you should read the reading passages before you read the
question. One theory is that you can save time if you read the
questions first and then go back and read over the passage. Another
theory is that you should read the passage first and then go into the
questions. Both theories have their own individual merit and due to
the differences in ability and preferences among test takers, one
method may work better than another for you.
Our recommended theory is the flyover. You want to spend some time
on the passage, at a bare minimum so that you have a general idea
about what the questions are going to ask and get your mind into the
proper mindset for the series of questions. However, you dont want
to waste too much time on reading the passage, because much of the
detail will be forgotten by the time you get to the questions anyway.
Therefore, you should fly over the passage. You should read it very
quickly for a high-level overview (hence the flyover) understanding of
what is contained in the passage.
38
In part, this is a compromise between the theories that gains most of

the benefits of each. You wont waste time on the details and yet will
have a general idea of what the passage is about and what to expect.
Creating a Tentative Summary

After youve finished your flyover of the passage, take a few seconds
and compose a tentative mental summary of what youve just read.
Try to sort out the details you picked up on and arrange them into a
loose organizational pattern that describes the passage. Remember
that your goal in the flyover is not to check it off of a test-taking list of
things to do. You want there to be some purpose behind the flyover
and having the definite goal of being able to put together a brief
mental summary will allow you to maintain some focus and gain
benefit from the flyover as opposed to just skimming it for the sake
of skimming it without actually picking up on anything.
As you begin going through the questions and answer choices, if you
get good enough at putting together your mental summaries from
practice, you should be able to eliminate a number of answer choices
that are immediately contrary to your summary. Note, however that if
you find yourself without any good answer choices remaining (because
youve eliminated them all) you obviously had to have eliminated the
right answer choice. Dont hesitate to reopen an answer choice that
youve already eliminated from consideration and reconsider it as a
possibility. If you think an answer choice contradicts your initial
summary, youre probably right, but are not infallible.
39
Openings and Endings

A main focus of this flyover will be the opening and ending sentences
in each paragraph. These are likely to contain the main ideas of the
paragraphs and should be mentally tagged for future reference. Try to
remember a vague idea of what the different paragraphs are about,
because this will save you time when answering questions later.
For the most part, make sure you never try to just answer the
questions from this first flyover. Always try to go back and confirm
the answer, as your memory will play tricks on you and the writers of
the test questions may deliberately have planted a trap for you
remember that they dont exactly have your best interests at heart.
Extraneous Information
Some answer choices will seem to fit in and answer the question being
asked. They might even be factually correct. Everything seems to
check out, so what could possibly be wrong?
Does the answer choice actually match the passage, or is it based on
extraneous information not even contained in the passage. Just
because an answer choice seems right, dont assume that you
overlooked information while reading the passage. Always try to go
back and find the support for the answer choice in the passage. Your
mind can easily play tricks on you and make you think that you read
something or that you overlooked a phrase.
40
Unless you are behind on time, always go back to the passage and
make sure that the answer choice checks out.
Using Kitchen Logic

When a question asks the test taker to identify a main idea, you
should first focus on the opening and ending sentences of the passage
and each individual paragraph. If you cant find the main idea from
these key sentences, then ask yourself how you would describe the
passage to someone who had never read it. Which words and phrases
would you use to explain the principle ideas of the passage?
This is called Kitchen Logic - when you explain something the way
you would if you were talking to your friends and family, while sitting
at your kitchen table. So, when faced with identifying the main idea of
a difficult passage, make it easier on yourself by backing away from
the passage and thinking about it in terms of using easy kitchen
logic.
Getting into the Authors Mind

A number of questions become much easier when you place yourself
into the mind of the author of the passage. Ask yourself a few
different questions:
Why did the author write this passage?
What was the author trying to say?
What angle is the author taking?
41
What is the single most important point the author is trying to

make?
Put yourself in the shoes of the author and imagine that you wrote the
passage and try to identify what you were trying to describe and how
you were trying to describe it. If you take on the opinions and ideas
expressed by the author as your own, then it becomes easier to
answer questions that would be easy for the author to answer.
Emotional Words
Each question will be about a different angle of the passage. For
questions asking about the authors emotions, find words in the
passage that are adjectives describing emotions.
So, if a question asks what sort of attitude an author had towards the
passage or subject, then look throughout the passage for attitude
words that might convey a positive or negative attitude. Are words
such as brilliant, excited, delightful used, or are words such as
depressive, gloomy, disappointing used?
A lot of questions could be answered correctly simply by going through
and circling all the adjectives in a passage. Without looking at
anything else except for the adjectives in a passage, most questions
about attitude or emotion could be answered correctly.
Another way of handling these situations is to arrange all of the
answer choices in a list going from most negative to most positive.
42
Example:
Question: The authors attitude on this topic is best described as:
A. indignation
B. eagerness
C. impartiality
D. fear
E. consent
Now arrange these in order from negative to positive:
( - ) indignation, fear, impartiality, consent, eagerness (+)
This will help sort out the different choices and keep you from
overlooking an answer choice and making an easy mistake.
Finding the Key Words

The strategy of finding certain give-away words does not only apply
to adjectives in questions about emotions or attitude. Many questions
about specific details will have key words that hold the key to finding
the right part of the passage to look in for the answer.
Rather than answering based on your memory of the passage, you
always want to have support for your answer choice rooted in a
specific part of the passage. To gain that support, it follows that you
have to identify which part of the passage to look in. While reading
back over the entire passage may be the most foolproof method of
finding that important part of the passage, it definitely is not the most
time economical method of finding that part of the passage.
43
A better route is to find key words in the question or answer choices

that are likely to stand out in the passage and will enable you to
quickly narrow your search down. These key words will be nouns or
verbs in the question or answer choices. Once youve identified
possible key words, then you should scan through the passage quickly
looking for either those key words to be repeated in the passage, or
their synonyms to appear in the passage. Once you find a particular
part of the passage that either has the exact key word repeated or a
synonym of the key word, you have probably identified the particular
part of the passage that will contain the support or justification that
you need to correctly answer the question and will allow you to be
confident in your answer choice selection.
One warning that should be made here is that often question writers
may use the exact same word or wording in their answer choices that
are used in the passage, but have done so in such a way as to mislead
you. So, simply because a particular word or phrase appears in an
answer choice and also appears exactly the same in a passage does
not make that answer choice correct. Be sure that you reread the
answer choice and consider the context that it is in, to ensure that you
are not misled by a cheap trick.
In conclusion, always try to connect the question to the right words in
the passage that will allow you to save time in finding the right part of
the passage to look in for the answer and will give you the key to the
correct answer choice.
Making Proper Inferences
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Questions that ask you to make an inference from the passage will
require you to use your own personal judgment. Anything directly
stated by the author is not an inference. You will need to understand
the main idea of the passage in order to make a proper inference
about the authors intent and mindset.
The obvious will not be enough to answer an inference question. You
must logically deduce what follows from what the author has stated in
the passage. You are looking for what can be inferred by the passage,
not what is directly stated in the passage.
Applying Ideas for Generalizations

Generalization questions are similar to inference questions in that you
have to go beyond what is directly stated in the passage by the
author. It helps to put yourself again in the authors shoes. If you
were the author and believed in what you had just written, how would
you feel about another similar situation? What would either
strengthen or weaken your argument. How would you apply the
information you have just expressed to a completely different
situation?
Using Context Clues

Context clues are a valuable aide in helping you understand difficult
phrases or words in the passage. A number of questions will ask you
about the meaning of words as they are used in a given passage.
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If you already know the definition of the word, or have some

familiarity with it, a common mistake is to go with your first impulse
and choose the answer that you immediately recognize. However, the
reason the test writers may have chosen that particular vocabulary
word is because it is used in an unusual context. Therefore, return to
the passage and find where the word is used and make sure that you
understand how it is being used in the passage.
Once youve made your choice of a good definition go back again to
the passage and reread that particular section, but mentally replace
the answer choice youve chosen for the word being asked about.
Example:
A passage states: He was notorious for making decisions on the spur
of the moment
Question: Which of the following words, if substituted for the word
notorious would introduce the LEAST change in the meaning of the
sentence?
A. evil
B. disturbed
C. famous
D. despised
E. powerful
If you knew that the most common definition for notorious meant
being known in an unfavorable sense, then you might be tempted to
choose choice A, evil.
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But once you review back over the passage, choice C, famous fits in
better into the context of the sentence of passage. Read the sentence
again and substitute your chosen answer choice for the word it
replaces. This gives you:
He was famous for making decisions on the spur of the moment,
which makes sense and is correct.
Breaking Down Passage Organization

In trying to understand the authors perspective, you will sometimes
be asked about how the passage is organized. Many times, the
simplest way to find the answer is to note how the opening sentence in
a passage or paragraph relates to the rest of the passage. How does
the authors main idea get developed and broken down into supporting
ideas and statements?
As you go through the answer choices for these organization problems,
quiz yourself on each answer choice.
Example:
Question: Which of the following best describes the organization of the
authors discussion of this topic?
A. He provides an example Ask yourself, is there an example in
the question? Dont work exclusively from your memory. Make
sure you can go back and actually find the example in the
passage.
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B. He makes a comparison Ask yourself, is there a comparison in

the question? Again, go back to the passage and actually find
the comparison being made and verify that it exists.
C. He makes an acknowledgement Ask yourself, where is the
acknowledgement made and to whom?
D. He discusses a theory Ask yourself, which theory is being
discussed?
E. He praises the research Ask yourself, where is the praise
mentioned?
After each of these initial questions, remember that it is not enough
for them simply to be true, they have to answer the question. Simply
because the author provided an example, doesnt make choice A
correct. The example provided may have been to support a
comparison that he was making and the comparison may be the main
method of organization, which in this case would make answer choice
B correct. So always read all the answer choices and only choose the
one that is the best, not just the first one you read that is factually
correct.
First Word Analysis

When asked for main ideas that best summarize the passage, an easy
strategy is to look at the first words in each answer choice and without
looking at the rest of the answer choice, see if you could make a
decision based on those first words alone.
Example:
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Question: Which of the following best explains the authors primary

purpose?
A. dispute
B. describe
C. condemn
D. convince
E. criticize
If you know that the passage is fairly neutral about the subject, then
even if you know nothing else, you can probably eliminate the stronger
verbs used in answer choices A, C, D and E, leaving you with
describe or answer choice B as being correct.
Understanding the Intimidation

The test writers will generally choose passages that will be completely
foreign to most test takers. You cant expect the passages to be on a
topic with which you have any familiarity. If you do happen to come
across a passage that you are familiar with, consider yourself lucky,
but dont plan on that happening.
The passages will also frequently be drawn from longer passages in
books, articles, journals, etc. Therefore, the passage that you will face
on the test may almost seem out of context and as though it begins in
the middle of a thought process. You wont have a nice title overhead
explaining the general topic being covered but will immediately be
thrown into the middle of a strange format that you dont recognize.
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Also, while the topics chosen may have originally been interesting
reading in their original state, after a particular section is pulled and
used for the test passage, it will likely be dry and boring.
Getting hit by strange reading topics that you dont recognize, of which
you may only have a small part of the original selection, and that are
dry and boring can be a bit intimidating if youre not adequately
prepared. Just remember that the passages themselves will contain
all the information necessary to answer the questions and you dont
need any prior knowledge of the topic in order to succeed and do well
on the test.
Finding your Optimal Pace

Everyone reads at a different rate. It will take practice to determine
what is the optimal rate at which you can read fast and yet absorb and
comprehend the information. This is true for both the flyover that you
should initially conduct and then the subsequent reading you will have
to do as you go through and begin answering the questions. However,
on the flyover, you are looking for only a surface level knowledge and
are not trying to comprehend the minutia of details that will be
contained in the passages.
You can practice with any form of reading material. Read an article at
your normal pace and then after youre finished, ask yourself some
questions about what you just read and see how well you can
comprehend. Experiment with reading articles faster and slower and
always gauge how well you comprehended what you read at the end.
Train your brain to remember the details and absorb the facts.
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With practice, you will find the pace that you should maintain on the
test while going back through passages. It should be a comfortable
rate. This is not a speed reading exercise. If you have a good pace,
and dont spend too much time on any question, you should have a
sufficient amount of time to read the different sections of the passages
at a comfortable rate. The two extremes you want to avoid are the
dumbfounded mode, in which you are lip reading every word
individually and mouthing each word as though in a stupor, and the
overwhelmed mode, where you are panicked and are buzzing back and
forth through the passage in a frenzy and not comprehending
anything.
You must find your own pace that is relaxed and focused, allowing you
to have time for every question and give you optimal comprehension.
Note that you are looking for optimal comprehension, not maximum
comprehension. If you spent hours on each word and memorized the
passage, you would have maximum comprehension. That isnt the
goal though, you want to optimize how much you comprehend with
how much time you spend reading. Practice will allow you to
determine that optimal rate.
Dont be a Perfectionist
If youre a perfectionist, this may be one of the hardest strategies, and
yet one of the most important. The test you are taking is timed, and
you cannot afford to spend too much time on any one question.
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If you are working on a problem and youve got your answer split
between two possible answer choices, and youre going back through
the passage and reading it over and over again in order to decide
between the two, you can be in one of the most frustrating situations
possible. You feel that if you just spent one more minute on the
problem, that you would be able to figure the right answer out and
decide between the two. Watch out! You can easily get so absorbed
in that problem that you loose track of time, get off track and end up
spending the rest of the test playing catch up because of all the
wasted time, which may leave you rattled and cause you to miss even
more questions that you would have otherwise.
Therefore, unless you will only be satisfied with a perfect score and
your abilities are in the top .1% strata of test takers, you should not
go into the test with the mindset that youve got to get every question
right. It is far better to accept that you will have to guess on some
questions and possibly get them wrong and still have time for every
question, than to work on every problem until youre absolutely
confident in your answer and then run out of time on the last few
problems.
Factually Correct, but Actually Wrong

A favorite ploy of question writers is to write answer choices that are
factually correct on their own, but fail to answer the question, and so
are actually wrong.
When you are going through the answer choices and one jumps out for
being factually correct, watch out. Before you mark it as your answer
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choice, first make sure that you go back to the question and confirm
that the answer choice answers the question being asked.
Different Viewpoints
Some passages will express the authors viewpoint on a topic, along
with the viewpoint of other experts or other individuals. This can lead
to trouble in answering questions though. If asked for the viewpoint of
the author, you might go back to the passage, find where a certain
viewpoint is expressed, answer the question based on what you read
and move on.
For most passages, that would be fine, but when other viewpoints
besides the authors are expressed, you have to discern who is
expressing their opinion in the passage. Make sure that if multiple
individuals are giving their viewpoint on a topic, that you sort them out
for any questions and associate the right viewpoint with the right
individual.
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Sentence Correction
The multiple choice problems will not require knowledge of formal
grammar terms, but will require a test taker to identify errors in
phrases and sentences and choose the best way to rewrite the phrase
or sentence without the error.
Try Every Choice

Just because you think that one of the answer choices sounds best, go
ahead and try all of them by plugging each of them into the blank(s)
and seeing which one sounds the best. The test writers will be sure to
put in additional choices that may sound close enough, but you want
to make sure that you pick the one that is the absolute best possible
answer choice.
Read Carefully
Dont make the mistake of reading through the sentences carelessly.
A prepositional phrase or a tiny word can alter the entire meaning of
the sentence.
This is particularly true for transition/hedge words like if, then,
therefore, also, sometimes, never, not, and always. These words are
particularly critical to watch for, as a word such as not can make an
answer choice directly opposite of the correct answer choice sound
correct.
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Apostrophes
An apostrophe is used to form a possessive or a contraction. Check
for the following common apostrophe errors. The bracketed
parenthetical demonstrates the correct use.
Possessive Nouns
1.
Singular possessive nouns. Use 's to show that a singular noun

is possessive [the defendant's motion]. You can apply this rule
even when the singular noun already ends in "s" (Charles's
costume) though many writers add only the apostrophe [Charles'
shoes].
2.
Plural possessive nouns not ending in "s." Use 's to show that a
plural noun not ending in "s" is possessive [the children's toy].
3.
Plural possessive nouns ending in "s." Add only an apostrophe

to make plural nouns possessive [the boys' game].
4.
Nouns that are not possessive. Do not add an apostrophe to a

noun that is not possessive [the teachers (not teacher's or
teachers') have claimed; the Joneses (not Jones' or Jones's) did
not attend].
Possessive Personal Pronouns vs. Contractions

Apostrophe errors with possessive personal pronouns are common
because possessive personal pronouns indicate possession and we are
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used to using apostrophes to indicate possession. Also possessive

personal pronouns are easily confused with contractions. Here are the
basic rules:
5.
Possessive personal pronouns. Do not add an apostrophe to a

possessive pronoun [the problem is hers (not her's); the
corporation must disclose its (not it's) assets.]
6.
Contractions. Do use an apostrophe in a contraction (it's time to

go; you're the one).
* Watch especially for errors in using "it's" or "its." Remember that

"it's" means "it is" and "its" indicates ownership. Confusing
these two words is the most common apostrophe error.
Comma Errors
Commas are also major troublemakers. Watch for these situations:
1.
Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined with

a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, so, for). [The
child agreed, but the parent objected].
2.
Use a semicolon or a period, not a comma, to separate two

independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction
[The child agreed; however, the parent objected.]. The
following transitional words and phrases are conjunctive
adverbs, not conjunctions:
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accordingly
however
consequently
also
on the other hand
moreover
for example
otherwise
for instance
similarly
furthermore
therefore
hence
thus
Therefore, do not use a comma to separate two independent clauses

on either side of one of these words.
Incorrect:
The city must increase its tax base, however, the citizens
must be able to accept the additional tax burden.

Correct:
The city must increase its tax base; however, the citizens
must be able to accept the additional tax burden.

3.
Conjunctive adverbs signal the relationship between the point(s)

made in the material before their sentence and the material of
that sentence. The words and phrases in the list above are
examples. When you begin an independent clause with a
conjunctive adverb or when you use it in the middle of a
sentence, set it off with a comma.
Moreover, the defendant has not yet established a proper foundation

for this testimony.
The student, moreover, has not yet turned in an acceptable project to
meet his assignments requirements.
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4.
Use commas to set off the year if you also identify the day [The
birth of Norma Kelly on June 2, 1974, brought the . . . .], but
omit the commas otherwise [The birth of Norma Kelly in June
1974 brought . . . .].
5.
Use commas to separate three or more simple items in a list. If

the descriptions of the items are long or complex, use
semicolons to separate them.
6.
Use a comma to separate two independent clauses connected by

a coordinating conjunction unless the two independent clauses
are short and simple:
Correct:
The sunlight helped the flowers to grow, but they require

frequent watering in order to stay alive.
Correct:
Yours is timely and mine is late.
Problems With References

A referent is a word or phrase that refers to something else (an
antecedent). Problems with referents can cause confusion and,
sometimes, unintended humor. Problems with references occur
primarily (1) when sentences have more than one possible antecedent
(often caused by placing the referent too far from the intended
antecedent); or (2) when the antecedent is only implied. Here are
examples problems with references.
More than one possible antecedent
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The doctors told their patients that they had serious problems.
[Who had problems?]
To prevent children from sucking their thumbs, some parents soak
them in tabasco sauce. [Do the parents soak the children or the
thumbs?]
The corporate officers had failed to disclose the serious conflicts of
interest caused by their ownership of several of T&J's suppliers. The
possibility of a bankruptcy was a disaster for them.
[Was the possibility a disaster for the officers, the conflicts, or the
suppliers?]
Referring to an antecedent that is only implied:
The corporate officers had failed to disclose the serious conflict of
interest raised by the possible bankruptcy of T&J's primary supplier.
This was a disaster for the officers.
[What was a disaster -- the failure to disclose, the conflict, or the
possible bankruptcy?]
Notice that the confusing reference in this last example is caused by
using "this" alone. Using the pronoun "this" or "that" without a noun
following immediately is usually inadvisable. Here, for instance, the
confusion could be resolved easily by adding the clarifying noun after
"this":
59
The corporate officers had failed to disclose the serious conflict of

interest raised by the possible bankruptcy of T&J's primary supplier.
This failure was a disaster for the officers.
The three primary strategies for solving reference problems are: (1)
repeating the antecedent (as in the prior example); (2) re-arranging
the material to place the referent close to the antecedent; or (3) rearranging the material to eliminate the need for the referent. For
instance, here is another possible solution to the reference problem
above:
The possibility of a bankruptcy was a disaster for the corporate
officers. They had failed to disclose the serious conflicts of interest
caused by their ownership of several of T&J's suppliers.
Problems With Agreement

Here are the most common errors in agreement:
1.
The following indefinite pronouns are singular and take a
singular verb:
anyone
Anyone is welcome.
each
Each is an expert.
either
Either supports the argument.
everyone
Everyone has problems.
neither
Neither sings in tune.
The singular verb is correct even when the indefinite pronoun is

followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural noun:
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Each of these peaceful alternatives was [not "were"] ignored.

Either of the twins is [not "are"] available.
However, the following indefinite pronouns are either singular or
plural, depending on the nouns or pronouns they refer to:
all
any
none
some
For example:
All [singers] are permitted . . . .
All of the money is counted . . . .
None of them are satisfied . . . .
None of the royalty was present . . . .
2.
"The court" is a singular term, taking a singular pronoun:
The court overruled the traditional rule originally announced in

December. It [not "They"] held that . . . .
3.
This same kind of error can slip in when referring to any

institution or business:
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He said that he is very grateful to St. Catherine's Hospital. They

treated him with respect.
The problem sometimes occurs because the writer is avoiding the
awkwardness of attributing a human action to an "it." For instance, in
the St. Catherine's example, the writer is probably avoiding "It treated
him with respect." That problem can usually be solved by changing
the antecedent to the humans who actually performed the action:
He said that he is very grateful to the staff at St. Catherine's Hospital.
They treated him with respect.
4.
Watch for both verb agreement and pronoun agreement when a

singular subject is modified by a phrase or clause containing a
plural noun:
The confidence of several families was [not were] attained.

Each of the groups agrees [not agree] to resolve the problem
peacefully.
Every student who had already taken both courses is [not are]
excused from this requirement.
5.
Use a possessive pronoun before a gerund phrase. A gerund is

an "ing" verb that serves as a noun. The gerund can stand alone
or can begin a gerund phrase, but either way, the word or
phrase functions as a noun:
62
Running is good for you.

Coming to work late can result in disciplinary action.
Since a gerund or gerund phrase functions as a noun, it takes a
possessive pronoun:
We'll go to their house for the party instead of their [not them] coming
to ours.
Lack of Parallelism
Where possible, similar ideas should be expressed in a similar
(parallel) structure and grammatical form. Parallelism makes for
easier reading and clearer meanings. It also improves sentence
rhythm and cuts down on verbiage.
Parallel structure:
Parallelism makes for easier reading and clearer meanings.
"easier reading" and "clearer meanings" are parallel.
Non-parallel structure:
Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or by
deluging the auditors with irrelevant documents.
In the non-parallel example, the writer identifies two situations in
which problems occur; however, the two situations are phrased in
non-parallel structure. A parallel structure would be:
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Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or

when they deluge the auditors with irrelevant documents.
Now that the structure is parallel, extra words can go:
Problems occur when the business conceals relevant documents or
deluge the auditors with irrelevant documents.
Parallel structure is especially important in a list.
When the new commander arrived at the post, he immediately posted
a new list of orders: no leaves were to be granted, and no leniency
was to be given.
Miscellaneous Problems
1.
Use the subjective case for a pronoun that functions as the

subject of an understood verb. The subjective case is the form
the pronoun takes when used as the subject of the sentence
("I," "we," "they"). For example, consider these two sentences:
The corporation's president worked harder than me.

The corporation's president worked harder than I.
Which is correct? The second version is correct, because "I" is the
subject of an understood verb "worked." In other words, the sentence
is actually a shortened version of "The corporation's president worked
harder than I worked."
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This is an easy mistake to make because the correct case may sound
wrong. If so, the best solution is to add the understood verb or to rephrase the sentence completely to avoid the awkwardness.
2.
Use the subjective case for a pronoun that functions as the

complement of a subject. A pronoun is a subjective complement
when it actually equals the subject of the sentence. For
example, consider these two sentences:
The person least anxious after the test was her.

The person least anxious after the test was she.
Which is correct? The second version is correct, because the pronoun
in the predicate, "she," actually equals the subject, "the person least
anxious after the test." In other words, the sentence is like an algebra
equation: The person least anxious after the test = she. In a
sentence like this one, the noun or pronoun in the predicate functions
like the subject of the sentence. The sentence should read the same
as if you turned it around:
She was the person least anxious after the test.
Once again, this is an easy mistake to make because the correct case
may sound wrong. In spoken English we often hear "It's him," or "It's
me."
Again, the best solution may be to reverse the sentence or to
re-phrase the sentence completely to avoid the awkwardness.

3.
Use "try to" and "sure to" rather than "try and" or "sure and."
65
Incorrect:
Ms. Thompson wanted to try and finish the project by
Friday.
Correct:
Ms. Thompson wanted to try to finish the project by
Friday.
Incorrect:
Be sure and pick up the baby from daycare.
Correct:
Be sure to pick up the baby from daycare.
This rule makes sense if you think about it. The proper function of the
word "and" is to connect two different things. Thus, the "and" in the
first sentence should mean that Ms. Thompson wanted to do two
different things, but she didn't; she only wanted to do one thing
finish the project. The same is true for the third sentence. The "and"
seems to tell the reader that the sentence is an instruction to do two
different things, but it isn't. The reader is only to do one thing pick
up the baby.
4.
"Hopefully" is an adverb that explains how someone does

something, as in "She asked hopefully." Often "hopefully" is
misused in this or a similar fashion: "Hopefully the storm will
pass." This use actually asserts that the storms passing will be
full of hope. The writer actually means "I hope that the storm
will pass."
5.
Watch out for one more common error with adverbs: the
difference between "I feel bad" and "I feel badly." In the first
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sentence, the writer is commenting on how she feels, either

physically (perhaps she has the flu) or emotionally (perhaps she
is sad). The first sentence is the proper use of "bad" as an
adjective.
However, the second sentence uses "bad" in its form as an adverb.
The writer is commenting on her ability to feel; perhaps her fingers are
numb. Sometimes writers use the adverbial form "badly" when they
mean "bad," perhaps believing that "badly" sounds more elevated.
6.
Watch for errors in using "myself" instead of using "I" or "me."

"Myself" is used as a reflective pronoun or as a device for
emphasis.
Correct:
I injured myself.
used as a reflective pronoun

Correct:
I will draft the interrogatory answers myself.
used for emphasis

Each time "myself" is used, test the use by asking whether "I" or "me"
could substitute for "myself." If so, using "myself" is incorrect.
Incorrect:
Ms. Alpha and myself will meet you for lunch.
Incorrect:
If you have any questions about this demonstration,

contact Mr. Jones or myself.
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Critical Reasoning
The questions of the Critical Reasoning section typically present an
entire argument within the span of a few sentences. Its your job
to dissect these arguments to find the assumptions that have been
made. It is the flaws within the arguments that are the logical
fallacies, such as the ad hominem fallacy - the attack of an
opponent as opposed to the argument itself).
The majority of the Critical Reasoning passages are between 3 and
4 sentences and will apply to a single question. Most commonly,
the questions will involve flawed arguments, where you must
identify the flaw. Other times, you will need to locate the
conclusion of the valid argument, and again sometimes, youll
experience deductive arguments that are closer to logic games.
The text may be substantially shorter than the Reading
Comprehension section, but it is extremely dense and will require very
careful reading. Most questions contain some sort of error, which will
fall into one of ten error types (including ad hominem or fallacy of
equivocation).
Next you will need to locate and identify the different ways in which
the questions have been phrased. Practice GMAT tests will give you an
extremely substantial advantage when it comes to this portion of the
test, as they will train you to identify the logical error in the question,
and then properly understand the question that is being posed
regarding this error in logic.
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Next youll need to work on your plan of attack; a process that allows
you to work on each question by:
; Identifying the logical error.
; Finding out what the question is asking.
; Choosing the correct answer from the list of choices.
As far as the GMATs are concerned, an argument is defined as a
presentation of facts and opinions with the purpose of supporting a
position. What the GMAT wants to prove, is that you can not only
comprehend the arguments, but can also locate any fallacies that may
occur within the argument; therefore testing your ability to think
logically. Logic, according to the GMAT, is the study of the relationship
that occurs among statements, and not the truth of the statements
themselves. Therefore, if you over-concern yourself by trying to find
the truth, it can be detrimental to your GMAT score.
When you create a good, though inaccurate answer-choice is much
more challenging than producing the correct answer. Hence, only one
attractive wrong answer choice will normally be presented to you. To
those in the know, this little trick is called the Two Out of Five
Rule. What it means to you, is that only two of the five choices
presented to you will have any real merit. So even if you dont
completely understand the argument, you should be able to eliminate
the 3 fluff choices, which dramatically increases your odds of selecting
the correct answer.
The theory behind the GMAT Critical Reasoning section questions is
designed to be answered without any reference to actual formal logic;
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therefore it is a true test of logic and not an understanding of logic as

a study. However, this is not to say that some fundamentals of logic
will not give you an advantage, because an understanding of logic
basics will provide you with definite benefits.
Identifying Premises and Conclusions

The majority of argument questions are centered - either directly or
indirectly - on establishing the conclusion of the argument itself. The
conclusion is defined by the GMAT as the main purpose and idea of the
argument. The conclusion is what the writer of the argument is
attempting to persuade the reader into believing. Often, the
conclusions of an argument are located at the very end; this is
because writers aim to organize facts and opinions so they build-up to
a climax for the arguments ending. Occasionally, however, the
conclusion will be located closer to the beginning; though rarely will
you find it in the middle.
If youre uncertain as to where the argument is specifically located,
you can look for certain words that writers utilize for indication that
the conclusion is about to occur. These conclusion indicators include:
; Hence
; So
; Thus
; Follows that
; Conclude that
; As a result
; Therefore
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; Accordingly
; Consequently
; Shows that
; Implies
; Means
As you determine the scope of the conclusion, take care not to read
further into the conclusion than the author has stated and intended.
Frequently GMAT authors will create wrong answer choices by forming
a slight overstatement or understatement of the passage authors
conclusion. Several words are employed to limit the scope of a
statement; these are called quantifiers and should be carefully
watched for. The following is a list of the most common and important
quantifiers:
; All
; Some
; Only
; Never
; Probably
; Except
; Most
; Could
; Always
; Must
; Likely
; Many
; No
; Everywhere
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; Alone
Once the conclusion has been determined, almost everything else in
the argument will comprise either of premises or noise. The premise
is the portion that offers evidence for the conclusion of the argument.
The premise is the foundation upon which the conclusion is built. To
discover whether or not a particular statement within an argument is a
premise, you must simply ask yourself if it supports the conclusion.
There are many words used by writers that should be considered to be
flags of premises. These premise indicators are:
; Because
; Is evident that
; Since
; In that
; If
; Owing to
; As
; In as much as
; Suppose
; May be derived from
; Assume
Most commonly, an argument is dependent upon either one or more
than one premise which is unstated. This will frequently indicate the
weakness of an argument, as it may be an oversight made by the
writer. More often, though, some premises are left unstated because
there are too many of them, and the writer is assuming that the
reader is aware of these assumptions; or that the writer wishes for the
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audience to include their own premise, so that they will be more likely
to believe and/or agree with the conclusion.
These suppressed premises within an argument are often sought out
within questions on the GMAT. The location of these tacit premises
and assumptions can be quite challenging, though you will have an
advantage with the GMAT, as you will know that the implicit premise is
listed for you as one of the five choices of answer. To test whether or
not a possible answer-choice is the correct one, simply ask yourself
whether or not the answer-choice makes the argument more
believable. If it does, then it is likely to be the underlying premise.
Of course, while presenting a position within an argument, the writer
will not wish to present a counter-argument to their own conclusion;
however, it is often an accepted technique for efficacy to concede
certain negligible points that weaken the argument. This functions to
demonstrate the open-mindedness of the writer, and that the writers
ideas have been well considered. It also works to disarm potential
arguments that might be made against the arguments position. This
type of statement is called a counter-premise, and it, like premises
also have word indicators which will help you in their location. These
words include:
; But
; Admittedly
; Even though
; Nevertheless
; However
; Despite
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; Except
; Nonetheless
; Although
; In spite of the fact
Of course, as you have likely guessed, the writers of the GMAT
passages and questions will frequently use counter-premises for the
purpose of baiting wrong answer choices for selection. These wily
answer-choices are frequently quite tempting, as they refer directly to
a passage within the text, and they are partially true. However, when
selecting your answer, you should ask yourself whether or not it is the
main point that the author is trying to make, or is it merely a slight
matter?
Diagramming Conditional Statements

In reality, the term diagramming itself, is rather a misnomer. After
all, it is extremely rare that you will ever be required to actually draw
a diagram. Instead, you will represent the arguments symbolically.
Almost every argument is based on one variation or another of an ifthen statement. However, the if-then is not always obvious, as it may
be embedded within other similar structures.
The following is an explanation of the principles of an if-then
statement:
The premise of an if-then statement is that if the statement is true,
then the conclusion must also be true. This is the typical, defining
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feature of a conditional statement; you may illustrate it in the form of

a diagram like this:
AB
A
Therefore, B
To explain this diagram, it works as follows. The if-then statement
itself is contained in AB, where the affirmed premise is A, and the
obligatory conclusion is B. This may seem very simple, but simply
laying it out in this fashion can be extremely helpful in demonstrating
the logical structure within a given argument.
Please consider this example:
If Ashley doesnt study for the GMAT examination, then a good score
will not be achieved. Ashley will not study for the GMAT, and therefore
a poor score will be achieved.
When symbolizing an argument, a letter represents one element of
the argument. This could be an entire sentence, or simply a phrase
or a clause. For the preceding example, the clause Ashley will not
study for the GMAT can be represented with C, and a poor score
will be achieved, can be symbolized with a D. By substituting
these symbols for the statement of argument, the following
diagram will occur:
CD
C
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Therefore, D
What this demonstrates, is that the argument includes a valid ifthen structure. The conditional statement is illustrated with CD,
with its premise affirmed as C, and the obligatory conclusion D then
stated.
However, the if-then statement is not always obvious, as the if-then
thought is frequently embedded within other structures of the
argument. This will require you to learn to spot these structures.
Here is an example of an embedded if-then statement:
Amy will be accepted to business school only if she does well on her
GMAT.
At first glance, this statement does not appear to contain a
standard if-then statement, but essentially, it says that if Amy is
accepted to business school then she must have done well on her
GMAT. Be very careful with this type of embedded statement. This
statement does not mean that if Amy does well on her GMAT, she
will be accepted to business school. The original statement does
not make such a guarantee. It only says that if she does not do
well on the GMAT, then she will not be accepted to a business
school. This is an extremely common mistake among students.
To create the diagram, take your re-written argument, which
demonstrates the if-then statement, if Amy is accepted to business
school, then she must have done well on her GMAT. The clause if
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Amy is accepted to business school, can be replaced with the term

E, and the clause then she must have done well on her GMAT
can be substituted with F. Therefore:
EF
E
Therefore, F
Keep in mind that an if-then statement will tell you only two things:
1. If A is true, then B is also true
2. If B is false, then A is also false (contra-positive)
If, however, we know that the conclusion is true, the if-then says
nothing with regards to the premise. Moreover, if we know that the
premise is false, the if-then statement says nothing with regards to
the conclusion.
Classification
The bulk of the arguments that you will see on the GMAT will be
inductive. Therefore, the understanding of inductive statements is
a natural part of your preparation process. Here you will learn to
classify and understand the major types of inductive arguments.
An argument can only be deductive if its conclusion follows from its
premises - in any other case, it is an inductive argument. Within an
inductive argument, its writer presents the premises as evidence or
reasons for the accuracy of the conclusion. The validity of an
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inductive arguments conclusion depends wholly on how convincing

the premises are.
Unlike deductive arguments, where the conclusion is relatively easy
to locate, an inductive arguments conclusion is never quite certain.
In fact, the truth of the conclusion of an inductive argument can
range from being highly likely to highly unlikely. Naturally, within a
reasonable argument, the conclusion is likely. However, within
fallacious arguments, the conclusion is bound to be improbable. To
be prepared for the GMAT, you will need to be able to recognize
both reasonable and fallacious arguments.
To begin, there are 3 major types of inductive reasoning:
1. Generalization
2. Analogy
3. Casual
Each of these types of inductive reasoning has their own strengths,
though they also have associated fallacies. Hence, it is beneficial to
you to be able to classify the type of reasoning within an inductive
argument, to more easily allow you to recognize the type of fallacy
you may find within.
Generalization and analogy are the primary tools with which we
amass knowledge and analyze this knowledge within our world. In
fact, generalization itself is often referred to as inductive
reasoning, as it associated with the term to generalize. This,
unfortunately, carries a negative connotation in terms of effective
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argument, though in reality, argument by generalization is neither

inherently good nor is it bad. The validity of a generalization is
dependent upon the context of its argument, and the likelihood of
the accuracy of the conclusion; and the less comprehensive a
conclusion is, the more likely it is to be a valid conclusion.
Please consider the following example:
During the late seventies when Japan was rapidly expanding its
share of the American auto market, GM surveyed owners of GM
cars and asked them whether they would be more willing to buy
a large, powerful car or a small, economical car. Seventy percent
of those who responded said that they would prefer a large car.
On the basis of this survey, GM decided to continue building
large cars. Yet during the '80s, GM lost even more of the market
to the Japanese.
Which one of the following, if it were determined to be true,
would best explain this discrepancy?
A) Only 10 percent of those who were polled replied.
B) Ford which conducted a similar survey with similar results
continued to build large cars and also lost more of their market
to the Japanese.
C) The surveyed owners who preferred big cars also preferred
big homes.
D) GM determined that it would be more profitable to make big
cars.
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E) Eighty percent of the owners who wanted big cars and only 40
percent of the owners who wanted small cars replied to the
survey.
The argument makes a generalization from the survey with
regards to the general car-buying population; hence, the
reliability of the prediction is dependent upon the
representativeness of the sample.
At first, the choice (A) seems like the obvious answer, as 10%
does seem like a large enough amount. However, political
opinion polls are, on average, based only upon 0.001% of the
population. Even more important is the fact that we dont know
what percentage of GM vehicle owners actually received the
survey.
Option (B) states simply that Ford has erred in the same way as
GM.
Choice (C) is entirely irrelevant.
Option (D) doesnt explain the discrepancy, but rather provides
even more of a reason for GM to continue its production of large
cars
Selection (E) demonstrates that part of the survey did not
represent the entire public.
Therefore, the correct answer is (E).
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The next classification of inductive reasoning is analogy, where a

claim is made, stating that as two things are similar in some
respects, they will also be similar in other respects. The nature
of this classification makes it so that the greater the similarity
between the two factors of comparison, the stronger the
argument. Additionally, the less ambitions the conclusion is, the
stronger the argument. The argument will be weakened,
however, if dissimilarities are illustrated.
Just as the fishing line becomes too taut, so too the trials and
tribulations of life in the city can become so stressful that one's
mind can snap.
Which one of the following most closely parallels the reasoning
used in the argument above?
A) Just as the bow may be drawn too taut, so too may one's life
be wasted pursuing self-gratification.
B) Just as a gambler's fortunes change unpredictably, so too do
one's career opportunities come unexpectedly.
C) Just as a plant can be killed by over watering it, so too can
drinking too much water lead to lethargy.
D) Just as the engine may race too quickly, so too may life in the
fast lane lead to an early death.
E) Just as an actor may become stressed before a performance, so
too may dwelling on the negative cause depression.
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The argument is making a comparison of the tautness of fishing lines

with the stress in city life. The conclusion states that the mind can
snap in a similar way to a fishing line. Thus, you are seeking an
answer-choice that makes a comparison between these two things,
while drawing a conclusion based on their similarity. You will look for
an argument that utilizes similar reasoning, though not necessarily
concepts that are similar. In fact, you should probably be suspicious
of any answer-choice that utilizes the words tautness or stress, as they
will likely be baited same-language traps.
The choice (A) utilizes the same-language, baited trap too taut.
Additionally, the analogy between the taut bow and self-gratification is
a weak one, if even existent at all.
Option (B) presents a good analogy, however it hasnt a conclusion.
Answer-choice (C) proffers both a good analogy and a good
conclusion; although the conclusion leads to lethargy, is an
understatement of the scope of the analogys implication.
Selection (D) gives a strong analogy and a strong conclusion. The
same scope as the original is also utilized as: The engine blows, the
person dies, similar to The line snaps, the mind snaps. This is a
very probable selection for the best answer, though you should still
examine every answer choice to see if a better option presents itself.
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Option (E) uses language from the original text, stressful, making it
an obvious candidate as a same-language, baited trap. This trap has
been used to make the weak analogy more tempting.
Thus, the best answer is (D).
Of all three classifications of inductive reasoning, causal reasoning is
the most prone to fallacy and is the weakest overall. Nevertheless, it
is still a common method of thought. Arguments of causation make
claims that one thing causes another. A causal argument does have
the potential to be a strong one, but it all depends on the context.
There are two primary fallacies that are associated with causal
reasoning.
The confusing of correlation with causation - This fallacy can be

represented by stating that A caused B, because A occurred
immediately before B. This is clearly a questionable line of
reasoning, as the fact that A and B occurred together could have
been simple coincidence.
The confusing of necessary conditions with sufficient conditions This fallacy can be demonstrated with the belief that as A is
sufficient for B, then B cannot occur without A. In fact, while A
does cause B to occur, B can still occur without A.
Seven Common Fallacies

There are seven fallacies that are common to all three classifications of
inductive argument. These common fallacies are:
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Contradiction
Equivocation
Circular reasoning
Shifting the burden of proof
Unwarranted assumptions
Appeal to authority
Personal attack
A contradiction occurs when two opposing statements have been

asserted simultaneously. However, the arguer will typically attempt to
obscure the point of contradictions to make the argument more
compelling.
Equivocation takes place when the writer of the argument utilizes a
single word in more than one sense within the same argument. This is
a common technique among public speakers and politicians who are
seeking to maintain an out for themselves. This means that should
someone object to a particular statement, the arguer is simply able to
change the claim to the other meaning that is not under question.
Circular reasoning means that the arguer utilizes assumption as a
premise for the conclusion that is being made. Intuitively, it appears
as though no one would fall for an argument of this nature; however,
the conclusions within circular reasoning will frequently make an
additional statement, or an argument may be so entirely long and
drawn out that the reader of the argument can forget that the
conclusion was stated as premise.
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Shifting the burden of proof is a natural instinct for a writer who

struggles with proof. It is, however, the responsibility of the arguer to
provide the evidence in support of the position of the argument. This
makes the implication that a particular position is true simply because
it has not been disproved by anyone else.
Unwarranted assumptions are the fallacy committed when an
arguments conclusion is based on either an implicit or explicit
premise that is false or unwarranted. An assumption is
unwarranted when it is a false assumption these premises are
usually suppressed or written in a vague way so that they do not
receive as much notice or weight. Assumptions are also
unwarranted when they are true and yet do not apply within the
context of the argument. These are usually explicit premises.
An appeal to authority occurs when an experts opinion has been
cited as support for the arguers opinion. Though this method may
not necessarily be fallacious, it does risk being so for a number of
reasons. Obviously, the reasonableness of the argument that cites
an authority is dependent upon the expertise of that particular
authority, and whether this person is an expert in the relevant field
of the argument.
A personal attack, also know as ad hominem is simply a challenge
of the persons character instead of the opinions being stated.
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Analytical Writing Test

The Analytical Writing Assessment of the GMAT is designed as a direct
measure of your ability to think critically and to communicate your
ideas. It consists of two 30-minute writing tasks: Analysis of an Issue
and Analysis of an Argument.
The issue and argument that you will find on the test concern topics of
general interest related to business or a variety of other subjects. A
specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary. Only your
capacity to write analytically is assessed.
Analysis of an Issue
For the Analysis of an Issue section, you will need to analyze the issue
presented and explain your point of view on the subject. There is no
correct answer. Instead, you should consider various perspectives. Use
relevant reasons and/or examples drawn from your experience,
observations, or reading to develop your own position on the issue.
What Is Measured
The Analysis of an Issue tests your ability to explore the complexities
of an issue or opinion and, if appropriate, to take a position that is
informed by your understanding.
Analysis of an Argument
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For the Analysis of an Argument section, you will need to analyze the
reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that
argument. You are not being asked to present your own views on the
subject.
Consider the following when developing your essay:
-what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the
argument
-what alternative explanations or counter-examples might weaken the
conclusion
-what sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument
What Is Measured
The Analysis of an Argument tests your ability to formulate an
appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion based on
a specific line of thinking.
You need to know that in evaluating your essays, readers are looking
for your essay to be well organized and properly developed. All of the
main ideas should be clearly outlined and explained. They should be
error free and contain a variety of examples and reasoning to explain
your ideas.
Planning Stage
You should spend a few minutes planning and jotting down a few quick
notes. Consider the position you are taking, determine a few good
reasons for making your choice, some evidence or explanation that
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support the choice, some effective details you might include, and what
order you should use to effectively present your points.
Sticking to the Plan

You should spend the bulk of your time writing your essay. Refer back
to your plan, remembering that the topic requires you to make a
choice or take a position, and explain your reasoning in some detail.
You should also consider the criterion specified so that your essay is
convincing to the addressed audience. Make sure that the language
you choose communicates your ideas clearly and appropriately.
Reviewing the Plan

You should spend a few minutes reviewing your writing, adding or
removing as necessary and making any changes needed to enhance
clarity.
You should make clear the answer and angle you will choose for your
essay, offering a few good reasons for your choice and explaining your
reasoning in some detail. As you explain the reasons for your choice,
you should develop explanations for each, including such things as
evidence, examples, or observations.
Brainstorming Smart
Brainstorming is a process of directing your mind toward idea
generation.
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Every book on essays will advise you to brainstorm. Its a method

proven to be successful for several reasons. This is the point at which
different writers will begin to disagree about how to brainstorm.
The method of brainstorming that is recommended here is two-tier.
First you have to brainstorm about what you are going to write about.
You want to determine what is going to be the focus of your essay.
Example:
Sample topic: If you could change one thing about yourself, what
would it be? Discuss why.
Example Brainstorming Level 1: What should I write about?
Intelligence, looks, personality, wealth, family, friends, time, fame,
etc.
Your first impulse, and honest reaction, might be to respond with
something such as making yourself more beautiful, more intelligent, or
more popular. But remember that you want to be able to write at
length about this topic. If you choose an answer that while truthful,
may sound shallow to an essay reader, such as to become more
beautiful and better looking, then you probably wont win any points
with the reader.
Dont automatically go with your first impulse. The scorer is not giving
points for essays that are the most honest, but for essays that are the
best written. A well-written essay needs substantial support to explain
the reasoning behind your choice.
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A choice such as more intelligence could sound shallow, but with a

little creativity, you can turn this into an excellent essay. Instead of
stating that you want to be more intelligent in order to get better
grades, use deeper reasoning. Explain what you would do with that
added intelligence. Give examples of how your side research into
molecular biology and genetics would be greatly improved with added
intelligence and enable you to have a greater chance at your goal of
contributing to finding a cure for cancer or diabetes.
If you choose more popularity as your topic, you could discuss how
you would use your popularity in order to persuade more people to
support your humanitarian causes and to be a positive role model for
others.
After youve decided which topic you are going to write about, then
you should begin the second wave of brainstorming, which will be
about what you want to discuss about your chosen topic, which
examples you want to use and which observations you hope to
present.
Example Brainstorming Level 2: Youve chosen to write about having
more free time. Now you brainstorm about what you should say to
support that choice.
spend more time with friends and family, work at a local homeless
shelter, write a novel, open a new business, adopt some children,
enjoy your hobbies, etc.
You have to have a proper balance at each level. If you spent too
much time at brainstorming level 1, then you wont have time to
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decide on what you want to use as examples in level 2. But if you

spend too little time at brainstorming level 1, then you may not come
up with a really good topic to use for your essay. A good strategy is to
practice using this two level brainstorming process until you get
comfortable with using it and quickly generating lots of ideas.
Making the Cuts

Once youve finished the brainstorming level 2 process, you should
look over the supporting ideas you hope to use and the examples
youve written down from the brainstorming process. Look back over
the ideas and see which ones look the best. Which ones could you
write the most about and would give you the most sound reasoning
and logic to back up your initial decision of what to write about?
Make mental notes about which supporting ideas from brainstorming
level 2 you hope to use, because those will be the ones that will
comprise your successive body paragraphs.
Your goal is to hit the high notes. Pick the best ideas youve
developed and write about those. You only need 3-5 good ideas to
write about and may have a loss of focus if you try to write about
more than a few important supporting topics.
Ending at the Start

Many essay writers will start off by writing their introductory
paragraph, along with the main ideas and supporting ideas that will be
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used, and then force fit the essay into the guidelines that they have
predetermined for their essay.
The problem with this is that many of the best ideas will occur to a
writer while writing the essay. Rather than immediately jumping into
writing your introductory paragraph, take the brainstorming ideas that
youve developed and begin writing your essay, by expanding on each
of the supporting ideas that youve chosen and writing your body
paragraphs first.
As you write your body paragraphs, new ideas may occur to you that
you would prefer to use. Rather than having to go back and make
changes to your introductory paragraph, since you havent written it
yet, you can just adopt the new ideas as you write and incorporate
them into your body paragraphs.
When youre finished writing your body paragraphs, which should each
include at least one primary supporting idea, then you can go back and
write your introductory paragraph and make sure that it matches up
with each of your body paragraphs and covers the overall topic you
are discussing.
Additionally, dont make the mistake of writing too much in your
introductory paragraph. The introduction is not where you explain
your reasoning. Save your logic for the body paragraphs, and only use
the introductory paragraph in order to briefly outline what you are
going to discuss. Brevity is better than wordiness in an introduction.
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Staying Consistent
A lot of writers write their introductory paragraph, then their body
paragraphs, and then their conclusion at the end. The problem with
this is that often the whole focus of the essay may have morphed as
the writer wrote the essay and the conclusion seems to have a
completely different focus than the introduction and the body
paragraphs seem to lead take the reader through a tortuous path that
changes course with every sentence.
It is vitally important that the introductory and concluding paragraphs
are consistent with each other and that the body paragraphs match
the introduction and conclusion. You want your paper to be consistent
throughout.
Writing your introduction at the end, after youve written your body
paragraphs, and then following it with your conclusion will be a huge
help in maintaining the consistency, but always look back over your
essay when youre finished and make sure that the essay keeps the
same focus all the way through.
Maintaining the Flow

Part of maintaining consistency in your essay is the proper use of
transition words while youre writing. Use transition words to maintain
the essays flow. Transition words such as first, second, third, finally,
also, additionally, in conclusion, in summary, and furthermore all give
the reader an understanding of how the paragraphs flow together.
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Example:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Paragraph 2: First of all,
Paragraph 3: Secondly,
Paragraph 4: Finally,
Paragraph 5: In summary,
Backing up Your Points

If you make a point or statement in your essay, make sure that you
back it up with clear examples from your personal experience or
observation. Dont let your points remain unsupported, but ensure
that they are provided with some back up substance.
Example: You make the statement, Renovating older downtowns can
be expensive, but is definitely a worthwhile endeavor.
While many readers may agree with this statement, it shouldnt be
made without backup support:
Consider the following as backup for that example statement: My own
hometown created a ten year plan to renovate their downtown area. A
higher sales tax was passed in order to pay for the renovation, which
ultimately cost $1 million dollars. But once it was finished, the sales
tax was removed and the antique shops, which now fill much of the
downtown, attract tourists and collectors from hundreds of miles away.
The downtown is now completely self-supporting and is a constant
source of both pride and new tax revenue to the towns residents.
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Using Proper Grammar

Remember that this essay is your chance to write and make yourself
look good and well educated. It is not a test of your knowledge of
grammar rules. You dont have to demonstrate knowledge of every
nuance of grammar. Therefore, if you find yourself wondering whether
a given phrase should have commas around it or not, rewrite the
phrase such that youre confident it doesnt need commas or does
need commas. There is no need to have any punctuation in your
essay that you are only 50% confident of being correct and conforming
to the rules of grammar.
Example: You write, Each of us must choose which path to take in
life, whether to strive for improvement, or to settle in to their
surroundings.
You arent sure whether you need a comma or a colon after the phrase
to take in life in the preceding sentence.
Simply rewrite the sentence until you are confident in how it is
phrased. Change it to something such as:
There are two paths: strive for improvement, or settle into
surroundings.
At this point you know you are using the colon properly, and so you
can feel free to move on in your essay without fear of having made a
grammar mistake.
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Watching Your Vocabulary

Many essay writers feel that they have to impress the reader with the
vocabulary that they have at their disposal. While a good vocabulary
can be impressive, and the right word used at the right time can make
an essay appear much more professional, they should only be used
with caution.
Often a big vocabulary word will be used out of context and it will have
the reverse effect. Rather than looking impressive, a vocabulary word
used improperly will detract from the essay. So, if you think of a word
that you dont commonly use, only use it if you are absolutely positive
of its meaning and are sure that you are using it at the right place.
Most of the time, you will be safer by sticking with words you are
familiar with and accustomed to using.
Avoiding Tunnel Vision

Remember that the goal of your essay is to properly cover a topic and
write an essay that is somewhat exhaustive in showing every angle
and perspective. A lot of writers get tunnel vision. One particular
angle occurs to them as the most important and they hammer away at
that angle of the topic throughout the entire essay.
Discussing the same angle of a topic at length is considered essay
depth. Discussing different angles of the same topic is considered
essay breadth. Your goal is to have greater breadth than depth. This
isnt a 20-page thesis written on a specific, obscure topic.
Your topics
will be fairly generic and broad-based and should have lots of different
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angles to consider and write about. You want to touch on as many

different angles as you can, while still providing supporting backup for
each statement you make.
Dont get stuck in a rut with tunnel vision. Be sure you are spending
proper amounts of time on each angle you intend to discuss and not
spend the entire essay writing about the same angle.
Example: The topic is whether or not athletics represents too much a
part of todays academic institutions, and you intend to take the side
that athletics is not too much of a part.
Your main angle is that an education is far more than simply
academics and that athletics programs foster a richer, more diverse
education. However, dont get stuck talking about that one angle.
Consider writing about how athletic programs create ties to the
community that academics does not. Discuss how athletic programs
also encourage donations that benefit academics, as well as athletics.
Always try to consider multiple angles and avoid getting tunnel vision.
Just Do It
Some writers will begin their essay by rephrasing the question and
talking about the different possibilities. Rather than stating what
youre going to do: just do it.
Dont use the introduction as a chance to expose your mental
ramblings. The introduction should be concise and to the point.
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Example Bad introduction: In this essay, I am going to discuss the

thing that I consider to be the most important quality in an individual.
It was a difficult decision to make, because there were so many
qualities to choose from. Good looks is only skin deep, but
intelligence, character, and personality run much deeper. I think the
one that is most important is character. Character is the most
important because it defines a person, exposes their true nature, and
provides strength to overcome any obstacle.
Example Good introduction: While every characteristic in an
individual is important, one stands alone: character. Character defines
individuals, and exposes their true nature. When obstacles arise,
character provides the strength to overcome them.
Notice how this second example is clear, concise, and does not ramble
on about the decision or ideas that are occurring to the writer.
Conclusion is Review
A conclusion is just that: a conclusion. It wraps everything that youve
written thus far up into a neat summary paragraph. This is not the
time to begin introducing new arguments and new reasoning. You
want to make sure that you are quickly and concisely reviewing what
youve written and have a solid ending in which you come across as
having proved your point, and made your case effectively.
So, when youre ready to begin your conclusion, make sure that
youve flushed out all the new angles you want to cover. Then go back
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over what youre written and tie it all together at the end, hitting
briefly on all the angles that youve discussed.
Additionally, a conclusion is not an apology. You should never
apologize for not knowing more or writing more. End your essay with
purpose and definitively summarize what you have stated.
Communicating Reason, not Passion

The readers that read and score your essay are not looking for
passionate essays that are full of hot air and lacking in reason. They
are interested in well thought out essays that communicate reasonable
arguments and logic, backed up by sound examples and observations.
If the topic you choose is one that you are passionate about, make
sure that you present more than just heated emotion, but also cool
logic.
Example: The topic is about school uniforms, and you are passionately
opposed.
Rather than writing, School uniforms is a stupid idea, and will never
work, try writing, School uniforms have been an admitted failure by
their original sponsors in all three implementation efforts during the
last decade.
The first statement may be full of passion, but clearly lacks reason,
while the second statement contains solid facts as examples.
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Answering the Why?

While its important that you communicate reason, misguided reason is
ineffective. Always make sure that the examples you are providing
and the reasoning you are using is being directed at answering the
topic question.
Flawless logic that doesnt answer the question and doesnt contribute
to the point youre trying to make is completely useless. As you think
of main ideas and supporting ideas to use, take a few seconds and
confirm that they will adequately answer the topic and veer off down a
tangent that is not directly related.
Example: The topic is about what was the most important thing you
have ever learned in school and asks you to discuss why.
Your answer is a quest for knowledge. Your supporting ideas include
having been forced to work on large projects and do exhaustive
research into topics that you normally wouldnt read about, which
expanded your mind.
A tangent that you would not want to pursue might be to provide
statistics on how many hours you worked on a research paper in
elementary school. While factual, those facts do not help answer why
a quest for knowledge is the most important thing you have ever
learned in school.
Make sure that the facts and reasons you are stating directly help you
in your goal of answering the topic question.
100
Getting Ready For Test Day

Youre all set to take your GMAT! Now here are a few things to
remember for test day:
Get there early. Know exactly where the test will be held and how you
will get yourself there. Pay attention to traffic reports so that you can
compensate for any unexpected issues on the road. Leaving early will
mean that youll be more relaxed; red traffic lights wont raise your
stress level, and you wont be pulled over by the first officer who has
to fill his speeding ticket quota. And most importantly, youll have
time to use the rest room.
If youve got butterflies in your stomach, feed them! Youve already
done all the practice tests you can do, and youve had a good nights
sleep. Now its time to get a good, healthy breakfast - though it is
wise not to overeat. Your body and mind will need the energy; plus
its distracting to listen to your stomach growl.
Give yourself a massage! Rub your head, neck and shoulders. Place
your hand over your heart while taking a very slow, deep breath.
Stay on track. Remember, you dont want to rush, you only want to
perform in a timely manner. Although there are time restrictions, if
you misread direction, accidentally fill in the wrong answer-choice, or
think illogically due to rushing, it wont be worth all the time you save.
Remember, haste makes waste! Also, keep in mind that incorrect
answers dont count against you, so you can always guess at any
answers that you are unsure of. Remember, an educated guess is
101
better than no guess at all! Moving through a test methodically and

efficiently will likely mean that youll have more time at the end than if
you were to rush and stumble, or dawdle over questions that youre
struggling with.
Most importantly (at least to your sanity), remember that once its
over, its over. Clear your mind of it, because you did your best. Go
treat yourself to a hot chocolate or an ice cream cone, catch a movie
with some friends and relax!
102
Post GMAT
After the GMAT, when youve had the time to rest and relax from the
stress you put your brain through, take the time to critically evaluate
your test performance. This will help you gain valuable insight into
how you performed, what sort of score you should be expecting (and
therefore what schools will be within your scope for application) and
the sort of mindset youll be expected to utilize when youre actually in
graduate school.
Remember, this is neither an opportunity to over-inflate your ego, nor
to put yourself down. The main idea is to make your self-evaluation
objective and critical, so that you will achieve an accurate view of how
things will pan out.
This doesnt mean that you should begin a session of if only Id or
I shouldnt have This will only depress you. The point of this
exercise is to keep you grounded, open minded and optimistic.
Soon enough, youll receive your score, and the applications will start
rolling out. Make it an organized procedure, keeping as prepared and
informed as you were with your GMAT, and this will only lead to a
bright, successful graduate career in your future!
103

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