Pointers on the GMAT

If any of my friends ever take the GMAt in future, here are some things I learnt during the studying and exam process that I didn’t read in any book. Treat this as the add-on package to what you read in the GMAT guides:

1.) Spend some time on the GMAT website, mba.com. You’ll find some useful things there, such as 2 free sample CAT tests and the full list of questions from which they choose the analytical writing questions. I didn’t know about these until I ran into my friend a week before my actual test. Luckily for me I had enough time to go through the material on the website.

2.) Go for at least one full practice run of the exam, preferably during the exact same times.Tehe sample test on the mba.com site is good. It looks exactly like the actual test. This way, you’ll know whether you have the stamina to last through the 4 hours, and whether you need to bring any coffee or food for consumption during the break. I brought in a can of coffee and a Milo bar. they not only rejuvenated me, but also gave me something to chew on during the 10 minute breaks.

3.) I know I said that the sample test on mba.com is good for a trial run, but it is not entirely realistic either. During my actual exam, the question difficulty in the math section scaled up much more quickly than that during my practice exam. I ended up spending more time than I planned for on the earlier questions, leaving me with very little time on the later part. 15 minutes for 15 questions is crazy stressful. You’ve been warned.

4.) The Verbal component seems to take up a higher component when computing your final score. I scored above average for the math component (48, 84th percentile), and crazy high for the verbal component (45, 98th percentile), and my final score was crazy high (750, 98th percentile). I guess if you wanna improve your overall score, its a good thing to start with the verbal portion.

5.) In Singapore, only passports are allowed for identification purposes. ICs and driving licenses are not accepted. And the only thing you are allowed to bring in to the testing area is your passport and locker key. You’re not even allowed tissue paper or jackets. They are damn strict about it.

Well. Hope this helps! Ask me lar if you need to know anything else. =)

Things have turned out pretty alright after all. I’ve lots of things to be glad about this week.

The first is i managed to get a more decent timetable after all. Now my weeks are going to look like this:

BMO6001 Seminar in Organization Behavior Tues 9-12

IT1004 Introduction to E Commerce Wed 2pm-4pm

BSP4513 Econometrics: Theory and Practical Business Application Thurs 9-12

Yes there’s a level 6 module in there. I’m doing this in addition to a USP ISM, my honors thesis, and university applications. The only drawback to this schedule is I have 2 early days, but that helps me get started earlier during the day anyway.

Yes, I’m applying for graduate school. The second thing I’m happy about is my score for the GMAT exam that I took on Wednesday. I received a score of 750, which places me in the 98th percentile of all people who have taken the test. I am feeling irrationally superior right now ha.

The third is finally participating in rag, an event held annually in NUS where the different faculties and halls build floats and give a performance in conjunction with National Day. My USP friends have been badgering me for 4 years, and I finally chipped in my share this year. I’ve made many new friends and strengthened old bonds, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself, although i still hate the many late nights. Oh well. Its over now, just like how the army is over ha.

For some weird reason, I’m really looking forward to the year ahead. I’m anticipating lots of fun, lots of hard work, and immense satisfaction. I’m teetering on the edge of a first class honors, but i don’t feel that much pressure. I hope my bliss lasts.

Does the tempura ala carte have a set meal?
- Anonymous

Now my daily routine involves waking up, reading a couple of pages of a book (currently SImplicity by Edward De Bono), checking mail and chatting online, writing random posts online and doing one or two GMAT exams. Oh and the occasional outing with friends. Now I just need to squeeze in the research I’m supposed to do, and some exercise too. I guess that’ll happen after I clear the GMAT exam that seems to be taking over my life right now. For the record, I need to get over 700/800 to secure relatively “safe” passage into a PhD program, and I have slightly more than a week left. And I’ve not practiced essay writing yet!

Stress.

Maybe I need to believe I’m brilliant to reduce my anxiety.

Or maybe I just need to practice more.

Such a bad time to start blogging again. Revealing my weaknesses and insecurities to the world.

Back to work.