10 Steps to Better Scores

1. 10 Steps to Better Scores #phdnov13 PhD Project Annual Conference 2013

2. Bell Curves Partners with public schools, universities, NPOs, and CBOs.

3.  Steps for your best GMAT and GRE

4.  Know How The Tests Are Used Studying for the GMAT was a long and often a trying journey for me. I see why people say that the key to success is consistency and perseverance. One-on-one tutoring helped me to hone in on gaps in both my knowledge and test taking strategy. - Eskedar G.

5. Admission Criteria GMAT, GPA, and work experience as well as interview and essays.

6. GMAT scores International average score is 540. Average for top programs may be much higher.

7. GRE scores International average score is 150 in quant and 151 in verbal.

8. *GRE scores are given as sum of quant and verbal scores

9.  Know the Format and Procedures Need a quote need a quote - Eskedar G.

10. Computer Adaptive Testing CAT tests are different in scoring, format, and feel than paper tests.

11. GMAT Structure These tests are standardized in content, format, and order. The GMAT was revised 2012

12. GRE Structure The GRE sometimes includes an experimental section. The GRE was revised in 2011

13. Verbal Skills Tested Some similar, some different.

14. Quant Skills Tested The same skills in different ways.

15. Build Your Knowledge Base  Need a quote need a quote - Eskedar G.

16. Knowledge • Rules and formulas • Terms, definitions, and jargon • Typical patterns of reasoning

17. Sentence Correction • SC knowledge means knowing what grammar rules are likely to be tested and how. Most commonly tested rules are: • Proper use of modifying phrases • Pronoun agreement and clarity • Parallel construction of lists and comparisons • Verb tense and agreement • Correct usage of idiom

18. Sentence Corrections Require you to apply your grammar knowledge. Balding is much less common among African American and Hispanic males than White males. (A) than (B) than among (C) than are (D) compared to (E) in comparison with

19. Sentence Corrections Unlike school you never know the topic being tested in advance. • Spanning more than 20 years, Tupac Shakur began his career in the “party” rap group Digital Underground as a “hypeman” and finished with him as arguably the best “gangsta” rapper of all time, earning 2 Grammies and numerous other awards. • Shakur began his career in the “party” rap group Digital Underground as • (B) Shakur had begun his career with the “party” rap group Digital Underground of being • (C) Shakur’s career began in the “party” rap group Digital Underground as • (D) Shakur’s career had began in the “party” rap group Digital Underground with being • (E) Shakur’s career began with being in the “party” rap group Digital Underground as

20.  Learn to Apply Your Knowledge “After 9 weeks of the Bell Curves method, I increased my score 150 points to a 660.  The only thing more fulfilling than raising my score was the feeling that throughout the program I felt like I was studying smarter not harder than before.”  Darryl D

21. Exponents Rule Preparing for standardized tests mean know the rules and typical mistakes. What is the value of 314 + 314 + 314 ? (A) 342 (B) 321 (C) 317 (D) 315 (E) 314

22. Column AColumn B 3(317) 317 + 317 (A) The quantity in Column A is greater. (B) The quantity in Column B is greater. (C) The two quantities are equal. (D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. GRE Quantitative Comparison GRE quantitative comparison questions require you to compare given quantities. …in ways you’ve never seen

23. Improve Your Recognition 

24. Recognition The GMAT tests things you should know in ways you’ve never seen them and don’t expect.

25. Column AColumn B The product of the distinct The sum of the distinct factors of prime number x factors of prime number x (A) The quantity in Column A is greater. (B) The quantity in Column B is greater. (C) The two quantities are equal. (D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. GRE Quantitative Comparison GRE quantitative comparison questions require you to compare given quantities. …in ways you’ve never seen

26. If x and z are positive integers, is x divisible by any integer other than 1 and x? • (1) x = 2z + 1 • (2) x < 4 • Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient. • Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient. • Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient. • Each statement ALONE is sufficient. • (E) Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient. Data Sufficiency Recognizing what’s being tested is the first step to solving data sufficiency. …test quantitative reasoning

27. Develop Strategies  “I was accepted into Wharton, Chicago, and NYU. … I hope that I serve as example that the GMAT can be beaten -- although it took me multiple tries :-)” OS, 150 pt. improvement - 680

28. Effective Strategies… Take advantage of test tendencies Offer increased accuracy or efficiency  Are tried and true  Are not limited to guessing

29. Common Patterns Recognizing common patterns can improve reduce work and improve guesses. c a b The triangular region, with sides a, b and c, is a portion of the square above. If the shaded region is 54 square feet and b -a = 3, what is the value of c ? (A) (B) (C) 9 (D) 12 (E) 16

30. Plugging in Good strategies take advantage of the test format. Which of the following is equal to 50% of positive integer x? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

31. x is an integer greater than 1 Column A 5x+ 1 Column B 6x (A) The quantity in Column A is greater. (B) The quantity in Column B is greater. (C) The two quantities are equal. (D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given. GRE Quantitative Comparison Plugging in on requires that you plug in different types of numbers. …in ways you’ve never seen

32.  Perfect Your Execution After reviewing my work from just 1 practice test, he was able to identify my weaknesses and repeated mistakes. Ajani was super patient with me and never made me feel like the idiot I was making myself out to be. Even with my stupidest mistakes, he would find a takeaway point from it…AMAZING! One of my biggest hurdles was my fear of the exam; working with Ajani and practicing on my own with the BC material really helped overcome this fear and I walked into the exam feeling confident…for the most part. Crystal F.

33. Execution Perfect your execution under pressure.

34. On a number line x < 0 < y < z and the distance from x to 0 is equal to both the distance from y to zero and the distance from y to z. Which of the following statements about the numbers x, y, and z must be true? Indicate all such statements. xyz < 0 x + y = 2z z(y – x) > 0 A B C Multi-select Multiple Choice The GRE has included problems with multiple answers in math as well. …in ways you’ve never seen

35. Like Cordozar Calvin Broadus, the music of Christopher Wallace is honest, biographical, and complex – combining street vernacular with complex syntactic riffs. • Like Cordozar Calvin Broadus, the music of Christopher Wallace • (B) Like Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Christopher Wallace’s music • (C) Like Cordozar Calvin Broadus’, Christopher Wallace’s music • (D) As with Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Christopher Wallace’s music • (E) As is Cordozar Calvin Broadus’, the music of Christopher Wallace

36. Practice Effectively  “Bell Curves taught me the basic math and the tricks to solve the tough problems.  However, most importantly, Bell Curves gave me the CONFIDENCE I needed to succeed.”  RR, 190 pt. improvement

37. Create a Plan  Thank you so much! I feel like I have a game plan. The ten pages I did on perms and combs from the Quant manual have laid out quite a simple and clear foundation, so I look forward to my GMAT challenge! - Jan S.

38. Making a plan How to maximize your time until the GMAT or GRE  Get help  Do the time Prepare and Practice  Use computer-based practice

39. Making a plan Measure twice, cut once. Take a practice test Research prep courses  Create budget Choose prep program Schedule practice and tests

40. GRE Text Completions 3 most common prep methods. Like Bela Bartok, Ruth Crawford not only brought a composer’s acumen to the notation of folk music, she also had a marked (i)________ the task. This was clear in her agonizing over how far to try to represent the minute details of a performance in a written text, and this (ii)________ makes her work a landmark in ethnomusicology. • Blank (i) • reverence for • detachment from • curiosity about • Blank (ii) • fastidiousness • didacticism • iconoclasm

41. Sentence Equivalence It may take time to become familiar with the variety of question formats. The Republican candidate’s recent talking points appeared intended to bolster his standing with an increasingly _______ constituency after he and his party was besieged with allegations of trading on fear mongering and divisive tactics. A skittish fortuitous lucky restive vociferous tranquil B C D E F

42. Sample prep plan 3 month prep plan  Research course/tutors  Begin pre-course work  Take course and complete all work  Do post-course work  Plan on 2 administrations of the same test

43.  Get Help I think one of the concepts most students overlook and undervalue when it comes to practice and studying is consistency. Getting my target score time and time again not only showed improvement, but also helped build a confidence I could draw on come test day and throughout the application process, which was invaluable. It's not always about studying hard, but studying smart.  - Lorpu J

44. Typical prep options 3 most common prep methods. Tutorsoffer the greatest instructional value Coursesoffer significant financial value Self-studyrequires the greatest personal investment

45. Bell Curves gmat.bellcurves.com Twitter.com/bellcurves Courses and Tutoring LA – ATL – DC – NYC