GMAT - Basic info to start with

Score Details

Maximum Score - 800.


CAT vs GMAT:

- As GMAT score is automated and determined by computer, you may have some tricks to crack the exam. Coaching centers will tell you about all those tricks.
- CAT covers: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation (also called as statistics) & Data Sufficiency, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning and Verbal Ability
- GMAT covers: Quantitative Aptitude, Data Sufficiency, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction, AWA(Analytical Writing Assessment) where you need to write 2 essays
- Quant and Critical Reasoning are relatively easy in GMAT compared to CAT
- Sentence Correction is bit tough area in GMAT


Areas of GMAT:


Source: gmac.com

Critical Reasoning: reasoning skills involved in making and evaluating arguments, and formulating a plan of action.

Data Sufficiency: analyze a problem and determine if the information provided is relevant and sufficient to answer the problem.

The Verbal and Quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. The AWA score is an average of the score you get in : "Analysis of an Issue" and "Analysis of an Argument" essays. These average scores can range from 0 to 6 in half point intervals.

Fees:
Cost to take GMAT exam : $250
Additional Score Report (ASR) : $28 per report
Rescheduling : $50 if appointment is rescheduled at least seven full calendar days before the original appointment

Source:
http://www.gmac.com/gmac/thegmat/testtakersupport/pricesandfees.htm

Suggested Books:

• The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition (OG 11)
• Kaplan GMAT - 2009 Edition - Premier Program (This book is for concepts and tricks)
• Manhattan Gmat Prep - Sentence Correction GMAT Preparation Guide (This will improve your sentence correction skills amazingly)
• The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review
• The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
• Arco GMAT - Answers to the REAL Essay Questions (This is for practicing AWA)
• If you are targeting 700+ then: Kaplan GMAT 800. The word "800" is important to note on the book.
  

AWA Section - Official Pools of GMAT Essay Questions:

You can download the official pool of GMAT AWA 'issue topics' and 'argument topics' from the official GMAC website (www.mba.com).

Where exactly on www.mba.com ?
Go to the "Take the GMAT" area of the site -> Analytical Writing Assessment Section -> Current Analytical Writing Assessment Topics

If you have the OG-11 edition, they are in the back of the book. Each year, the test-makers change a small number of the essay topics.

Amazon seems to be selling books which have answer to these topics:

http://www.amazon.com/Gmat-Cat-Answers-Essay-Questions/dp/0028622847
http://www.amazon.com/Gmat-Cat-Answers-Real-Essay-Questions/dp/0028637356
http://www.amazon.ca/GMAT-CAT-Answers-Real-Essay/dp/0768911737

Preparation Criteria :
- Practice Enough.. Just go through the lots of material on the net..
- Read OG at the end as a practice test, just few days before the exam
- Plan your schedule to read 2hrs on weekday and 5hrs on weekend
- 2,3 months serious preparation would be enough
- Join isb-pgp yahoo group
- FAQs on ISB website



Practice Tests:
Be sure take to couple of computer based tests few weeks before your actual GMAT. You should practice enough so that you will be able sit for 4 hours with concentration on the D-Day.

• Authorized GMATPrep software : Freely down loadable from www.mba.com. Take these two tests two days before your actual GMAT test. These tests will give you fairest approximation of your actual score on D-Day.
  
• Kaplan Practice Tests : Come with "Kaplan GMAT 2008 Edition: Premier Program" book. Total 4 tests. These tests from Kaplan are very famous . Start giving these tests when you are around 2 weeks away from D-Day. If you can manage average score of 650 in these 4-tests, then you may anticipate 700+ in actual GMAT.
• Try for free practice test online at: http://www.kaptest.com/practice
  
• Princeton practice tests: Come with the Princeton book. Start giving these tests when you are around 2 weeks away from D-Day.

Websites for GMAT:
- Register for GMAT at : http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT
- http://totalgadha.com/
- http://pagalguy.com/
- http://www.testmagic.com/
- Just search for GMAT preparation, you wil get lots of files to read from the sites like : www.esnips.com


not sure if these can be of any help :
http://outbeat-the-gmat.blogspot.com/
http://beatthegmat.blogspot.com/

BEWARE of

- http://www.scoretop.com/ which is banned by GMAC for distributing copyrighted material without GMAC’s permission.

- According to web, GMAC's case on Scoretop is on copyright violation of “JJs (MJJ - Math Jungle Juice and VJJ - Verbal Jungle Juice)” available for VIP members. GMAC’s investigation of the Scoretop website seemed reveal that some of the JJs contained real GMAT items.
Some unauthorized web sources also talks about copyright violation of 494 questions contained in 1000Scs, 1000CRs, 3000RCs and GMAT Sets. GMAT Sets seems to be a collection of 31 GMAT Tests in pdf format. GMAC seemed to followed Scoretop and removed the live questions found on the site from the GMAT question bank.

- Careful about the sites like http://www.esnips.com/_t_/gmat where you get lots of copyrighted material including MJJ, VJJ, GMAT Sets, etc when you search with the keyword "gmat".

Further info:
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/blogs/mba_admissions/archives/2008/06/gmat_cheating_s_2.html
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/blogs/mba_admissions/archives/2008/06/gmat_cheating_s.html
http://www.urch.com/forums/gmat/58253-what-sets-vjj-mjj.html


MBA Application - How should your profile look?

- More you try to make your profile unique then more chances of getting into ISB.
You have to be unique to get differentiated from others
- Prepare to give Very Solid Answer for questions like "Why MBA?", "Why now", "What do you bring to this university"?,

For ISB:
- Minimum score would be 690, needs to long work exp
- More work exp then less score will do.


GMAT Coaching centers in Pune:

IMS:
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Opp: F.C. College, FC Road
http://www.imsindia.com
Tel:+(91)-(20)- 6602 3604, 6602 3606
Class room coaching and Consultancy as well.

Dilip Oak
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Bhandarkar, FC Road
http://www.dilipoakacademy.com
Tel: (020) 2565 6237, 2567 8066
Class room coaching and Consultancy as well.

TIMES
-------
208, Adinath Shopping Centre,
Next to Adinath Society,
Near City Pride (Satara Road),
Pune - 411037
020- 64005996/30425344
GMAT (available only at Deccan): 020-66013410

Bulls Eye:
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http://www.hitbullseye.com/
Corporate Office & Study Center
Vishwanath Apartments,
Manas Lane, Off BMCC Road, Pune
Ph:020-25678999, Email:bullseyepune@gmail.com

Career Forum:
----------------
http://www.careerforum.in/
Camp: Phone: 020-26059070. 30588683 / 684
427/428, Sohrab Hall, 4th Floor, Above The Crossword,
Sassoon Road, Behind Pune Railway Station,
PUNE - 411 001.

PT Education:
--------------
http://www.ptindia.com/
Address: 203, West Wing, Aurora Towers, M G Road, Camp, Pune - 01.
Telephone: 32308514
FC Road: 66032275, 25531005-06
Email:ptpune01@pteducation.com


Testing centres in Hyderabad and Mumbai:

Pearson Professional Centers-Hyderabad, India +91-40-66469825
202,ABK Olbee Plaza
Road No.1,Banjara Hills
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500034

Pearson Professional Centers-Mumbai, India +91-22-40056787
Building no.9,1st Floor
Solitaire Corporate Park,167 Andheri
J B Nagar Link Rd,Chakala, Andheri (East)
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400093