McGraw-Hill's GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test

474 Pages·2009·2.29 MB·English

by  James Hasik

d
McGraw-Hill’s
GMAT
GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST
2010 Edition
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d
McGraw-Hill’s
GMAT
GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST
2010 Edition
James Hasik
Stacey Rudnick
Ryan Hackney
New York | Chicago | San Francisco | Lisbon
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San Juan | Seoul | Singapore | Sydney | Toronto
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system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-0-07-162413-8
MHID: 0-07-162413-9
The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-0-07-162412-1, MHID: 0-07-162412-0.
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Contents
Foreword...............................................................................................................................IX
McGraw-Hill’s GMAT: Introduction.........................................................................XI
@Welcome to the GMAT @Attaining Your Competitive Edge: McGraw-Hill’s GMAT
@Meet the GMAT @Achieving Your Goals on the GMAT @Registering for the GMAT
@Additional Practice @Some Final Advice @Acknowledgment
GMAT Information for International Test Takers.........................................XXI
@Registering for the Test @Finding a Test Center @On Test Day
@Test Preparation for International Test Takers
@Another Hurdle for Internationals: the TOEFL @Business School Admissions
@The Business School Interview @One Last Hurdle: The Student Visa
PART ONE THE QUANTITATIVE SECTION
CHAPTER 1 The Techniques of GMAT Problem–Solving....................................3
@The Answers: Not Necessarily Your Friends
@Problem-Solving Tips
CHAPTER 2 Data Sufficiency............................................................................................9
@Introduction @AD or BCE @The Intent Behind the Question Type
@Working Data Sufficiency Problems Efficiently @Practice Problems
CHAPTER 3 Basic Principles of Numbers...............................................................23
@Introduction @Number Terminology @Algebraic Notation and the Order of Operations
@Exponents and Roots @Factoring Numbers @Working with Nonintegers
@Key Concepts to Remember @Practice Problems
CHAPTER 4 Algebra...........................................................................................................43
@Introduction @Quadratics @FOIL
@Practice Problems
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V
CHAPTER 5 Probability and Statistics....................................................................................53
@Introduction @The Mean @The Median @The Mode @The Range
@Calculating the Standard Deviation @What You Need to Remember
@Application Problems—Statistics @Probability @Practice Problems
CHAPTER 6 GMAT Geometry......................................................................................................75
@Introduction @Parallel and Intersecting Lines @Types of Triangles and Their Attributes
@Quadrilaterals @Circles @Volume of Boxes and Right Circular Cylinders @What You Need to Remember
@Practice Problems
CHAPTER 7 Boolean Problems and Combinatorics........................................................95
@Introduction @Boolean Problems on the GMAT
@Combinatorics Problems: Two Approaches @Practice Problems
PART TWO THE VERBAL AND WRITING SECTIONS
CHAPTER 8 Critical Reasoning................................................................................................109
@Introduction @Critical Reasoning Reading @What Is an Argument? @Assumption Questions
@Weaken the Argument @Strengthen the Argument @Inference Questions
@Less Common Question Types @The Art of Wrong Answers @Practice Arguments
@Practice Problems
CHAPTER 9 Sentence Correction............................................................................................131
@Introduction @Verbs: Where the Action Is @Pronouns: In Place of the Right Answer
@Misplaced Modifiers @Parallelism @Idiomatic Expressions
@False Comparisons: Apples and Oranges @Quantity @Rare Errors
@The Most Common Type of Error @How to Approach a Hard Question
@Further Study @Practice Sentences @Practice Problems
CHAPTER 10 Reading Comprehension................................................................................151
@Introduction @Reading Comprehension Strategy @Passage Topics @Passage Structures
@Question Types @Strategic Reading @Answering the Questions: Focused Reading
@The Art of the Wrong Answer @Practice Problems
CHAPTER 11 The Analytical Writing Assessment..........................................................169
@Introduction @How the Analytical Writing Assessment Is Used
@How to Approach the AWA @How the Writing Assessment Is Scored
@Factors That Can Help or Hurt Your Score @Maximizing Your Score
@Analysis of an Issue @Analysis of an Argument @Practice Essays
VI# CONTENTS
PART THREE BEYOND THE GMAT
CHAPTER 12 Choosing the Right Program.......................................................................185
@Introduction @Choosing a School: Considering Your Objectives
@A Brief Taxonomy of MBA Program Types
@A Brief Bibliography of School Ratings Lists @Selecting a Portfolio of Schools
CHAPTER 13 Getting Admitted................................................................................................193
@The Importance of the GMAT in Admissions @The Importance of Your Past University Transcripts
@Researching the Programs @Preparing Your Résumé @Soliciting the Right Recommendations
@Requesting an Interview @Writing Some Compelling Essays @Thinking About Your Career Plan
During the Admission Process
CHAPTER 14 Getting Ready to Survive B-School..........................................................205
@Concepts to Remember from Your GMAT Preparation @Math Camp
@Essential Tools for the MBA Student
CHAPTER 15 Recruiting and Career Management.......................................................209
@Introduction @The Importance of the GMAT to Recruiters @Planning Your Job Search @Tools for
Career Management @Preparing Your Cover Letters @Thank-you Notes @Interviews @Finishing Up
and Looking Back @Networking @Selecting the Right Offer @Will the GMAT Ever Haunt You Again?
PART FOUR THE PRACTICE TESTS
Instructions for the GMAT Practice Tests...........................................................................................228
Practice Tests................................................................................................................................229
@Practice Test 1 @Practice Test 2 @Practice Test 3 @Practice Test 4 @Practice Test 5
Answer Keys................................................................................................................................327
@Practice Test 1 @Practice Test 2 @Practice Test 3 @Practice Test 4 @Practice Test 5
Answers and Explanations..................................................................................................332
@Practice Test 1 @Practice Test 2 @Practice Test 3 @Practice Test 4 @Practice Test 5
Answer Sheets............................................................................................................................437
CONTENTS $VII
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Foreword
Congratulations! By purchasing this book, you are taking the first step to one of the best deci-
sions you can make—an investment in yourself! In today’s intensely competitive business
environment, it is critically important that individuals who want to advance in their careers
continue to learn—and obtaining an MBA degree is one of the most effective ways for you to
strengthen your analytical and business acumen.
The MBA is a fantastic degree—it will prepare you to pursue a wide variety of career
options—and even years after graduation the coursework you have completed in an MBA
Program will have given you the breadth of business perspective to switch from marketing to
consulting or vice versa, as well as to take on the broad responsibilities of a CEO!
As part of the application process to an MBA Program, you will need to take the Graduate
Management Admissions Test (GMAT). As I’m sure you know, the GMAT is a challenging stan-
dardized test and therefore you owe it to yourself to present a GMAT score which represents
your “best effort.” While your GMAT score results will be but one factor that selective business
schools consider when reviewing your application file, for many MBA Programs, and
certainly the world’s most selective business schools, your GMAT results are a key element in
reviewing your application file. The other key factors in making an admissions decision are
the quality of your work experience, academic record, recommendation letters and essays, as
well as your interpersonal qualities, in particular your demonstrated leadership skills.
You should also know that a strong score on the GMAT can make a big difference, not only
in whether or not you are admitted to a top-tier MBA Program, but that, if admitted, it can
greatly enhance the probability that you will receive a scholarship. Essentially, a strong GMAT
score, in combination with progressive work experience, solid undergraduate grades, and a
positive interview can be the difference between admission to none of your desired MBA
programs, and the chance to choose between several attractive MBA Program options.
McGraw-Hill’s GMAT will provide you with a template to help you best prepare to take
this challenging test. I urge you to make this investment in yourself—to pursue an MBA—and
the first step along this path is to prepare wisely to take the GMAT. This book will give you the
tools, techniques and insightinto the design of the GMAT so that you can adequately prepare
for the test. I have known Jim Hasik for many years and he is a bright and engaging GMAT
preparatory teacher. However, what I have always admired most about Jim is that he takes a
genuine interest in his students and this same approach is evident in his writings. Stacey
Rudnick has contributed her considerable talents and expertise to this book as well. As an
MBAcareer services professional, she brings a deep understanding of the MBA marketplace
and a real appreciation for the skills set desired by the most selective MBA Programs and the
most prestigious hiring firms. She has worked not only as a Brand Manager for Kodak but also
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