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Pinball Goals: How Not to Decide to Get an MBA

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Pinball Goals: How Not to Decide to Get an MBA

Ever seen a pinball machine? It’s a game you play in which a little silver ball bounces around inside and you hit it off things to get points. About one-quarter of our students are applying to university or business school as a result of what we call “pinball goals.” The decision to get an MBA is not a good idea if it’s a pinball goal.

What are pinball goals?

Like a pinball in a machine, they have been bounced around by life and are now pursuing additional education because they were disappointed by something else. A common example is someone who didn’t get a promotion at work and has decided to quit his job and get an MBA. Sometimes students feel that their entire lives will change just by becoming a Canadian or Australian passport holder.

Get an MBA = the Most Common Pinball Goal

Getting an MBA because you were not promoted or seeking citizenship when you don’t want to live in a country are examples of pinball goals for several reasons. These goals are a result of something that happened to you and not necessarily a genuine desire for the goal. This course of action seems like a better option than the one you have now, even though you would have not chosen it if you had gotten what you wanted. Just like a pinball, you are letting life bounce you around rather than choosing for yourself and going after your real goals.

Pinball Goals Aren’t You

Pinball goals are not necessarily what you want to pursue in life. Getting an MBA, for example, takes a lot of hard work. During the application process, you have to study for and take the GMAT, ask your bosses for references, and search inside yourself to prepare complicated application essays.

Once admitted, you have to find money to attend (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars) and then do the work to finish the program. All of this takes lots of time and money. If you aren’t serious about the goal in the first place, you may not work as hard as you need to or may stop halfway.

We have worked with students that register for our Comprehensive Packages and prepare for and take the GMAT (which can be like having a part-time job for a couple of months) only to decide they don’t really want to get an MBA.

Don’t Waste Yourself on Pinball Goals

Don’t waste your time, energy, and money pursuing pinball goals. Decide what you really want in life and then go after it. If you’re truly committed, applying for university or business school will just seem like one step in a process rather than a scary task.

Less than 700 on the GMAT. Now what?

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Less than 700 on the GMAT. Now what?

February, March, and April are crucial months for business school applicants. Round 3 is the last chance to wow the admissions committee. So how can you improve your chances of getting into a top business school with less than a 700 on the GMAT? Here are my recommendations:

Option 1: Retake the GMAT.

You can retake the GMAT once every 31 calendar days. If you took the GMAT on February 15th and weren’t satisfied with your score, you can retake it on March 16th. That’s just enough time to submit it to a few schools in Round 2 or start preparing Round 3 applications.

According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), you are statistically unlikely to increase your GMAT score simply by retaking the test. The secret to increasing your score? You must study differently. Refer to our post for How to Use Practice Tests (the Correct Way) for more help. If you didn’t work with a tutor before you took the GMAT, email APPLY ME to discuss how we can improve your preparation and increase your score.

Option 2: Strengthen the other parts of your application.

Admissions committees evaluate business school candidates based on a number of factors, only one of which is the GMAT. “Telling your story” well in your application essays and making sure you are a good “fit” for the school (your goals are compatible with the school’s offerings) are just as important as scoring over a 700 on the GMAT. This recent discussion on BusinessWeek says it better than I ever could.

Option 3: Take the GRE.

This is only the second year that many business schools are accepting GRE scores instead of GMAT scores.

Pros: Since this is the second year, little historical data from business schools is available. So, business schools have not really decided how GRE scores match or should be considered in relation to GMAT scores. In addition, the GRE CBT is often a shorter test with math and verbal questions that are not as complicated as GMAT questions. For example, rather than using the really confusing GMAT data sufficiency questions, the GRE uses data analysis questions that require you to decide which of the two quantities is greater or if they are equal.

Cons: GRE verbal is heavily vocabulary based. The analogy, antonym, and sentence completion questions all test vocabulary, which is difficult to build quickly. Moreover, after weeks preparing for the GMAT, you will have to switch modes and prepare for the GRE. Fortunately, APPLY ME has a program designed specifically to build on GMAT skills and apply them to the GRE, rather than starting your study over. Several students have taken the GRE route and found it to be less frustrating that GMAT preparation.

Need help improving your GMAT score?

We can help you prepare for business school and achieve your educational goals! Whatsapp us or email us at eden@apply-me.com to see how we can help you boost your GMAT score.

Round 3: GMAT is Your Best Weapon

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Round 3: GMAT is Your Best Weapon

The January Round 2 deadline to apply to business schools probably came and went while you were still ringing in the new year. Or, if you have just decided you want to go to business school, Round 3 is the time to apply to get your MBA.

So what’s a round?

Rounds are business school application periods. Most schools have 3, while other schools have 4 or accepted students on a rolling basis (until the class is filled). Round 1, in October, is always the best round to apply. It isn’t very competitive since this deadline slips many students’ minds. The second one tends to be competitive because more people apply at this time than any other. While Round 3 is less competitive than 2, acceptance is still difficult at this time because much of the class has been filled already. So while you have fewer students, you have fewer spots.

GMAT is the Knockout Punch

If you are applying for Round 3, your best weapon and reason you should be accepted is your GMAT score. Don’t “enter the ring” not ready to fight. You have to train for the GMAT and business school like any top athlete. Preparing alone is not the best way to go about it: get a trainer, get a training plan, and get a sparring buddy. We can help you with all 3 of these.

Boost your GMAT score with help!

Have less than a great GMAT score? Whatsapp or email us at eden@apply-me.com to find out how we can help you get a business school knockout (acceptance).

 

Last Minute Tips for the SAT

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Last Minute Tips for the SAT

The January SAT is coming up and many students, ours included, are anxious about their “performance.” Obviously, being prepared for the test is the best way to reduce test-taking anxiety. Here are some last minute tips for the SAT that also may help you perform your best on test day.

Last Minute Tips for the SAT

1. Get an early start.

Go to bed early the night before, eat breakfast if you normally do, and arrive at the testing center early. Waking up late or arriving late will significantly increase your stress levels before the test. You want go to the test center as calmly as possible.

2. Be confident in your skills.

If you have worked with Apply Me or prepared appropriately, be confident in that preparation. You know how to get the answer, it’s just about putting the pieces of the puzzle together correctly.

3. Visualize a successful test day the night before.

Take 5 to 10 minutes and simply imagine the next day. Think about everything you will do and see yourself doing well on the test before you take it. Great athletes visualize big games and so should you.

4. Practice deep breathing.

This is one of our weirder tips for the SAT…but it works. Breath in deeply for 5 seconds and then exhale for 5 seconds at least 3 times. Deep breathing has been shown in medical studies to increase blood flow to the brain and lower your blood pressure. Basically, deep breathing can help make you smarter and calmer.

5. Take a timeout during the test if you need one.

Put your pencil down and completely relax for a few short minutes if you get stuck or frustrated on the test. “Reboot” yourself and then attack the test.

6. Use the long breaks and short stretch breaks wisely.

Leave the room and walk for a few minutes during the long breaks. Actually stretch during the stretch break (you may look like a nerd stretching but this can really help).

7. Always remember that you can take the test again.

This one is maybe the most important on our tips for the SAT. Taking the SAT up to 3 times is okay for many schools and don’t forget that they take the BEST scores from all your attempts.

8. Forget about the SAT (and our tips for the SAT).

Despite the importance we place on the SAT, other parts of your application also matter. Your overall grade point average, grades during your last two years of school, and extracurricular activities weigh heavily. Don’t worry about whether you think the SAT is important. Remember that you can get accepted to university despite a low SAT score.

Need to boost your score with more than tips for the SAT?

If you don’t do as well as you would like on the SAT, email us at eden@apply-me.com, and let’s talk about how we can improve the rest of your application so you can get into a university that fits you

 

How to Use Practice Tests (the Correct Way)

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How to Use Practice Tests (the Correct Way)

We realize that most students aren’t really using practice tests to their benefit. Yes, it’s a 3-hour test and you want to get to the beach soon. You have lots of homework, office work…Yes, insert weak excuse here. You have other things to do, this is exactly why you should be motivated to get the most out of every practice test you take. Here’s how to use practice tests the correct way:

Phase 1 to Use Practice Tests Correctly: Take the Test

On a Friday, sit down and take a full-length timed practice test.

Do the test in one sitting with, at most, two 10 minute breaks. After you finish, put the test aside and do not do any other studying that day.

Phase 2 to Use Practice Tests Correctly: Correct the Test

The next day, correct your test.

While correcting your test sounds simple, this should take you about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of questions you get wrong. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Use the short answers to determine which questions you go right and which you got wrong.

2. Analyze the questions for your strengths and weaknesses.

You should be able to group the questions by type. Which types are you consistently getting right? Which ones wrong?

3. Rework the questions you got wrong.

When you rework, read the question, go back to the book (passage) or your notes, and really spend some time on the question. Think about why the answer is A, for example, if you got E.

4. Think about why the other answers are wrong.

Process of elimination is your best friend when it comes to test-taking, so it’s important that you refine your strategy. Underline specific words in the answer choices that make them wrong, write down the reason it should be eliminated, and look for patterns that can help you get the answer right up front.

5. Any questions you aren’t able to understand, read the solutions from your book or the practice test. After you read the solution, rework the problem using the method specified.

6. If you still don’t understand after reworking the problems and reading the solutions, email Apply Me.

Need help preparing for the GMAT, EA, GRE, or SAT?

We will teach you in person how to use practice tests correctly. Maximize your studying and your score with our native English speaking, American instructors. Whatsapp us for more info.

 

The TOEFL Explained

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The TOEFL Explained

What is the TOEFL?

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an American-based test of English language proficiency and is the most widely used language test. If you want to go to university in the U.S., any “Western” country, or even in Dubai, you will probably have to take the test.

Who makes the TOEFL?

The test was developed by the same company that created the SAT, the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

What’s on the TOEFL?

There are two commonly accepted versions of the test, the paper-based test (PBT) and internet-based test (iBT). The version you have to take depends on the requirements of the university you want to attend.

The iBT is the latest version of the test and is taken on the computer. The test is designed to measure integrated skills that you will need in a university environment. It includes four sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. For the reading, you will have to read several passages and answer questions. For listening, you listen to campus conversations and academic lectures and answer questions. The speaking section requires you to talk into a microphone and respond to questions asked about yourself or about a listening assignment. There are two parts to the writing: one essay about a listening assignment and one essay about your opinion on a topic.

The PBT is an older version of the test and is taken with pencil and paper. It includes three sections: reading, listening, and structure/written expression (grammar). An essay is not part of the TOEFL PBT but you may also be required to take the Test of Written English (TWE). TWE requires you to write your opinion about a topic.

How is it scored?

The TOEFL iBT is scored from 0 to 30 in each of the four sections for a maximum total score of 120. The TOEFL PBT is scored from 310 to 677. Don’t worry if you have taken one test and your school requires the other. Fortunately, there is a conversion that compares the two tests. For example, if you earned a 500 on the PBT, that score converts to a 61 on the iBT.

What is a good score?

There is not really a pass or fail on the TOEFL. Therefore, a good score is the score that gets you into the university you want to attend. While many universities in the U.S. require an 85 or 90 on the iBT, schools in Dubai usually ask for a 61 to 80.

If you are going to university in Dubai, be sure to check your college’s admissions requirements. If classes are taught in the English language, you must score at least a 500 on the TOEFL. Otherwise, you will have to enroll in the universities’ Intensive English Programs. Unfortunately, many universities will not let you take classes within your major (for example, science) until you have scored at least a 500.

What else do I need to know?

For more information about the TOEFL, go to www.ets.org/toefl. Also, you can register for the test at the ETS website.

How do I prepare for the TOEFL?

The TOEFL is designed for people that already have a strong English ability. If you can read and understand this blog, you probably speak English well enough to begin your TOEFL preparation. If your English ability is not as high, consider enrolling in English courses, reading books, and listening to English language programs until you are ready to take the TOEFL.

The Psychology of the SAT and GMAT

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The Psychology of the SAT and GMAT

The psychology of the SAT and GMAT is complicated. Out of all the tests we prepare students for, the SAT and GMAT tend to give students the most problems.

Why you ask?

Because these tests are not designed to test what you learned in school or skills you should have if you speak a language. The SAT and GMAT test the more elusive analytical and critical thinking skills.

Basically, the SAT and GMAT mess with your mind in two ways: through the test formats and through the questions they ask. But don’t worry, you can “beat” the test and prevent mind-messing using the strategies below. For every problem, there is a solution.

Psychology of the SAT and GMAT: Test Formats

Problem: The tests start with writing, which requires a lot of creativity and makes many students tired before the rest of the test begins. (An extra warning for GMAT: The essay does not count in your 200-800!)

Solution: Outlining is the key to writing quality and quantity on the SAT and GMAT. Take 3 to 5 minutes and jot down your opinion and 3 reasons to support your opinion BEFORE you start writing. Making a quick outline is guaranteed to improve the structure, flow, and readability of your essay.

Problem: The tests have experimental sections and questions that are not part of your score.

Solution: Don’t worry about which questions are experimental. Do all of them as if they count.

Problem: Math sections come in after the reading sections and require you to change your way of thinking.

Solution: Being able to switch between math and reading is a critical skill to develop for the SAT and GMAT. Although you may prepare for the math and reading separately, you should work several practice tests to get used to switching between the two. The key is PRACTICE.

Problem: Sections that require lots of reading often come at the end of the test. You’re sleepy and tired by the time you get to them.

Solution: Practice! Practice! Practice! Pretend you are a professional runner. The only way you develop the endurance to run a marathon is by running marathons. During your study for the GMAT or SAT, you should train by doing several full-length practice tests in one sitting. A full 3 hour test.

Psychology of the SAT and GMAT: Questions

Problem: The questions on the test include “trick” answers that the average person would pick.

Here’s an example from the 2009 College Board SAT practice test:

In the xy-coordinate plane, how many points are a distance of 4 units from the origin?
(A)   One
(B)   Two
(C)   Three
(D)   Four
(E)   More than four

The average person would probably select D. Unfortunately, the answer is E (forgot about points that are diagonally 4 units from the origin, didn’t you?)

Solution: When you practice, look for “trick” answers and figure out why they are tricks. Is there something that if forgotten applied incorrectly would have given a trick answer? What if you didn’t work the problem all the way to the end? Think about these tricks and you won’t fall for them on test day.

Taking the SAT and GMAT is not just about reviewing content. It’s also about learning strategies and practicing so that when it’s time for your “marathon,” you don’t have to think about it.

Need more help “training?”

Check out our SAT and GMAT tutoring pages and email the Apply Me to schedule a FREE consultation.

The SAT Explained

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The SAT Explained

What is the SAT?

The SAT is a college admissions test taken during high school in the U.S. If you want to go to school in the U.S. as an international student, you pretty much have to take it. If you’re studying in Dubai, many schools use it as an entry exam or to exempt you from taking certain courses like college algebra.

Who makes the SAT?

The Educational Testing Service makes the test and administers it through the College Board. Keep in mind, these guys do nothing but make tests. They also make the TOEFL and SAT subject tests.

What’s on the SAT?

For the best overview of the test, check out the College Board website. Basically, the content is split into three parts: reading, writing, and mathematics. These subjects are tested over 4 sections.

For the reading, there is one section that includes 5 long reading passages and questions, some with charts and graphs. For the writing, you may have to write an essay and prove you’ve got good grammar by improving sentences, improving paragraphs, and identifying grammatical errors in 4 passages. The mathematics tests arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

How is it scored?

Scoring can get pretty complicated, so all you need to know is that you get a score from 200 to 800 in reading/writing, and mathematics. Your total possible score is 1600.

What’s a good score?

Decide where you want to go to school and then figure out the school’s required (or average accepted) score…that’s a good score. Here’s a secret your parents and test prep companies don’t want you to know: getting into a college or university is about more than your SAT score. Get the best one you can and move on.

What else do I need to know?

If you are taking the SAT, use the College Board website to register for the test, download the bulletin, and take a free practice test.

How do I prepare for the test?

Apply Me offers private test coaching as an hourly service to our students. Visit the SAT page to learn more about our teaching method and pricing. Schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about how we can help!

Last Updated: September 13, 2020

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