GMAT: SC - Practice

Teratomas are unusual forms of cancer because they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone not normally found in the organ in which the tumor appears.

A. ...
B. because they are composed of tissues like tooth and bone that are
C. because they are composed of tissues, like tooth and bone, tissues
D. in that their composition , tissues such as tooth and bone, is
E. in that they are composed of tissues such as tooth and bone, tissues

The correct answer is: E

OK! Let's go to crack the answer choices.

First, we have the like and such as? The short answer is that we use like for comparisons and such as for examples.Are you familiar with this one? It's quite common in SC. Here it is:

like: used to express similarity: Lemons are like limes. Okay, that's easy, right? Right. But look at this mistake:

I want you to buy me some fruits like lemons and limes.

This sentence is most likely wrong because the sentence actually means that I want you NOT to buy me lemons and limes; I want you to buy me some fruits that are SIMILAR TO lemons and limes.

I want you to buy me some fruits such as lemons and limes.

such as can be seen to mean "for example," so this sentence essentially means that I want you to buy me lemons and limes and perhaps any other similar fruit.

There are also some misplaced or dangling modifiers. I would like to add, though, that we should not simply eliminate any answer choice just because the modifier is not right next to its noun; it is very easy to formulate a correct sentence with a bit of separation between the modifier and the "modified." For example:

I very much liked the people in India who showed me around.

You can see that who showed me around modifies people but is next to in India, but the sentence is correct simply because it doesn't cause any confusion.

Next, we should also be aware of the difference between because and in that. First, using pure strategy, when ETS puts both because and in that, the answer is most likely in that. Second, because is used to express a simple causal relationship whereas in that qualifies the previous statement.

Confused? Look at these examples:

Cause and effect relationship: I went to sleep because I was tired. ==> Being tired caused me to go to sleep.

Qualification: Going to college is a sacrifice in that doing so requires several years of forgoing the income that students could have earned had they not attended college. ==> Going to college is a sacrifice, BUT NOT IN EVERY WAY; there are many ways in which going to college is NOT a sacrifice, but in this sentence, I want to express one way in which going to college IS a sacrifice.

In our SC, "in that" is more precise than "because." "because" is actually wrong in this sentence, but a lot of my students, when they ask about this question, adamantly believe that it is correct, so instead of explaining why "because" is wrong, I explain why "in that" is better. This usually does the trick.

This point make sense? (Raghuveer--if you're reading this, please note the absence of "Does." ) I hope so, but please be sure to post back for clarification. ( Edit: The comment to Raghuveer was made in reference to a question he asked earlier about omitting the (GRAMMAR: -ing or -ed form? Present or Past Participle?)do in questions in spoken English in this thread)

Finally, many students will think that E is wrong because it repeats the word "tissues." There are many different ways to explain why this is correct, but the easiest way for me now (if you understand some grammar terms) is to say that it is okay to repeat the noun for clarification. For those of you who know grammar well, the second "tissues" can be seen as a reduction of "which are tissues," what we often refer to as a "reduced adjective clause."

Testmagic

GMAT: MATH

GMAT Math - Test Preparation, Course Guide, Exam tips

An introduction to GMAT math

The GMAT exam has a section on Math, also called quantitative section. This Math section contributes towards the final score. The final points carry half of its weight-age from the Math section. The other half comes from verbal section. In the GMAT quantitative section there are 37 multiple-choice questions and the allotted time is 75 minutes.

GMAT Math - Why is it difficult

Test-takers find the GMAT Math as the most intimidating portion of the exam. Having had little or no practice of the math after high school days, most of them are apprehensive about taking the test. The methods that are taught to solve most of the problems are not intuitive or straightforward. And the type and format of the question asked in the exam does not help them either. Therefore, often, one has to train oneself to do well in the test. Further, the exam is Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) making the experience challenging for every individual who takes the test. (More on CAT explained later in this article)

GMAT Math - Old and new ways of learning

The GMAT Math is the most difficult part of the test. Not surprisingly, the test prep market is full of textbooks & CDs, online material, review courses and private tuition. However no method is perfect, and one may require help from more than one source besides putting in considerable self-study. The other problem with most of the resource materials presently available in the market is that they are either expensive or utilize poor methods of instruction. For example, on the one hand a good private tutor for GMAT Math may charge over $50 per hour. On the other, an inexpensive textbook on GMAT Math presents math methods in text format which, if you are learning on your own, cannot substitute a teacher. In recent years, however, some enterprising instructors have put together the best of classroom or private sessions in an online video gmat course. Now that high speed internet connection is readily available in most of the homes and offices, it has become possible to learn from some of the best instructors at an affordable rate.

GMAT Math Test Format - Questions, Time, Date, and Difficulty

Questions & Time: The quantitative section of the GMAT test has 37 multiple-choice objective questions, and one is permitted only 75 minutes to answer them. Further, the test is always taken on a computer at special test centers throughout the world.

Difficulty & CAT: The test being computer adaptive (CAT), is also known as GMAT-CAT. It is extremely important to note that there is no fixed set of questions in the test. The question you see on the screen and its difficulty level depends on your performance in the previous question. When you begin the test, the first question you see on the computer screen is of medium difficulty. If you answer that correctly, the next question will of slightly higher level (and your score has gone up). If however, you choose the wrong answer for the first question, the second problem will be of lower difficulty (and your score has gone down). This process continues till the very end. Therefore your final score is largely dependent on your level. Hence it is possible for a test taker to get the final score higher even when he/she made mistakes. On the other hand a test-taker may get a lower score if one correctly answered most of the questions but was operating at a lower level.

Date & Venue: The GMAT test is taken through out the year at special centers. One can find more details on the Internet. However it is advised to take the exam several months before the application deadline. In doing so, one will have the opportunity and chance to re-take the test if not satisfied with the first score.

GMAT Math - Types of questions

Problem solving: About two-third of the questions in the test are of this type. It is a straightforward type that you may have seen in your high school. A question is followed by a five-answer option. The test-taker solves the questions and chooses the right answer. You confirm your answer on the screen and then proceed to the next question.

Data Sufficiency: This is a unique type of question and may seem very difficult. Here a question is followed by two statements. One has to figure out which of the statements are required to sufficiently answer the question. Experts feel that test-takers must train themselves well in order to score well in this section.

Math Topics and subtopics

The GMAT Math test asks questions from topics and sub-topics you may have seen in your high school days. They can be broadly classified as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Miscellaneous. Subtopics for Each one of these are listed below

ARITHMETIC

Number Properties - Integers, even/odd numbers, power or exponents, number line

Percent - Calculate percent, percent change, profit and loss percent

Average - Mean, weighted mean, median, mode, range and standard deviation

Ratio & proportions - direct and indirect relationships, two or three variables

Distance & Rate problems - distance-rate-time problems, average speed, work and rate problems

ALGEBRA

Equations - Solving simple equations, linear equations, two equations etc.

Advance - Quadratic equations, inequalities, multiple equations, logical word related problems

GEOMETRY

Angles & Triangles - Lines and angles, acute & obtuse angles, properties of triangle, right triangles, special right triangles

Quadrilaterals - Squares, rectangles, parallelogram, calculation of area and perimeters

Circles - Diameters, radius, area, circumference, partial circles, tangents, sectors, arcs

Solid geometry - Cylinder, cube, cuboids, surface area, volume, mixed figures

Coordinate geometry - Coordinate points, lines, distance, slope, relationships

MISCELLANEOUS

Word problems - Above topics and sub-topics in word or language format

Other topics - Venn diagram, probability, counting principles, permutation and combination etc.

GMAT Math Summary

Questions = 37

Time = 75 minutes

Test Date = Through out the year

Difficulty level = Computer adaptive (CAT)

Importance = Half of the total final score

Type of questions = (1) Problem Solving (2) Data Sufficiency

Topics = (1) Arithmetic, (2) Algebra, (3) Geometry, and (4) Miscellaneous

GMAT Math: Sample questions/tests

There are plenty of sample questions available on the internet. A simple search is all that is needed to get access to the best of the gmat resources for problem solving and data sufficiency .

Example problems:

Question 1:

In a mixture of 28 pounds, the ratio of beans and nuts is 5:2. If 2 pounds of nuts is added to the mixture, find the ratio of beans and nuts in the new mixture?

4:1

3:1

2:1

1:1

1:2

Solution 1:

Beans in the given mixture = (28) (5/7) = 20 pounds

Nuts in the mixture = 28 -20 = 8 pounds

After adding 2 pounds of nuts to this mixture

The mixture has 20 pounds of beans and 10 pounds of nuts.

Therefore, the ratio of beans and nuts in new mixture = 20:10 = 2:1 (Answer 3)

Question 2:

An airplane travels distances of 2500 miles, 1200 miles, and 500 miles at the rate of 500mph, 400mph, and 250 mph respectively. What was the average speed for the entire journey?

385 mph

400 mph

415 mph

420 mph

516 mph

Solution 2:

Total distance = (2500 + 1200 + 500) miles = 4200 miles

Total time taken = (2500/500) + (1200/400) + (500/250) = 5 + 3 + 2 = 10 hours

Therefore Average speed = (Total distance / Total time) = (4200/10) mph = 420 mph (Answer 4)

Question 3:

Andrew can finish a job in 12 days while Betty can do it in 15 days. If both work at the job together, what time will they take to do the work?

20/3 days

10/3 days

3/20 days

3/10 days

None of the above

Solution:

Andrew's 1 days job = 1/12

Betty's 1 day job = 1/15

Therefore Andrew + Betty's 1 day job = (1/12) + (1/15) = 9/60 = 3/20

Finally, time taken by both to finish the work = 20/3 days (Answer 1)

Question 4:

The dimensions of a rectangular park are in the ratio of 3:2 and the area is 15,000 sq feet. Find the width of the park?

50

100

150

200

250

Solution 4:

Let the length and width of the park be 3x and 2x.

Then the area = (3x) (2x) = 15,000

Or, 6 (x)(x) = 15000

Or, (x)(x) = 15000/6 = 2500

Or, x = square root (2500) = 50

Therefore length = 3 (50) = 150 and width = 2 (50) = 100 (i.e., Answer 2)

Question 5:

Three cubes of sides 8 cm, 6 cm, and 1 cm are melted to form a new cube. What is the surface area of the new cube?

9 cm

36 cm

81 cm

324 cm

486 cm

Solution 5:

Volume of new cube = sum of volumes of three cubes

= (8)(8)(8) + (6)(6)(6) + (1)(1)(1) = 729

Edge or side of the new cube = cubic root of (729) = 9 cm

Therefore surface area of this new cube = 6 (side)(side)

= 6(9)(9) = 486 (i.e., Answer 5)

BusinessWeek.com

MBA

Traditional MBA vs. Executive MBA

With so many schools now offering executive MBA education, it can be confusing to distinguish the difference between the traditional MBA and the eMBA.

To help you figure out which one is right for you, here are some aspects of each:

Traditional MBA (full-time)

- Average age around 28
- 2 - 8 years average work experience
- For early career professionals
- Good for career changers
- Focus on summer internships and recruiting
- GMAT required


Executive MBA

- Average age around 35
- 12 - 15 years average work experience
- For mid-level to senior managers and executives
- Attend school while working
- No summer internships
- Schedules accommodate full-time schedules e.g. alternating weekends or evenings
- Education is typically company sponsored
- Graduates are often promoted within their company
- EMBAs are usually not career switchers although this is changing. EMBA programs have grown to include career management centers.
- GMAT typically not required