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Bell Curves Blog
GMAT Strategy: Geometry Hybrids
One way the GMAT ramps up the difficulty of questions is to combine multiple concepts in a single problem. Geometry questions that do this can be challenging, particularly for test-takers who struggle to visualize alternative structures or orientations of a given figure.
Some of the most challenging of all Geometry Hybrids are those that fuse multiple figures into one larger figure and then ask about some facet of it. We call these Mixed Shapes, and categorize them into three groups: Overlapping Figures, Strange Shapes, and Shaded Areas. Let’s take a look at a sample problem to identify strategies to conquer these Geometry Hybrids.
Two identical circles of area 36π overlap as shown above. If the distance from point A to point B is 6, what is the area of the shaded region?(A) 6π
(B) 12π
(C)– 6π
(D) 6π –
(E) 12π –
Before we get to the strategy, let’s review the three types of Mixed Shapes, and the tools to work them:
- Overlapping Figures – usually combine two common figures that share the same space. To work them, try to find the shared measure.
- Strange Shapes – these usually fuse two or more common shapes into a larger, uncommon or irregular shape. To work them, try to cut the irregular shape into easy-to-manage common shapes.
- Shaded Areas – these usually shade a part of one or more figures. To work them, add or subject the unshaded area of the figure from the total area of the figure.
With that out of the way, here’s the strategy for these problems:
1. Identify the basic shapes and properties of the figures involved.
2. Identify which Mixed Shapes concepts are being tested.
3. Apply strategies for each concept to the information given.
4. Solve.
On the Record: Q&A with BC Alumnus Rhomaro Powell
Recently, we thought that many people out there battling through the business school application process might benefit from some thoughts and insights from others who went through the experience. To that end, we started On the Record: Q&A with BC Alums. Last time around we spoke with Radina Russell. This time around, we got insights from the funny and talented Rhomaro Powell.
BC Alumnus Rhomaro Powell
Rhomaro graduated from the S.C. Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, and currently works in the financial services sector.
Why did you go to business school?
Business School was the next logical step for my career progression. My ultimate goal is to operate my own private equity firm; however I felt I was lacking some core skills, i.e. finance and accounting. Additionally, I felt I needed the proper brand and network that would provide me access to enter the private equity universe. Johnson at Cornell University gave me the brand, network, and knowledge I needed.
How has business school impacted your career?
Business school as accelerated my career tremendously, mainly because it has helped me grow as an individual, expanded my network, and provided opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. For example, I went into business school with the main goal of improving my technical skills, but learned that the softer skills were at least as important – and perhaps even more important – to my career. I learned that knowledge only gets you so far, but being able to lead, influence, and build relationships with individuals will get you farther. In regards to expanding my network and opportunities, I was able to do so through organizations such as Management Leadership for Tomorrow and The Robert Toigo Foundation. These organizations have expanded my network from outside the business school I attended. Additionally, I studied in Madrid, Spain for 5 months. My network now spans all the top business schools and companies around the world.
What do you want business school applicants to know?
Understand Your Passion:
Understanding your passions and what drives you will make the application process easier. This will help when writing your essays and speaking with admission officers. Admission officers can tell when someone is not genuine, and they gravitate to passionate individuals. It will make you memorable.
Due Diligence:
Each business school is different, so it is important to understand the culture and what makes each special. Harvard, Cornell, Stanford, Darden, Wharton, and NYU are not for everyone. Visit all the schools you are interested in and speak with both current students and alumni. The last thing you want to do is get into a school and find you don’t fit with the people, because this will be your network for the rest of your life and the two years will seem like an eternity. Remember, business school is not cheap, so invest your time and money wisely so you can get a great return.
How many schools did you apply to and get accepted to?
I applied to Stanford, Cornell, Michigan, Tuck, and NYU. Cornell and Stanford were my top two choices. Stanford said no, but Cornell said yes so I was on cloud nine.
What specific advice would you give those prepping for the GMAT now?
I took the GMAT 5 times. YES! 5 times! If you do the math it cost me $1500 (not including what I paid for prep courses and tutors) and over a year of my time. I thought it would have taken me at most two times to get the score I wanted. I considered the time and money as an investment in myself. Do not be discouraged if you have to take it more than once.
Preparing for the GMAT is definitely an individual effort, meaning that one strategy does not fit all. Take time to figure out how you learn best and what your study habits are. For some individuals classes are best, while for others a tutor is perfect. For me, it was a combination. I took a class to get the overall knowledge and strategy for the test and then hired a tutor to help me with my weak areas (verbal). I thought English was my first language until I took the GMAT. Anyway, here are a few tips:
1. Put in the time. I would recommend a minimum of 20 hours a week. However, ensure you are studying efficiently or the time will not matter.
2. Schools look at both the overall score and individual scores for each section. Some schools tend to put more emphasis on the quantitative score, so really focus on doing well on the quant. Some schools use the score as an indicator on how an individual will perform in the quant-heavy core courses.
3. Use study materials from different prep courses. I used materials from Bell Curves (really great instructors and online tools), Manhattan GMAT (really good material), and the Official Guide to the GMAT (really good practice questions).
4. Studying in a group helps keep the motivation high and can add insight in tackling questions. You can learn a lot from your peers.
5. Do not give up. Many will go through ups and downs. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize and that you are more than just a 3 digit number. Business schools are looking for well-rounded individuals. I know individuals that went to top schools that did not break 600. It is not the norm, but it is possible.
The Internets: Where Erroneous Lives
The internet is filled with interesting, informative, and helpful information. Lots of the time, that information is also factually accurate. Lots of times, it’s not. What makes the internet so fantastic a tool — its freedom of access and populist design — is also the thing that can often leave it riddled with factual potholes. The test preparation industry, like any other, struggles with this problem. Given all the companies, tutors, teachers, and individuals sharing information, anyone seeking info on the web should double check what they find. (more…)
On the Record: Q&A with BC Alumnus Radina Russell
Recently, we thought that many people out there battling through the business school application process might benefit from some thoughts and insights from others who went through the experience. To that end, we present On the Record: Q&A with BC Alums. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing stories in Q&A format from some of our favorite Bell Curves alumni.
Today’s featured Bell Curves alumnus is Radina Russell.
BC favorite and all-around superstar Radina Russell
Radina graduated from Columbia Business School and now works as an Investor Relations and Financial Communications consultant. Here is what she has to say about her business school experience, the GMAT, and more:
How has business school impacted your career? I was able to completely reinvent myself. I made the switch from technology to finance and developed a brand new set of skills in b-school.
Study Tips: Don’t interfere!
We (we, the world, not we Bell Curves – which is singular anyway but that’s another story) know more now than ever before about the workings of the human mind and memory, thanks to the field of cognitive neuroscience. What does this mean for you, you ask? These advances have very practical applications, especially for students who wish to improve the efficiency of their studying. (more…)
GMAT Tip: Patterns
Many hard GMAT quantitative questions present problems because of the exceedingly time-consuming calculations needed to solve, or because the way to solve the problem isn’t easily apparent. One solution to these kinds of problems can often be found by identifying and using patterns. Here’s some helpful information to help you utilize the presence of patterns to improve your accuracy and efficiency (which is what you should seek rather than speed) on GMAT Quant:
How to Choose: GMAT versus GRE
With the GRE changing on August 1st, 2011, and an increasing number of business schools accepting the GRE for the application process, we thought it might be a good time to discuss the two to help people make a decision about which test to take.
There are a number of factors that should influence your decision about which test to take. Before we get into those, we’d recommend that your first order of business should always be to contact the admissions office(s) at the program(s) you’re interested in to gather information on how each test is weighted in the admissions process. At present, very little information is given about how the two tests stack up in the admissions process (for example, Columbia provides a link to the GRE Comparison Tool on their admissions website, while Darden at the University of Virginia simply says the GRE is accepted in lieu of the GMAT; neither school, it should be noted, gives any specific info on how the tests are weighted). Given this circumstance, any information you can gather from the programs you’re interested in would be beneficial in informing your decision on which test to take.
So, here are some considerations in deciding which test to take: (more…)
GMAT Strategy: Comb That Perm!
Statistics questions can be some of the most exasperating Quant questions on the GMAT. And among those, Combination and Permutation questions may just be some of the worst. The good news: statistics questions are some of the least frequently tested concepts on GMAT Quant. The bad news: you’re still likely to see at least 1 Comb-Perm question come test day. Because higher scorers will likely see a difficult Comb-Perm question, strategies to tackle them are needed. That being said, don’t let those tricky Comb-Perm questions make you want pull your hair out. Often times, there’s an easier way to smooth over those Comb-Perm cowlicks (sorry, I’ll try to reign in the hair jokes). (more…)
Smokers Beware!
I smoke. That’s right, one or two of us, despite all the research and lecturing and (often) revolting anti-smoking campaigns, still exercise our free will and engage in a behavior we know is bad for us, and against which we’re too addicted or stubborn or ignorant to revolt.
I’m okay going outside to smoke, in the cold and wind and snow. I’m totally for not smoking around kids. I’m even okay with the constant “Tisk-tisk, don’t you know how unhealthy that is” and the “You should quit” and the looks of indignation, mortification, or disdain on the faces of passersby (not to mention my mom).
But before you ask what’s this got to do with the GMAT, let me go ahead and answer: Not too long ago I took the GMAT. I went in with a couple other Bell Curves instructors during the research study for the new in Integrated Reasoning section, and it didn’t go exactly according to plan. Why? Cigarettes. Or rather, the lack thereof.
The AWA Essay: 6 The Fun Way.
Nobody quite understands why GMAC requires that people write two 30-minute essays before test-takers get to the only thing that really matters, namely the Quant and Verbal Sections. Consensus even seems to be that business schools are rarely, if ever, using the GMAT essay in the admissions process. (more…)