Written by Sameer Kamat

Most GMAT success stories on MBA forums are written by the typical Indian IT Male Engineers. Makes you wonder if the female applicants from India have stopped preparing for the GMAT or failed to get into the high GMAT score club (above 750). We have tried to break that notion by inviting several girls (who have cracked the GMAT) to write about their experiences, but most have shied away.
Ipseeta Aruni shares tips on how she used unusual GMAT preparation techniques that ranged from self-hypnosis, relaxation, jogging, Ajile (software development principles), using a broken keyboard…and of course the best GMAT books too. Her eccentric (as she terms it) approach gave her an eccentric result – a GMAT score of 760.
A word of caution before you read on. Just because this unusual GMAT prep study-plan worked for Ipseeta, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. So as the general disclaimer goes – All stunts in this story have been performed by trained professionals. Don’t try this at home.

Written by Sameer Kamat

Aiming for a perfect 800 score on the GMAT? You aren’t the only one. There are many who want to go where few have gone before. The Big 8-0-0! Is it even possible to get a perfect 800 GMAT score? Yes, it is. And you’ll find the occasional post on GMAT preparation forums and blogs on ‘How I got the perfect 800 score on the GMAT test’ (or similar sounding euphoric accounts and debriefs).

Such posts get the maximum attention as every aspiring GMAT student and MBA applicant flocks to the discussion thread to find out the secrets to cracking the GMAT test and getting the best possible score. The rationale is – if more than one regular homo sapien without superpowers can get the perfect 800 score, why can’t I?

Here are some examples of people who got perfect 800 GMAT scores.

Written by Sameer Kamat

Pagalguy.com published an FAQ series written by yours truly for pagal guys (or puys, as the forum readers are known). It covered many basic questions that come up in the minds of applicants who have just begun their research on the best international MBA programs across the world. Titled ‘The Mother of all International MBA FAQs’ each Pagalguy MBA abroad post covered common questions related to a specific topic – GMAT preparation, MBA financing, MBA essays, MBA interviews, MBA recommendations and many more.

Written by Sameer Kamat

Got an average GMAT score in your recent attempt? Chances are that your ‘average score’ isn’t as average as you think it is. If Indian IT Male (and Female) Engineers score a 690 on the GMAT test (a very respectable score by global standards), we still label them as average GMAT scorers. In fact, even a 700 or 710 doesn’t seem to impress the powers that be i.e international MBA Admissions officers of the top business schools.

But statistically, that’s far from the truth. The real average score for GMAT test takers around the world is…hold your breath…

Written by Sameer Kamat

GMAT Data Sufficiency questions in the GMAT quantitative (Maths) section need an indepth understanding of how equations work. In the exclusive series for MBA Crystal Ball the GoGMAT experts explain how to tackle Data Sufficiency questions that involve systems of equations.

Written by Sameer Kamat

GMAT Quantitative questions are normally considered to be easier than their GMAT verbal cousins. Most applicants from an engineering background score high on the GMAT quant section. But just because they are the low-hanging fruits, doesn’t mean you can take them lightly as a higher GMAT score would require you to crack difficult GMAT quantitative questions. In this post for MBA Crystal Ball, the experts from GoGMAT provide an overview of the Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency type of questions in the GMAT maths section.

Written by Sameer Kamat

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) questions test the test-takers ability to read complex (sometimes intentionally tricky) paragraphs and derive rational conclusions from it. Our friends from GoGMAT, continue their GMAT preparation series for readers of MBA Crystal Ball. In this post their GMAT teachers take on another topic from the GMAT verbal syllabus that non-English speakers often find confusing. And yup, do expect sample GMAT questions to test out your newly gained knowledge.

Written by Sameer Kamat

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) questions can be tough nuts to crack in the GMAT Verbal section. The GMAT preparation series on MBA Crystal Ball, written by the GMAT teachers at GoGMAT, continues with some tips on finding logical flaws in the Critical Reasoning questions with samples to explain the underlying concept.

Written by Sameer Kamat

In the GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) questions, identifying the structured of the paragraph is the first and the most important thing to do. The expert GMAT teachers at GoGMAT, continue their GMAT preparation series on MBA Crystal Ball. This time the spotlight is on the Critical Reasoning questions within the GMAT syllabus. And yeah, there are examples and a sample question for you to sink your teeth into.

Written by Sameer Kamat

The GMAT syllabus can appear to be vast and scary. So preparing for the GMAT test involves more than just knowing every GMAT verbal and quantiative concept perfectly. Knowing how to guess intelligently on difficult GMAT questions can save you time and get you some good scores too. In the GMAT preparation series written by GoGMAT for MBA Crystal Ball, this week’s focus is on how to sharpen your guessing skills with some cool tips and tricks.