by Rich Cohen, EMPOWERgmat Rich.C@empowergmat.com
This series of emails and PMs focuses on situations that many Test Takers face during their studies. The names of the original posters have been changed to protect their identities.
Where to Find Those Extra 10-20 Points
Hi Rich,
I am seeking advice for my final two weeks of preparation. Below are my test scores. My goal is to score higher than a 650.
October 14 - Exam 1: 640 Q46 V33
October 26 - Exam 2: 640 Q40 V38
November 10 - Exam 3: 630 Q48 V28
If you have any advice or can offer any insight into an approach I should be taking, please let me know. It will be much appreciated!
Daphne
Hi Daphne,
With your scores on your practice CATs, you're essentially at your goal, but you just missed it by a "little bit." Go back, review your CATs and count up the number of "silly mistakes." Those silly mistakes represent your missing points. Put your energy into keeping the silly mistakes from happening and your score will improve. And yes, it really IS that simple.
Rare Geometry Rule For Right Triangles
Rich,
I have a question about the first statement in this ds question. What is the best way to deal with it?
If a,b,c are different positive integers,and a^2+b^2 = c^2, then what is the value of (c-b)^2?
1) a is prime.
Edgar
Hi Edgar,
This DS question is based on a remarkably RARE rule about the Pythagorean Theorem which you're not likely to see on the GMAT.
We're told that A, B and C are different positive integers and A^2 + B^2 = C^2. We're asked for the value of (C-B)^2?
Fact 1: A is PRIME. This is an interesting "restriction"; let's TEST VALUES
A = 3
B = 4
C = 5
Here, (5-4)^2 = 1
A = 5
B = 12
C = 13
Here, (13-12)^2 = 1
A = 7
B = 24
C = 25
Here, (25-24)^2 = 1
This is a consistent result, so Fact 1 IS SUFFICIENT. The rare rule that I mentioned earlier is that IF A, B and C are all different integers AND A (or B) is a prime, then the other two numbers will differ by 1. So (C-B)^2 will always = 1
Technical Grammar Explanations vs. Plain Grammar Patterns
Hi Rich,
I have been studying this thing for the better part of the last month, and I am sick and tired of the explanations in the MGMAT book on what a present-particple, compound verb, compound noun etc. I don't find these explanations helpful at all
Is there some kind of worksheet, or summary or reference guide to the SC section where it's actually written in terms that non-English majors can understand? I read through this book about 3 times and none of it is sinking in. This stuff is so arbitrary and varied that it is really starting to get to me....
Frank
Hi Frank,
Most books offer SC explanations based on "technical explanations" for grammar rules. Instead of trying to comprehend the "wording" of the explanations, you might find it easier to focus more on the "patterns" behind the grammar. Since the GMAT is built heavily on Quant and Verbal patterns, your memory and ability to spot patterns might be all that you need to earn those missing SC points.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
