GMAT 考试准备

The best method, as with any standardized test, is to practice with past exams. Consider purchasing The Official Guide for GMAT Review (9th Edition), published by ETS. It's the only resource that contains official past GMATs. Even better, buy the PowerPrep software package, also produced by ETS, which has two practice CATs made up of the same questions as in the Official Guide.
Hint: It is a little known fact that ETS will allow you to take a practice GMAT CAT at one of the test centers. Take advantage of this offer.
Unfortunately, the resources published by ETS contain only a few tests; you will probably need more practice tests than they provide. Also, these tests are from a few years ago and are somewhat dated. For example, some math concepts that were not on previous exams have been added in recent years.

That's a compelling argument in favor of taking a GMAT course offered by a test-prep company like Kaplan or Princeton Review, a popular study method among business school applicants. Although test preparation has become an industry in itself -- and these companies have a vested interest in getting you to believe that you need to take one of their expensive classes in order to do well on the GMAT -- it's their job to monitor the exam, identify common traps, and develop strategies for finding correct answers. GMAT courses run around $1,000, but they can be worth it if you go to all of the classes, work through most of the home-study material, take advantage of workshops, free tutoring, and extra help special sessions, and take simulated practice CATs at the test centers. (Keep in mind that these are tests created by the companies, so while they closely mimic the GMAT, your score on and experience with them won't quite be the same as an actual exam.) Also, some people find that if they pay money for a class, they're more likely to attend.

Peppo says that his prep course helped him in "being able to see a problem and identify the type of question and know exactly how to break that problem down.... You kind of know already what they're looking for." Another benefit was "realizing that you can get some of the questions wrong and it's not going to affect your score that much. If you're really stuck on one, don't burn time -- move on."

Courses can also teach you how to approach the Analytical Writing Assessment, which is graded by both a person and a computer program called the "e-rater." Your score is the average of their two grades; if they disagree by more than one point, a second person looks at your writing as well. Besides checking for grammar, spelling, and usage, the e-rater looks for characteristics like disparate sentence length, stylistic variations, and clear structure, with the main idea at the beginning of each paragraph. Classes can teach you what the e-rater is looking for.

If you do decide to take a course, you will probably end up choosing between Kaplan and Princeton Review. They offer books, study guides, diagnostic tests, homework books, lesson plans, online courses, and instructional materials on CD-ROM and video to supplement their classes. They also offer optional workshops on specific test topics, and seminars about the application process and other issues related to business school. Kaplan is larger, older, and more conservative than Princeton Review, which is known for its more cynical, irreverent attitude. "Princeton's a good marketing company," says GMAT tutor Adrienne Wichard. "They're the ones with free beer and pizza." Kaplan tends to focus on methodology and substance, while Princeton Review concentrates more on tricks and avoiding traps.
Regardless of which company you choose, there are some things you can do to get the most out of your GMAT course:
· Work on your endurance. The GMAT is a long test, so you should take lots of practice tests.
· Simulate test conditions exactly. Time yourself strictly, don't cut out the writing section, and practice at the same time of day your test is scheduled for.
· Review your practice exams thoroughly. Go over all of your answers -- even the correct ones -- and the explanations your study guides provide. This will help you reinforce concepts and review formulas and shortcuts.
· Don't work just on your weaknesses. Points are points, no matter where you gain them, and you don't want your strengths to get rusty.
Hint: Get your money's worth. In addition to taking advantage of the simulated practice CATs and extra study sessions, "Never be afraid to ask for anything, because people want to make you happy," says a former Kaplan instructor. "They're very customer-service oriented."
Classes aren't for everyone, though. If you are well below average in math, for example, you might need more specialized help. In that case, you might call a local high school or college for the name of a tutor or a basic review course. Similarly, if you are in the upper 20th percentile and have only a few areas of weakness, you might consider a private tutor or a targeted, tracked class (Princeton Review sometimes offers the latter). Both Kaplan and Princeton Review offer private tutoring for about $90 to $135 an hour. Graduate students, teachers, and independent tutors often charge less.

The advantages of tutoring are obvious: flexibility and individual attention. You get to choose the time and place to meet and, more important, you can focus on the areas where you need help. Private tutoring can also be cost-effective because, although hourly rates can be high, you only pay for the hours you really need. The disadvantage is that it can be hard to gauge whether a tutor has a good background and expertise for what you need and whether he or she will truly be helpful. If you need help in more than one area or just want a general brush-up, a course might be a better choice.