ค้นหาข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ " gmat "
รายละเอียดของข้อสอบ GMAT
รายละเอียดของข้อสอบ GMAT
วันที่ 17 มีนาคม 2549
เรียบเรียงโดย: ดร.สิระ สุทธิคำ, สถาบัน Kendall Square
www.ToeflThailand.com
Graduate Management Admission Test หรือข้อสอบ GMAT เป็นข้อสอบที่ใช้วัดความสามารถของผู้ที่ต้องการเข้าศึกษาในระดับปริญญาโทและปริญญาเอกสาขาบริหารธุรกิจซึ่งรวมทั้ง MBA, M.S. Marketing, M.S. Finance, MIS (สำหรับสาขา MIS ของบางมหาวิทยาลัยอาจต้องใช้คะแนน GRE แทน), DBA, และ Ph.D. ด้านบริหารธุรกิจส่วนใหญ่ต้องใช้คะแนน GMAT ในการพิจารณารับนักศึกษา
ภาพรวมของข้อสอบ
เป็นการวัดความรู้ในการสื่อสารซึ่งรวมทั้งการอ่านและการเขียน, ทักษะการวิเคราะห์, และ ทักษะในการคำนวณ ที่จะสามารถใช้เป็นเครื่องชี้วัดความสำเร็จในการเรียนต่อทางด้านบริหารธุรกิจ
จาก website ของผู้ออกข้อสอบ www.mba.com ระบุไว้ชัดเจนว่าข้อสอบ GMAT ไม่สามารถใช้วัดความสามารถในเรื่องต่อไปนี้
• ความรู้เฉพาะทางของธุรกิจเช่น มาตรฐานของบัญชี หรือ กฎหมายธุรกิจ
• ทักษะเฉพาะด้านของงาน (specific job skill) หรือเนื้อหาจากบทเรียนระดับปริญญาตรีด้านบัญชีและบริหาร
• คุณสมบัติอื่นของการเป็นนักธุรกิจที่ดีเช่นความมุ่งมั่น, ความคิดริเริ่มสร้างสรรค์, และความสามารถในการทำงานร่วมกับผู้อื่น
รูปแบบของข้อสอบและเวลา
ข้อสอบ GMAT ประกอบด้วยข้อสอบ 3 ส่วนคือ 1. การเขียน (Analytical Writing Assessment) 2. คณิตศาสตร์ (Quantitative) และ 3. ภาษาอังกฤษ (Verbal)
ข้อสอบการเขียน (AWA)
ข้อสอบ GMATเริ่มจากการทำข้อสอบเขียนก่อนเสมอ โดยจะมีรูปแบบของข้อสอบ 2 ลักษณะได้แก่ 1.การเขียนเพื่อแสดงความคิดเห็น (Issue) และ 2.การเขียนเพื่อแสดงวิจารณ์บทความ (Argument) ผู้เข้าสอบจะมีเวลา 30 นาทีต่อหนึ่ง essay
ข้อสอบคณิตศาสตร์ (Quantitative)
หลังจากการพักจากข้อสอบการเขียน 10 นาที ผู้เข้าสอบจะต้องทำโจทย์เลขแบบ multiple-choice จำนวน 37 ข้อโดยมีรูปแบบของข้อสอบสองลักษณะนั้นคือ 1. Problem Solving ~24 ข้อ และ 2. Data Sufficiency ~13 ข้อ โดยมีเวลาทำข้อสอบทั้งสิ้น 75 นาที คอมพิวเตอร์จะหยุดการทำงานทันทีเมื่อเวลาหมด
หลังจากการพักจากข้อสอบคณิตศาสตร์แล้ว ผู้เข้าสอบสามารถพักหรือทำข้อสอบภาษาอังกฤษ (Verbal) ต่อเนื่องเลยได้ โดยข้อสอบส่วนนี้จะเป็นโจทย์แบบ multiple-choice จำนวน 41 ข้อโดยมีรูปแบบของข้อสอบสามลักษณะนั้นคือ 1. การอ่าน (Reading Comprehension) ~14 ข้อ 2. การวิเคราะห์ (Critical Reasoning) ~14 ข้อและ 3. ไวยกรณ์และการเขียน (Sentence Correction) ~13 ข้อ โดยมีเวลาทำข้อสอบทั้งสิ้น 75 นาที คอมพิวเตอร์จะหยุดการทำงานทันทีเมื่อเวลาหมด
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบGmat
Example:
The rise in negative attitudes toward foreigners indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that the opportunities are ripe for extremist groups to exploit the illegal immigration problem.
(A) indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(B) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore
(C) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(D) indicates that the country is being less tolerant, and therefore
(E) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant of and therefore that
Choice (A) has two flaws. First, the subject of the sentence the rise is singular, and therefore the verb indicate should not be plural. Second, the comma indicates that the sentence is made up of two independent clauses, but the relative pronoun that immediately following therefore forms a subordinate clause.
Choice (C) corrects the number of the verb, but retains the subordinating relative pronoun that.
Choice (D) corrects the number of the verb and eliminates the subordinating relative pronoun that. However, the verb being is less descriptive than the verb becoming: As negative attitudes toward foreigners increase, the country becomes correspondingly less tolerant. Being does not capture this notion of change.
Choice (E) corrects the verb's number, and by dropping the comma makes the subordination allowable. However, it introduces the preposition of which does not have an object: less tolerant of what?
Choice (B) both corrects the verb's number and removes the subordinating relative pronoun that. The answer is (B).
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Overview of Masters of Business Administration (MBA) The business world is competitive. Undergraduate students seeking to enter the business world ha
The business world is competitive. Undergraduate students seeking to enter the business world have found that a solid resume must now include additional course work. A Masters of Business Administration (MBA) has become the competitive edge in securing a lucrative job in the business world. Throughout the United States and the world, graduate schools offer MBA Programs that attract business students wishing to enhance their undergraduate studies. Entry into MBA Programs is competitive and requires that the student has at least a 3.0 to a 4.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA). MBA Degrees are offered throughout the United States can be found locally at private and state institutions of higher education. For those students seeking an international experience, MBA Programs are offered throughout Europe and Asia. The top schools for pursuing an MBA are ranked according to coursework, curriculum, and the average GPA score of the student attending the school.
Students
A student may pursue an MBA degree full-time or part-time in the evening. Many MBA Degree Programs are tailored towards the career-oriented students who bring a solid work experience into the classroom. Similar to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for High School Students is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for undergraduate students. Students applying for an MBA Program must take the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) for admittance into a accredited degree program. The GMAT is used as a guideline for the institution’s admission committee on how successful the student will be in an MBA Program.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for students needing financial assistance. Obtaining undergraduate financial aid, scholarships and loans were utilized to finance the degree. As a mature student, the financial agency that would offer a loan to prospective MBA student weighs the applications on the applicant’s ability to repay the loan in a timely manner and their future earning potential. The Federal government provides aid to MBA applicants who meet specified requirements. In order to receive Federal aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA). Generally scholarship or grants are not provided by most schools. Usually, MBA schools will provide a student with a loan and expect that an MBA’s salary will be sufficient to repay the debt.
GMAT The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is used by most school to determine if an individual will be able to excel in an MBA program. The
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is used by most school to determine if an individual will be able to excel in an MBA program. The test uses a standardized, multiple choice format.
What it Tests
May people believe that the GMAT test a person’s business knowledge, case study analysis ability, creativity, and ability to work on a team. However, the GMAT does not directly test any of these. Rather, the GMAT focuses on an individual’s knowledge of English, Math, and Analytical writing skills. These basic skills are tested rather than business skills because it is thought that the business school should be the provider of a business education and it is not expected that an individual that does not have an MBA know all there is about business. If this were true, an MBA would be needless. The GMAT is made up of three sections. The GMAT Verbal, the GMAT Math, and the Analytical writing section (AWA).
GMAT Verbal
The verbal section consists of 41 questions that are required to be answered in 75 minutes. Sentence correction, critical reasoning, and reading comprehension are the three types of questions asked on the verbal section of the GMAT. Many students make the mistake of focusing on grammar parts rather than usage, which is what the GMAT is designed to test. A good way to think about the critical reasoning portion of the test is that it is designed to be tricky. The reading comprehension portion is designed to be straight forward. To secure a good score, the test taker must be able to shift gears effectively and quickly.
GMAT Math
This section of the GMAT consists of 37 questions that are to be answered within a time limit of 75 minutes. The two types of questions that are posed are problem solving and data sufficiency. Some of the most common mathematical concepts that are tested include ratio and proportion, percentage, speed and distance, simple and compound interest, areas and volumes, permutations and combinations, probability, set theory, functions, equations and inequalities, and algebraic expressions.
Writing Analysis
This portion of the test requires GMAT takers to write to essays. One issue concerns an issue while the other concerns and argument. These two essays are designed to measure a person’s ability to reason and persuade.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
GMAT หรือ Graduate management Admission Test: เป็นข้อสอบที่ใช้วัดความรู้ความสามารถ และคุณสมบัติของผู้ที่ต้องการ เข้าศึกษาในหลักสูตรระดับบัณฑิตศึกษา สาขาบริหารธุรกิจ จากจำนวน มหาวิทยาลัยในประเทศอเมริกาทั้งหมด ที่เปิดสอนในสาขานี้ประมาณ 1,300 แห่ง หว่า 850 แห่ง ที่ใช้คะแนน GMAT ในการพิจารณาการับนักศึกษา
ประเภทของข้อสอบ GMAT
ลักษณะของข้อสอบจะเป็นข้อสอบแบบข้อเขียน 2 เรื่อง เรื่องละ 30 นาที และเป็นข้อสอบปรนัยตอนละ 25 นาที รวม 7 ตอน ลักษณะของข้อสอบจะเป็นการวัดความรู้ทางด้านภาษาอังกฤษ และคณิตศาสตร์ รวมทั้งความถนัดของการเขียนในเชิงวิเคราะห์ ซึ่งเป็นความสามารถที่นักศึกษา ควรจะมีในการศึกษาระดับบัณฑิตศึกษาด้านการบริหาร
ภาคการคำนวณ
- การคำนวณ (Mathematic Ability)
- การใช้เหตุผล (Data Sufficiency)
- การอ่านกราฟ, แผนภูมิ และตาราง (Statistics)
ภาคที่ไม่ใช่การคำนวณ
- การประเมินข้อมูล (Data Evaluation)
- การวิเคราะห์ข้อมูล (Data Analysis)
- การเปรียบเทียบข้อมูล (Data Comparison)
- การทดสอบเชาว์และไหวพริบ (Aptitude Test)
คะแนน GMAT อยู่ในช่วง 200-800 ผลคะแนนของนักศึกษา ส่วนใหญ่อยู่ในช่วง 250-700 ในส่วนการเขียนเชิงวิเคราะห์ จะมีคะแนนในช่วง 0-6 ผู้ที่ไม่ทำข้อสอบ 2 ชุด คือทั้งการเขียนบทความ และการทำข้อสอบปรนัยจะไม่ได้รับผลคะแนน การสอบ GMAT เนื่องจากถือว่าทำข้อสอบไม่สมบูรณ์
ปัจจุบัน ได้มีการเปลี่ยนแปลงรูปแบบการสอบ GMAT ในประเทศไทย เป็นการสอบกับคอมพิวเตอร์ อัตราค่าสมัครสอบปัจจุบันเท่ากับ US$ 195.00 และสามารถเลือกวันสอบได้ โดยทาง IIE จัดสอบทุกวันวันละ 1 รอบ ตั้งแต่วันจันทร์ถึงวันศุกร์ ตลอดช่วงระยะเวลา 3 สัปดาห์สุดท้ายของแต่ละเดือน ไม่มีการจัดสอบในช่วงสัปดาห์แรกของเดือน การสอบแต่ละครั้งสามารถรับผู้สอบได้ 19 คน
นักศึกษาสามารถรับใบสมัครและสมัครสอบได้ที่ IIE นักศึกษาสามารถทราบผลการสอบในส่วนที่เป็นปรนัยทันทีหลังจากการสอบ แต่ในส่วนข้อเขียน ทาง IIE จะจัดส่งผลไปให้ภายหลัง ผู้ที่สนใจยังสามารถอ่านข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ GMAT ได้ที่ http://www.gmat.org
..ข้อมูลจาก US Study Guide
Friday, May 2, 2008
วิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL ทาง Internet ที่ดีที่สุด
วิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL ทาง Internet ที่ดีที่สุด,วิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL ไม่ยาก,รายละเอียด วิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL
วิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL ทาง Internet
เพื่อประหยัดเวลาในการสมัครสอบ, สถาบัน Kendall ใคร่แนะนำวิธีสมัคร TOEFL ทาง Internet ที่ใช้ขั้นตอนน้อยที่สุด โปรดปฏิบัติตามอย่างละเอียด หากไม่สามารถทำได้อย่าพึ่งหงุดหงิดเพราะ server ของ ETS เสียบ่อยมาก
เรามาเริ่มวิธีสมัครสอบ TOEFL
1. เปิด web www.toefl.org
2. ที่รูปผู้ชายมีหนวด click “Register for the Test”
3. เลือก Country “Thailand”
4. เลือก City “Bangkok”
5. click “Register Online”
6. click “Schedule an Exam” สีน้ำเงินเท่านั้น!!!
7. เมื่อพบหน้า web ใหม่ให้อ่านมาจนสุดหน้าแล้ว click “Next”
8. เลือก “I agree” แล้ว click “Next”
9. click “Schedule Appointment” สีฟ้าอ่อนเท่านั้น
10. click “Go” (ไม่ต้องเลือกเดือนและปีเพราะเราจะทำในขั้นตอนถัดไป)
11. click เลือกเวลาจากปฏิทินสามารถเลือกเดือนก่อนหน้าและหลังจาก link ที่ขอบบนซ้ายและขวาได้
12. กรอกข้อมูลส่วนตัวทั้งหมดแล้ว click “Next”
13. เลือกประเภทบัตรเครดิตในช่อง “Payment Options”และกรอกรายละเอียดของบัตรเครดิต
14. ยืนยันการสมัครครั้งสุดท้าย ทาง ETS จะส่ง e-mail ยืนยันการสมัครใน 24 ชั่วโมง
Tip เพิ่มเติม
1. ทำตามกระบวนการข้างต้นอย่างละเอียด
2. หมั่นเช็ค web บ่อยๆเพราะตารางมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงบ่อยและมักจะมีที่ว่างเพิ่มได้
3. ให้ลองดูข้อสอบแบบ Paper ที่จะมีในต่างจังหวัดด้วยหากสนใจในขั้นตอนที่ 4 ให้เลือกจังหวัดอื่นที่ไม่ใช่กรุงเทพ
วันที่: 5 มีนาคม 2549
รายละเอียด ขั้นตอน สมัครสอบ gmat
GMAT-Graduate Management Admission Test
Structure
GMAT มีรูปแบบของการสอบเป็นแบบ Computer-Adaptive Test-CAT ประกอบไปด้วย 3 ส่วน คือ
1. Analytical Writing Assessment : เป็นการเขียน essay 2 บทความ คือ analysis of an issue และ analysis of an argument บทความละ 30 นาที ซึ่งต้องทำข้อสอบ ทางคอมพิวเตอร์เท่านั้น
2. Quantitative Section : 75 นาที 37 คำถาม ลักษณะของข้อสอบเป็นการวัดระดับ ความสามารถทางด้าน Algebra, Arithmetic และ Geometry โดยมีคำถามใน 2 รูปแบบคือ Data Sufficiency และ Problem Solving
3. Verbal Section : 75 นาที 41 คำถาม เป็นการทดสอบความสามารถทางด้าน Reading, Grammar และ Analytical Reasoning ในระดับที่นักศึกษาควรจะมี ในการเข้าศึกษา หลักสูตรระดับบัณฑิตศึกษา ทางด้านบริหารธุรกิจ โดยมีคำถามใน 3 รูปแบบคือ Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning และ Sentence Correction
How to Apply
ค่าสมัครสอบ GMAT ในปัจจุบันเท่ากับ US$ 225 โดยสามารถชำระได้ทั้งในรูปแบบของบัตรเครดิต ( Visa, MasterCard or American Express ) ใบสั่งจ่ายเงิน หรือคูปอง UNESCO การสมัครสอบ GMAT ปัจจุบัน หน่วยงานที่ทำหน้าที่รับสมัครการสอบ GMAT สำหรับประเทศไทยคือ Regional Registration Center ( RRC ) Region 6 ซึ่งมีรายละเอียดดังนี้
Thomson Prometric
P . O . Box 12964 50794 Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia. E-mail: searrc@prometric.com Tel: 60-3-7628-3333 Fax: 60-3-7628-3366
สำหรับ สถานที่สอบ GMAT ในประเทศไทย คือที่
Institute of International Education-Southeast Asia (IIE)
6th Floor, Maneeya Center North 518/3 Ploenchit Road Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
ศูนย์สอบในประเทศไทย เป็นศูนย์สอบแบบ Permanent ซึ่งเมื่อกำหนดสถานที่สอบได้แล้ว ผู้ที่ต้องการสอบสามารถตรวจสอบวันที่ และเวลาที่สามารถลงทะเบียนสอบได้ จาก http://www.gmat.org/mba/Service/GMATInfo/SelectTest.htm
สำหรับขั้นตอนการสมัครสอบ GMAT ในประเทศไทย สามารถกระทำได้ 4 วิธีคือ
1. แบบ online : ผู้สอบสามารถลงทะเบียนสอบ online ได้ ทาง website โดยต้องชำระค่า สมัครสอบด้วยบัตรเครดิตเท่านั้น นอกจากนี้ ผู้สอบยังต้องสมัครเป็นสมาชิกของ www.mba . com ก่อน จึงจะสามารถสมัครสอบแบบ online ได้
2. โทรศัพท์: การสมัครสอบทางโทรศัพท์จากประเทศไทย ผู้สมัครต้องโทรติดต่อไปที่ Regional Registration Center ( RRC ) หมายเลขโทรศัพท์ 60-3-7628-3333 พร้อมเตรียมข้อมูลส่วนตัว และบัตรเครดิตที่ต้องการใช้ในการชำระค่าสมัครสอบ
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ผู้สอบสามารถสอบ GMAT ได้เพียง 1 ครั้ง ภายในระยะเวลา 1 เดือน (ตามปฏิทิน) และไม่สามารถ สอบได้เกินกว่า 5 ครั้ง ภายในระยะเวลา 12 เดือน (รวมถึงครั้งที่มีการยกเลิกผลคะแนนด้วย) หากสอบเกิน 5 ครั้ง ผลการสอบในครั้งที่เกินจะไม่มีการจัดส่งออกมาและอาจถูกห้าม ไม่ให้สอบ GMAT ในอนาคตได้อีก
สามารถทราบข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมเกี่ยวกับ GMAT สามารถดูได้จาก www.gmat.org หรือ www.gmac.org หรือ โทรไปที่ 0-2652-0653 เพื่อสอบถามข้อมูลทั่วไป
รายละเอียด ขั้นตอน สมัครสอบ gmat
Saturday, April 26, 2008
ดาวน์โหลดดิกชันนารีไว้ใช้งาน ฟรี ! download dictionary free
[1] ประเภทดิกชันนารี อังกฤษ – ไทย, ไทย - อังกฤษ
โปรแกรมที่ 1: LEXiTRON (ดิก อังกฤษ – ไทย & ไทย - อังกฤษ) ประมาณ 20 MB
http://home.dsd.go.th/freeenglish/LEXiTRON.exe
โปรแกรมที่ 2: My Buddy Dictionary ดิก อังกฤษ – ไทย รวมดิกจาก 3 ฐานข้อมูลไว้ในโปรแกรมเดียวกัน ประมาณ 25 MB
http://www.thaibuddy.com/
ดาวน์โหลดดิก: (หมดอายุ 1 มกราคม 2552)
http://home.dsd.go.th/freeenglish/MyBuddy2.1beta.zip
โปรแกรมที่ 3: Loy Dictionary อังกฤษ – ไทย ประมาณ 25 MB
http://home.dsd.go.th/freeenglish/_LoyDictSetupZipFiles.exe
(เป็นไฟล์ Setup และรายละเอียดในการติดตั้งทั้งหมด)
โปรแกรมที่ 4: HighLight Dictionary (อังกฤษ ->ไทย และ ไทย-อังกฤษ ) ขนาด 10.5 MB
http://www.thaiware.com/main/info.php?id=3342
มีคลังข้อมูลบรรจุคำศัพท์จากพจนานุกรมอิเล็คทรอนิกส์ ถึง 3 เล่ม รวมกันกว่า 180,000 รายการ สมบูรณ์แบบด้วย ความหมาย , ประเภทของคำศัพท์ , คำย่อ , คำพ้องเสียง , คำเหมือน , คำไกล้เคียง , คำตรงข้าม, ตัวอย่างประโยค เป็นต้น สามารถใช้ร่วมกับโปรแกรมต่าง ๆ ได้ โดยจะแปลศัพท์ที่ คุณต้องการรู้ความหมายจริง ๆ โดยไม่ต้องพิมพ์คำศัพท์ใหม่ เพียงแค่คุณลาก Highlight คำศัพท์ที่ต้องการแล้วกดปุ่ม Windows Key + X โปรแกรมก็จะทำการแปลและแสดงผล ...
ดาวน์โหลดดิกชันนารีไว้ใช้งาน ฟรี ! download dictionary free
[2] ประเภท ดิกชันนารี อังกฤษ – อังกฤษ
โปรแกรมที่ 1: WordWeb 5 เป็นดิกอังกฤษ – อังกฤษ ใช้ฟรีที่ดีที่สุด [ขนาดประมาณ7 MB]
ดาวน์โหลด:
http://www.download.com/WordWeb/3000-2279_4-1000320
โปรแกรมที่ 2: Merriam Webster´s Concise Dictionary 2.1 [ขนาด 1.59 MB]
ดาวน์โหลด: http://www.download.com/Merriam-Webster-s-Concise-Dictionary/3000-2279_4-10059666.html?tag=lst-0-1
โปรแกรมที่ 3: TheSage´s English Dictionary and Thesaurus 1.1.2 [ขนาด 8.06 MB]
ดาวน์โหลด:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/412035
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/thesage.html
ดาวน์โหลดดิกชันนารีไว้ใช้งาน ฟรี ! download dictionary free
Friday, April 25, 2008
ลิงค์เพื่อความสุดยอดเก่งภาษาอังกฤษ
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat CHECKING EXTREME CASES
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
CHECKING EXTREME CASES
• When drawing a geometric figure or checking a given one, be sure to include drawings of extreme cases as well as ordinary ones.
Example 1: In the figure to the right, AC is a chord and B is a point on the circle. What is the measure of angle x? |
Although in the drawing AC looks to be a diameter, that cannot be assumed. All we know is that AC is a chord. Hence, numerous cases are possible, three of which are illustrated below:
In Case I, x is greater than 45 degrees; in Case II, x equals 45 degrees; in Case III, x is less than 45 degrees. Hence, the given information is not sufficient to answer the question.
Example 2: Three rays emanate from a common point and form three angles with measures p, q, and r. What is the measure of q + r ?
It is natural to make the drawing symmetric as follows:
In this case, p = q = r = 120, so q + r = 240. However, there are other drawings possible. For example:
In this case, q + r = 180. Hence, the given information is not sufficient to answer the question.
Problems:
1. Suppose 3p + 4q = 11. Then what is the value of q?
(1) p is prime.
(2) q = -2p
Solution: (1) is insufficient. For example, if p = 3 and q = 1/2, then 3p + 4q = 3(3) + 4(1/2) = 11. However, if p = 5 and q = -1, then 3p + 4q = 3(5) + 4(-1) = 11. Since the value of q is not unique, (1) is insufficient.
Turning to (2), we now have a system of two equations in two unknowns. Hence, the system can be solved to determine the value of q. Thus, (2) is sufficient, and the answer is B.
2. What is the perimeter of triangle ABC above?
(1) The ratio of DE to BF is 1: 3.
(2) D and E are midpoints of sides AB and CB, respectively.
Solution: Since we do not even know whether BF is an altitude, nothing can be determined from (1). More importantly, there is no information telling us the absolute size of the triangle.
As to (2), although from geometry we know that DE = AC/2, this relationship holds for any size triangle. Hence, (2) is also insufficient.
Together, (1) and (2) are also insufficient since we still don't have information about the size of the triangle, so we can't determine the perimeter. The answer is E.
3. A dress was initially listed at a price that would have given the store a profit of 20 percent of the wholesale cost. What was the wholesale cost of the dress?
(1) After reducing the asking price by 10 percent, the dress sold for a net profit of 10 dollars.
(2) The dress sold for 50 dollars.
Solution: Consider just the question setup. Since the store would have made a profit of 20 percent on the wholesale cost, the original price P of the dress was 120 percent of the cost: P = 1.2C. Now, translating (1) into an equation yields:
P - .1P = C + 10
Simplifying gives
.9P = C + 10
Solving for P yields
P = (C + 10)/.9
Plugging this expression for P into P = 1.2C gives
(C + 10)/.9 = 1.2C
Since we now have only one equation involving the cost, we can determine the cost by solving for C. Hence, the answer is A or D.
(2) is insufficient since it does not relate the selling price to any other information. Note, the phrase "initially listed" implies that there was more than one asking price. If it wasn't for that phrase, (2) would be sufficient. The answer is A.
4. What is the value of the two-digit number x?
(1) The sum of its digits is 4.
(2) The difference of its digits is 4.
Solution: Considering (1) only, x must be 13, 22, 31, or 40. Hence, (1) is not sufficient to determine the value of x.
Considering (2) only, x must be 40, 51, 15, 62, 26, 73, 37, 84, 48, 95, or 59. Hence, (2) is not sufficient to determine the value of x.
Considering (1) and (2) together, we see that 40 and only 40 is common to the two sets of choices for x. Hence, x must be 40. Thus, together (1) and (2) are sufficient to uniquely determine the value of x. The answer is C.
5. If x and y do not equal 0, is x/y an integer?
(1) x is prime.
(2) y is even.
Solution: (1) is not sufficient since we don't know the value of y. Similarly, (2) is not sufficient. Furthermore, (1) and (2) together are still insufficient since there is an even prime number--2. For example, let x be the prime number 2, and let y be the even number 2 (don't forget that different variables can stand for the same number). Then x/y = 2/2 = 1, which is an integer. For all other values of x and y, x/y is not an integer. (Plug in a few values to verify this.) The answer is E.
6. Is 500 the average (arithmetic mean) score on the GMAT?
(1) Half of the people who take the GMAT score above 500 and half of the people score below 500.
(2) The highest GMAT score is 800 and the lowest score is 200.
Solution: Many students mistakenly think that (1) implies the average is 500. Suppose just 2 people take the test and one scores 700 (above 500) and the other scores 400 (below 500). Clearly, the average score for the two test-takers is not 500. (2) is less tempting. Knowing the highest and lowest scores tells us nothing about the other scores. Finally, (1) and (2) together do not determine the average since together they still don't tell us the distribution of most of the scores. The answer is E.
7. The set S of numbers has the following properties:
I) If x is in S, then 1/x is in S.
II) If both x and y are in S, then so is x + y.
Is 3 in S?
(1) 1/3 is in S.
(2) 1 is in S.
Solution: Consider (1) alone. Since 1/3 is in S, we know from Property I that 1/(1/3) = 3 is in S. Hence, (1) is sufficient.
Consider (2) alone. Since 1 is in S, we know from Property II that 1 + 1 = 2 (Note, nothing in Property II prevents x and y from standing for the same number. In this case both stand for 1.) is in S. Applying Property II again shows that 1 + 2 = 3 is in S. Hence, (2) is also sufficient. The answer is D.
8. What is the area of the triangle above?
(1) a = x, b = 2x, and c = 3x.
(2) The side opposite a is 4 and the side opposite b is 3.
Solution: From (1) we can determine the measures of the angles: a + b + c = x + 2x + 3x = 6x = 180
Dividing the last equation by 6 gives: x = 30
Hence, a = 30, b = 60, and c = 90. However, different size triangles can have these angle measures, as the diagram below illustrates:
Hence, (1) is not sufficient to determine the area of the triangle.
Turning to (2), be careful not to assume that c is a right angle. Although from the diagram c appears to be a right angle, it could be 91 degrees or 89 degrees--we can't tell. Hence, (2) is not sufficient to determine the area of the triangle.
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat GMAT EXAM - GMAT TEST Data Sufficiency
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
EXAM - GMAT TEST Data Sufficiency
Most people have much more difficulty with the Data Sufficiency problems than with the Standard Math problems. However, the mathematical knowledge and skill required to solve Data Sufficiency problems is no greater than that required to solve standard math problems. What makes Data Sufficiency problems appear harder at first is the complicated directions. But once you become familiar with the directions, you'll find these problems no harder than standard math problems. In fact, people usually become proficient more quickly on Data Sufficiency problems.
THE DIRECTIONS
The directions for Data Sufficiency questions are rather complicated. Before reading any further, take some time to learn the directions cold. Some of the wording in the directions below has been changed from the GMAT to make it clearer. You should never have to look at the instructions during the test.
Directions: Each of the following Data Sufficiency problems contains a question followed by two statements, numbered (1) and (2). You need not solve the problem; rather you must decide whether the information given is sufficient to solve the problem.
The correct answer to a question is
A if statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the question but statement (2) alone is not sufficient;
B if statement (2) ALONE is sufficient to answer the question but statement (1) alone is not sufficient;
C if the two statements TAKEN TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient;
D if EACH statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question;
E if the two statements TAKEN TOGETHER are still NOT sufficient to answer the question.
Numbers: Only real numbers are used. That is, there are no complex numbers.
Drawings: The drawings are drawn to scale according to the information given in the question, but may conflict with the information given in statements (1) and (2).
You can assume that a line that appears straight is straight and that angle measures cannot be zero.
You can assume that the relative positions of points, angles, and objects are as shown.
All drawings lie in a plane unless stated otherwise.
Example:
In triangle ABC to the right, what is the value of y? (1) AB = AC |
Explanation: By statement (1), triangle ABC is isosceles. Hence, its base angles are equal: y = z. Since the angle sum of a triangle is 180 degrees, we get x + y + z = 180. Replacing z with y in this equation and then simplifying yields x + 2y = 180. Since statement (1) does not give a value for x, we cannot determine the value of y from statement (1) alone. By statement (2), x = 30. Hence, x + y + z = 180 becomes 30 + y + z = 180, or y + z = 150. Since statement (2) does not give a value for z, we cannot determine the value of y from statement (2) alone. However, using both statements in combination, we can find both x and z and therefore y. Hence, the answer is C.
Notice in the above example that the triangle appears to be a right triangle. However, that cannot be assumed: angle A may be 89 degrees or 91 degrees, we can't tell from the drawing. You must be very careful not to assume any more than what is explicitly given in a Data Sufficiency problem.
ELIMINATION
Data Sufficiency questions provide fertile ground for elimination. In fact, it is rare that you won't be able to eliminate some answer-choices. Remember, if you can eliminate at least one answer choice, the odds of gaining points by guessing are in your favor.
The following table summarizes how elimination functions with Data Sufficiency problems.
Statement | Choices Eliminated |
(1) is sufficient | B, C, E |
(1) is not sufficient | A, D |
(2) is sufficient | A, C, E |
(2) is not sufficient | B, D |
(1) is not sufficient and (2) is not sufficient | A, B, D |
Example 1: What is the 1st term in sequence S?
(1) The 3rd term of S is 4.
(2) The 2nd term of S is three times the 1st, and the 3rd term is four times the 2nd.
(1) is no help in finding the first term of S. For example, the following sequences each have 4 as their third term, yet they have different first terms:
0, 2, 4
-4, 0, 4
This eliminates choices A and D. Now, even if we are unable to solve this problem, we have significantly increased our chances of guessing correctly--from 1 in 5 to 1 in 3.
Turning to (2), we completely ignore the information in (1). Although (2) contains a lot of information, it also is not sufficient. For example, the following sequences each satisfy (2), yet they have different first terms:
1, 3, 12
3, 9, 36
This eliminates B, and our chances of guessing correctly have increased to 1 in 2.
Next, we consider (1) and (2) together. From (1), we know "the 3rd term of S is 4." From (2), we know "the 3rd term is four times the 2nd." This is equivalent to saying the 2nd term is 1/4 the 3rd term: (1/4)4 = 1. Further, from (2), we know "the 2nd term is three times the 1st." This is equivalent to saying the 1st term is 1/3 the 2nd term: (1/3)1 = 1/3. Hence, the first term of the sequence is fully determined: 1/3, 1, 4. The answer is C.
Example 2: In the figure to the right, what is the area of the triangle? (1) |
Recall that a triangle is a right triangle if and only if the square of the longest side is equal to the sum of the squares of the shorter sides (Pythagorean Theorem). Hence, (1) implies that the triangle is a right triangle. So the area of the triangle is (6)(8)/2. Note, there is no need to calculate the area--we just need to know that the area can be calculated. Hence, the answer is either A or D.
Turning to (2), we see immediately that we have a right triangle. Hence, again the area can be calculated. The answer is D.
Example 3: Is p <>
(1) p/3 < q/3
(2) -p + x > -q + x
Multiplying both sides of p/3 < q/3 by 3 yields p < q.
Hence, (1) is sufficient. As to (2), subtract x from both sides of -p + x > -q + x, which yields -p > -q.
Multiplying both sides of this inequality by -1, and recalling that multiplying both sides of an inequality by a negative number reverses the inequality, yields p < q.
Hence, (2) is also sufficient. The answer is D.
Example 4: If x is both the cube of an integer and between 2 and 200, what is the value of x?
(1) x is odd.
(2) x is the square of an integer.
Since x is both a cube and between 2 and 200, we are looking at the integers:
which reduce to
8, 27, 64, 125
Since there are two odd integers in this set, (1) is not sufficient to uniquely determine the value of x. This eliminates choices A and D.
Next, there is only one perfect square, 64, in the set. Hence, (2) is sufficient to determine the value of x. The answer is B.
Example 5: Is CAB a code word in language Q?
(1) ABC is the base word.
(2) If C immediately follows B, then C can be moved to the front of the code word to generate another word.
From (1), we cannot determine whether CAB is a code word since (1) gives no rule for generating another word from the base word. This eliminates A and D.
Turning to (2), we still cannot determine whether CAB is a code word since now we have no word to apply this rule to. This eliminates B.
However, if we consider (1) and (2) together, then we can determine whether CAB is a code word:
From (1), ABC is a code word.
From (2), the C in the code word ABC can be moved to the front of the word: CAB.
Hence, CAB is a code word and the answer is C.
UNWARRANTED ASSUMPTIONS
Be extra careful not to read any more into a statement than what is given.
• The main purpose of some difficult problems is to lure you into making an unwarranted assumption.
If you avoid the temptation, these problems can become routine.
Example 6: Did Incumbent I get over 50% of the vote?
(1) Challenger C got 49% of the vote.
(2) Incumbent I got 25,000 of the 100,000 votes cast.
If you did not make any unwarranted assumptions, you probably did not find this to be a hard problem. What makes a problem difficult is not necessarily its underlying complexity; rather a problem is classified as difficult if many people miss it. A problem may be simple yet contain a psychological trap that causes people to answer it incorrectly.
The above problem is difficult because many people subconsciously assume that there are only two candidates. They then figure that since the challenger received 49% of the vote the incumbent received 51% of the vote. This would be a valid deduction if C were the only challenger (You might ask, "What if some people voted for none-of-the-above?" But don't get carried away with finding exceptions. The writers of the GMAT would not set a trap that subtle). But we cannot assume that. There may be two or more challengers. Hence, (1) is insufficient.
Now, consider (2) alone. Since Incumbent I received 25,000 of the 100,000 votes cast, I necessarily received 25% of the vote. Hence, the answer to the question is "No, the incumbent did not receive over 50% of the vote." Therefore, (2) is sufficient to answer the question. The answer is B.
Note, some people have trouble with (2) because they feel that the question asks for a "yes" answer. But on Data Sufficiency questions, a "no" answer is just as valid as a "yes" answer. What we're looking for is a definite answer.
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat GMAT EXAM VERBAL and GMAT READING TEST SECTION
ตัวอย่างข้อสอบ gmat
GMAT EXAM VERBAL and GMAT READING TEST SECTION
The verbal portion of the test consists of three types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Arguments, and Sentence Correction. They are designed to test your ability to reason using the written word. There is roughly the same number of each type of question, for a total of 41 questions.
READING COMPREHENSION
GMAT READING and VERBAL FORMAT
The GMAT reading comprehension section passages are about 200 to 400 words long. The subject matter of a passage can be almost anything, but the most common themes are politics, history, culture, science, and business.
GMAT READING METHODS
Some books recommend speed-reading the passages. This is a mistake. Speed reading is designed for ordinary, nontechnical material. Because this material is filled with "fluff," you can skim over the nonessential parts and still get the gist--and often more--of the passage. However, GMAT passages are dense. Some are actual quoted articles. Most often, however, they are based on articles that have been condensed to about one-third their original length. During this process no essential information is lost, just the "fluff" is cut. This is why speed reading will not work here--the passages contain too much information. You should, however, read somewhat faster than you normally do, but not to the point that your comprehension suffers. You will have to experiment to find your optimum pace.
Many books recommend reading the questions before the passage. But there are two big problems with this method. First, some of the questions are a paragraph long, and reading a question twice can use up precious time. Second, there are up to seven questions per passage, and psychologists have shown that we can hold in our minds a maximum of about three thoughts at any one time (some of us have trouble simply remembering phone numbers). After reading all seven questions, the student will turn to the passage with his mind clouded by half-remembered thoughts. This will at best waste his time and distract him. More likely it will turn the passage into a disjointed mass of information.
However, one technique that you may find helpful is to preview the passage by reading the first sentence of each paragraph. Generally, the topic of a paragraph is contained in the first sentence. Reading the first sentence of each paragraph will give an overview of the passage. The topic sentences act in essence as a summary of the passage. Furthermore, since each passage is only three or four paragraphs long, previewing the topic sentences will not use up an inordinate amount of time.
The passages presented depend on how well you are performing on the test. However, unlike other parts of the test, the questions presented do not depend on your performance. The longer passages will require you to scroll through the passage.
THE SIX QUESTIONS
The key to performing well on the passages is not the particular reading technique you use (so long as it's neither speed reading nor pre-reading the questions). Rather the key is to become completely familiar with the question types--there are only six--so that you can anticipate the questions that might be asked as you read the passage and answer those that are asked more quickly and efficiently. As you become familiar with the six question types, you will gain an intuitive sense for the places from which questions are likely to be drawn. This will give you the same advantage as that claimed by the "pre-reading-the-questions" technique, without the confusion and waste of time. Note, the order in which the questions are asked roughly corresponds to the order in which the main issues are presented in the passage. Early questions should correspond to information given early in the passage, and so on.
The following passage and accompanying questions illustrate the six question types.
There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world--the adversarial and the inquisitorial. The former is associated with common law tradition and the latter with civil law tradition. Both systems were historically preceded by the system of private vengeance in which the victim of a crime fashioned his own remedy and administered it privately, either personally or through an agent. The vengeance system was a system of self-help, the essence of which was captured in the slogan "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." The modern adversarial system is only one historical step removed from the private vengeance system and still retains some of its characteristic features. Thus, for example, even though the right to institute criminal action has now been extended to all members of society and even though the police department has taken over the pretrial investigative functions on behalf of the prosecution, the adversarial system still leaves the defendant to conduct his own pretrial investigation. The trial is still viewed as a duel between two adversaries, refereed by a judge who, at the beginning of the trial has no knowledge of the investigative background of the case. In the final analysis the adversarial system of criminal procedure symbolizes and regularizes the punitive combat.
By contrast, the inquisitorial system begins historically where the adversarial system stopped its development. It is two historical steps removed from the system of private vengeance. Therefore, from the standpoint of legal anthropology, it is historically superior to the adversarial system. Under the inquisitorial system the public investigator has the duty to investigate not just on behalf of the prosecutor but also on behalf of the defendant. Additionally, the public prosecutor has the duty to present to the court not only evidence that may lead to the conviction of the defendant but also evidence that may lead to his exoneration. This system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession. Finally, in an effort to make the trial less like a duel between two adversaries, the inquisitorial system mandates that the judge take an active part in the conduct of the trial, with a role that is both directive and protective.
Fact-finding is at the heart of the inquisitorial system. This system operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal case the crucial factor is not the legal rule but the facts of the case and that the goal of the entire procedure is to experimentally recreate for the court the commission of the alleged crime.
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
The main idea is usually stated in the last--occasionally the first--sentence of the first paragraph. If it's not there, it will probably be the last sentence of the entire passage.
Because main idea questions are relatively easy, the GMAT writers try to obscure the correct answer by surrounding it with close answer-choices ("detractors") that either overstate or understate the author's main point. Answer-choices that stress specifics tend to understate the main idea; choices that go beyond the scope of the passage tend to overstate the main idea.
The answer to a main idea question will summarize the author's argument, yet be neither too specific nor too broad.
Example: (Refer to the first passage.)
The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) explain why the inquisitorial system is the best system of criminal justice
(B) explain how the adversarial and the inquisitorial systems of criminal justice both evolved from the system of private vengeance
(C) show how the adversarial and inquisitorial systems of criminal justice can both complement and hinder each other's development
(D) show how the adversarial and inquisitorial systems of criminal justice are being combined into a new and better system
(E) analyze two systems of criminal justice and deduce which one is better
The answer to a main idea question will summarize the passage without going beyond it. (A) violates these criteria by overstating the scope of the passage. The comparison in the passage is between two specific systems, not between all systems. (A) would be a good answer if "best" were replaced with "better." Beware of extreme words. (B) violates the criteria by understating the scope of the passage. Although the evolution of both the adversarial and the inquisitorial systems is discussed in the passage, it is done to show why one is superior to the other. As to (C) and (D), both can be quickly dismissed since neither is mentioned in the passage. Finally, the passage does two things: it presents two systems of criminal justice and shows why one is better than the other. (E) aptly summarizes this, so it is the best answer.
Description Questions
Description questions, as with main idea questions, refer to a point made by the author. However, description questions refer to a minor point or to incidental information, not to the author's main point.
The answer to a description question must refer directly to a statement in the passage, not to something implied by it. However, the correct answer will paraphrase a statement in the passage, not give an exact quote. In fact, exact quotes ("Same language" traps) are often used to bait wrong answers.
Caution: When answering a description question, you must find the point in the passage from which the question is drawn. Don't rely on memory--too many obfuscating tactics are used with these questions.
Not only must the correct answer refer directly to a statement in the passage, it must refer to the relevant statement. The correct answer will be surrounded by wrong choices which refer directly to the passage but don't address the question. These choices can be tempting because they tend to be quite close to the actual answer.
Once you spot the sentence to which the question refers, you still must read a few sentences before and after it, to put the question in context. If a question refers to line 20, the information needed to answer it can occur anywhere from line 15 to 25. Even if you have spotted the answer in line 20, you should still read a couple more lines to make certain you have the proper perspective.
Example: (Refer to the first passage.)
According to the passage, the inquisitorial system differs from the adversarial system in that
(A) it does not make the defendant solely responsible for gathering evidence for his case
(B) it does not require the police department to work on behalf of the prosecution
(C) it does not allow the victim the satisfaction of private vengeance
(D) it requires the prosecution to drop a weak case
(E) a defendant who is innocent would prefer to be tried under the inquisitorial system
This is a description question, so the information needed to answer it must be stated in the passage--though not in the same language as in the answer. The needed information is contained in the fourth sentence of Paragraph 3, which states that the public prosecutor has to investigate on behalf of both society and the defendant. Thus, the defendant is not solely responsible for investigating his case. Furthermore, the paragraph's opening implies that this feature is not found in the adversarial system. This illustrates why you must determine the context of the situation before you can safely answer the question. The answer is (A).
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GMAT EXAM - GMAT TEST GRAMMAR SECTION
FORMAT OF THE GMAT GRAMMAR TEST SECTION
The field of grammar is huge and complex--tomes have been written on the subject. This complexity should be no surprise since grammar deals with the process of communication.
GMAT grammar tests only a small part of standard written English. Grammar can be divided into two parts: Mechanics and Usage.
Mechanics concerns punctuation, capitalization, etc. It is not tested on the GMAT nearly as often as is usage. So don't spend too much time worrying whether the comma is in the right place or whether a particular word should be capitalized.
Usage concerns how we choose our words and how we express our thoughts: in other words, are the connections between the words in a sentence logically sound, and are they expressed in a way that conforms to standard idiom? This is the part of grammar that the GMAT concentrates on. Six major categories of usage are tested:
Pronoun Errors
Subject-Verb Agreement
Misplaced Modifiers
Faulty Parallelism
Faulty Verb Tense
Faulty Idiom
PRONOUN ERRORS
A pronoun is a word that stands for a noun, known as the antecedent of the pronoun. The key point for the use of pronouns is this: pronouns must agree with their antecedents in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).
Example:
Steve has yet to receive his degree.
Here, the pronoun his refers to the noun Steve.
Following is a list of the most common pronouns:
PRONOUNS
Singular Plural Both Singular and Plural
I, me we, us any
she, her they none
he, him them all
it these most
anyone those more
either some who
each that which
many a both what
nothing ourselves you
one any
another many
everything few
mine several
his, hers others
this
that
Reference
• A pronoun should be plural when it refers to two nouns joined by and.
Example:
Jane and Katarina believe they passed the final exam.
The plural pronoun they refers to the compound subject Jane and Katarina.
• A pronoun should be singular when it refers to two nouns joined by or or nor.
Faulty Usage
Neither Jane nor Katarina believes they passed the final.
Correct: Neither Jane nor Katarina believes she passed the final.
• A pronoun should refer to one and only one noun or compound noun.
This is probably the most common error on the GMAT. If a pronoun follows two nouns, it is often unclear which of the nouns the pronoun refers to.
Faulty Usage
The breakup of the Soviet Union has left nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable, nascent countries. It is imperative to world security that they be destroyed.
Although one is unlikely to take the sentence to mean that the countries must be destroyed, that interpretation is possible from the structure of the sentence. It is easily corrected:
The breakup of the Soviet Union has left nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable, nascent countries. It is imperative to world security that these weapons be destroyed.
Faulty Usage
In Somalia, they have become jaded by the constant warfare.
This construction is faulty because they does not have an antecedent. The sentence can be corrected by replacing they with people:
In Somalia, people have become jaded by the constant warfare.
Better: The people of Somalia have become jaded by the constant warfare.
• In addition to agreeing with its antecedent in number, a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person.
Faulty Usage
One enters this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, you l ook longingly to retirement.
In this sentence, the subject has changed from one (third person) to you (second person). To correct the sentence either replace one with you or vice versa:
You enter this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, you look longingly to retirement.
One enters this world with no responsibilities. Then comes school, then work, then marriage and family. No wonder, one looks longingly to retirement.
Example:
In the following sentence, part or all of the sentence is underlined. The answer-choices offer five ways of phrasing the underlined part. If you think the sentence as written is better than the alternatives, choose A, which merely repeats the underlined part; otherwise choose one of the alternatives.
Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(A) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(B) If the Administration had not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(C) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, it would have been rated an A.
(D) Had the President's Administration not lost the vote on its budget reduction package, his first year in office would have been rated an A.
(E) If the President had not lost the vote on the budget reduction package, the Administration's first year in office would have been rated an A.
Choice (A) is incorrect because his appears to refer to the President, but the subject of the subordinate clause is the President's Administration, not the President.
Choice (B) changes the structure of the sentence, but retains the same flawed reference.
In choice (C), it can refer to either the President's Administration or the budget reduction package. Thus, the reference is ambiguous.
Choice (D) adds another pronoun, its, but still retains the same flawed reference.
Choice (E) corrects the flawed reference by removing all pronouns. The answer is (E).
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Within a sentence there are certain requirements for the relationship between the subject and the verb.
• The subject and verb must agree both in number and person.
Example:
We have surpassed our sales goal of one million dollars.
Here, the first person plural verb have agrees with its first person plural subject we.
Note, ironically, third person singular verbs often end in s or es:
He seems to be fair.
• Intervening phrases and clauses have no effect on subject-verb agreement.
Example:
Only one of the President's nominees was confirmed.
Here, the singular verb was agrees with its singular subject one. The intervening prepositional phrase of the President's nominees has no effect on the number or person of the verb.
• When the subject and verb are reversed, they still must agree in both number and person.
Example:
Attached are copies of the contract.
Here, the plural verb are attached agrees with its plural subject copies. The sentence could be rewritten as
Copies of the contract are attached.
Example:
The rise in negative attitudes toward foreigners indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that the opportunities are ripe for extremist groups to exploit the illegal immigration problem.
(A) indicate that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(B) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore
(C) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant, and therefore that
(D) indicates that the country is being less tolerant, and therefore (E) indicates that the country is becoming less tolerant of and therefore that
Choice (A) has two flaws. First, the subject of the sentence the rise is singular, and therefore the verb indicate should not be plural. Second, the comma indicates that the sentence is made up of two independent clauses, but the relative pronoun that immediately following therefore forms a subordinate clause.
Choice (C) corrects the number of the verb, but retains the subordinating relative pronoun that.
Choice (D) corrects the number of the verb and eliminates the subordinating relative pronoun that. However, the verb being is less descriptive than the verb becoming: As negative attitudes toward foreigners increase, the country becomes correspondingly less tolerant. Being does not capture this notion of change.
Choice (E) corrects the verb's number, and by dropping the comma makes the subordination allowable. However, it introduces the preposition of which does not have an object: less tolerant of what?
Choice (B) both corrects the verb's number and removes the subordinating relative pronoun that. The answer is (B).
MISPLACED MODIFIERS
• As a general rule, a modifier should be placed as close as possible to what it modifies.
Example:
Following are some useful tips for protecting your person and property from the FBI.
As written, the sentence implies that the FBI is a threat to your person and property. To correct the sentence put the modifier from the FBI next to the word it modifies, tips:
Following are some useful tips from the FBI for protecting your person and property.
• When a phrase begins a sentence, make sure that it modifies the subject of the sentence.
Example:
Coming around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.
As worded, the sentence implies that the moments were coming around the corner. The sentence can be corrected as follows:
As I came around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.
or
Coming around the corner, I paused a few moments before I could recognize my old home.
Example:
By focusing on poverty, the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(A) the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(B) the other causes of crime have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(C) there are other causes of crime that have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(D) crimes--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(E) sociologists have overlooked the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
Choice (A) is incorrect since it implies that the other causes of crime are doing the focusing.
Choice (B) has the same flaw.
Choice (C) is incorrect. The phrase by focusing on poverty must modify the subject of the sentence, but there cannot be the subject since the construction there are is used to introduce a subject.
Choice (D) implies that crimes are focusing on poverty.
Choice (E) puts the subject of the sentence sociologists immediately next to its modifying phrase by focusing on poverty. The answer is (E).
FAULTY PARALLELISM
• For a sentence to be parallel, similar elements must be expressed in similar form.
• When two adjectives modify the same noun, they should have similar forms.
Example:
The topology course was both rigorous and a challenge.
Since both rigorous and a challenge are modifying course, they should have the same form:
The topology course was both rigorous and challenging.
• When a series of clauses is listed, the verbs in each clause must have the same form.
Example:
During his trip to Europe, the President will discuss ways to stimulate trade, offer economic aid, and trying to forge a new coalition with moderate forces in Russia.
In this example, the first two verbs, discuss and offer, are active. But the third verb in the series, trying, is passive. The form of the verb should be active:
During his trip to Europe, the President will discuss ways to stimulate trade, offer economic aid, and try to forge a new coalition with moderate forces in Russia.
• When the first half of a sentence has a certain structure, the second half should preserve that structure.
Example:
To acknowledge that one is an alcoholic is taking the first and hardest step to recovery.
The first half of the above sentence has an infinitive structure, to acknowledge, so the second half must have a similar structure:
To acknowledge that one is an alcoholic is to take the first and hardest step to recovery.
Example:
This century began with war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.
(A) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.
(B) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution surging, and a nascent communication age.
(C) war in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and a nascent communication age.
(D) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and the communication age beginning.
(E) war brewing in Europe, the industrial revolution well-established, and saw the birth of the communication age.
Choice (A) is incorrect. Although the first two phrases, war brewing in Europe and the industrial revolution well-established, have different structures, the thoughts are parallel. However, the third phrase, and a nascent communication age, is not parallel to the first two.
Choice (B) does not make the third phrase parallel to the first two.
Choice (C) changes the meaning of the sentence: the new formulation states that war already existed in Europe while the original sentence states that war was only developing.
Choice (E) is not parallel since the first two phrases in the series are noun phrases, but saw the birth of the communication age is a verb phrase. When a word introduces a series, each element of the series must agree with the introductory word. You can test the correctness of a phrase in a series by dropping the other phrases and checking whether the remaining phrase agrees with the introductory word. In this series, each phrase must be the object of the preposition with:
This century began with war brewing in Europe
This century began with the industrial revolution well-established
This century began with saw the birth of the communication age
In this form, it is clear the verb saw cannot be the object of the preposition with.
Choice (D) offers three phrases in parallel form. The answer is (D).
FAULTY VERB TENSE
A verb has four principal parts:
1. Present Tense
a. Used to express present tense.
He studies hard.
b. Used to express general truths.
During a recession, people are cautious about taking on more debt.
c. Used with will or shall to express future time.
He will take the GMAT next year.
2. Past Tense
a. Used to express past tense.
He took the GMAT last year.
3. Past Participle
a. Used to form the present perfect tense, which indicates that an action was started in the past and its effects are continuing in the present. It is formed using have or has and the past participle of the verb.
He has prepared thoroughly for the GMAT.
b. Used to form the past perfect tense, which indicates that an action was completed before another past action. It is formed using had and the past participle of the verb.
He had prepared thoroughly before taking the GMAT.
c. Used to form the future perfect tense, which indicates that an action will be completed before another future action. It is formed using will have or shall have and the past participle of the verb.
He will have prepared thoroughly before taking the GMAT.
4. Present Participle (-ing form of the verb)
a. Used to form the present progressive tense, which indicates that an action is ongoing. It is formed using is, am, or are and the present participle of the verb.
He is preparing thoroughly for the GMAT.
b. Used to form the past progressive tense, which indicates that an action was in progress in the past. It is formed using was or were and the present participle of the verb.
He was preparing for the GMAT.
c. Used to form the future progressive tense, which indicates that an action will be in progress in the future. It is formed using will be or shall be and the present participle of the verb.
He will be preparing thoroughly for the GMAT.
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PASSIVE VOICE
The passive voice removes the subject from the sentence. It is formed with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb.
Passive: The bill was resubmitted.
Active: The Senator has resubmitted the bill.
Unless you want to de-emphasize the doer of an action, you should favor the active voice.
Example:
In the past few years and to this day, many teachers of math and science had chosen to return to the private sector.
(A) had chosen to return to the private sector.
(B) having chosen to return to the private sector.
(C) chose to return to the private sector.
(D) have chosen to return to the private sector.
(E) have chosen returning to the private sector.
Choice (A) is incorrect because it uses the past perfect had chosen, which describes an event that has been completed before another event. But the sentence implies that teachers have and are continuing to return to the private sector. Hence, the present perfect tense should be used.
Choice (B) is incorrect because it uses the present progressive tense having chosen, which describes an ongoing event. Although this is the case, it does not capture the fact that the event began in the past.
Choice (C) is incorrect because it uses the simple past chose, which describes a past event. But again, the sentence implies that the teachers are continuing to opt for the private sector.
Choice (D) is the correct answer because it uses the present perfect have chosen to describe an event that occurred in the past and is continuing into the present.
Choice (E) is incorrect because it leaves the thought in the sentence uncompleted.
IDIOM & USAGE
Accept/Except:
Accept means "to agree to" or "to receive." Except means "to object to" or "to leave out."
We will accept (receive) your manuscript for review.
No parking is allowed, except (leave out) on holidays.
Account for:
When explaining something, the correct idiom is account for:
We had to account for all the missing money.
When receiving blame or credit, the correct idiom is account to:
You will have to account to the state for your crimes.
Adapted to/for/from
Adapted to means "naturally suited for." Adapted for means "created to be suited for." Adapted from means "changed to be suited for."
The polar bear is adapted to the subzero temperatures.
For any "New Order" to be successful, it must be adapted for the continually changing world power structure.
Lucas' latest release is adapted from the 1950 B-movie "Attack of the Amazons."
Affect/Effect:
Effect is a noun meaning "a result."
Increased fighting will be the effect of the failed peace conference.
Affect is a verb meaning "to influence."
The rain affected their plans for a picnic.
All ready vs. Already
All ready means "everything is ready."
Already means "earlier."
Alot vs. A lot
Alot is nonstandard; a lot is the correct form.
Among/Between:
Between should be used when referring to two things, and among should be used when referring to more than two things.
The young lady must choose between two suitors.
The fault is spread evenly among the three defendants.
Being that vs. Since:
Being that is nonstandard and should be replaced by since.
(Faulty) Being that darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search.
(Better) Since darkness was fast approaching, we had to abandon the search.
Beside/Besides:
Adding an s to beside completely changes its meaning: Beside means "next to." Besides means "in addition."
We sat beside (next to) the host.
Besides (in addition), money was not even an issue in the contract negotiations.
Center on vs. Center around
Center around is colloquial. It should not be used in formal writing.
(Faulty) The dispute centers around the effects of undocumented workers.
(Correct) The dispute centers on the effects of undocumented workers.
Conform to (not with):
Stewart's writing does not conform to standard literary conventions.
Consensus of opinion
Consensus of opinion is redundant: consensus means "general agreement."
Correspond to/with:
Correspond to means "in agreement with":
The penalty does not correspond to the severity of the crime.
Correspond with means "to exchange letters":
He corresponded with many of the top European leaders of his time.
Different from/Different than:
The preferred form is different from. Only in rare cases is different than acceptable.
The new Cadillacs are very different from the imported luxury cars.
Double negatives:
(Faulty) Scarcely nothing was learned during the seminar.
(Better) Scarcely anything was learned during the seminar.
Doubt that vs. Doubt whether
Doubt whether is nonstandard.
(Faulty) I doubt whether his new business will succeed.
(Correct) I doubt that his new business will succeed.
Farther/Further:
Use farther when referring to distance, and use further when referring to degree.
They went no further (degree) than necking.
He threw the discs farther (distance) than the top seated competitor.
Fewer/Less:
Use fewer when referring to a number of items. Use less when referring to a continuous quantity.
In the past, we had fewer options.
The impact was less than what was expected.
Identical with (not to):
This bid is identical with the one submitted by you.
In contrast to (not of):
In contrast to the conservative attitudes of her time, Mae West was quite provocative.
Independent of (not from):
The judiciary is independent of the other branches of government.
Not only . . . but also:
In this construction, but cannot be replaced with and.
(Faulty) Peterson is not only the top salesman in the department and also the most proficient.
(Correct) Peterson is not only the top salesman in the department but also the most proficient.
On account of vs. Because:
Because is always better than the circumlocution on account of.
(Poor) On account of his poor behavior, he was expelled.
(Better) Because he behaved poorly, he was expelled.
One another/Each other:
Each other should be used when referring to two things, and one another should be used when referring to more than two things.
The members of the basketball team (more than two) congratulated one another on their victory.
The business partners (two) congratulated each other on their successful first year.
Plus vs. And:
Do not use plus as a conjunction meaning and.
(Faulty) His contributions to this community are considerable, plus his character is beyond reproach.
(Correct) His contributions to this community are considerable, and his character is beyond reproach.
Note: Plus can be used to mean and so long as it is not being used as a conjunction.
(Acceptable) His generous financial contribution plus his donated time has made this project a success.
In this sentence, plus is being used as a preposition. Note, the verb has is singular because an intervening prepositional phrase (plus his donated time) does not affect subject verb agreement.
Regard vs. Regards:
Unless you are giving best wishes to someone, you should use regard.
(Faulty) In regards to your letter, we would be interested in distributing your product.
(Correct) In regard to your letter, we would be interested in distributing your product.
Regardless vs. Irregardless
Regardless means "not withstanding." Hence, the "ir" in irregardless is redundant. Regardless is the correct form.
Retroactive to (not from):
The correct idiom is retroactive to:
The tax increase is retroactive to February.
Speak to/with:
To speak to someone is to tell them something:
We spoke to Jennings about the alleged embezzlement.
To speak with someone is to discuss something with them:
Steve spoke with his friend Dave for hours yesterday.
The reason is because:
This structure is redundant. Equally common and doubly redundant is the structure the reason why is because.
(Poor) The reason why I could not attend the party is because I had to work.
(Better) I could not attend the party because I had to work.
Whether vs. As to whether
The circumlocution as to whether should be replaced by whether.
(Poor) The United Nations has not decided as to whether to authorize a trade embargo.
(Better) The United Nations has not decided whether to authorize a trade embargo.
Whether vs. If
Whether introduces a choice; if introduces a condition. A common mistake is to use if to present a choice.
(Faulty) He inquired if we had decided to keep the gift.
(Correct) He inquired whether we had decided to keep the gift.
Example:
The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers back to a simpler time in American history.
(A) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers back to
(B) The studio's retrospective art exhibit harkens back to
(C) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers to
(D) The studio's retrospective art exhibit refers from
(E) The studio's retrospective art exhibit looks back to
Choice (A) is incorrect. Retrospective means looking back on the past. Hence, in the phrase refers back, the word back is redundant.
Choice (B) is incorrect because harkens back is also redundant.
Choice (C) is correct. Dropping the word back eliminates the redundancy.
Choice (D) is incorrect because the preposition from is non-idiomatic.
Choice (E) is incorrect because looks back is also redundant.
Note: One could argue that the phrase American history also makes the sentence redundant. However, it is not underlined in the sentence. It is not at all uncommon to find questionable structures in parts of the sentence that are not underlined. In fact, you may even find questionable structures in the underlined part of the sentence that are not corrected by any of the answer choices because the writers are testing a different mistake. Concern yourself with correcting only the underlined part of the sentence.
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