Index

A

• absolute value, 191–192
• action verbs, 72
• active voice, 81
• acute angles, 234
• addition. See also numbers
  • in algebra, 211–213
  • associative property, 189–190
  • commutative property, 190
  • defined, 189
  • general rule of, 280, 281
  • in PEMDAS, 198
• adequate essay, 169–170
• ad hominem, 115
• adjectives, 73
• admissions. See also MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs
  • essays, 31–32, 417
  • increasing chances of, 415–417
  • scores and, 7–8
  • voucher, 10
• adverb phrases, 74
• adverbs, 74
• affordability, of business schools, 28
• agreements, 77–79
• algebra
  • constants, 210
  • distance problems, 231
  • equations
    • linear, 222–223
    • quadratic, 227–229
    • simultaneous, 224–225
  • expressions, 210–211
  • factoring polynomials in, 216–217
  • FOIL (first, outer, inner, last) method, 214–215
  • functions
    • defined, 218
    • domains of, 220–221
    • ranges of, 221–222
    • terminology, 218
  • inequalities
    • defined, 225
    • operations, 225–226
    • ranges of numbers, 226–227
    • symbols, 226
  • linear equations, 222–223
  • operations
    • addition, 211–213
    • division, 213–215
    • multiplication, 213–215
    • overview, 211
    • subtraction, 211–213
  • overview, 209
  • terminology, 209–211
  • terms, 210
  • variables, 210
  • word problems, 229–230
  • work problems, 230–231
• alumni network, 29
• analogy arguments, 119, 121–122
• analytical writing assessment (AWA) section
  • achieving high scores in, 165–167
  • answer sheets, sample, 353–354
  • argument-analysis in, 158–159
  • careful reading in, 165
  • clear transitions in, 164
  • common errors in
    • avoiding, 411–413
    • complicated sentences, 411
    • generic terms, 412
    • informal English, 412
    • list of examples, 412
    • modifier errors, 163
    • overview, 161
    • passive voice, 411
    • position without explanation, 412
    • possessives, 163
    • proofreading, putting aside, 412
    • punctuation, 162
    • sentence fragments, 163, 412
    • spelling, 163–164
    • unclear or zero transitions, 412
    • unfamiliar words, 412
  • conclusions in, 167
  • directions, 165
  • dos and don'ts, 164
  • essay format, 166
  • good preparation for, 164–165
  • introduction in, 166
  • noteboard for, 166
  • outline, 166
  • overview, 11, 157
  • practice tests
    • essay topic, 356
    • sample response to essay prompt, 377–378
  • precise descriptions in, 164
  • proofreading in, 167
  • sample prompts
    • dissection of essay #1, 178–179
    • dissection of essay #2, 180
    • dissection of essay #3, 181
    • dissection of essay #4, 182–183
    • plan for, 177
    • sample #1, 177–178
    • sample #2, 179
    • sample #3, 180
    • sample #4, 182
    • sample response to essay #1, 178
    • sample response to essay #2, 179–180
    • sample response to essay #3, 181
    • sample response to essay #4, 182
  • samples of
    • overview, 170
    • sample 1, 170–172
    • sample 2, 172–174
    • sample 3, 174–175
    • sample 4, 175–176
  • scoring of
    • adequate, 169–170
    • automated essay-scoring engine, 159
    • defining, 169–170
    • by independent readers, 159–160
    • interpretation, 160
    • limited, 170
    • no-score, 170
    • outstanding, 169–170
    • reports, 13–14
    • rescoring, 160
    • seriously flawed, 170
    • strong, 169–170
  • simple and active sentences in, 164
  • spelling and grammar in, 158, 163–164
  • supporting paragraphs in, 166–167
  • tasks in, 158
  • ten steps to follow in, 165–167
  • thesis, 166
  • time limits in, 12
  • word-processing skills in, 158
• angles. See also geometry
  • acute, 234
  • central angle of circles, 246
  • complementary, 235
  • defined, 234
  • obtuse, 234–235
  • perpendicular, 234–235
  • right, 234–235
  • rules for, 235–236
  • straight, 235
  • supplementary, 235
  • vertical, 235
• answers
  • common sense in, 22
  • eliminating wrong answers, 20–24
    • prior knowledge, 22
    • in problem-solving questions, 293
    • question wording, 23
    • in reading-comprehension questions, 100–101
    • Roman numerals, 24
    • in sentence correction questions, 86–87
    • tracking, 20–21
    • using common sense, 22
  • guessing strategies, 17–20
  • relying on what you know for, 22
• anxiety, 26
• Applied Turfgrass Science and Physiology (Fry and Huang), 46
• appositive, 73
• arcs, 246
• area
  • of circles, 246
  • of parallelograms, 243
  • of rectangular solids, 249
  • of right circular cylinder, 251
  • of triangles, 237–238
• arguments
  • analogy, 119, 121–122
  • analysis in analytical writing assessment (AWA) section, 158–159
  • cause-and-effect, 119, 122–123
  • conclusions, 117
  • deductive-reasoning, 124
  • elements of, 117
  • premises in, 117
  • statistical, 119, 123
  • strengthening or weakening, 120, 120–123
• Aristotle, 118
• arithmetic mean, 275
• assists per game, 51, 66
• associative property, 189–190
• assumptions, 120, 125–127
• author's tone and style, in GMAT passages, 95, 100
• automated essay-scoring engine, 159
• automatic corrections, 158
• average, 275–277
• axis of symmetry, 261

B

• bachelor’s degree, 9
• bar graphs. See also graphs
  • making comparison with, 339–341
  • multiple bars, 340
  • overview, 339
  • segmented, 340–341
  • simple, 339–340
• bases, 194–195. See also numbers
• basic line graphs, 342
• Big Splat, The (Mackenzie), 141
• binomials, 211
• bisect, 234
• breaks, eight-minute, 10
• breathing techniques, 26
• Browning, Edgar, 106
• business passages, 97
• business schools
  • admission to
    • communicating interest, 416
    • early submission of application, 416
    • essay, 417
    • focusing on best fit, 417
    • interview, 415
    • recommendations, 417
    • studying for GMAT, 417
    • unique profile, 416
    • work experience and, 415
  • affordability, 28
  • alumni network, 29
  • applying to
    • early submission, 416
    • essays, 31–32
    • items to submit, 30
    • review of applications, 31
    • timing, 29
    • while upwardly mobile, 416
  • choosing, 27–29
  • increasing chances of getting into, 415–417
  • location, 29
  • prestige of, 28
  • public versus private, 29
  • quality of life, 29
  • selectivity, 28
  • special programs, 28
  • taking GMAT and, 9
• Businessweek, 28

C

• calculators, using, 10, 323–324
• canceling scores, 14–15
• cars, 50
• cause-and-effect arguments, 119, 122–123
• center of circle, 245
• charts
  • bar
    • multiple bars, 340
    • overview, 339–341
    • segmented, 340–341
    • simple, 339–340
  • five-step approach for analyzing, 337–338
  • pie, 345
• cheating, avoiding, 24, 25
• chords, 247
• circle graphs, 345
• circles. See also geometry
  • arc, 246
  • area, 246
  • center of, 245
  • central angle, 246
  • chord, 247
  • circumference, 246, 248
  • circumscribed figures, 247
  • defined, 245
  • diameter, 246
  • equation of, 261
  • inscribed figures, 247
  • radius, 246
  • tangent line, 247–248
• circumference, 246, 248
• circumscribed figures, 247
• clauses, 75–76
• Clean Air Act, 159
• Clean Water Act, 159
• coefficients, 210, 216
• collinear, 234
• combinations, in statistics, 273–275
• commas, 162
• comma splices, 162
• common denominator, 53
• common ratios of right triangles, 239
• common sense, 22
• commutative property, 190
• complementary angles, 235
• complex scatter plots, 344
• complicated sentences, avoiding, 411
• composite numbers, 188
• computer-adaptive test (CAT) format
  • answering all questions on, 12
  • guess strategy and, 18
  • overview, 11–12
  • time limits, 12
• computer skills, 12
• concentration, 15, 25
• conclusions, 117, 124–125, 167
• congruent objects, in geometry, 235
• conjunctions, 74
• constant rates, 42
• constants, 210
• cool-season grasses, 46–47, 63
• coordinate geometry. See also geometry
  • coordinate plane, 253–255
  • finding coordinates, 254
  • graphing functions
    • domains, 264–266
    • overview, 262
    • ranges, 262–264
    • vertical line test, 262–264
  • linear equations, 255–262
  • overview, 253
  • slopes
    • defined, 254
    • distance formula, 260–261
    • formula for, 255–256
    • of lines, 41, 255–257
    • midpoint formula, 259
    • slope-intercept form, 257–259
    • types of, 256–257
• coordinate plane, 253–255, 261–262
• coordinates, 42, 43, 65, 254
• coordinating conjunctions, 74, 80
• correct answers, 13
• correlative conjunctions, 74
• correlative expressions, 84
• critical reasoning questions
  • analogy arguments in, 121–122
  • answering, 408
  • argument paragraph, 116–117
  • categories, 120
  • cause-and-effect arguments in, 122–123
  • conclusions, 124–125
  • deductive-reasoning arguments in, 124
  • eliminating wrong answers in, 22–23
  • figuring how to answer, 116–117
  • inference questions in, 127–128
  • informal logic and
    • arguments, 117
    • conclusions, 117
    • deductive reasoning, 117
    • inductive reasoning, 118–119
    • premises, 117
  • method-of-reasoning questions, 128–129
  • overview, 11, 115–116
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 61, 63–64
    • questions, 44–46
  • practice problems for
    • answer explanations, 134–138
    • questions, 130–134
  • pre-assessment, 36
  • question types, 119–120
  • seeking-assumption questions, 125–127
  • statistical arguments in, 123
  • strengthening or weakening arguments in, 120–123
  • structure, 116
  • in verbal reasoning section, 140, 149, 151–152, 154
• cross-multiplication, 206
• cube root, 196–197
• cubes, 250. See also geometry
• cylinders, 250–251. See also geometry

D

• D.A.R.E. program, 61
• data sufficiency questions
  • answer choices for, 284
  • answer explanations, 297–299
  • answering, 408
  • overview, 11, 283–284
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 54
    • questions, 40–43
  • practice problems for, 287–293
  • practice questions, 287–289, 295–297
  • problem solving questions, 295–297
  • steps in answering, 284–287
• decagons, 245
• decibels, 105–106, 110–112
• decimals
  • converting fractions to, 199
  • converting percent to, 199
  • converting to fractions, 199
  • converting to percent, 199
• deductive reasoning, 117, 124
• demand, 106–107, 113
• denominators, 199
• dependent clauses, 75–76, 162
• dependent variables, 218
• diameter, 246
• difference (subtraction), 190
• direct objects, in sentences, 72
• disjoint sets, 269
• dispersion, 277
• distance formula, 260–261
• distance problems, 231
• distributive property, 190
• dividend (math), 191
• division
  • in algebra, 211–213
  • defined, 191
  • in PEMDAS, 198
• divisor, 191
• domains, 218, 220–221, 264–266

E

• Earth Through Time, The (Levin), 102
• Economist, 28
• eight-minute breaks, 10
• elasticity, 106–107, 113
• elements, 269
• empty sets, 269
• English Grammar For Dummies (Woods), 161
• eons, 102
• equations
  • linear, 222–223
  • quadratic, 227–229
  • simultaneous, 224–225
• equilateral triangle, 236
• errors, avoiding in writing
  • complicated sentences, 411
  • generic terms, 412
  • informal English, 412
  • list of examples, 412
  • modifier errors, 163
  • overview, 161
  • passive voice, 411
  • position without explanation, 413
  • possessives, 163
  • proofreading, putting aside, 413
  • punctuation, 162
  • sentence fragments, 163, 412
  • spelling, 163–164
  • unclear or zero transitions, 412
  • unfamiliar words, 412
• essays
  • achieving high scores in, 165–167
  • for admissions, 31–32
  • argument-analysis in, 158–159
  • for business school admission, 417
  • careful reading in, 165
  • clear transitions in, 164
  • common errors in
    • avoiding, 411–413
    • complicated sentences, 411
    • generic terms, 412
    • informal English, 412
    • list of examples, 412
    • modifier errors, 163
    • overview, 161
    • passive voice, 411
    • position without explanation, 412
    • possessives, 163
    • proofreading, putting aside, 412
    • punctuation, 162
    • sentence fragments, 163, 412
    • spelling, 163–164
    • unclear or zero transitions, 412
    • unfamiliar words, 412
  • conclusions in, 167
  • directions, 165
  • dos and don'ts, 164
  • essay format, 166
  • good preparation for, 164–165
  • introduction in, 166
  • noteboard for, 166
  • outline, 166
  • overview, 11, 157
  • precise descriptions in, 164
  • proofreading in, 167
  • sample prompts
    • dissection of essay #1, 178–179
    • dissection of essay #2, 180
    • dissection of essay #3, 181
    • dissection of essay #4, 182–183
    • plan for, 177
    • sample #1, 177–178
    • sample #2, 179
    • sample #3, 180
    • sample #4, 182
    • sample response to essay #1, 178
    • sample response to essay #2, 179–180
    • sample response to essay #3, 181
    • sample response to essay #4, 182
  • samples of
    • overview, 170
    • sample 1, 170–172
    • sample 2, 172–174
    • sample 3, 174–175
    • sample 4, 175–176
  • scoring of
    • adequate, 169–170
    • automated essay-scoring engine, 159
    • defining, 169–170
    • by independent readers, 159–160
    • interpretation, 160
    • limited, 170
    • no-score, 170
    • outstanding, 169–170
    • reports, 13–14
    • rescoring, 160
    • seriously flawed, 170
    • strong, 169–170
  • simple and active sentences in, 164
  • spelling and grammar in, 158, 163–164
  • supporting paragraphs in, 166–167
  • tasks in, 158
  • ten steps to follow in, 165–167
  • thesis, 166
  • time limits in, 12
  • word-processing skills in, 158
• even numbers, 192–193
• events, 280
• evidence, 124
• exception questions, 101–103, 408
• exponents. See also numbers
  • adding and subtracting with, 194
  • fractional, 195
  • multiplying and dividing with, 194–195
  • negative, 196
  • overview, 194
  • in PEMDAS, 198
  • powers of 0 and 1, 195
• expressions. See also algebra
  • adding, 211–213
  • defined, 210
  • distributing terms in, 213–214
  • dividing, 213–215
  • monomials, 211
  • multiplying, 213–215
  • polynomials, 211
  • stacking, 214
  • subtracting, 211–213
• extremes, 205

F

• factorials, 271–273
• factoring
  • to find x in quadratic equations, 227–228
  • polynomials, 216–217
  • quadratic polynomials, 216–217
• Financial Times, 28
• focus, 15, 25
• FOIL (first, outer, inner, last) method, 214–215
• Forbes, 28
• format of GMAT, 10–12
• formulas
  • for distance, 260–261
  • midpoint, 259
  • quadratic, 228–229
  • for slopes, 255–256
• fraction. See also mathematics section
• fractional exponents, 195
• fractions. See also numbers
  • adding, 201
  • common denominators, 53
  • converting decimals to, 199
  • converting to decimals, 199
  • denominators, 199
  • dividing, 201–203
  • improper, 200
  • mixed, 200
  • multiplying, 201–203
  • numerators, 199
  • proper, 200
  • reciprocal, 200
  • simplifying, 200–201
  • subtracting, 201
• Fry, Jack, 46
• functions
  • defined, 218
  • domains of, 220–221, 264–266
  • graphing, 262–266
    • domains, 264–266
    • overview, 262
    • ranges, 262–264
    • vertical line test, 262–264
  • ranges of, 221–222, 264–266
  • vertical line test, 262–264

G

• gasoline mileage, 50, 65
• general rule of addition, 280, 281
• general rule of multiplication, 280, 281–282
• generic terms, 412
• geometry
  • angles, 233–236
  • circles, 245–248
  • coordinate
    • coordinate plane, 253–255
    • graphing functions, 262–266
    • linear equations, 255–262
    • overview, 253
    • slopes, 255–262
  • lines, 233–236
  • overview, 233
  • polygons, 245
  • quadrilaterals, 242–245
  • three-dimensional (solid)
    • cubes, 250
    • cylinders, 250–251
    • overview, 249
    • rectangular solids, 249
  • triangles, 236–242
• gerund, 72
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
  • computer-adaptive test (CAT) format, 11–12, 18
  • computer skills for, 12
  • format, 10–12
  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) versus, 30
  • importance of, 7–8
  • practice assessment
    • critical reasoning questions, 43–47
    • data sufficiency questions, 40–43, 54
    • graphics interpretation, 51, 65
    • integrated reasoning (IR) section, 48–52, 64–66
    • multi-source reasoning, 48–50, 64, 65–66
    • overview, 39
    • problem solving questions, 40–43
    • quantitative skills section, 40–43, 53–60
    • reading comprehension questions, 43–47
    • sentence correction questions, 43–47
    • table analysis, 51–52
    • two-part analysis, 50
    • verbal reasoning section, 43–47, 61–64
  • practice tests
    • analytical writing assessment, 353–354, 356, 377–378
    • answer sheets, 353–355
    • integrated reasoning, 357, 379
    • overview, 351–352
    • quantitative skills, 355, 379–394
    • quantitative skills section, 357–364
    • verbal reasoning, 355, 394–402
    • verbal reasoning section, 365–375
  • registering for, 8–9
  • retaking, 15
  • scheduling, 9
  • studying for, 417
  • things to take, 10
  • website, 8
  • when to take, 8–10, 38
• goals per game, 51–52, 66
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), 29
• grammar. See also sentence correction questions
  • checking, 158
  • common errors in
    • faulty construction, 79–82
    • noun-pronoun agreement, 77–79
    • rhetorical construction, 81–82
    • run-on sentences, 79–80
    • sentence fragments, 79
    • verb tense, 80
  • parallelism, 80
  • parts of speech
    • adjectives, 73
    • adverbs, 74
    • conjunctions, 74
    • nouns, 72–73
    • prepositions, 74
    • pronouns, 73
    • verbs, 72
• graphics interpretation
  • in integrated reasoning (IR) section, 322
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment, 51, 65
• graphing functions. See also coordinate geometry
  • domains, 264–266
  • overview, 262
  • ranges, 262–264
  • vertical line test, 262–264
• graphs
  • bar
    • multiple bars, 340
    • overview, 339–341
    • segmented, 340–341
    • simple, 339–340
  • circle, 345
  • five-step approach for analyzing, 337–338
  • line
    • basic, 342
    • complex scatter plots, 344
    • overview, 342
    • scatter plots, 342–343
• Great Depression, 84–85
• greatest possible value, 41
• groups, 267–269
• guessing. See also test-taking techniques
  • to complete each section, 18
  • eliminating wrong answers when
    • prior knowledge, 22
    • question wording, 23
    • Roman numerals, 24
    • sentence correction questions, 87
    • tracking, 20–21
    • using common sense, 22
  • forcing yourself to guess, 18
  • strategies for, 17–18

H

• heptagons, 245
• hexagons, 245
• horizontal lines, 234
• Huang, Bingru, 46
• hypotheses, 124

I

• ID, 10
• idiomatic expressions, 83–85
• illness, 14
• imaginary numbers, 188
• improper fractions, 200
• indefinite pronouns, 73
• independent clauses, 75, 162
• independent variables, 218
• indirect objects, in sentences, 72
• inductive reasoning, 118–119
• inequalities. See also algebra
  • defined, 225
  • graphing, 258–259
  • operations, 225–226
  • ranges of numbers, 226–227
  • symbols, 226
• inference questions, 99, 127–128
• inferences, 120
• informal English, avoiding, 412
• informal logic
  • argumental elements of, 117
  • deductive reasoning, 117
  • inductive reasoning, 118–119
  • overview, 117
  • premises in, 117
• inscribed figures, 247
• integers, 41, 188
• integrated reasoning (IR) section
  • calculator in, 323–324
  • five-step approach for, 337–338
  • overview, 11, 321–322
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 64–66
    • instructions, 48
    • questions, 48–52
  • practice tests
    • answers and explanations, 379
    • directions, 357
  • pre-assessment, 36
  • question format for, 322
  • question types for
    • graphics interpretation, 322, 331–332
    • multi-source reasoning, 322, 332–336
    • overview, 325
    • table analysis, 322, 325–327
    • two-part analysis, 322, 328–331
  • scoring of, 13, 324
  • skills tested in, 322
  • time limits, 12
  • time management for, 324–325
• intersect, 234
• intersecting lines, 235
• intransitive verbs, 75
• irrational numbers, 189
• isosceles triangle, 236

L

• Levin, Harold, 102
• light compensation point (LCP), 46
• light energy, 63–64
• like terms, 210
• limited essay, 170
• linear equations, 51, 65, 222–223
• line graphs. See also graphs
  • basic, 342
  • complex scatter plots, 344
  • overview, 342
  • scatter plots, 342–343
• lines. See also geometry
  • defined, 233
  • equation of, 257
  • graphing, 257–259
  • horizontal, 234
  • intersecting, 235
  • parallel, 235–236
  • perpendicular, 234
  • rules for, 235–236
  • slope-intercept form, 257–259
  • vertical, 234
• line segments, 42, 234
• linking verbs, 72
• location of business schools, 29
• logic. See also critical reasoning questions
  • formal, 115
  • informal
    • argumental elements of, 117
    • deductive reasoning, 117
    • inductive reasoning, 118–119
    • overview, 117
    • premises in, 117
• logical fallacies, 115

M

• Mackenzie, Dana, 141
• magnetic field, 61
• main point, of GMAT passages, 94–95
• main-theme questions
  • answering, 407
  • identifying, 98
  • in verbal reasoning section, 153
• major arcs, 246
• massage, 26
• mathematics section
  • bases, 194–195
  • basic operations
    • addition, 189–190
    • division, 191
    • multiplication, 190
    • overview, 189
    • subtraction, 190
  • exponents
    • adding and subtracting with, 194
    • fractional, 195
    • multiplying and dividing with, 194–195
    • negative, 196
    • overview, 194
    • powers of 0 and 1, 195
  • fractions
    • adding, 201
    • denominator, 199
    • dividing, 201–203
    • improper, 200
    • mixed, 200
    • multiplying, 201–203
    • numerator, 199
    • overview, 198–199
    • proper, 200
    • reciprocal, 200
    • simplifying, 200–201
    • subtracting, 201
  • imaginary, 188
  • integers, 188
  • irrational numbers, 189
  • mini practice test
    • answer explanations, 309–318
    • overview, 301
    • practice questions, 301–309
  • natural numbers, 188
  • order of operations, 197
  • PEMDAS acronym, 198
  • percentages
    • calculating changes in, 203–204
    • converting decimals to, 199
    • converting to decimals, 199
    • repeated change in, 204–205
  • prime numbers, 188, 189
  • proportions, 205–206
  • rational numbers, 188
  • ratios, 205–206
  • real numbers
    • absolute value, 191–192
    • defined, 188
    • even, 192–193
    • negative, 193
    • odd, 192–193
    • positive, 193
  • roots, 196–197
  • scientific notation, 206–207
• MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs
  • admission to
    • communicating interest, 416
    • early submission of application, 416
    • essay, 417
    • focusing on best fit, 417
    • GMAT scores and, 7–8
    • interview, 415
    • recommendations, 417
    • studying for GMAT, 417
    • unique profile, 416
  • affordability, 28
  • applying to
    • early submission, 416
    • essays, 31–32
    • items to submit, 30
    • overview, 29
    • review of applications, 31
    • timing, 29
    • while upwardly mobile, 416
  • choosing, 27–29
  • concentration and specialties, 28
  • importance of GMAT, 7–8
  • location, 29
  • prestige of, 28
  • public versus private, 29
  • registering for GMAT, 8–9
  • selectivity, 28
  • special programs, 28
• means (statistics), 40, 54–55, 205, 275
• median, 40, 54–55, 275–276
• method-of-reasoning questions, 128–129
• Microeconomics Theory and Applications (Browning and Zupan), 106–108
• midpoint formula, 259
• midpoints, 234
• minor arcs, 246
• misspelling, 158, 163–164
• mixed fractions, 200
• mode, 276
• modifier errors, 163
• monomials, 211
• multiple bar graphs, 340
• multiplication
  • in algebra, 213–215
  • general rule of, 280, 281–282
  • overview, 190
  • in PEMDAS, 198
• multi-source reasoning
  • in integrated reasoning (IR) section, 322
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment, 48–50
    • answers, 64, 65–66

N

• natural numbers, 188
• natural science passages, 96
• needs, 104–105
• negative exponents, 196
• negative numbers, 193
• nonagons, 245
• nonrestrictive clauses, 76
• no-score essay, 170
• noteboard, 166
• noun-pronoun agreement, 77–79
• nouns, 72–73, 163
• null sets, 269
• numbers
  • bases, 194–195
  • basic operations
    • addition, 189–190
    • division, 191
    • multiplication, 190
    • overview, 189
    • subtraction, 190
  • composite, 188
  • exponents
    • adding and subtracting with, 194
    • fractional, 195
    • multiplying and dividing with, 194–195
    • negative, 196
    • overview, 194
    • powers of 0 and 1, 195
  • fractions
    • adding, 201
    • denominator, 199
    • dividing, 201–203
    • improper, 200
    • mixed, 200
    • multiplying, 201–203
    • numerator, 199
    • overview, 198–199
    • proper, 200
    • reciprocal, 200
    • simplifying, 200–201
    • subtracting, 201
  • imaginary, 188
  • integers, 188
  • irrational, 189
  • natural, 188
  • order of operations, 197
  • overview, 187–188
  • PEMDAS, 198
  • percentages
    • calculating changes in, 203–204
    • converting decimals to, 199
    • converting to decimals, 199
    • repeated change in, 204–205
  • prime, 188, 189
  • proportions, 205–206
  • rational, 188
  • ratios, 205–206
  • real
    • absolute value, 191–192
    • defined, 188
    • even, 192–193
    • negative, 193
    • odd, 192–193
    • positive, 193
  • Roman numerals, 24
  • roots, 196–197
  • scientific notation, 206–207
  • types of, 188
• numerators, 199

O

• objective personal pronouns, 73
• objects
  • of the preposition, 74
  • in sentences, 72
• obtuse angles, 234–235
• octagons, 245
• odd numbers, 192–193
• ordered pairs, 254
• origin, 254
• outcomes, 280
• outline, of GMAT passages, 95
• outstanding essay, 169–170

P

• parabolas, 261–262
• parallelism, 80–81
• parallel lines, 235–236
• parallelograms
  • areas of, 243
  • properties of, 242–243
  • types of, 243
• parentheses, 198
• Parmenids, 118
• passages, in reading comprehension questions
  • author's tone, 95
  • business, 97
  • main point, 94–95
  • natural science, 96
  • outline, 95
  • social science, 96–97
  • types of, 96–97
• passive voice, 81, 411
• pentagons, 245
• percentages. See also numbers
  • calculating changes in, 203–204
  • converting decimals to, 199
  • converting to decimals, 199
  • repeated change in, 204–205
• perimeters, 243
• permutations, 271–273
• perpendicular angles, 234–235
• perpendicular lines, 234
• personal problems, 15
• personal pronouns, 73
• photo ID, 10
• photosynthesis, 46, 63–64
• phrases, 75
• pi, 189
• pie charts, 345
• Plato, 118
• Plotinus, 118
• points per game, 51–52, 66
• poles, 61
• pollutants, 50
• polygons, 245
• polynomials, 211, 216–217
• population, 51, 65, 277
• positive integers, 188
• positive numbers, 193
• positive thinking, 26
• possessives, 163
• practice assessment
  • critical reasoning questions, 43–47
  • data sufficiency questions, 40–43, 54
  • graphics interpretation, 51, 65
  • integrated reasoning (IR) section
    • answers, 64–66
    • questions, 48–52
  • multi-source reasoning, 48–50, 64, 65–66
  • overview, 39
  • problem solving questions, 40–43
  • quantitative skills section, 40–43, 53–60
  • reading comprehension questions, 43–47
  • sentence correction questions, 43–47
  • table analysis, 51–52
  • two-part analysis, 50
  • verbal reasoning section, 44–47, 61–64
• practice tests
  • analytical writing assessment
    • answers and explanations, 377–378
    • questions, 356
  • analytical writing assessment (AWA) section, 353–354
  • answer sheets, 353–355
  • integrated reasoning (IR) section, 357
  • overview, 351–352
  • quantitative skills section, 355, 357–364
  • verbal reasoning section, 355, 365–375
• pre-assessment
  • integrated reasoning (IR) section, 36
  • overview, 35
  • quantitative skills section, 35–36
  • verbal section, 36
• predicative noun, 73
• premises, 116–117
• preparation schedule, 37–38
• prepositions, 74
• prestige, of business schools, 28
• prime numbers, 188, 189
• prisms, 249
• private vs. public schools, 29
• probability. See also statistics
  • general rule of addition, 280, 281
  • general rule of multiplication, 280, 281–282
  • of multiple events, 280
  • of one event, 280
  • overview, 279
  • special rule of addition, 280–281
  • special rule of multiplication, 280, 281
• problem solving questions
  • answer explanations, 297–299
  • answering, 408–409
  • approach to, 293–294
  • basic operations in, 408
  • with figures, 408
  • overview, 11, 289
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 53–60
    • questions, 40–43
  • practice questions, 295–297
  • sample problem, 294–295
  • substitution in, 409
• production, 230–231
• products (multiplication), 190
• pronouns, 73, 77–79, 163
• proofreading, 167, 413
• proper fractions, 200
• proportions, 205–206
• public vs. private schools, 29
• punctuation errors, 162
• Pythagorean theorem. See also triangles
  • 30:60:90-degree triangle, 240
  • 45:45:90-degree triangle, 240–241
  • common ratios of right triangles, 239
  • overview, 238–239

Q

• quadrants, 255
• quadratic equations
  • difference of perfect squares, 228
  • factoring to find x in, 227–228
  • formula for, 228–229
  • solving, 227–229
• quadratic polynomials, 211, 216–217
• quadrilaterals
  • overview, 242
  • parallelograms, 242–244
  • rules for, 242
  • trapezoids, 243–245
• quality of life, 29
• quantitative question types
  • data sufficiency questions
    • answer choices for, 284
    • answer explanations, 289–293, 297–299
    • overview, 283–284
    • practice problems for, 287–293
    • practice questions, 287–289, 295–297
    • problem solving questions, 295–297
    • steps in answering, 284–287
  • overview, 283
  • problem solving questions
    • answer explanations, 289–293, 297–299
    • approach to, 293–294
    • overview, 289
    • practice questions, 295–297
    • sample problem, 294–295
• quantitative skills section
  • eliminating wrong answers in, 22–23
  • mini practice test
    • answer explanations, 309–318
    • overview, 301
    • practice questions, 301–309
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 53–60
    • instructions, 40
    • questions, 40–43
  • practice tests
    • answers and explanations, 379–394
    • questions, 357–364
  • pre-assessment, 35–36
  • sample answer sheet, 355
  • scores, 13–14
  • time limits, 12
• questions
  • correct answers, 13
  • difficulty, 13
  • equal treatment for, 19
  • first ten, 19
  • as guides, 23
  • last ten, 19–20
  • number of, 13
  • with Roman numerals, 24
  • scores and, 13
  • time management strategies, 19, 25
  • unanswered, 15
• question types
  • critical reasoning questions, 119–120, 408
  • data sufficiency questions, 408
  • exception questions, 408
  • graph-analysis questions, 409
  • graphics interpretation, 331–332
  • with greater chance of answering correctly, 407–409
  • for integrated reasoning (IR) section, 325–336
  • main-theme reading, 407
  • multi-source reasoning, 332–336
  • problem solving questions, 408–409
  • reading comprehension questions, 97–98
  • sentence correction questions, 408
  • specific-information questions, 407
  • table analysis, 325–327
  • table analysis questions, 409
  • two-part analysis, 328–331
• quotient, 191

R

• radicals, 196–197
• radius, 246
• ranges
  • defined, 218
  • of functions, 221–222, 262–264
  • in statistics, 277
• rates, 42
• rational numbers, 188
• ratios, 205–206
• rays, 234
• reading comprehension questions
  • author's tone and style, 100
  • eliminating wrong answers, 100–101
  • exception questions, 101–103
  • inference questions, 99
  • main-theme questions, 98
  • overview, 11, 93–94
  • passages
    • author's tone, 95
    • business, 97
    • main point, 94–95
    • natural science, 96
    • outline, 95
    • social science, 96–97
    • types of, 95–97
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 63–64
    • questions, 46–47
  • practice problems for
    • answers, 109–113
    • instructions, 104
    • questions, 104–108
  • pre-assessment, 36
  • question types, 97–98
    • inference questions, 99
    • main-theme questions, 98
    • specific-information questions, 98–99
  • specific-information questions, 98–99
  • in verbal reasoning section, 140, 149–150, 152, 153–154
• real numbers. See also numbers
  • absolute value, 191–192
  • defined, 188
  • even, 192–193
  • negative, 193
  • odd, 192–193
  • positive, 193
• reasoning. See also critical reasoning questions
  • deductive, 117, 124
  • finding the method of, 120
  • inductive, 118–119
• reciprocals, 200
• recommendations, 417
• rectangles, 243
• rectangular solids, 249–250. See also geometry
• registering for GMAT, 8–9
• relative pronouns, 73
• relaxation techniques, 26
• repetitive language, 81
• rescheduling test, 14
• rescoring, 160
• restrictive clauses, 76
• retaking GMAT, 15
• return on investment (ROI), 28
• rhetorical construction, 81–82
• rhombus, 243
• right angle, 234–235
• right circular cylinder, 250–251
• right rectangular prism, 249
• right triangle, 236, 239
• Roman numerals, 24
• roots, 196–197, 198
• run-on sentences, 79–80, 162

S

• salary, starting, 29
• scalene triangle, 236
• scatter plots, 342–343
• scheduling GMAT, 9
• scientific notation, 206–207
• scores
  • admissions and, 7–8
  • for AWA essays
    • adequate, 169–170
    • automated essay-scoring engine, 159
    • defining, 169–170
    • by independent readers, 159–160
    • interpretation, 160
    • limited, 170
    • no-score, 170
    • outstanding, 169–170
    • reports, 13–14
    • rescoring, 160
    • seriously flawed, 170
    • strong, 169–170
  • canceling, 14–15
  • factors influencing, 13
  • good, importance of, 8
  • for integrated reasoning (IR) section, 13, 324
  • for quantitative skills section, 13–14
  • reporting of, 13–14
  • strategies for maximizing
    • eliminating wrong answers, 20–24
    • successful guessing, 17–18
    • time management, 19–20
  • for verbal reasoning section, 13–14
• seeking-assumption questions, 125–127
• segmented bar graphs, 340–341
• segments, 42
• selectivity, of business schools, 28
• semicircles, 246
• semicolon, 80
• sentence correction questions
  • answering, 408
  • common errors in
    • faulty construction, 79–82
    • idiomatic expressions, 83–85
    • noun-pronoun agreement, 77–79
    • overview, 76–77
    • run-on sentences, 79–80
    • sentence fragments, 79
    • subject-verb agreement, 77
    • verb tense, 80
  • grammar basics and
    • parts of sentence, 75
    • parts of speech, 71–74
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 61–62
    • questions, 44–45
  • practice problems
    • answers, 90–91
    • questions, 88–89
  • pre-assessment, 36
  • systematic approach to
    • eliminating wrong answers, 86–87
    • guessing, 87
    • overview, 85
    • rereading sentence, 87
    • spotting errors, 86
  • in verbal reasoning section, 140, 150–152, 154
• sentence fragments, 79, 163, 412
• sentences
  • dependent clauses in, 75
  • independent clauses in, 75–76
  • parts of, 75
    • clauses, 75–76
    • phrases, 75
    • subject, 75
    • verb, 75
  • phrases in, 75
  • run-on, 79–80, 162
• seriously flawed essay, 170
• sets. See also statistics
  • disjoint, 269
  • empty, 269
  • intersection of, 269
  • null, 269
  • overview, 269
  • subsets, 269
  • union of, 269
  • Venn diagrams, 269–270
• similar objects, in geometry, 235, 241–242
• similar triangles, 241241–
• simple bar graphs, 339–340
• simultaneous equations, 224–225
• slang expressions, 164
• slope-intercept form, 257–259
• slopes. See also coordinate geometry
  • defined, 254
  • distance formula, 260–261
  • formula for, 255–256
  • of lines, 41, 255–257
  • midpoint formula, 259
  • slope-intercept form, 257–259
  • types of, 256–257
• social science passages, 96–97
• solid geometry
  • cubes, 250
  • cylinders, 250–251
  • overview, 249
  • rectangular solids, 249
• special programs, in business schools, 28
• special rule of addition, 280–281
• special rule of multiplication, 280, 281
• specialties, of business schools, 28
• specific-information questions
  • answering, 407
  • overview, 98–99
  • in verbal reasoning section, 150
• speech, parts of
  • adjectives, 73
  • adverbs, 74
  • conjunctions, 74
  • nouns, 72–73
  • overview, 72
  • prepositions, 74
  • pronouns, 73
  • verbs, 72
• speed reading, avoiding, 25
• spell check, 158, 164
• spelling errors, 163–164
• square root, 196–197
• squares
  • defined, 243
  • difference of perfect squares, 228
• standard deviation, 277–279
• standardized tests, 8, 10–11, 14
• statistical arguments, 119, 123
• statistics
  • average, 275–277
  • combinations, 273–275
  • groups, 267–269
  • median, 275–276
  • mode, 276
  • overview, 267
  • permutations, 271–273
  • population, 277
  • probability, 279–282
  • ranges, 277
  • sets, 269–270
  • standard deviation, 277–279
• straight angles, 235
• stretching, 26
• strong essay, 169–170
• studying
  • devising plan for, 36–38
  • preparation schedule, 37–38
  • time needed for, 8–9, 37
• subjective personal pronouns, 73
• subjects, in sentences, 72, 75
• subject-verb agreement, 77
• subordinating conjunctions, 74
• subtraction, 190, 198, 211–213
• sum, 189
• supplementary angles, 235
• supporting paragraphs, 166–167
• surface area
  • of rectangular solids, 249
  • of right circular cylinder, 251
• synonyms, 158

T

• table analysis
  • answering questions in, 409
  • in integrated reasoning (IR) section, 322
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment, 51–52
  • translating information in, 338–339
• tangent line, 247–248
• terms
  • defined, 210
  • distributing, 213–214
  • stacking, 214
• test centers, 9
• testing times, 9
• test-taking techniques
  • avoiding cheating, 25
  • careful reading, 22–23, 25
  • eliminating wrong answers, 20–24
  • focus, 25
  • handling nervousness, 26
  • hard questions, 25
  • for question types, 407–409
  • tracking wrong answers, 20–21
  • using common sense, 33
• thesis, 166
• three-dimensional geometry. See also geometry
  • cubes, 250
  • cylinders, 250–251
  • overview, 249
  • rectangular solids, 249
• time limits, 12
• time management. See also test-taking techniques
  • for hard questions, 25
  • for integrated reasoning (IR) questions, 324–325
  • for last ten questions, 19–20
  • pacing and, 20
  • time limits and, 12
  • treating questions equally and, 19
• timer, hiding, 324–325
• to be (verb), 72
• transition words, using, 412
• transitive verbs, 75
• trapezoids, 243–245
• trend lines, 343
• triangles. See also angles
  • area of, 237–238
  • equilateral, 236
  • isosceles, 236
  • overview, 236
  • Pythagorean theorem
    • 30:60:90-degree triangle, 240
    • 45:45:90-degree triangle, 240–241
    • common ratios of right triangles, 239
    • overview, 238–239
  • right, 236, 239
  • rules for, 236–237
  • scalene, 236
  • similar, 241–242
  • types of, 236
• trinomials, 211
• two-part analysis
  • in integrated reasoning (IR) section, 322
  • overview, 11
  • practice assessment, 50

U

• unanswered questions, 15
• U.S. News & World Report, 28

V

• vacation, taking, 26
• variables, 210
• variation, 277
• Venn diagrams, 269–270, 345–347
• verbal phrase, 72
• verbal reasoning section
  • critical reasoning questions in, 140, 149, 151–152, 154
  • main-theme questions in, 153
  • overview, 11, 139
  • practice assessment
    • answers, 61–64
    • instructions, 44
    • questions, 44–47
  • practice problems for
    • answer explanations, 148–154
    • directions, 140
    • questions, 140–148
  • practice tests
    • answers and explanations, 394–402
    • questions, 365–375
  • pre-assessment, 36
  • reading comprehension questions in, 140, 149–150, 152, 153–154
  • Roman numerals in, 23–24
  • sample answer sheet, 355
  • scores, 13–14
  • sentence correction questions in, 140, 150–152, 154
  • specific-information questions in, 150
  • time limits, 12
• verbs, 72, 75, 80
• vertex, 234, 261–262
• vertical angles, 235
• vertical lines, 234
• vertical line test, 262–264
• volume
  • of rectangular solids, 249
  • of right circular cylinder, 250–251
• voucher, admission, 10

W

• warm-season grasses, 46–47, 63
• whispering, 325
• Woods, Geraldine, 161
• word problems, 229–230
• word-processing functions, 158
• work experience, 415
• work problems, 230–231

X

• x-axis, 254
• x-intercept, 254

Y

• y-axis, 254
• y-intercept, 254

Z

• Zupan, Mark, 106