GMAT Preparation, MBA, B School Applications

GMAT - Some useful percent to fraction conversion

2008-11-28T01:19:00.000-08:00

A set of useful percent to fractions that will save a lot of time when attempting problem solving questions in the Quant section of the GMAT test.

Percentages Equivalent Fraction

33.33% 1/3

16.66% or 16.67% 1/6

66.66% or 66.67% 2/3

6.66% or 6.67% 2/30 or 1/15

14.28% 1/7

12.5% 1/8

11.11% 1/9

9.09% 1/11

8.33% 1/12

7.14% 1/14

Let us say you have a question that states that a family spends 66.66% of its income and saves the rest. If its savings is USD 3000, how much did the family spend?

66.66% can be written as 2/3rd. So, the family spends 2/3rds of its income.
The balance that the family saves = 1 - 2/3 = 1/3rd of the income.

Savings = USD 3000 = 1/3rd the income
Hence, income = 3*3000 = USD 9000.

Trying to crack the same question keeping it in percent terms could lead to unsavory calculations.

Right time to catch 2008 deadlines of Asian and European B Schools

2007-11-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

R1 deadlines for some US B Schools for Fall 2008 admissions are already over as we are in the first week of November.

R2 deadlines for all US B schools will fall between the first week of January 2008 and the first or second week of Feb 2008. If you plan to catch Round 2 deadlines and have already taken your GMAT then, it still is comfortably possible. However, if you are yet to even start your GMAT Preparation, then it might be a little too late to catch R2 deadlines for Fall 2008 admissions of US Business schools.

However, you still have adequate time if you are planning to catch European and Asian business schools. Most of these schools have their application deadlines between March and June of 2008. So, if you are yet to even commence your GMAT preparation you still should be able to catch these deadlines and be able to start your B School education in the academic year 2008 itself.

Here is a list of some of the top European Business Schools
1. IMD Switzerland
2. INSEAD, France and Singapore
3. Judge Business School
4. Warwick
5. Rotterdam
6. SDA, Bocconi

And a list of some of the top Asian Business Schools
1. National University of Singapore, Singapore
2. NangYang Technical University, Singapore
3. Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines
4. City University of Hong Kong
5. International University of Japan

R1 Deadlines of top US B Schools for Fall 08 admissions

2007-10-01T02:13:00.000-07:00

Round 1 deadlines of Top B Schools are just around the corner. Here is a list of some of those deadlines as a ready reckoner.

Stanford Graduate Business School [October 22, 2007]
Harvard Business School [October 2, 2007]
MIT Sloan Management [October 30, 2007]
Hass School of Business, UC, Berkeley [November 5, 2007]
The Fuqua School of Business, Duke Univ [November 20, 2007]
Chicago GSB, Univ of Chicago [October 17, 2007]
Univ of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor [December 1, 2007]
Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth [October 10, 2007]
New York Univ, Stern School of Business [November 15, 2007]

Round 2 deadlines have been updated for these B Schools at R1 and R2 deadlines of US B Schools

Best wishes for those applying for R2 deadlines.

IIM Calcutta's PGPEX Final Lists out

2007-09-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

Final lists of those selected for the one year PGPEX program of IIM Calcutta is out. A total of 40 applicants have been selected from an estimated 400 plus applicants for the batch commencing on Dec 1, 2007.

1 year PGPX and PGPEX programs at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta

2007-04-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

One of the best things to have happened to management education in India is the introduction and fast adaptation of the one year MBA / PGP programs. ISB, Hyderabad was amongst the pioneers to launch the one year program.

Subsequently, the two big daddies of Indian Management education - IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta started their own versions of 1 year MBA programs in 2006. The profile of the first batch of students at both the IIMs will be amongst the best in the world. Be it average GMAT scores (700 to 711), or average years of experience (9 + years at both the IIMs) or the sheer diversity of the industries the participants of the programs come from.

Both the IIMs promise International Immersion (the equivalent of internship) for all participants. 60 in IIM A for the first batch and 40 in IIM C for the first batch.

I met one of our (Ascent Education) students who completed his 2 year PGP program from IIM C in Feb 2007 and has offers from the elite Consults and asked him about the PGPEX program. The feedback was very good. Top recruiters including consults have evinced interest in participating in the final placements of the PGPEX program too.

For all those who have worked for quite a while (7+ years), these two programs will be one of the best bet in terms of
1. quality of education
2. value for money proposition (IIM A has increased its fees to Rs.14 lakhs, though IIM C has it still at Rs.8 lakhs. even at 14 lakhs it is quite attractive)
3. the quality of placements and the ability to reach top management posts fast.

Obviously, with all these on offer, it is not going to be an easy nut to crack. With concerted effort for 4 to 5 months one should be able to get a 700 score in the GMAT. Good undergraduate record and professional experience should add to making one's application attractive.

Gun for the IIM's Executive MBA programs. Best wishes

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