Is x > y?

(1) x^3 > 100y^7

(2) x > 0

Solution:
Analyzing the question:
We have no information on x and y so we need to consider positive/negative values and fractional/whole number values.

Statement 1:
We can have x = 100 and y = 1 for x > y, or x = 1/100 and y = 1/99 for x < y. Insufficient.

Statement 2:
Insufficient.

Combined:
The key here is to see we cannot prove x > y with this information. As an example, the case x = 1/100 and y = 1/99 still gives x < y so combined information is still insufficient.

Ans: E

​

Is the two digit integer k less than or equal to 19?

(1) k^2 > 400

(2) k^3 < 8000


Analyzing the question:
Note we are only given that k is a two-digit integer, it might be negative.

Statement 1:
This simplifies to |k|>20|k|>20, which is either k>20 or k <−20. Therefore k might be greater than 19 or less, insufficient.

Statement 2:
k^3<8000, k^3<20^3, k<20.

k must be 19 at most, so it is indeed less than or equal to 19. Sufficient.

Ans: B

So you’ve decided you need an admissions consultant and that it’s completely ethical to hire one, so what’s next?

Obviously, you need to decide which admissions consultant you’ll hire.

So why choose Test Prep Unlimited?

Like always, I’ll use a story to illustrate the TPU advantage.

Our client was a strong, but not perfect candidate: his grades were good, but not great.

When he came to us, he was quite upset.  He had presented a draft of his essay to one of his professors, who told him he hated the essay.  This Professor had been admitted to a similar degree program, and he “knew” what it took to get in; consequently, he urged our client to re-draft his essay based upon a template that he believed would allow the Admissions Committee to “understand” his resume.  As if the Admissions Committee couldn’t read!

So it was time for a talk.

We began by explaining that it’s always up to the client to do whatever he thought was right, but we urged him to stay the course, to refine his draft along the lines we had suggested, rather than abandon his essay for his professor’s template.

We reminded him that Admissions Officers read thousands of “form” essays and that they would understand his resume without an essay-long repetition.  Most importantly, we reminded him that he’d be throwing away his best chance at standing out from the crowd if he submitted an essay that looked like everyone else’s.

Fortunately, our client agreed with us, and he’s already been interviewed or admitted at several schools.  (It’s only been a few weeks since he applied, so we’re still waiting for additional results, but – needless to say – our client is overjoyed by his decision.)

You’ll notice I didn’t say too much about our client’s particular strategy; there are two reasons for that reticence.  First, I don’t want to identify him (we take confidentiality very seriously), but, second, his details are irrelevant because his strategy was unique to him.

And that’s the most important part of the TPU advantage: we take the time to design a strategy for you.  We’re not trying to fit you into our strategy or even our school-specific strategy; rather, we’re trying to decide what’s the best fit for you and your goals.  Like we do in test prep, we create a custom solution for you.

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: the right approach is an approach that’s designed to present you in the best possible light.  Sometimes, the real you don’t fit a particular school, which is fine – we’ll help you choose another that’s a better fit. More often, however, the problem is that you (or your consultant) are trying to fit you to the school, trying to invent ways that you meet whatever you (or your consultant) thinks that school wants.  We don’t take that approach; rather, we start with you, and we decide how to fit you into an essay that truly represents you.

In other words, most people start with the school and end with you; we start with you – and it’s that client-centric approach that truly sets us apart.
​

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the non-profit which administers the GMAT exam, is committed to ensuring the accessibility of its product. This means that they will make special accommodations for exam-takers who demonstrate a need, one of these special accommodations is additional time (specifically 50% or 100% additional time). 

Who Qualifies for Additional Exam Time?
There are five disability types (umbrella categories under which many disabilities may fall) which the GMAC considers offering special accommodations for, and they’ve provided a document for each with specific instructions. The types are; Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning and Cognitive Disabilities, Physical and Systemic Disabilities, Psychological Disabilities, and Sensory Disabilities (Vision and Hearing). 

GMAC defines individuals with disabilities using the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA states that a disability can be physical or mental, and must substantially limit your ability to perform major life activities (when compared to the general population). Your application will need to document a disability that “substantially limits a major life activity”, how that disability would limit your ability to take the GMAT, and rationalize why additional time is “necessary and appropriate” given your circumstances. 

 It is stated within these instructions that they realize that every individual has a unique experience and needs, and they are committed to being “as flexible as we can” when reviewing your materials. In some cases (for example ADHD) you are able to comment on how it has impacted your life, even if your diagnosis was recent, and why you feel you went undiagnosed until recently. 

How Do I Request More Time?
No matter what your disability, or which specific accommodations you need, there is a five-step process for your request.

**DO NOT register for your exam until you have received a decision about your accommodation request.** 

1. Go to MBA.com and create a GMAT profile, this will give you a GMAT ID number. 
   
2. Read through the GMAT Handbook and the Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities. 
   
3. Complete the GMAT Exam Accommodation Request Form found in the supplement.
   
4. Provide documentation from a qualified medical professional. The type of documentation needed is specific to your disability, details for each category can be found at MBA.com. 
   
5. You must mail or fax (do not email) your request to Pearson VUE for review (you are able to choose to receive your response via email, which is recommended as it is faster). 
   

    
How Long Will This Process Take?
Once GMAC has received your completed application they will attempt to review it within 25 business days. At that point GMAC may require additional documentation at the end of the 25 days of the initial review, they recommend you prepare for up to an additional month (on top of the original 25 days). In addition, you may also need to wait for an appointment with your medical professional in order to gather all the necessary documentation. 
To summarize: this process cannot be rushed and may take more than two months to complete. Plan ahead!

When you’re ready to begin your extended time GMAT prep class with Test Prep Unlimited, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Don't lose sleep over it, but a study a at a top ranked MBA program a few years ago showed that people whose natural propensity is to stay up later tend to do better on the GMAT, regardless of gender. They linked it to baseline levels of cortisol.