| What is a standardized test? | | | | common sense besides basic section concepts. It is |
| Standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT etc.) | | | | not uncommon tofind a problem on a geometrical |
| are aptitude tests to assess the proficiency of | | | | figure, which can be resolved into an algebraic |
| students for a given course of study. The scores | | | | expression with some simple common sense method. |
| obtained in standardized tests are supposed to | | | | In the world ofGMAT and GRE, the category of |
| predict individual success in job or profession after | | | | miscellaneous problems is called Word Problems.The |
| completing the course. For example, research shows | | | | key to do well in this section is two-fold: (1) Know |
| that the Graduate Management Admission Test | | | | the basics ofArithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry; (2) |
| (GMAT) is a valid predictor of students' performance | | | | Apply common sense to translate the given |
| in the MBA program. Studies also support the | | | | information and the question in the form of |
| proposition of post-MBA career successes with | | | | mathematical equations. |
| GMAT test scores. | | | | FORMAT OF MATH PROBLEMS |
| Most standardized tests consist of some form of | | | | Math problems in standardized tests are almost |
| evaluation for two subjects:English and Math. The | | | | always in the objectivemultiple choice question form. |
| first part of English, often called verbal ability test, | | | | The Grid-in questions in the SAT exam are |
| assesses test-takers ability to read and write | | | | anexception. The usual format includes a description |
| grammatically correctEnglish. Several years of reading | | | | of problem with one ormore useful piece of |
| text-books, writing papers, speaking in front of the | | | | information. A question statement follows the given |
| class at elementary and high schools allows | | | | information. Then the problem is followed by 4 or 5 |
| standardized testtakers to score well without much | | | | answer choices. |
| effort. | | | | Students taking the test are required to utilize the |
| Math in Standardized Tests | | | | given information in answering the question |
| The standardized test on Math, on the other hand, is | | | | statement. The answer thus found is one among |
| not as natural or easy as the English part. Students | | | | many options. There is no single strategy to solve a |
| often receive less than satisfactory trainingin | | | | multiple-choice math problem.Experts usually |
| developing their mathematical abilities and the format | | | | recommend one or more of the following methods, |
| of the questions does not help either. For example, | | | | â-ª Plugging numbers: Helps avoid complex |
| how often does one have to figure out theprobability | | | | algebraic calculations |
| of a number to be odd when a two-digit number is | | | | â-ª Back solving: Taking the help of answer |
| chosen at random. Or what is average speed of Jack | | | | choices to eliminate wrong options |
| in total, when Jack drove one way atrate of 40 mph, | | | | â-ª Eye-balling & approximating: Helpful in |
| and returned at rate of 50 mph? | | | | simple geometrical problems |
| The standardized exam may be composed of its | | | | â-ª Intelligent guessing: Eliminating unlikely |
| own format of math questions.The Math section, | | | | answers to decrease options. |
| sometimes called Quantitative section, can have | | | | The strategies described above work best when |
| questionsof the following types: Problem Solving, | | | | test-takers are equipped with basic concepts of |
| Data Sufficiency, Data Comparison,Graphical | | | | Arithmetic, Algebra, & Geometry, and invest time & |
| Problems, and Grid-Ins. Despite quantitative problems | | | | effortin practicing sample questions in actual exam |
| appearing innumerous forms, they test a limited | | | | like format. |
| number of concepts. The concepts can be | | | | Other formats of Math problems (e.g., Data |
| categorized in 3 broad sections of Math: Arithmetic, | | | | sufficiency in GMAT, Grid-in in SAT, Graph in GRE & |
| Algebra, and Geometry. | | | | SAT) form a small percentage of all questions in the |
| â-ª Arithmetic section | | | | test. Students are advised to develop their own |
| Most standardized tests give considerable importance | | | | strategy for such questions.Once again, knowing the |
| to the arithmetic concepts such as Percent, Ratio, | | | | basics and practicing with such problems is the key |
| Average, and Numbers. The arithmetic section often | | | | for doing well in such problems. |
| makes for 50% or over part of the Quantitative | | | | Sample Example Problems: |
| section of the test. The number of arithmetic | | | | 1. After 20% discount, due to Christmas sale, the |
| problems in the GMAT or GRE Math is about 55% to | | | | price of a book is $40. What is the total saving than |
| 60% of the total number of questions. In the SAT | | | | usual price, for Jim, when he purchases two volumes |
| and ACT exam, the arithmetic portion of the Math | | | | of the book in discount sale? |
| section is about 50%. | | | | A. 100 |
| â-ª Algebra section | | | | B. 50 |
| In terms of the number of questions asked in the | | | | C. 40 |
| test, Algebra is not as important. The areas tested in | | | | D. 20 |
| the Algebra are: Solving Simple Equations, Binomial | | | | E. 10 |
| Theorem & Quadratic Equations, and Advance | | | | 2. In the year 2000, Mary was twice as old as her |
| Algebra with Inequalities. About 15% to 25% of | | | | sister Sally. In the year 2008, Mary will be 5 yeas |
| problems are from Algebra section of Math.The | | | | older than Sally. What is the age of Mary now (in |
| percentage distribution may vary for different exams. | | | | year 2007)? |
| â-ª Geometry section | | | | A. 6 |
| Test-makers prefer to make questions in Geometry | | | | B. 10 |
| in many different forms and flavors. The basic | | | | C. 17 |
| concepts tested in this area come from: Angles & | | | | D. 18 |
| Triangles, Squares & Rectangles, Circles, Co-ordinate, | | | | E. 20 |
| and Solid Geometry.Even though advance questions | | | | 3. The numerical value of the ratio of area and |
| require knowledge and practice with | | | | circumference of a circle is 2. What is the diameter |
| importantconcepts, the easier problems are often | | | | of the circle? |
| intuitive and aptitude based. In anygiven standardized | | | | A. 4 |
| Math test, about 20% to 40% of all questions are | | | | B. 8 |
| from theGeometry section. In SAT exam, about | | | | C. 16 |
| 35% pf questions are from the Geometry.In the | | | | D. 18 |
| GMAT exam only 20% of all questions are Geometry | | | | E. 32 |
| problems. | | | | Answers: |
| Miscellaneous Problems | | | | 1. D |
| Makers of standardized tests have a special liking for | | | | 2. C |
| oddball questions.These questions are derived from | | | | 3. |
| concepts of more than one topic and oftenrequire | | | | |