20. MBA Admissions Myth vs. Reality, with Duke Fuqua

On February 1, 2024, the “old” GMAT is going away and the new GMAT Focus Edition is the version of the business school entrance exam that MBA hopefuls will take as part of the admission process moving forward. In this episode we take a deep-dive look a the new GMAT exam from a psychometric standpoint, meaning the intellectual abilities and skills GMAT Focus tests and the psychological traits built into the makeup of the exam. 

Specifically, we analyze the GMAT Focus Edition on five fronts:

1. Why the changing business school landscape necessitated a rethinking of the GMAT exam and how the GMAC meets the needs of business schools with GMAT Focus
2. How the GMAC ensured the validity and reliability of the GMAT Focus Edition despite reducing the number of questions
3. Key differences between the GMAT Focus Edition and the legacy GMAT that renders GMAT Focus a very different test (note: it’s not just a shorter GMAT)
4. Understanding the new GMAT Focus scoring algorithm and how to compare scores to the old GMAT
5. The new Review & Edit feature of GMAT Focus and how to maximize it from a test-taking standpoint (hint: be very careful about changing your answers!)

While we geek out a bit when talking about certain features of the GMAT Focus Edition, we always bring it back to what it means for you as a test-taker in terms of being able to get more right answers on test day. If you’re planning to take GMAT Focus, you’ll have a much better understanding of what you’re in store for after listening to this episode. If you’re an MBA admissions officer or consultant, you’ll have a better feel for what the GMAT Focus Edition measures, how it compares to the old GMAT, and how to think about a student’s score when evaluating their application.

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Article: "Equating GMAT Focus vs GMAT Scoring Scales"
2. Take the guesswork out of preparing for the GMAT Focus Edition with the industry's top-rated Complete GMAT Focus Prep Course (fully updated and specifically designed for the GMAT Focus Edition)

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 65: Initial Thoughts on the New GMAT Focus Edition, with Barbara Coward
2. Episode 50: What Good are Standardized Tests Anyway?
3. Episode 42: GMAT vs. GRE for MBA Admissions

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” — Muhammad Ali

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the granddaddy of all standardized tests, is finally joining the digital age. International students have already been able to take the SAT on a computer; as of March 2024, the new Digital SAT will permanently replace pencil-and-paper exams worldwide. The SAT is evolving — and that's a good thing says Mike Bergin, President & Owner of Chariot Learning. Mike joins this episode to help us prepare for this brave new world of college admissions testing. We discuss:

• Why the SAT has finally decided to go digital, and what it means for you as a test taker
• Logistics of the online exam, including devices you're allowed to use and software you'll need to install before test day
• The new section-adaptive scoring algorithm, how it differs from the current linear paper test, and test-taking strategies to maximize the new section flow
• Substantive differences between the Digital SAT and the legacy SAT, especially with regard to reading comprehension passages and the reintroduction of vocabulary
• Recommended resources for preparing for the Digital SAT
• And more!

The only constant in life is change, as they say. But change doesn't have to be scary. Indeed, once you fully understand how the new Digital SAT works and what you're in store for on test day, you can fully embrace this change and dominate your performance on test day. After learning from Mike in this episode, you'll be able to do just that.

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Digital SAT from the official College Board SAT site
2. Free SAT Prep from Khan Academy
3. Personalized SAT Prep with Mike Bergin via Chariot Learning
4. Connect with Mike Bergin on LinkedIn
5. Essential SAT Math Strategies - video course from Dominate Test Prep

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 40: Proven Principles of Perfect Practice, with Mike Bergin
2. Episode 67: What to Look for in a Tutor, with Mark Skoskiewicz
3. Episode 41: SAT vs. ACT for College Admissions, with Amy Seeley
4. Episode 48: Planning Your Campus Visits, with Mary Lanni

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

"Your outcomes are a lagging measure of your habits…. Your knowledge is a lagging measure of your learning habits…. You get what you repeat." — James Clear

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

There are a number of ways to prepare for your standardized test, one of which is to hire a tutor. Is going the tutoring route right for you? If so, how can you choose a tutor that’s the best fit for your particular learning style?

In this episode we explore key aspects of effective tutoring with MyGuru founder Mark Skoskiewicz. Specifically, we discuss:

• The type of student tutoring is ideally suited for
• The type of student who might be better off with a course, self-study, or another form of test prep
• Characteristics of an effective tutor
• The roles and responsibilities of the student to get the most out of tutoring
• The true value of a tutor (hint: it’s not their hourly rate)
• The benefits of online vs. in-person tutoring
• Four questions you should ask when vetting a tutor
• And more!

Whether you already know you want to work with a tutor or you’re still in the early stages of preparing for your exam, Mark’s perspective on what it takes to succeed on a high-stakes test will serve you well as you decide on the best approach to your prep.

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Peak Performance, by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
2. Learn more about MyGuru's tutoring options
3. Dominate your test with the help of our industry-leading prep courses

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 56: How to Use Practice Tests (and What to Avoid), with Vinay Narang
2. Episode 25: How to Find the Motivation to Study
3. Episode 5: Test Mastery Part 1: The Success Triad + Time Management Tips

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” — Albert Einstein

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

Getting an MBA is challenging under the best of circumstances. When you’re a mother of two, that adds an extra layer of complexity. And if you choose a business school in another country where classes are conducted in your non-native language? Well, some would say you’re a glutton for punishment!

But that’s exactly the path that Yurany Hernandez chose — and she has found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. Yurany, who hails from Colombia and is finishing up her degree at NYU Stern School of Business, share’s her story including practical strategies for other mothers and international students trying to juggle the demands of business school in pursuit of their dreams. As Yurany says, “If I can do it, anyone can do it!”


RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Connect with Yurany Hernandez on LinkedIn
2. Dominate your test with the help of our industry-leading prep courses

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 22: A Peek Behind the MBA Curtain, with Sam Klein
2. Episode 8: How I Raised My GMAT Score 120 Points, with Matt Kunzler
3. Episode 28: The Value of an MBA, with Tim Munyon

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“Regret hurts more than failure ever will.” — Elizabeth Rider

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

Big changes are coming to the main standardized test you need to take when applying for an MBA, and we're here to break it down for you. Specifically, the GMAC announced that it will be replacing the GMAT, which has been the gold standard exam for students pursuing an advanced business degree for nearly 70 years, with a new version of the test called the GMAT Focus Edition. We're joined in this episode by Barbara Coward, founder of MBA 360 Admissions, to dissect this monumental news. Specifically, we discuss:

• Why now
• What's on the new exam, and how it differs from the current GMAT
• Why a shorter exam doesn't necessarily mean an easier exam
• The timeline for the rollout of the new GMAT Focus Edition
• The mindset of admissions officers, and how this new version may better help them assess the best candidates for their programs
• What this change suggests about the future landscape of business education
• What MBA candidates can be doing now if they think they'll be taking the new version of the GMAT
• And more!

As we learn more about the specific details of the exam, we'll update you here on the podcast and via e-mail as well. You can opt-in for those updates HERE.

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Be the first to know! Sign up for timely updates about the new GMAT Focus Edition exam, straight to your inbox.
2. Connect with Barbara Coward of MBA 360 Admissions for a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
3. Prepare for your standardized test — including the GMAT Focus Edition — with one of Dominate Test Prep's comprehensive prep courses.

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 1: Top 3 Prep Tips for Any Standardized Test
2. Episode 57: How to Prepare for the Executive Assessment
3. Episode 61: Priorities if You're Short on Study Time
4. Episode 28: The Value of an MBA, with Tim Munyon

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“Change is the only constant in life.” — Heraclitus

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

It's common to hit a plateau as you're preparing for your standardized test. Your momentum stalls, your practice test scores stop going up, and no matter how much you keep studying, you don't seem to be making any progress.

The key to getting un-stuck so that you can get off your prep plateau and continue growing toward your goals lies in the "Growth Formula" as laid out by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness in Peak Performance. In this episode we dissect their formula and reveal what may just be the secret ingredient for you to achieve the breakthrough you're looking for. Incidentally, the components of the Growth Formula will help you achieve excellence in all areas of your life to which you apply them.

Even if you haven't [yet] hit a plateau as you're studying for your exam, the concepts and studies discussed here will help you optimize your preparation so that you can experience peak performance on test day.


RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Peak Performance, by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
2. Comprehensive prep courses for the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, and LSAT

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 17: Nutrition Hacks for Improved Focus, Memory, and Mental Clarity, with Dr. Barrett Deubert
2. Episode 33: How to Get Started Again if Something Derails Your Prep
3. Episode 40: Proven Principles of Perfect Practice, with Mike Bergin

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“The process of setting a goal on the outer boundaries of what we think is possible, and then systematically pursuing it, is one of the most fulfilling parts about being human.” — Brad Stulberg

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

It's easy to feel like more is better when it comes to preparing for your standardized test. More instructional videos. More practice problems. Another book. Another course.

But the reality is that more is not always better on high-stakes exams, as it can lead to uncertainty -- and therefore wrong answers -- during the time pressure of test day. Instead, we explain in this episode why it's important to have "one voice" as you're learning the underlying content and test-taking strategies in preparation for your exam. We also tell you how to find that voice and make recommendations for resources you can trust.


SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 5: The Success Triad + Time Management Tips
2. Episode 61: Priorities if You're Short on Study Time
3. Episode 56: How to Use Practice Tests (and What to Avoid), with Vinay Narang

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” - English Proverb

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

Performing well on your standardized test becomes a whole lot easier if you can read faster while retaining more of what you read. As guest Bara Sapir, developer of the MindFlow Speed Reading Program, explains, that's a skill that can be developed with improved technique and practice — and by letting go of some of the common "bad" reading habits that you've likely developed to this point in your academic journey.

If you're eager to get a leg up on the reading comprehension portion of your exam — or even to just read faster at work or for pleasure — learn from Bara as she shares:

• How reading is a skill that can be learned and improved, no matter your current ability;
• The bad reading habits of "fixation" and "subvocalization" and how to fix them;
• How many words per minute (wpm) you're likely currently reading, and how many wpm you need to shoot for on test day;
• Why getting lost in the details on a reading passage is slowing you down, and why it's not necessary for getting right answers anyway;
• The "finger technique" for getting your eyes to scan words more fluidly;
• How your brain will eventually catch up with your eyes as you train them to read more quickly;
• Reading tips for non-native English speakers;
• External factors (sleep, diet, etc.) that can influence your focus — and thus comprehension — while reading;
• And more!

Contrary to common wisdom, improving your reading speed and comprehension is something you can do in a relatively short amount of time, provided you put in the time to learn the necessary skills and practice their implementation. Running out of time on the reading portion of your test doesn't have to be an issue for you any longer. Learn how to fix it in this episode.

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. Take MindFlow's free speed reading test: https://app.mindflowspeedreading.com/free/speed-read
2. Learn more about the MindFlow Speed Reading Program and register: https://mindflowspeedreading.com.
3. Comprehensive prep courses for the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, LSAT and SAT

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 39: What Should I Be Reading?
2. Episode 13: Reading Comprehension Strategies for ESL Students (and Everyone Else!)
3. Episode 15: Overcoming Test Anxiety, with Bara Sapir

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” — Confucius

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

It seems like there's never enough time to do all the things we want to in life. That can be especially true when it comes to preparing for your standardized test. You're busy: job, family, school, hobbies, etc. And yet, you need to carve out sufficient time to study effectively for your exam. But how?

That's exactly the concern submitted by one of our students, Madeline, who wrote: "I am concerned about having enough time to study. I work full time (most weeks, more than 40 hrs a week)...and the math is a lot to take in and relearn.”

Sound familiar?

In this "mailbag" episode we address Madeline's hang-up and provide practical prep tips for students who fall into one of two categories:

1. You don't have a lot of time to prepare for your standardized test because you're scheduled to take it in just a few weeks (or even days!);
2. Your test date is still a ways off, but your days are super busy and you're not sure where you're going to find the time to fit in adequate studying.

In a perfect world, you'd be able to drop everything and devote 100% of your time over the next couple months preparing for your exam. But that's not realistic. Yet, it's still possible to get a great score even if you're limited on study time -- provided you prioritize the right things and structure your study sessions optimally. By the end of this episode, you'll know how.

Questions? Comments? Topic suggestions for future episodes? Reach out to us at support@dominatetestprep.com. We'd love to hear from you!


SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 33: How to Get Started Again if Something Derails Your Prep
2. Episode 8: How I Raised My GMAT Score 120 Points, with Matt Kunzler
3. Episode 52: How to Stay Consistent With Your Studying

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“If you want something done, ask a busy person.” — Benjamin Franklin

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

Graduate schools generally have more than one application deadline throughout the year, and when you apply often impacts your likelihood of being admitted. Indeed, it's more important than ever that you apply as early as possible in the admission cycle, according to Linda Abraham, founder of Accepted -- especially given the expected increase in application volume resulting from trends in the current economic landscape.

In this episode, Linda elaborates on that thesis as we discuss:

• The distinction between "rolling admissions" and "rounds" and the approximate application deadlines for each submission period;
• Why current economic trends (inflation, rising interest rates, impending recession) suggest that applying early (i.e. Round 1) is a good idea this application cycle;
• The benefits of applying Round 1 even in a "normal" year;
• Four (4) criteria to consider that will help you determine if you're ready to apply;
• How long it takes to put together a polished application;
• Why it's a mistake to rush an application just to meet Round 1 deadlines;
• Whether it's better to apply in later rounds this year or wait until Round 1 next year;
• And more!

If you've already decided that graduate school is in your immediate future, there's no time to waste when it comes to getting your test score and starting to work on your applications. After listening to this episode and hearing what Linda has to share, you'll understand why. Enjoy!

RESOURCES / LINKS

1. From the Accepted Blog: “When Should I Plan to Apply to Grad School? NOW!!!”
2. Quiz - Are you ready for an MBA?
3. Quiz - Are you ready for law school?
4. Quiz - Are you ready for an Engineering degree?
5. Quiz - Are you ready for med school?
6. Contact Linda Abraham
7. Prepare for your standardized test with Dominate Test Prep's industry-leading prep courses

SIMILAR EPISODES

If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

1. Episode 37: When is the Best Time to Take Your Exam?
2. Episode 34: How to Determine Where to Apply, with Linda Abraham
3. Episode 3: Framework for a Successful Grad School Application, with Linda Abraham

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” — Benjamin Franklin

Connect with Us

• Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
• Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Focus, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT)
• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.