GMAT-Reading comprehension Workshop at CSQUARE Learnings

Is it a tough game conquering Reading Comprehension on GMAT!!!!!!??

We have a key to your hitch. Interaction with the connoisseur of GMAT with focus on reading comprehension will certainly make the trail smooth and easy. Kalyan Chakravarthi ,Founder & Director of Csquare Learnings pvt ltd., will conduct RC workshop himself in Bangalore to answer all your queries so that you learn to conquer the most perplexing section on GMAT.

To Learn more about Kalyan Chakravarthi visit: http://in.linkedin.com/in/gmatspecialist
As Csquare learnings has always stretched its wings to facilitate GMAT aspirants, its another attempt to make your flight towards your dream college successful, happy and enjoyable. At Csquare Learnings our history is our challenge - a legacy of energy and innovation, as we strive to excel in our training every day. Our experience in working with a diverse set of students has made us progress. Presently, we are on a move to build a platform that will create new horizons and foster innovative thoughts to connect and share valuable experiences.

This workshop will act as a podium to discover the best strategy to conquer the most apprehensive section on GMAT -----“READING COMPREHENSION” .The strategy is called FIRE – The most popular strategy in the GMAT world provide only by Csquare Learnings. FIRE not only helps you to understand GMAT RC’s better but also gives you command over the anxiety about RC’s on GMAT. This workshop will focus on

• Better method to read passages
• Better time management on RC
• Tackling different types of questions in RC
• Approach to arrive at right answer
• Method to resolve confusion when left with last 2 options
• Tackling unfamiliar topics.

Please find the details of the workshop below
Date: 19th (Saturday) & 20th (Sunday) December 2009
Venue: Csquare Learnings Pvt Ltd
#425,1st Floor, 80 ft road, 6th Block,
Koramangala,
Bangalore 560034
Fees: 7000/-
Contact No: 080-40821000
Number of seats: 25
Website : http://www.csqrl.com/
To seize this opportunity register by 18th Friday December 2009. We look forward to seeing you.

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 700

I approached Csquare Learnings after I got a GMAT score of 600. It was around 1st week of Aug 09. My score was 30 verbal and 42 Quant. I had initially planned for just 10 hrs of classes, which I planned to finish in two weeks. But due to professional commitments I gave long gaps between classes in the first month. We pretty much pulled up in September.

Though initially I had thought that I needed help with just verbal but at CSquare I realised that the standard of quant required in GMAT has to be really high. The average score in CSquare was 49. So I took additional 5 hrs for quant to make my concepts strong. This really prepared me well. Now the training was over and I had to practice. Here again I ended up giving a 20 day gap in the beginning of Oct 09. My standards went plummeting once I went out of touch with my trainer but I kept doing the official guides. My timing was at its worst by the end of the 20 days. On 21^st Oct 09 my trainer asked me to remain at CSquare and practice whole day. This was the point that gave me the boost in my preparation.

For eight days I practiced religiously and discussed my difficulty areas with my CSQRL trainer. I implemented the suggestions deliberately. Following the FIRE strategy in RC ensures a lot of success. It is better to follow the strategies religiously as told.

I believe CSquare Learnings gave me a truly personalized attention and helped me make a personal strategy keeping in mind my strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the eight days I realized that I was peaking and this was also the time when I was giving my best in terms of time and attention. I was practicing around 10-12 hrs a day. I consulted my trainer and decided to take GMAT on 30 Oct 09 as I knew I can't sustain this performance for long. I guess besides everything thing else, taking the test at the right time also matters a lot. You should be able to identify when you are at your peak performance. After my test I have come across a few friends who were not guided as well as me and they waited too long before taking the test. Although, initially they were scoring much better than me but on the final day they spoiled their scores.

I am fortunate that I got the right guidance at the right time and Csquare’s personal attention that helped me reach my goal in just 8 days!!

Regards

Mayank- 700 (Q48 V38)

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 700

Sachin 700 [M - 49 V - 37]

Disclaimer: This post would mainly help if you are struggling on Verbal. Also, this worked for me, please adapt what is most suitable for you.

Here's my experience:

My goal was to reach 80% verbal.

Difference in my two attempts:

Previous:
I had completed OG10, 11, Scoretop, Kaplan, Manhattan, Sets (about 25 - great to overcome timing issues + some real GMAT type questions - it's a must!)

In SC and CR, I could easily remove 3 choices. The problem was to select from the last two remaining choices. My RC was ok.

I had read Manhattan SC, but still could not relate to GMAT style (of when is present continuous or past perfect is correct / incorrect). I used to go by what sounds good.

Current:
I took 1-to-1 tutoring at Csquare Learnings. I must say, Csquare is an expert in GMAT question types and pattern. I had decided to take GMAT in next 10 days since I wanted to submit my new scores after the deadline. No choice, but to get up at 4:30 am, drive 20 KMs and attend class at 5:00 am. Rush to office by 8:30am phew! (remembered my 12th class timings). Didn't have much time but to follow their rules.

SC: Csquare made SC very simple with few basic rules like when is -ing, having + ed, were, had been etc. are correct / incorrect. Just follow blindly and apply it! This led to easy elimination of many choices within seconds. I was now more looking for the rules, instead of, spending time in what sounds good.

CR: Csquare gave a trick to paraphrase CR in a new style and to write down the conclusion before looking at answers. This worked amazingly especially for assumption and weakness type questions.

RC: Their RC approach (FIRE) is nice, Again the key in RC is to paraphrase and identify the trigger points.

Followed the rules for each question type and I could see improvement in practice tests.

Quant: I hardly touched for 15 hours in this attempt. Just revised GMAT prep 175 questions in VIP section and solved all practice questions. I was more focusing on verbal to cross the 80% barrier.

-----------


On the test day:
Completed all the practice questions for the month. Do it religiously!

Quant:
Found tougher than my previous attempt. Was surprised to see quite a few DS questions. After completing math, I knew, it was not a 50.

Verbal:
Started great. First 3 questions, I knew, I got it right. This time, I spent more time on RCs (pretty similar to Sets and GMATprep standard). My approach to RCs was different this time - Kalyan explained that in RCs the answer is in front of you, just we need to paraphrase and identify the trigger points.

In SC and CR, with the new rules, I was now pretty confident on choices I was selecting. If I was not sure on some question, then I made sure that for the next question I gave attention to avoid consecutive errors (heavy penalty on GMAT!). Struggled in last 3 to 4 questions. Had just 4 minutes left. Completed the survey.
Could not believe, when the screen flashed - 700 and V – 38: 83%.

ATB!

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 710

Divya Reddy 710 [M - 47, V - 41]

Three months ago, I ascended on the mammoth task of preparing for the GMAT exam. Like most other MBA aspirants, I was armed with a deep rooted conviction to secure a good GMAT score but lacked the know-how to do so. I spent a month and a half on an exhaustive (quite literally) study plan- researching GMAT material and analyzing and practicing various GMAT approaches (Princeton/ Kaplan included). At the end of this stint, I took the GMAT Prep 1 and got a ‘scintillating’ (as Kalyan would say, at his peak of sarcasm ) 560- M 43 V24. It was after this futile attempt and thereof much needed ‘reality check’ that I came to Kalyan of Csquare Learnings for help.

I had always been strong in Quantitative but Verbal was the monstrous Goliath that I needed to slay. The Csqrl coaching classes, quite effortlessly, taught me to do just that. The sessions were geared towards building a conceptual understanding of the tested GMAT topics, understanding and implementing strategies (bizarre, is what I thought they were at that time!) and practicing the classic ‘Practice, Practice, Practice’ approach.

I took tests every fortnight and I saw a marked improvement in scores. My improvement in tackling Reading Comprehension passages, amongst other things, requires special mention. The RC Strategy- FIRE approach (very appropriately tagged, I must say!) made the Verbal section a complete breeze, in every sense of the word. At the end of understanding and repeatedly using the strategy, at the cost of sounding vain, I found it quite impossible to go wrong in any of the RC questions!

D Day-
I went to the exam centre with a Red Bull (not quite literally!) and three Cadbury Crackle bars (don’t worry, I’m not embarking on the quintessential Bollywood success narrative!) and returned with a smile that (for some insane reason) has still not wiped off from my faceJ.

To begin with, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section was quite effortless. I blindly followed the templates that were given by CsquareL for both Issue and Argument.

The Quantitative section was slightly trickier than I had anticipated, nevertheless, stayed calm and saw it through. I saw quite a few questions on Number Theory, Profit & Loss and Percentage and a couple on Permutation and Combination. I ran short of time towards the end as I had ended up spending more time that I should have on a particular P&C question. I ended up guessing the last four questions which probably explains the dip in my Quant. Score as compared to how I had fared in Practice tests. In retrospect, I think ‘staying calm’ was my saving grace in this section.

For Verbal, I followed a very simple strategy (again imbibed from one of the many Csquare ‘gyan’ sessions). I first assessed the difficulty of a question, if I felt the scope extended beyond what I knew; I simply skipped it (got a head start by skipping the 2nd and 3rd questionsJ). This ensured I did not waste valuable time on a couple of Sentence Corrections and Critical Reasonings that could have been experimental or that I would have got wrong in any case. I devoted additional time to RC passages and ensured that I was confident about the answers I was giving. To my surprise, I got a 5th RC passage at the fag end of the test, with only 7 mins. left. Even with the time constraint, I could not move away from using the FIRE approach for the RC passage (suffering from compulsive obsessive disorder had nothing to do with it J just kidding!)

Contemplated on whether to Cancel or Report Scores. Decided to go for it. Prayed And Prayed. Hoped for a 650
Got a 710 M 47 V 41.

I have just one word (actually, more than one) of advice for future GMAT test takers, having been (??) there and done that…focus, keep your calm, have faith in and practice Kalyan’s techniques i.e Csquare’s techniques (although they might seem logically bizarre at first, they are winning strategies, truly) and give the test experience your all. And believe me, if I can do it, so can anyone.

Good Luck!

Csquare learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 760

Vishal 760 [M - 49, V - 42]

Here is my experience from taking the GMAT:

I started my GMAT prep sometime in April, though I did not do too much for the first two months - spent some weekends reading and doing the practice questions in the OG, and other books (Princeton Review & Barrons – FYI, Barrons, is really bad). I then realized that I was not spending enough time on studying and also that my focus was not settling in any place – I would travel through the Internet over the weekdays, save stuff, and then try an look over it during the weekends!! This is when I decided to start looking for a training place, so that
(1) I could put in daily efforts into my prep, and
(2) Get some focus and direction.

I had seen CSquare Learnings, during one of my visits to Mast Kalandar, and it interested me – so I went inside and I spoke with Vinayak. I then visited the Princeton center in Indiranagar (was not very impressed with what I saw) – AND the next day I enrolled at CSquare.

I started going to CSquare sometime in early June. I took my first GMAT prep during the first weekend, and I scored 650 – this was pretty encouraging as I was targeting a pretty high score (I had said 800 when Kalyan asked!!). I analyzed the results and found my weak areas, and then started working on them along with the regular stuff being covered.

Like Kalyan and his team mention, there is absolutely no need for going outside the material provided in the 10th and 11th OG. Although, I did not get any questions directly from any of the OGs (though, I cannot say for sure in Verbal, since I did not complete OG 10), but the pattern was relatively the same and you can expect the same thought process involved. In my opinion if you have done the two OGs and have been able to analyze the results for what you got wrong, and also what you got right (both equally important) you will be able to do quiet well.

So, now coming to exam day:
I scheduled my exam in Chennai – no dates in Bangalore and I wanted to get it over as soon as possible. I had a peaceful night before the exam and then on the morning (my exam was to start at 5:30PM) I got up a little late, and then started looking through my notes from class. Once that was done, I solved some questions, about 20, from the OG (which I had earlier gotten incorrect) –
Note here:
Please do NOT look at the answers for the questions you are doing – I got ¾ incorrect and that left me unhappy and nervous for quiet a while. Anyway, after this it was time to leave, and I went to the exam center, got there by about 4:15PM, and the folks there got me started on my test at 4:30PM itself since no one else was there – it was actually really good that the test started off immediately otherwise sitting there for an hour would have been torture!!

Quant:
This went well – I knew I got two incorrect for sure, but I did not let that bother me. As Kalyan says keep moving don’t stop… Surprisingly, I did not get any probability questions!! I took the break, ate some chocolate and then went right back in.

Verbal:
This is where I was a little nervous – anyway went at it – applied the techniques from Csquare for all – including the RCs. Worked out really well. The only thing was I had only 1 minute left for the last two questions, but they were SCs and I was able to complete the section with about 5secs to spare.

So, that’s it about my experience. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 740

Komal 740 [M-50, V -38]

Thanks for all your wishes. I am glad to receive such a good score.
This would have not been possible without the direction and guidance I received at CSquare. Special thanks to Kalyan and Csquare Learnings for guiding me all through this long journey of GMAT and for showing tremendous confidence in my abilities. As you know, this is my third attempt @ GMAT. Without Csqrl, a score of 700+ would have only remained in my dreams considering the fact that I am just an average guy (in fact, below average on verbal before coming over to CSquare).

I think most of you would have already gone through my earlier debrief. So, in this debrief, I would specifically focus on what I did different since my last attempt (with a score of 690 on Aug 30, 2007)

Applying the time saving technique for CR

When I analyzed what went wrong in my previous attempt, I found that I used to exhaust lot of energy in solving CR questions. As such, there was no problem with accuracy. On an average, I used to take 2.5 to 3 minute for CRs. I used to think/understand each and every choice before eliminating. This in turn affected my RC. So I realized that there is definitely some problem with the way I am attacking CR.At this moment, Csquare helped me in fine tuning my approach and technique for CR. Based on his observation of my workouts, they suggested the corrective actions. The corrective action is that not to think much or understand about each choice for CR but rather eliminate based on a single word that falls outside the scope. That made a difference. I could solve CRs mechanically. The time saved from CRs helped me further in RCs.

Noting down ABCDE on the scratch pad

In my earlier attempt, I used to note down ABCDE and strike each one OFF as and when I solve each question. This time, I have written ABCDE on the scratch pad during AWA section of the exam. This saved 3 minutes for my VERBAL section.The other difference is

This time, I have gone to the exam with a lot more positive frame of mind treating this third attempt as just an experimental (I just told to myself that I have some decent score -690- already to rely on. So I am not going to lose anything even if I score less)

*Few general suggestions that might be helpful*

These are some of the things that are inculcated as differentiators in the course @ CSquare. But I would like to specifically stress upon. I see these as the success factors for achieving high score at GMAT (especially for an average person like me).
1. Direction is very important. Doing hard work without proper direction will only be in vain. I have gone thru that painful experience before joining CSquare. I learnt this in a hard way.

2. Approach and strategy/techniques make a lot of difference to score more than the concepts. We need to know our enemy and hit it right.

3. It is a myth to assume that good grammar and good reading habits are necessary for a 80% verbal score.

4. Be open and be ready to unlearn your earlier techniques (in case you have done some preparation already before coming to CSquare).

5. Be patient. Any new technique requires some good amount of practice before we see the result. Give your 100%. I strongly believe that the techniques that are taught at CSquare are developed after closely understanding the enemy. My experience is that these techniques actually work very well in the exam (more than on the practice questions).

6.Be ready for the humility. You may see the worst of the enemy during the actual exam. Be prepared. Don't get panic. Be composed.

Hope this helps. If you have any further queries, please mail me. I will be happy to share my experience.

Csquare Learnings-Student Feedback-GMAT Score 710

Trivikram Prasad 710 [M - 42, V - 43]

Being out of academics for over 13 years, I was finding it very challenging to study for the GMAT. Kalyan and Csquare made the whole experience of preparation and training effortless and systematic. I admired their persistence and their energy to ensure I did my homework assignments on time.

They identify the weak areas of each student and focus really hard on them. For example, before joining Csqrl I was really struggling with SC and RC. I felt SC was like an ocean and unless I read all the grammar concepts, it was impossible to do well in SC. As for RC, I found it boring and difficult. Csquare really helped me with these two weak areas. Moreover, Csqrl made Reading Comprehension a breeze and I completely lost the fear of answering this section, rather, I looked forward to answering RC questions.

With his expertise on the GMAT, Kalyan and Csquare made my life easier on SC by guiding me on what was important from GMAT point view and was not with respect to SC. His approach to SC not only increased my accuracy but also my speed. On RC, his strategy is unique and it works if one has an open mind and the patience to follow exactly what he says. He made RC interesting and easy for me. I can say this with confidence because I did really well on RC in the actual GMAT.

The Csquare Trainers have superb teaching and coaching skills and teach you exactly what you need to do well in the GMAT. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a high GMAT score.