Master the GMAT 2007

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Petersons.com/publishing

Check out our Web site at www.petersons.com/publishing to see if there is

any new information regarding the test and any revisions or corrections to

the content of this book. We’ve made sure the information in this book is

accurate and up-to-date; however, the test format or content may have

changed since the time of publication.

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v

Contents

Before You Begin ................................................................................... ix

How This Book is Organized ...................................................................... ix

Special Study Features .............................................................................. ix

About the CD ............................................................................................... x

You’re Well on Your Way to Success .......................................................... x

Give Us Your Feedback ............................................................................... x

Top 10 Ways to Raise Your Score ............................................................. xii

Track Your Progress ................................................................................. xiii

PART I: GMAT BASICS

1 All About the GMAT ........................................................................ 3

What Is the GMAT? ..................................................................................... 3

What Is the CAT? ........................................................................................ 3

How Do You Register for the GMAT? ........................................................ 4

What Kinds of Questions Are on the Test? ................................................ 4

How Is the Test Structured? ....................................................................... 5

Can You Prepare for the GMAT?................................................................ 5

What Is a GMAT Study Plan?..................................................................... 6

How Can You Tell If Your Work Is Paying Off? ........................................ 6

How Is the Test Scored? .............................................................................. 7

Can I Predict My GMAT Score?.................................................................. 7

What Smart Test-Takers Know .................................................................. 8

Summing It Up .......................................................................................... 12

2 GMAT Questions: A First Look ...................................................... 13

What Can You Expect on the Test? .......................................................... 13

How Does the GMAT Test Verbal Reasoning Ability? ............................ 14

How Does the GMAT Test Quantitative Reasoning Ability?.................. 19

Summing It Up .......................................................................................... 22

PART II: DIAGNOSING STRENGTHS AND

WEAKNESSES

3 Practice Test 1: Diagnostic........................................................... 29

Analytical Writing Assessment ................................................................ 29

Verbal Section ............................................................................................ 31

Quantitative Section.................................................................................. 45

Answer Key and Explanations ................................................................. 54

PART III: GMAT VERBAL QUESTIONS

4 Reading Comprehension............................................................. 75

What Is Reading Comprehension? ........................................................... 75

How Do You Answer Reading Comprehension Questions? .................... 78

What Smart Test-Takers Know ................................................................ 86

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vi Contents

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Exercise 1 ................................................................................................... 89

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 103

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 111

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 126

5 Sentence Correction .................................................................. 127

What Is Sentence Correction?................................................................. 127

How Do You Answer Sentence Correction Questions? ......................... 129

What Smart Test-Takers Know .............................................................. 130

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 146

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 154

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 158

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 164

6 Critical Reasoning....................................................................... 165

What Does Critical Reasoning Test? ...................................................... 165

How Do You Answer Critical Reasoning Questions? ............................ 168

What Smart Test-Takers Know .............................................................. 172

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 182

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 193

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 201

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 218

PART IV: GMAT QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS

7 Problem Solving .......................................................................... 221

What Is Problem Solving? ....................................................................... 221

How Do You Answer Problem-Solving Questions? ............................... 223

What Smart Test-Takers Know .............................................................. 230

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 240

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 249

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 253

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 268

8 Data Sufficiency .......................................................................... 269

What Is Data Sufficiency? ....................................................................... 269

How Do You Answer Data Sufficiency Questions?................................ 271

What Do the Answer Choices Mean? ..................................................... 273

What Smart Test-Takers Know .............................................................. 277

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 284

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 292

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 296

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 305

PART V: THE WRITING SECTION

9 Analytical Writing Assessment .................................................. 309

What Is the Analytical Writing Assessment? ........................................ 309

How Is the Assessment Graded? ............................................................ 310

How Do You Handle the Analytical Writing Assessment? ................... 312

What Smart Test-Takers Know .............................................................. 312

Summing It Up ........................................................................................ 316

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PART VI: GMAT MATH REVIEW

10 Arithmetic .................................................................................... 319

Operations with Integers and Decimals ................................................ 319

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 322

Answers and Explanations ..................................................................... 322

Operations with Fractions ...................................................................... 323

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 326

Answers and Explanations ..................................................................... 327

Verbal Problems Using Fractions ........................................................... 328

Exercise 3 ................................................................................................. 329

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 332

Variation .................................................................................................. 333

Exercise 4 ................................................................................................. 335

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 337

Finding Percents ...................................................................................... 338

Exercise 5 ................................................................................................. 343

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 344

Verbal Problems Using Percent.............................................................. 345

Exercise 6 ................................................................................................. 348

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 350

Averages ................................................................................................... 352

Exercise 7 ................................................................................................. 354

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 356

11 Algebra ........................................................................................ 359

Signed Numbers ...................................................................................... 359

Exercise 1 ................................................................................................. 360

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 361

Linear Equations ..................................................................................... 362

Exercise 2 ................................................................................................. 364

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 366

Exponents ................................................................................................. 367

Exercise 3 ................................................................................................. 368

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 369

Quadratic Equations ............................................................................... 370

Exercise 4 ................................................................................................. 373

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 374

Literal Expressions.................................................................................. 375

Exercise 5 ................................................................................................. 376

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 378

Roots and Radicals................................................................................... 379

Exercise 6 ................................................................................................. 381

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 382

Factoring and Algebraic Fractions ......................................................... 383

Exercise 7 ................................................................................................. 385

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 387

Problem Solving in Algebra .................................................................... 388

Exercise 8 ................................................................................................. 396

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 398

Inequalities .............................................................................................. 399

Exercise 9 ................................................................................................. 401

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 403

Defined Operation Problems................................................................... 404

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viii Contents

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Exercise 10 ............................................................................................... 405

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 406

12 Geometry..................................................................................... 407

Area .......................................................................................................... 407

Perimeter ................................................................................................. 409

Circles ....................................................................................................... 409

Volume...................................................................................................... 411

Triangles .................................................................................................. 411

Right Triangles ........................................................................................ 412

Parallel Lines ........................................................................................... 413

Polygons ................................................................................................... 414

Similar Polygons ...................................................................................... 415

Coordinate Geometry .............................................................................. 416

Exercise .................................................................................................... 417

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 420

PART VII: FIVE PRACTICE TESTS

Practice Test 2 ..................................................................................... 429

Analytical Writing Assessment .............................................................. 429

Verbal Section .......................................................................................... 431

Quantitative Section................................................................................ 445

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 453

Practice Test 3 ..................................................................................... 473

Analytical Writing Assessment .............................................................. 473

Verbal Section .......................................................................................... 475

Quantitative Section................................................................................ 490

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 498

Practice Test 4 ..................................................................................... 521

Analytical Writing Assessment .............................................................. 521

Verbal Section .......................................................................................... 523

Quantitative Section................................................................................ 538

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 546

Practice Test 5 ..................................................................................... 571

Analytical Writing Assessment .............................................................. 571

Verbal Section .......................................................................................... 573

Quantitative Section................................................................................ 587

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 596

Practice Test 6 ..................................................................................... 617

Analytical Writing Assessment .............................................................. 617

Verbal Section .......................................................................................... 619

Quantitative Section................................................................................ 633

Answer Key and Explanations ............................................................... 641

APPENDEXES

A Creating Your Business School Application............................. 659

B The Personal Statement.............................................................. 673

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ................................................................... 681

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ix

Before You Begin

HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED

Taking the GMAT is a skill, so it shares some things in common with other skills

such as playing basketball or singing opera. These are skills that can be

improved by coaching, but ultimately improvement also requires practice. This

book gives you both.

• “Top 10 Ways to Raise Your Score” includes some of the most valuable

test-taking strategies to help you score high on the GMAT as well as a chart

to help you track your progress.

• Part I provides essential information about the GMAT, including where to

take it and how it is scored. You’ll also learn what subjects are covered and

what traps to watch out for.

• Part II is a full-length diagnostic test, which is your first chance to work

with samples of every GMAT question type. It can show you where your

skills are strong—and where they need some shoring up.

• Parts III through V are the coaching program. They analyze each question

type for you and give you powerful test-taking strategies. These strategies

are based on more than 20 years of careful study of the GMAT.

• Part VI is a full-scale review of GMAT mathematics. If your math skills are

rusty and need refreshing, this section is for you.

• Part VII contains five practice tests followed by detailed answer explana￾tions for each question. The answer explanations are very important

because it is there where you can learn from your mistakes.

• The Appendixes contain critical information on how to create a winning

business school application, including a before and after look at two personal

statements.

SPECIAL STUDY FEATURES

ARCO Master the GMAT is designed to be as user-friendly as it is complete. To

this end, it includes several features to make your preparation easier.

Overview

Each chapter begins with a bulleted list of topics that will be covered in the

chapter. You know immediately where to look to find a particular area of

interest.

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x Before You Begin

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Summing It Up

Each chapter ends with a point-by-point summary that captures the most important

topics. The summaries are a convenient way to review the content of a chapter.

In addition to the above features, be sure to look in the margins of the book for extra

information and advice, including:

Bonus Information

Note

Notes highlight critical information pertaining to the GMAT.

Tip

Tips draw your attention to valuable concepts and advice for tackling all types of GMAT

questions.

Alert!

Alerts do just what they say—alert you to common pitfalls you might encounter while

preparing for and taking GMAT.

ABOUT THE CD

The CD accompanying this book puts at your disposal the latest computer-adaptive

testing software, which closely replicates the testing experience you will encounter on

the GMAT. The software was developed by Thomson Learning and the practice test

content was created by the test prep experts at Thomson Peterson’s. The CD contains

three computer-adaptive practice tests along with access to the Private Tutor Lecture

Series. This tool offers advanced strategies that are sure to help you reach your score

goal. Finally, you can log on to Petersons.com and research thousands of graduate

programs and financial aid opportunities.

YOU’RE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

You’ve made a decision to apply to graduate school. ARCO Master the GMAT will

prepare you for the steps you’ll need to take to achieve your goal—from scoring high

on the test to being admitted to the graduate program of your choice.

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK

Thomson Peterson’s publishes a full line of resources to help guide you through the

graduate school admission process. Peterson’s publications can be found at your local

bookstore, library, and high school guidance office, and you can access us online at

www.petersons.com.

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Before You Begin xi

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We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have about this publication and

invite you to complete our online survey at www.petersons.com/booksurvey. Your

feedback will help us to provide personalized solutions for your educational

advancement.

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xii Before You Begin

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TOP 10 WAYS TO RAISE YOUR SCORE

When it comes to taking the GMAT, some test-taking skills will do you more good than

others. There are concepts you can learn, techniques you can follow, and tricks you can

use that will help you to do your very best. Here’s our pick for the top 10 ways to raise

your score:

1. Create a study plan and follow it. The right GMAT study plan will help you get

the most out of this book in whatever time you have. See chapter 1.

2. Don’t get stuck on any one question. Since you have to answer questions in order

to keep moving, you can’t afford to spend too much time on any one problem. See

chapter 2.

3. Learn the directions in advance. If you already know the directions, you won’t

have to waste your precious test time reading them. You’ll be able to jump right in

and start answering questions as soon as the test clock starts. See chapter 3.

4. Read passages for structure, not details. When you read GMAT passages, don’t

stop for details. Most of the questions will ask about the structure of the passage

rather than specific facts. See chapter 4.

5. In sentence corrections, save time by skipping the first choice. It always

repeats the original sentence, so there’s no point in reading it. See chapter 5.

6. In critical reasoning questions, start by finding the conclusion. Since the

conclusion is the main point of the argument, it’s the key to answering every question

of this type. See chapter 6.

7. If a problem-solving math question stumps you, work backward from the

answers. The right answer has to be one of the five choices. Since the choices are

arranged in size order, starting with choice (C) results in the fewest calculations. See

chapter 7.

8. Do only as much work as you have to for data sufficiency questions. Your

task is only to decide if you have enough information to answer the question. You

don’t have to solve it. See chapter 8.

9. Use the “three main points” approach in the analytical writing assessment.

This plan will give your essay structure and strength. See chapter 9.

10. Polish up rusty math skills with the GMAT Math Review. If your math skills

need some shoring up, the Math Review covers all the basic concepts of arithmetic,

elementary algebra, and geometry that you’re likely to encounter on the GMAT. See

chapters 10, 11, and 12.

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Before You Begin xiii

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For each exam:

1. Enter the number of questions that you answered correctly in each part (Verbal and

Math) in the appropriate rows. (Ignore incorrect responses.)

2. Enter the total number of questions that you answered correctly for both the Verbal and

Math parts for that exam in the “TOTAL” row.

3. Enter your Verbal and Math subscores using the table provided on page 8.

4. To keep track of your progress in each of the content areas, enter the number of items

of each type that you answered correctly into the appropriate row.

5. Enter your overall (3-digit) score using the table provided on page 8.

6. Note: Exercise caution in interpreting the data. Because a book-based exam cannot

simulate in every respect a computer-based exam, results tend to be volatile. Do not

place too much emphasis on small differences in performance.

Diagnostic Practice Practice Practice Practice Final

Test Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Test 5 Practice Test

GMAT Score Tracker

Verbal

Math

TOTAL

Verbal Subscore

Sentence Correction Subtotal

Critical Reasoning Subtotal

Reading Comp. Subtotal

Math Subscore

Problem Solving

Data Sufficiency

OVERALL SCORE

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

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ART I ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

GMAT BASICS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

CHAPTER 1 All About the GMAT

CHAPTER 2 GMAT Questions: A First Look

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