Math Placement Test Taught - Do You Know the Difference Between a Math Placement Test and a Computer Simulation?

Math Placement Test Taught - Do You Know the Difference Between a Math Placement Test and a Computer Simulation?It is a known fact that there are many differences in math placement test takers. The only thing that they all have in common is that they have to pass the test. What is more difficult to deal with is the fact that there are a lot of myths regarding this. There are many people who believe that students who pass the test and are accepted to any college or university should not get into the program simply because they did not pass the placement test.Here are some tips to help you along the way. First, you have to know what it is that you want to get out of the class. Next, you have to find out if the tutors are able to teach you the skills that you need. You have to ensure that the tutor is a good one. If you do not understand something that they are teaching, you should ask them to explain it to you.Finally, you have to be sure that the test that you are going to take is a r eal test and not just a computer simulation. It is always better to get something that will help you learn rather than having nothing at all. Also, you should definitely not use the test that is provided in the book to help you learn. Instead, you should do a practice test first so that you can evaluate the tests that you will be taking.If the test is real, then it is a test that you have to take seriously. You cannot make the best use of the time that you spend studying. It is important that you do not waste any time on the test because there are other things that you can focus on.It is possible that a student could be suspended or even expelled for failing a test. All these results can happen because of the tests that are administered by the university. You have to make sure that you pass the placement test so that you can successfully transfer to any college or university that you wish to go to.A quality test can help you learn how to do calculations and also give you an idea abo ut how the topics are treated. You should also ensure that the tutors do not speak in front of you. This is because the questions are not ones that you would be exposed to in a normal classroom.You should make use of your personal opinion. Do not use the course material to formulate your own idea because there is no point in doing so. You have to make sure that you are confident enough to speak up when you feel that you are being misled.

Violin Lessons Cardiff

Violin Lessons Cardiff Make The Most Of Violin Classes In Cardiff ChaptersWhy Do You Want To Learn The Violin?Gain Formal QualificationsLooking For Violin Lessons Based On Age?What If I’m Struggling To Find Violin Lessons?What To Look For In A Violin TutorEver wanted to take a violin lesson in Cardiff, but didn’t know where to start?Whether you’re after private instruction or group lessons, having a good music teacher by your side can make all the difference when it comes to making you more comfortable when playing the violin, and, crucially, making you a better player and musician.This article outlines some venues that offer music education in Cardiff, in particular, music schools or tutors who offer violin lessons near me.You’d like some individual lessons to learn more about the different styles of music you can play with the violin;You would like to learn some new skills, whether that’s improvisation when playing, sight reading, or learning how to read sheet music; orYou’re looking to improve your confidence as a player in general.O nce you have an idea of why you’d like to play the violin, it should become easier to find a tutor in Cardiff. This is because you can look for tutors whose experience and skills match your learning goals.If you'd like to learn to play the violin in a symphony orchestra, a violin teacher can help (Image Source: Pixabay)Gain Formal QualificationsEqually, whether you’re looking to complete a degree in music, or just want to learn an instrument like the violin for fun, there is no shortage of places where you can learn according to your ability level.For example, let’s say that you’re an advanced violin player who wants to study music formally. In Cardiff, you can study music at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama,For string instruments, several study programmes are available, including:“BMus (Hons)Postgraduate Programmes in Music PerformancePostgraduate Programmes in Orchestral PerformancePostgraduate Diploma Advanced Professional Practice”There’s plen ty to appeal to students as well, as the College’s training can include things such as orchestral training, chamber music masterclasses, and performance classes, to name a few.Of course, if you’re not looking at getting a formal degree or qualification in the violin, there are still tutors out there that can help you in Cardiff, and we’ve outlined a few tutors you might like to research below!The viola; andThe violin.If you have a young child that would like to learn the violin in Cardiff, then there are Stringbabies violin tutors you can turn to.Catherine Chamberlin is a violin teacher advertised on Stringbabies and is based in Cardiff, South Glamorgan. She accepts students from the age of 3 and up. She’s a highly experienced tutor, having achieved an MA in Musical Performance, a BMus (Hons) and a DipABRSM in Instrumental Teaching.However, this isn’t the only place in Cardiff where you can learn to play the violin. Cardiff Music School, for instance, offers violin tuition , and boasts a rather impressive “100% pass rate across the full range of instruments”. The school teaches a wide range of instruments, from the guitar (acoustic, classical, and electric) to the drums, harp, cello, violin, as well as music theory and parent and child lessons.As an added incentive, the Cardiff Music School offers a free 30-minute lesson to all new students. In terms of ongoing pricing, a 30-minute lesson on a one to one basis costs £15 while a 60-minute lesson costs £30.If you'd like to learn how to read sheet music, then violin lessons can certainly help (Image Source: Pixabay)Violin Lessons For AdultsIt’s great that there are so many places for children to learn an instrument like the violin, but if you’re an adult learner, sometimes you can feel a bit left out.Thankfully, there are music school and tutors out there who also cater to adult learners.After all, you may have never learnt an instrument as a child, or only decided you’d like to learn the vio lin later in life.Places such as Staccatos Violin Tuition, for example, offer private one to one tuition for the violin for both children and adults. You can also learn with Staccatos Violin regardless of your ability level, whether:You’re an absolute beginner who has never studied music theory or a musical instrument;An intermediate violin player looking for more regular practice; orAn advanced violin player looking to get even better.The content of your lessons is likely to vary based on your ability level.For example, if you’re a beginner when it comes to the violin, you might learn to play “simple tunes, basic scales and music theory…”If you take Staccatos Tuition’s “Progress Violin” classes, then lessons help make sure students “are playing with the correct techniques and we help them to learn and progress in whichever way they need to. Some students like to take their graded exams, others do not. As with all our students we teach music theory as well.”Alter natively, if you’d prefer to take a more formal approach to music lessons and playing the violin, then you may also consider taking music exams. Staccatos Tuition is happy to support students wanting to take the ABRSM exams from grade 1 through to grade 8 and try to prepare their students “for their exams in a way which ensures that they are able to take them with confidence.”When it comes to pricing, a 30-minute lesson at Staccatos Tuition costs £10, a 45-minute lesson costs £15, and an hour-long lesson costs £20.What If I’m Struggling To Find Violin Lessons?The above isn’t a comprehensive list of every violin teacher that you can find in Cardiff.There are other tutors out there. For example, you might ask around (if you have friends that play the violin as well) and see if they have a tutor that they would recommend, or you could see whether any music students at university in Cardiff are offering violin lessons.Equally, you can also find other violin tutors in Cardif f through an online search. Tutoring websites, including Superprof, have a wide-ranging database of tutors across a number of subjects, including music tuition.Whether you’re looking for:Piano;Guitar;Drum; orViolin lessons (or another instrument)There should be a tutor on Superprof that can help you. You can also review the tutors’ profiles to see what their experience in violin tuition is like and see whether their experience would be a good match when it comes to your learning needs as a violin player.What’s more, you can also see a tutor’s hourly rate, meaning you can see whether a tutor’s services are within your budget.Violins can come in all shapes and sizes. Speak to your violin tutor about which violin might be best for you (Image Source: Pixabay)What To Look For In A Violin TutorBelow are just a few things you might like to think about when deciding whether a violin teacher is right for you:Does the tutor have experience teaching any particular style or method (su ch as the Suzuki method)Does the violin tutor have any experience as a professional musician, or do they have a music degree?Does your prospective tutor offer a one to one private lesson, or would you have to take a group lesson to learn the violin?Does the music instruction include areas such as ear training exercises, and would there be any performance opportunities?Aside from thinking about what the content of your violin lessons might look like, it’s also worth looking at the practical aspects of hiring a tutor, including:The tutor’s location (would you have to travel extensively to have lessons, or are they relatively close by?);How much lessons cost;How often you’d like to have lessons (often weekly is recommended, but some tutors are more flexible); andHow long you’d like your lessons to be (typically you can find 30, 45, or hour-long sessions).If you’re interested in learning the violin from a particular music school or tutor, but you can’t find the information y ou’re looking for on their website, remember that you can always try to get in touch with them to ask them any unanswered questions you may have.After all, it’s best to be as confident as possible that a tutor is a good match before booking onto any lessons!Find more violin lessons in the UK:Violin lessons in LondonViolin lessons in LeedsViolin lessons in BirminghamViolin lessons in ManchesterViolin lessons in GlasgowViolin lessons in EdinburghViolin lessons in Belfast

How You Can Get Top Score by Employing SAT Tutoring

How You Can Get Top Score by Employing SAT Tutoring Want to get high sat score? Tutor Pace can help you. Our sat tutoring gives you that extra needed edge for getting into your hot favorite college. Let us explain how? Sat tutoring: Tutor Pace’s sat tutoring is your way to a perfect sat score Earn high score and get into the college of your choice with our sat tutoring. Our online tutors are recognized for their subject mastery and brilliant teaching. Get one on one instruction from our certified sat experts. Learn and ask on one to one basis directly from an expert. Learn 24/7 from our subject experts. Our tutors are available all the time to meet your needs. Whether early morning or late night, you can ask your questions anytime. Don’t have time on weekdays? No problem. Connect with us on weekends and get started with your learning. Our sat tutoring takes places all day and all night for you. Want to master specific subjects? Gotcha! We’ll give you our subject experts to help you prepare for your subjects. Study specific sat subjects, such as English literature, world history, mathematics level 1, mathematics level 2, chemistry, biology, physics, and US history. Tutor Pace’s sat tutoring has got you covered. Haven’t begun your preparation yet? Don’t worry! Our sat tutoring is with you. Our sat prep tutors help you learn from the right resources at the right time. Practice comprehensively using sat modules, worksheets, and practice tests. Study better by means of our highly interactive virtual classes consisting of high-end tools. Utilize virtual whiteboard to solve your questions and obtain solutions. Use live chat to talk to our experts directly. Leave messages and get regular feedback from our online tutors. Our sat tutoring provides it all to you. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses by using our sat practice test. Work on your weak areas by following a perfect study plan designed by our experts. Improve your scores by taking regular practice tests. Get beneficial tips and tricks directly from our experts. Practice speed reading and learn shortcuts for solving problems. Tutor Pace’ sat tutoring is an all in one solution for your problems. Worried about your pocket? Our sat tutoring is the most budget friendly tutoring that you can get. Know about our different plans by clicking here. Sat math tutor: 5 tips from our expert sat math tutor to help you manage your time effectively The sat math section is both scoring and time consuming according to our sat math tutor. Thus, to get better score, it is important to manage time effectively. Follow these easy tips given by our expert sat math tutor for better time management: 1. Scan five-five questions: Take first five questions that appear in the section. Find out the simplest question among those five questions. After solving the first question, go for the second simplest question. Continue this method till you find the third simplest question. When you have solved three questions in total, scan the next five questions. This way, you’ll be able to solve at least 12 questions out of 20 questions in less time. As per our sat math tutor, this strategy works well for easy targets. 2. Move fast in the beginning: As the section moves further, the difficulty level raises. So, our sat math tutor suggests you to solve the beginning questions quickly. This way, you’ll save more time for the questions toward the end; and those are the difficult ones. 3. Spend only one minute per each question: According to our sat math tutor, only one minute’s time is needed for a math question. You’ll end up leaving four questions untouched, if you spend four minutes over a question. Thus, if a question seems unclear, leave it and move ahead. Save time this way and touch the left questions at the end. 4. Mark dubious questions: Often, a question seems easy and still you can’t solve it. What does our sat math tutor suggest? Mark such questions. Circle them and come back to them when you have time. Probably, you can get them right next time. 5. Don’t mark obvious answers for difficult questions: Especially, 4-5 questions at the end are the most difficult ones. So, our sat math tutor suggests you to not to mark obvious answers for such questions. Those obvious answers are there only to confuse you. Apply these easy and effective tips from Tutor Pace’s sat math tutor to see instant improvement in your score. Sat prep tutors: 5 general tips from our sat prep tutors to help you prepare well for the sat Needless to say, students need to put both time and efforts in their sat prep. But, does it ensure the quality? We bet. Our sat prep tutors have 5 general tips for every sat aspirant. 1. Identify all your weak areas Taking practice tests is always beneficial in this case. Still, it is difficult to find out your weak areas without the right guidance. Our sat prep tutors recommend taking diagnostic tests first and identifying where you need improvement. If you have a sat tutor, show the test result to him. A tutor can easily find out your soft spots and can help you in those areas. 2. Take affordable practice tests Nothing is more useful than practicing through tests regularly. Take low-cost practice tests in a perfect testing environment. Our sat prep tutors suggest you to take at least one sat practice test every week. 3. Use a study guide Get good and affordable study guides available at bookstores and online services. According to our sat prep tutors, services such as Kaplan and Princeton Review offer good study guides for sat test prep. 4. Get into group studies Often, this helps a lot. Join a sound and decent group of sat aspirants. You’ll learn many new tricks and shortcuts that you never knew. Tutor Pace’s sat prep tutors think that group studies open up students’ mind and give them the necessary confidence. 5. Get low-cost sat tutoring A sat tutoring always comes in handy for test prep. You can follow perfect study routine, ask doubts from experts, and practice from top quality study material. So, our sat prep tutors suggest you to join such test prep services. Tutor Pace’s sat tutoring provides you learning, confidence, and much needed top scores. Our sat prep tutors are available 24/7. Get our sat math tutor right now!

The Life of Artemisia Gentileschi

The Life of Artemisia Gentileschi Artemisia Gentileschi: a Pioneer Among Women Artists ChaptersGrowing Up Artemisia: Early WorksArtemisia, Artiste at LargeArtemisia and DaughterCalling Naples HomeAnalysis: What Did Artemisia Want to Say?If one should ask you to name your favourite post-Renaissance painting or sculpture, which would you claim?Are you coming up empty? Don’t feel alone...Many people tend to include the Baroque period in the Italian Renaissance era, which lasted roughly two centuries and yielded amazing artworks... overwhelmingly by male artists.Were there any female artists that flourished during either the Renaissance or Baroque eras?Of course, there were! It was just much harder for any of them to gain any type of recognition in the art world and attract any patrons.Even our featured artist was often accused of passing off her father’s work as hers, which was never actually true, although father and daughter did work together at times.Who was this remarkable woman who blazed through life, paintbrush in hand? How is it that, in a time when women were not believed to have artistic abilities, she had both the respect and renown generally reserved for male artists?Artemisia: her name fairly demands her to become one of the first women artists. Her work commands us to look closer â€" at the woman behind the brush as well as the works she executed.It is our pleasure to do so. FernandoPainting Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EmmaPainting Teacher 5.00 (5) £75/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidPainting Teacher 4.75 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPainting Teacher 5.00 (7) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors StefaniaPainting Teacher 5.00 (4) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SakinaPainting Teacher 5.00 (1) £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorrenPainting Teacher 5.00 (2) £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Off2themoonholliePainting Teacher £8/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsGrowing Up Artemisia: Early Works Some say that Artemisia is the most important female painter in art history Source: Wikipedia via the History BlogArtemisia was born in Rome, in 1593 â€" although the state archive records indicate that she was born in 1590.Her father was Orazio Gentileschi, a mannerist painter whose style was heavily influenced by Caravaggio, the master of the day. When each of his children grew big enough, he took them into his studio to teach them how to paint.Much to his surprise, his daughter â€" not his sons, showed the most promise. Soon, he was bragging around about his most exceptional girl-child.Indeed, Artemisia excelled in her brushstrokes. She seemed to have an intuitive grasp on how to mix colours and to contrast light and dark elements in a painting for maximum effect.Her realistic human depictions seemed so true to life that one might believe that the canvas’ subject may walk right out of the painting, as though she were a living person. And she was not one to paint still lifes...Wh ereas her father tended more toward a representational ideal of his subject matter, Artemisia was more of a realist: she showed what was there, not what should be.For their differences in perspective and other reasons, her father felt she would broaden her palette through the teachings of another master.Agostino Tassi, a painter of some repute, had been working with Orazio, mainly in painting architectural decoration.He was a con man and a cheat; even his last name was stolen from a high-ranking baroness to support his story of having been adopted into nobility. Adulterer, liar and already convicted of petty crimes... this was the man that Orazio entrusted his daughter to.Agostino and a helper of his raped Artemisia when she was only 18 years old.In an odd twist, she continued intimate relations with Tassi on the promise that he would marry her â€" thus make her legitimate. Nine months later, with no nuptials in the works, her father finally pressed charges against him.We have to un derstand that the trauma of being raped was legally irrelevant at that time; her ‘loss of honour’ - meaning that she was no longer a virgin, was on trial.Indeed, there was a trial, during which Artemisia was tortured to force a confession that she had instigated her rape.It’s hard to imagine how anyone could return to business as usual after such an ordeal but it seemed that Artemisia did just that. After the trial, she was married to a fellow artist from Florence who either didn’t know about or, presumably, forgave her loss of virginity.Life went on.Helen Frankenthaler, the expressionist painter, is another great female artist... but her life was much easier than Artemisia! Artemisia excelled at figurative biblical representations such as Lot and his Daughters Source: Wikipedia via the Toledo Museum of ArtArtemisia, Artiste at LargeShortly after her marriage, Artemisia and her new husband relocated to his hometown, Florence, where she soon landed a commission from Casa Buonarroti â€" a former property of Michelangelo’s.Today, it is an art museum featuring the works of that great sculptor and painter.About four years after settling in Florence, Artemisia’s daughter was born (it is quite unfortunate that not much is known about her other than she too was a painter; no works of hers exist).Artemisia found professional success with Florentine patrons and academics alike; she was the first woman ever to gain admittance to the renown Academic Art and Drawing school.Although she was well-thought-of in art circles and had several wealthy patrons, Artemisia and her husband were not doing well financially or legally. Her material support of her husband’s ex cesses caused a particular strain on the marriage; she and her daughter returned to Rome without him.Works from her time in Florence include:Jael and Sisera (Museum of Fine Arts, Hungary), oil on canvasJudith Slaying Holofernes, 2nd version, on display at the Uffizi GalleryJudith Slaying Holofernes, 1st version, hung in the Palace of Capodimonte, NaplesSelf-Portrait as a Lute Player Wadsworth Athenium Museum of ArtFind out how Artemisia’s work measures up to other great women painters.Artemisia saw that she had no choice: she set about changing her image and her art, making herself a bit softer and her work not quite so brutal and intense.  Nevertheless, her newest depiction of Susannah and the Elders cemented her reputation as a painter of biblical heroines.There would be no success in Rome. It was time to move on.Georgia O’Keeffe, the American artist, might have been another such wanderer... The works of Artemisia epitomise the Baroque art movement in Italy Source: Wikipedia via Napolipost.comCalling Naples HomeArtemisia’s reputation as an artist had obviously kept growing in spite of her not landing any commissions. Her arrival at Naples was celebrated; in fact, art historians believe that she was invited there by the Duke of Alcala â€" he owned three of her canvases.In Naples, she found work painting in a cathedral, which bought a table and put food on it. She also painted Birth of Saint John the Baptist (Prado Museum, Madrid).Artemisia was surprisingly well-known among Englishmen!Traveller Bullen Rimes records in his diary his meeting with Artemisia and a group of other painters whom he casually referred to as ‘... who also paint.’ Artemisia, of course, was mentioned by name.So it came as no surprise that, when her father became court painter for Charles I, Artemisia would feel right at home, by his side and among the English. She didn’t travel there on a whim ; she too had been invited by the king.Her father died after only a year at court. Artemisia finished her commissions and then decamped just as the English Civil War broke out.  Her return to Naples was unremarkable but her work showed a shift toward more feminine themes.One of her last paintings, an oil paint on copper titled Virgin and Child with a Rosary, depicting a maternal scene, seems to reflect her father’s style of painting more than her command of light and shadow. Of all the paintings by Artemisia, this one most reflected maternal sentiment.It’s not exactly known when Artemisia died but it is suspected that she, along with an entire generation of artists succumbed to the plague that ravaged the city in 1656.Would you believe that impressionist painter Mary Cassatt had much in common with Artemisia?Analysis: What Did Artemisia Want to Say?It is easy to interpret Artemisia’s depictions of strong, heroic women as reflections of herself. It is even easier to believe tho se gory renderings such as Judith Slaying Holofernes as allegorical of her desire for revenge for what she endured.Obviously, a woman who had been treated so badly must have revenge fantasies! Why, if she weren’t a weak and puny woman, surely it would be her beheading that invading general instead of Judith!And it must be her, not Susannah, feeling shame in front of The Elders, especially as it was painted so soon after her trial...In short: whereas Frida Kahlo painted herself and her emotions, Artemisia painted the religious world Italian society was steeped in.While nobody today can know what was going through the artist’s head as she chose and painted those works, the latest postulate presents the idea that Artemisia had, above all else, a keen sense of marketing  and the sensationalism of her rape trial was like hard currency for her.The fact is, Artemisia was neither Susannah nor Judith but all of the heroines she depicted and none of them.Like so many women today, Artemisi a Gentileschi endured horror and moments of pure bliss; she was smart and talented and hard-working and wise. Whether she lived in a time when women, as a rule, were only expected to produce the next generation is immaterial.The fact that she did so much more besides raising a child is what matters.

Are you Questioning your Career Decision - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are you Questioning your Career Decision - Introvert Whisperer Are you Questioning your Career Decision? Did you make what you thought was a good career decision x years ago, only to question yourself now? One of the things we will often do in life is to change our values and things that are important to us.   It didn’t happen overnight, it happened a little bit at a time.   Then, you started noticing that what was once a good career, isn’t anymore. When we come to that startling conclusion, we start thinking that perhaps the decision was flawed.   We question our judgment and our own ability to guide ourselves.   It’s not a good feeling to distrust us. If you have been there or ever get to that spot in life, I’m here to reassure you that you can go to sleep tonight with the confidence that you can still trust your decision making.   We don’t often notice the shift that takes place but for most people, we do shift in many ways as our life and situations shape us.   On the other side of that unnoticeable shift, the career often no longer works. That’s ok â€" it’s normal! (That means you’re normal) Sure, it doesn’t happen to everyone but it happens with the vast majority of people who have made career decisions and pursued them. What does this mean to you?   Be gentle with you.   You didn’t have it wrong all these years; you simply have changed along the way.   Now that you know, don’t spend any time questioning that decision.   Simply acknowledge the change and make a new plan. This is simple.   What’s not so simple is figuring out what you want to do when you grow up.   I’ll address that another time. Good night sweet prince and princesses.   Now you can dream well. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential.  Introvert Whisperer

Can Life Coaching Help with Depression

Can Life Coaching Help with Depression Can Life Coaches Help People Living with Depression? ChaptersWhat is Life Coaching?How Might Coaching Services Help You to Manage Depression?Should You Find a Life Coach if You’re Depressed?Depression is a complex mental illness which manifests itself in many different ways. While some people living with depression may struggle to complete everyday tasks such as doing their laundry, others will experience feelings of hopelessness and despair, even if they appear to be taking good care of themselves.There are many treatments for depression: some are scientifically proven, while the more abstract methods are usually supported by testimonials of those who have used them.Treatment for mental health conditions comes in all forms. When it comes to treating depression in particular, patients are typically prescribed oral medication as well as talking therapies such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in some cases, however, the treatment depends on the patient and the severity of their symptoms.For some, the treatments pr escribed by their GP are not as effective as they would like them to be, and so, they seek alternative treatment options. One such type of therapy considered by people with depression is life coaching sessions.You can get a life coach Belfast here!Depression can make you feel overwhelmingly lonely ¦ source: Pixabay - Anemone123Life coaching is a type of one-to-one talk therapy in which a personal coach explores the way in which a client’s mind operates and discusses ways in which they can achieve their goals by improving their view of themselves and changing their mindset to grow into the person they wish to become.There are several types of life coaching, as well as lots of advice on whether life coaching is a viable option for mental health patients.Are you thinking about finding a London life coach to help with your depression? Read on to find out the pros and cons of doing so.

Three Simple Ways Deliberate Practice Will Improve Your GMAT Score

Three Simple Ways Deliberate Practice Will Improve Your GMAT Score GMAT MBA Admissions Blog There’s a common myth about standardized tests, that they’re supposed to gauge how smart you are. Why else would MBA programs require all students take a GMAT? Don’t they need some easy way to figure out who’s smartest without reading through all of those pesky applications? Indeed, the GMAT does act as a kind of signifier of what type of student you’ll be, and yes it helps admissions offices separate the wheat from the chafe. But this test doesn’t show how smart you are, rather how good you are at taking this test. A high score on the GMAT is often reflective of someone who adapted to the demands of the test and worked furiously to improve at it. If anything, the GMAT communicates to a school just how hard you’re willing to work at a long, boring test with obscure data sufficiency questions and a series of terrible sentence correction options. But hard work doesn’t just mean taking every practice test available and hoping for the best. Instead, apply some principles of deliberate practice to your test prep regimen and you’ll guarantee that the work you’re putting into this exam is meaningful. 1. Focus Intensely on What You’re Missing Your absolute first step of your GMAT prep journey should be taking a practice test and reviewing everything you got wrong. Lots of people simply take the practice test, look over the correct answer choices for whatever they missed, and then take another practice test. One of the central tenets of deliberate practice is focus, and a great way to practice some focus here is to review every single question you missed thoroughly. Did you miss a lot of critical reasoning questions? Review not just how the correct answer is correct, but why the wrong answers don’t work. With the Quantitative section, keep a running list of every single math concept that appeared in questions that you got wrong. You’ll not just want to review all of those concepts, but return to this test after that review to see how that content was applied. Moving forward, you’ll want to put the same focus into homework. If you’re working out of a test prep book, spend at least as much time reading over and picking apart the provided answer explanations as you did actually working on the question that you’re reviewing. 2. Get Feedback Practicing often, you might find yourself hitting a wall. Sure, you’re getting more geometry-based problem solving questions now that you’ve revealed all of the rules, but your accuracy on the data sufficiency questions just won’t budge. Lots of obstacles you’ll encounter not just while prepping for the GMAT but also while in grad school boil down to an issue of perspective. When you can’t conceive of another way to solve a problem, you’re doomed to keep trying the inadequate method you have been using so far. This is where feedback can really help. Solicit advice from a friend or colleague who you know has done well on this test before. Google for posts on various forumsand even Reddit. You might also want to consider working with a tutor. If you have specific problems that you’re trying to solve, tutoring will likely be more beneficial than taking a class. GMAT classes tend to be tailored to people who are starting from scratch. Once you’ve gotten some feedback, practice with intense focus trying to apply it. While completing practice sets of practice tests, attempt completing those problems while applying the advice you’ve been given. 3. Understand The really tricky part about the GMAT is that no matter how much you memorize strategy or math concepts, you still have to deal with a series of questions getting progressively more difficult as the clock ticks away. What that means is that you’ll want a series of excellent instincts come test day. Those instincts are best developed by putting a lot of work into understanding the test better. There are a few different types of understanding that can help you with this test. You can understand how much text you typically need to reread to confidently answer a reading comprehension question. You can understand your exponent rules so well that you end up filtering out all of the extraneous information when trying to solve a complex algebra problem. You can develop an understanding of when a condition is or is not sufficient for a data sufficiency question. The best work you can do to prepare for this test will help you build understanding. The focus, the feedback, and the practice are all steps towards accomplishing that one, big goal of achieving your target test score on the GMAT. For more information on deliberate practice, view this YouTube video created by MyGuru's founder, Mark Skoskiewicz. Also, if you're interested in attending one of MyGuru's free GMAT skills webinars, click here for more information on what will be covered during the 30 minute session and how to sign up. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. For more information on our GMAT prep packages, click here.