GMAT Tips: The Numbers Game

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TAKE A COURSE: If you need a little nudging and a place to ask math questions you haven't asked since eighth grade, opt for a day-long course like Manhattan GMAT's new Foundations of Math. "We realized that a portion of our students were having some trouble and missing the basic skills you need for the GMAT," says Chris Ryan, director of product and instructor development at Manhattan GMAT about creating the course. "You have to suck up and say: 'This is what the GMAT requires of me, and the last time I saw this stuff I had a locker.'"

TAP YOUR IN-BOX: E-mail is a big part of everyone's day, so getting a newsletter with math tips is an easy way to review. For instance, Jeff Sackmann's free weekly newsletter at www.gmathacks.com comes with five sample math questions. The next day he posts explanations on his blog. For reviewing basic concepts, you can also check online sources such as www.edhelper.com that let you create printable worksheets for simple yet specific topics. It's also a great way to practice not using a calculator (which is not allowed at the testing site).

BACK TO CAMPUS: If you're applying to business school but don't have the necessary courses under your belt, it may hinder your chance for admission. So taking a course at your local community college will not only help you for the application but can be helpful in studying for the GMAT. Speak to a school admissions counselor from your No. 1 business school choice to see what courses fit the bill.

TAKE IT SLOW: Mathematics professor Gus Stuart, a Columbia prof teaching at MIT's Sloan School of Management, suggests that students initially tackle easier math problems in order to boost confidence for the tougher GMAT questions. "If someone isn't confident it does hurt their test taking," explains Stuart.

TAILOR YOUR STUDY: Reserve time for extra practice in tackling hard-to-grasp math topics by initially scoring yourself on a sample exam. "Self-diagnose what you want to learn about a particular area and then you can buy a book that's just on geometry or just on number properties," says Manhattan GMAT's Ryan, who also teaches prep courses. Adler, who earned consistently high verbal scores on standardized tests, agrees. "It would have been a complete waste of time if I spent 50% of my time on the verbal section and 50% on math," he says.

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Dizik is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com.