5 comments about Cracking the GMAT with DVD, 2009 Edition (Graduate Test Prep).

1. This book does a nice job of introducing the format of the GMAT, what it is, etc. If you are completely ignorant about what the GMAT is, then it may be worth your time to drive over to the local bookstore and thumb through the first couple of chapters. Beyond that there is very little useful information to be found in this book. In fact, I think that the strategies outlined for the quantitative section are simply misleading and wrong.
   
   For example, early on the book describes a guy named "Joe Bloggs," who is essentially a complete idiot who did not prepare at all for the exam. Most every math problem explanation shows one or two answer choices that Joe would have selected because either they are intermediate solutions (solutions that are found during necessary, but preliminary steps on the way to the final solution), or they are just "too obvious." That's real cute, and perhaps makes people more comfortable with the test, but let me tell you that it will not help you on test day, and will likely hurt you.
   
   The best thing that you can do in your preparation is learn the basics cold. Do this by frequenting some of the GMAT prep site forums, where a plethora of practice problems with expert solutions can be found. To sum up the quantitative tutorials in this book- "Make sure that you find out what the question is asking, and make sure that you do not stop short of the full solution, as they will tempt you with answer choices that they know you will encounter during your work to solve the problem." Well, that is sound advice, and much harder in practice than it sounds, but hardly worth basing an entire book upon.
   
   If you are somebody who is really struggling with sentence correction, I would actually recommend that section, as I feel it does do a nice job of summing up the ideal approach to those questions.
   
   In closing, I would say that if you are somebody who is simply trying to get to a 550-600 score, then this book may well be right up your alley, as the concepts are introduced in a very friendly and frankly, childish way. However, if you aspire to a 700+ score, this book is beneath you, and you really need to pass this one up. I bought this book on a whim early in my preparation, because I heard good reviews of it, but promptly closed it and set it aside for the duration of my studies and only used it once for the aforementioned reasons, and I scored a 750. I honestly believe that the reason these books sell so well is that reading them is in a way therapeutic, as it makes you feel comfortable with the test. Trust me that that is not a good thing. You have to make a realistic assessment of your weaknesses, and work to improve those, not waste your time practicing some cutesy methods that you won't have time to use on test day.



2. Some experts might hate this book but this is a good book for beginners. For any one who is new to GMAT or even those who have been working for quite sometime and think of giving a go at GMAT, this book is a good start. It explains the format of GMAT and starts off with a layman type explanation of topics. DVD edition of this book is recommended for those who hate to sit and read. However don't rely on this book alone to crack GMAT. Once finished one can move on to the next level by checking more books on GMAT.



3. This book is for newbies, but if that is where you are then there is nothing wrong with purchasing it. I would look to getting the Ez-Solutions set of nine books. They have everything covered in their books, so why not spend the extra money and do it right the first time.



4. This book is almost perfect. Cracking clues and useful tips are perfect but need more practise questions. Because most of other books do not classify GMAT strategies like it. I recommend this book.



5. This is a good book for strategy and to learn the tips and tricks instead of performing the calculations. It had been a long time for me to go over high school/college math and I started with the Original Guide, then picked up this book to learn the tips and tricks. I intend on using it to finish my preparation again to raise the score by a few points when I am ready.

No comments about The Official LSAT PrepTest 54 (Official LSAT PrepTest).

5 comments about Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science.

1. Im not an Econmoic buff whatsoever (Had to read it for my grad class). This book is easy to understand and fun. GREAT!



2. My 20 year old nephew, a junior college student not known for his scholarly pursuits, took this book before I had a chance to read it. He found it so fascinating that he began taking it with him into the bathroom. He says he's going to take an economics course next semester.



3. The first chapter had me hooked with the Coke/Berlin Wall story. If you are looking for a balanced book on economics for newbies, without the math, than this is the book for you. The author does a good job explaining his point of view and usually succeeds at being balanced. I am half way through the book and have no complaints so far.



4. First of all this is an exciting book. Yes exciting. Naked Economics presents some of the key aspects of economics by using real world situations which are frequently presented in the form of the controversies that arise over these concepts. Is government intervention in the economy a good thing? Naked Economics answers this question in two chapters; the first chapter shows how government can help the economy and the second chapter shows how government can hinder the economy. The author's conclusion, that a corruption free government is an essential component of a functioning economy but that there are a myriad of ways for the government to do harm, somewhat epitomizes the author's approach to explaining economics, rather than take the side of one type of economic theory he presents several of them, pointing out the merits of each one as he goes along. I said "somewhat" above because the author is clearly pro globalization and, I thought, did not do enough to present countering views of anti-globalization adherents. For example he makes no mention of the Fair Trade movement. I still think this is a very good book as it leaves you with the ability to follow, at a high level, layperson articles on the state of the economy. This book covers the importance of among others, incentives, human capital, information, financial markets and monetary policy. All in all I thought it was a very good read.



5. As an accountant and former college Econ minor I found this book to be fun and engaging. It tackles common misconceptions about how the economy operates and truly sheds light on how things work from a high level. This is a great read for anyone who wants to understand our economy and should be required reading for all Econ 101 students.

5 comments about Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns.

1. "Disrupting Class" is a very interesting read for people interested in improving education here in the U.S. Dr. Christensen argues that the main problem with traditional schools is that they cannot provide individualized instruction that best meets each student's needs. As a home educator, I couldn't agree with him more. He sees computer-based learning as a "disruptive innovation" that will solve the problem of how to provide this type of "student-centric" learning to the masses (since not everyone can homeschool or hire a tutor for their offspring).
   
   Dr. Christensen revisits the argument from his earlier book "The Innovator's Dilemma" that "disruptive innovations" don't initially compete directly against the current market leader's product but rather against nonconsumption. For example, in the '70's Digital had a very successful market for $200k minicomputers. Apple couldn't directly compete with DEC's minicomputers because their personal computers weren't good enough at the time to solve the problems that DEC's customers had. So Apple marketed its IIe PC as a relatively affordable toy for kids. Kids were nonconsumers so it didn't matter to them that the Apple wasn't as powerful as the existing DEC minicomputers. A few years down the road, however, improvements in PC technology rendered DEC's minicomputers obsolete.
   
   Dr. Christensen argues that the traditional government-run education system will in the near future be "disrupted" by the innovation of computer-based learning. At first, online learning will compete against nonconsumption by offering classes in subjects where there isn't enough demand in any given school to justify offering a traditional course (such as a very advanced math one or an unusual foreign language). But eventually, He believes that the technology will improve such that computer-based learning will render the traditional model of education obsolete.
   
   In "Disrupting Class", he postulates that demand for computer-based high school classes will follow an S-curve that will start to "flip" (significantly accelerate) in the year 2012. In the years between 2012 and 2018, Dr. Christensen projects that the share of online courses will grow from 5% to 50% of all high school courses. That timetable seems a bit ambitious to me personally, but I believe he's got the basic right idea about the growth in the demand for online classes.
   
   The main problem I had with "Disrupting Class" is with the way it is written. It reads like a management consultant's report filled with buzzwords and jargon (not surprisingly Dr. Christensen used to work for BCG). It would've been much better had someone else gone through the authors' draft and re-written it in plain English. I found it very tiresome to have to stop constantly to figure out what exactly the authors actually meant by all their convoluted gobbledygook. Throwing buzzwords and jargon into nearly every sentence doesn't make the authors look smarter, just much less coherent!
   
   The other thing I would've liked to have seen discussed in "Disrupting Class" is the question of whether or not it is good for children's brains for schooling to be mostly computer-based. Dr. Jane Healey wrote a very interesting book about a decade ago called "Failure to Connect" about some worrisome research findings on the negative impact of computer use on children. Has more recent research allayed or deepened those concerns? Before our society makes the shift predicted in "Disruptive Class", shouldn't we be examining this very important question?



2. Rocket Builders most influential author, Christensen, with his co authors has taken his theory of disruptive innovation and focused on the education sector. The authors do not lay blame but with Christensen's laser sharp analysis, peel back all the root causes of public perception and changing goal posts for education and what it has done to the institution over time. He then goes on to explain how classic disruption theory - which starts with non consumers and then slowly moves up the competency level as the incumbents are forced to retreat to higher value activities is already progressing in education. He predicts that by 2020, disruptive innovation will hit that 50% mark to turn the tables on other methods (monolithic education in this case) . They show how trying to bring the disruption inside present institutions can not succeed due to the constraints that are already in place. His statements ring true as we have seen the impact of disruption on public and private sector already.
   
   Since his team always does their homework, you are exposed to fascinating research on the impact of verbalization on new borns up to 3 years old. They explain how that is an academic headstart any parent can give their child now. He posits that early kindergarten (after 3 yrs old) and other high priced interventions are doomed to a limited success rate. As well he quickly exposes the paucity (weak techniques and theory) of real research in education since it all to often stops short of causality ( I can certainly testify to that) . Then he explains how computer based education methods are already changing and adapting to the needs of a student centric model. He illustrates how Howard Gardners multiple modes of learning could be accomodated in the disruptive model.
   
   Once again there is a second book within the book with copious research notes in every chapter. I am one of those professional educators who packed it in based on what I experienced as the overall futility of real change in education. Now this book has reawakened my interest in change in the education market - moving to a student centric model. If you have children or grandchildren - you need to buy and read this book. If you are in the e-learning market - it is required reading. Thank you McGraw Hill! I really liked it and it is as always an easy read with loads of detail if you want it.



3. I thought this book was an academic waste of time. Like sure when we use computers things are going to be disrutive, like in other industries. This book provides little in the way of what is being done well now, and the sub disruction. They use abstract examples from other industries where they sould be focused on education.



4. Christensen approaches improving the education system from the broad lens of innovation, rather than focusing solely on examining the school system itself. The result: a powerful perspective on how disruptive innovation outside the mainstream curriculum can ultimately transform the techniques and results of the public school system in general.
   
   Disrupting Class outlines a thorough argument for how to dramatically improve the U.S. educational system including:
   
   * The shortcomings of previous approaches to improving education, and therefore what needs to be different in the future
   
   * The importance of adapting teaching techniques to different learning styles (building on previous work Gardner and others); I can particularly relate to this as I have a family member with dyslexia who became an avid reader after receiving a different approach to reading instruction rather than the standard public school curriculum.
   
   * The potential for computers and more modularization of teaching to deliver individualized learning in the context of the school system; Christensen is quick to point out that more computers are not the solution, it is the way in which computers are used that are critical.
   
   * The barriers to change in the current system; Having studied numerous organizations within and outside the educational system, Christensen presents a valuable framework for how to drive change in organizations with different characteristics. The challenge is that the public school system has one of the most complicating set of features. Through understanding these factors, administrators and educators must employ different approaches to creating change which are outlined in the book.
   
   * The need for innovation in areas outside the mainstream elements of the educational system (the book draws on the principles from Christensen's previous work, The Innovator's Dilemma); He cites examples from outside and within the educational system and illustrates how "disruptive innovation" around the fringes can ultimately redefine the public school system as we know it today.
   
   In addition to having a compelling thesis, Disrupting Class is also an easy read. Christensen makes it come alive through weaving a narrative throughout the book of a public school principal struggling to make a greater difference in her students' development.
   
   While the book overall is excellent, there are two sections which could have been shortened without detracting from the overall story. The first is Chapter 6 which makes the case, largely based on the research of others, of the importance of learning in the first 36 months of development. While I found it compelling and causing me to wonder if I had done enough for my own children at that age, I did not find it added much to the overall thesis. Similarly, Chapter 7 discusses the need to change the research approach in the field of education improvement. While it may be useful to some educators as they evaluate options in the future, I found it less engaging than the other chapters.
   
   Overall, Disrupting Class is a must read for those interested in education from any perspective - parent, educator, administrator, politician or non-profit organization. As someone who is a parent and involved in a non-profit in the education arena, I find this book incredibly energizing - it has given me some ideas for innovations to test in the non-profit context alongside the public school system. I encourage you to read it and find ways to apply the lessons in your environment as well!



5. Clayton Christensen has gained fame in researching how disruptive technologies are best brought to market in the world of business. He applies the results of this research to hypothesize how education methods uniquely tailored to each student through the use of computer led education are likely to be adopted.
   
   The key observation that Professor Christensen makes is that each student has different intellegences, including linguistic, logical-methematical, spatial, kinesthetic, etc. The classroom, by being forced to standardize on a teaching method for a particular subject, cannot appropriately adapt the teaching of each subject to the learning and intelligence patterns of each student. Computer-based education can overcome the standardized approach, however. He argues that the adoption of computer-based education as a supplement to the teacher led classroom is not the likely path of successful adoption.
   
   The book is written for government officials, teachers, administrators, parents and entrepreneurs. It is probably most valuable to entrepreneurs who are exploring the market for user generated educational content.

5 comments about The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review.

1. If you already have the Official Guide for GMAT review, then this book is not worth the money.
   All the questions have been picked from the Official guide for GMAT review. So if you already have the GMAT review then this book has nothing additional.



2. This book is an excellent book, no doubt about it. It is a must have book. I have yet to take my GMAT test but I do know this book is very helpful in my preparation. I especially admire the answer reviews b/c every question is explained in great details. Basically the book teaches you the tricks about each question and every given answer.



3. I have yet to receive the book after more than one month since the purchase date.
   Could someone tell me why?!?



4. You must get this guide book if you want to prep for GMAT. While it doesn't cover strategy or the AWA section it does give you lots of great practice! I ended up with an 89% ranking on the verbal section thanks to this guide.



5. Basically I use this book to enhance my reading skill and writing skill because I am writing my dissertation. Although I read academic journal almost every day, when it comes to writing it becomes difficult. This book can help me to organize complicated sentences.

5 comments about Kaplan GMAT Premier Program, 2009 (Book & CD-ROM).

1. This is my first GMAT study guide, and the first standardized test study guide I've used in over a decade. The Verbal section was pretty good. It had a few frustrating errors but none that kept me from learning the material. The Math section, however, is awful. As others have mentioned elsewhere, why would the Kaplan folks ask you to check your answers using a calculator when it clearly says elsewhere in the book that you CANNOT use any kind of electronic device (including calculators) during the actual GMAT test?
   
   Math errors in the answer sections, test sections and even explanations abound. As I'm weaker in Math, such incompetence doesn't help me at all, and it's especially galling when you consider how much you pay for this book. The explanations also tend to be far more complicated than they should be, throwing in terms that are introduced LATER in the book. My husband provided me with far simpler and more understandable explanations to some of the terms and concepts.
   
   All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book. I'm going to slog through the rest of this and then pick up the Princeton Review as well as the book the GMAT folks themselves publish. I MIGHT try the Kaplan 800 series, but if their quality is anything like that of this one, I just might pass.



2. I used the Kaplan guide and the official GMAT study guide to prepare for the GMAT. I first went throught the Kaplan guide cover to cover. I found the math review to be very helpful, and some of the test taking tips were useful. However, once I began reviewing the official GMAT study guide it became apparent that the practice questions in the Kaplan quide weren't quite accurate reflections of what the actual questions would look like. Practicing questions is the key to success in taking the GMAT. I've read some reviews in which people say you should only study the harder questions in the official review guide if you are finding the questions too easy, but I disagree. The key to doing well is to understand how the question writers try to trip you up, and you can only get to this point by practicing as many questions as possible. I went through every question in the GMAT study guide and by the end I could really begin to anticipate what the question writers were looking for. I ended up getting a 740. To summarize: the math review and some of the tips in the Kaplan guide are somewhat helpful, but I wouldn't waste much time on their practice questions. The practice questions in the official guide are indespensable - complete every one and review your incorrect answers and you will do well.



3. First, I don't understand all the complaints about errors and typos. I did every problem in this book and understood the solutions when I read the answer explanations of problems I got wrong. I did not encounter errors. (I ultimately scored a 730.) I can't help but wonder if some of the "errors" people found were answers they just didn't understand. (A reviewer of the Official Guide here on Amazon proved that point by bringing up a specific example s/he quoted as the book's mistake, but other users explained why s/he was wrong.)
   
   Now, the problems are not all great, and that is why you need the official guide for most of your additional un-timed practice, but Kaplan was worth it for the computer practice: 4 full length timed practice tests and extra timed problem sections. With just the two free from gmac, I would not have learned to adjust my timing enough. ***Note** DO NOT uninstall or reinstall your Kaplan computer software, or try to install it on another computer, or "reset" your tests. It screws up ALL of the 4 practice tests and you will see repeat questions.****
   
   The Kaplan approach to writing the essays was useful. Most of their "techniques" I think are pretty obvious, but are still helpful reminders to read, such as the "picking numbers" or "working backwards" approaches to certain quant. problems.



4. I've heard that kaplan under calculates your CAT scores by 100 but when I actually did it, I found the practice tests pretty ridiculous. Its not because the questions are harder, but the fact that the scoring algorithm intentionally underestimates your score significantly.
   Ex: the official practice test gave me a 660, where as kaplan gave me a 560.
   
   Also the CAT math sections are full of errors. The verbal sections have a real problem it comes to double spacing. Its really annoying when you have spend time to distinguish between when the passage ends and when the actual question begins. I also found a reading passage where the final paragraph was full of wingdings and incomplete sentences. Some Critical reasoning questions are really unsolvable. I remember one question that assumed a higher draft pick always resulted in a better team winning record.
   
   Another problem I have with the test is the horrible explanations. Really really dissapointing, especially on sentence correction.
   
   Comparing Kaplan to Manhattan GMAT, which has really tough questions but also very detailed explanations, Kaplan seems to have been written by some of the most careless people ever. It really takes a lot of guts for a company to publish something that was this full of errors.



5. I purchased this book at the book store about a month ago. I made my decision after paging through many of the GMAT options and deciding this appeared the most comprehensive. My perception at the time that Kaplan was a high quality company also factored into my choosing it. After all, when I was in high school, Kaplan had the best reputation of all the test preparation companies. I was shocked by how bad this book is once I began working through it. The book is littered with typos, conceptual errors (no joke!), and conflicting statements. This book has caused me confusion, wasted time, and considerable frustration (both with the book and Kaplan itself). I have used a lot of different test prep books in the past and this was by far the worst.
   
   Another bad part is that when I asked for my money back they refused to give it because I don't have the receipt. I explained that I didn't keep the receipt because I knew I'd be writing in it and highlighting, etc; and there is no way that I could anticipate that a reputable company would put out a book of such low quality. This did not help. They explained that even if I still had the receipt there would have been a process for me to try to get any money back, that I would not be able to get all of my money back, and that I would additionally have to pay shipping and handling to send it to them.
   
   DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK - it is the worst test prep book I have ever used, and I've used over 10 for various tests over the years. What Kaplan has done by selling this book and continuing to sell it is borderline theft (considering that people like me have reported the countless errors, inconsistencies, miss-statements, etc). Kaplan continues to market and sell what it knows is a terrible and flawed product to unknowing and unassuming students. The only people who could have possibly given this book a 4 or 5 star review are either working for Kaplan or did not read the book carefully (especially the math section - which is almost half the book).

5 comments about The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review.

1. I have been studying for GMAT for a few weeks now and I think the OG is a great source for a good practice on real GMAT questions. But having said that, use the OG only once you grasp all the basics and when you are almost ready to take the GMAT. The OG does not contain any math conceptual content, so use it only for practice towards the end.
   
   In order to get a real GMAT prep - I would recommend you buy the set of 9 books of "EZ Solutions," or whichever book(s) you think you need most help with. These books are very detailed oriented and cover everything on the GMAT math. First use the review modules to get the concepts and then use the workbooks for practice. Some of the most challenging topics in GMAT math, such as permutation/combination, probability, geometry problems, complex word problems, etc., are brilliantly explained in these books. Also, the EZ Advanced Workbook is a "must have" if you are aiming for a high score. It may be a good idea to buy Barron's without the CD (don't waste money on the CD version for any book). After doing all this, use the OG and you will see a dramatic difference in your scores. If you still need more practice, you may consider buying the Kaplan book (but really not needed). Save your money by not buying anything else. You don't even have to take any of those pricy courses. I followed this process and my scores have jumped from the 500-range to the 700-range. Good luck!



2. This book is a must if you are about to take the GMAT and need lots of practice on Math it contains a lot of good exercies and how to solve them...



3. It has been seven years since I have been out of college. My math skills are very rusty. The Quanative Review is the best book to get because it is written by the GMAT Staff. Each question comes with an explanation of how the problem is solved. The book is broken down into sections with complete explanations.
   
   I am not good at math at all and there are over 300 problems to solve from basic arthimatic, algebra, geometry, and Data Sufficienty. all have multiple choice answers and at the end of each section.
   
   The book is much cheaper than getting it through the mba.
   
   I also recommend the GMAT Verbal Review as well



4. most of the stuff in this book is already in the GMAT official guide(OG 11) except the practice problems. buy this book if you want more math practice...it has good amount of practice problems: Problem Solving(176), Data Sufficiency(118)
   and these problems are different from the ones in OG 11.



5. I couldn't have prepped for the GMAT without this guide. It is a "must have" for anyone who actually wants to study for the GMAT with real GMAT questions. Kaplan's questions are too hard, Barron's are just bizarre - you can rely on these questions.

5 comments about First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently.

1. Definitely on my recommended book list. A must read for women in business.
   
   Susan Bock
   The Success Coach for Women in Business
   www.SusanBockSolutions.com



2. Geeks have said for a long, long time that there is easily a 10-to-1 ratio of productivity between the best developers and an average developer. There is tons of evidence to this fact... however it is still a difficult reality to swallow for some folks. In many cases, you're better off with a team of 3 good developers, than a team of 20 average developers. This book not only validates this claim, but also provides proof that this productivity ratio exists in every job role!
   
   This was based on data from a 25-year survey by Gallup... they interviewed over 100,000 people, trying to find out who were great managers, and what they knew. Almost uniformly, they knew that the standard rules about managing people were completely bogus. They break down what attributes your employees have into 3 buckets:
   
   * Knowledge: Basic information; "book learning." People with knowledge interview well, and test well, but that doesn't always translate into productivity. Training people "knowledge" is fast and easy.
   * Skills: This is applied knowledge. A great deal of accounting and data entry is applied high-school math, but that doesn't mean any high schooler can do it. They need the skills to know when to apply what knowledge and when. Training people a "skill" takes time, and not all people are cut out for every skill.
   * Talent: The most important of the bunch... somebody not only with skills and knowledge, but their brain is wired to be exceptional at this task! You can have a talent for sales, accounting, data entry, development, bartending, housekeeping, management, anything! Training people a "talent" is extraordinarily difficult, but you can find it during an interview.
   
   This book validates what I have said for a long time: manager is a role, not a rank! Only people with the "talent" for being managers should be managers. It should not be an expected career path for all.
   
   One talented employee is easily more valuable than 10 of her peers, across the board. This book provides sufficient examples that should make any decent manager rethink their methods of using their employees like cogs in a giant "process machine." A good manager should look for "talent," and not "skills" or "knowledge" during an interview... and then figure out a way to help their employees harness their latent talent. If so, then you will see 10 times more productivity out of a talented employee, compared to an average one.
   
   This has nothing to do with knowledge, skills, or process... the talented ones just "get it." They see the problem, they know inherently how to solve it, and it brings them tremendous joy to solve it. Don't promote these stars to management; that's not their talent. Instead, let the exceptional employees -- like exceptional baseball players -- make more than an average manager. They call this "broad band" pay scales, and in practice they work pretty well to make sure everybody is exceptional at their role.
   
   What about developers? They had a few things to say about them... somewhat oversimplified, but they said a common career path is from developer to systems analyst. In other words, go from designing one system, to designing integrated systems that work together.
   
   This is a HUGE mistake.
   
   Why? Because both roles require different talents! Developers are problem solvers, but in general they need ALL the pieces of the puzzle before they want to try to solve it. There is no feeling more frustrating to them than not being able to solve a problem because you weren't given sufficient data... or a complete specification.
   
   To illustrate... Imagine you work at a software company. If you ask a talented developer a technical question, but you don't give sufficient information, you might have just cost your company a full day's worth of developer productivity. Why? Because the developer will seethe, and stew, and gather his buddies for a hallway bitch-session about you... which will cause others to likewise seethe and stew, and grumble about how "nobody ever gives them enough information." It all adds up to a full day lost.
   
   It happens. I've seen it.
   
   In contrast, a systems analysts (or architect) thrives on incomplete information. They know they are designing a system with a lot of people, a lot of requirements, a lot of needs, and thus a ton of moving parts. People don't know what they want, because nobody really knows what is possible. An architect can't wait around forever to create a specification: he needs to experiment a little. This means iteration, agility, extreme programming, and all that garbage.
   
   It is certainly possible for one person to have both skills... but usually the best developers have a mild weakness at integrated systems, and vice versa.
   
   Getting your manager to read this book might be tricky... "you suck! read this so you suck less!" Nevertheless, its a good book that will help you make the case that there is talent in every role... you're not asking for special treatment when you ask to play to your strengths. You're asking that your manager let you do what all great managers do.
   
   Simple as that...



3. This book presents allot of pertinent data, which I as a reader found very useful in my understanding of proven positive work habits. The resonating theme is to work smarter and recognize that your business is unique and your solutions always need to be tailored to fit your business needs.



4. I was very satisfied with the quality of the book shipped. The package also did not take extremely long to deliver, and the price was fair and the book of great quality.



5. While a very busy category with a depth of choices, this is one of the better books I've read for analyzing how to manage others. It helps to develop keener abilities into why some in management excel and achieve superior results and others never build on what they inherit. There is a buffet of statistics to back up the analysis and add credibility. This is a fine addition to anyone's library of self-improvement books to be more efficient and effective in business.
   
   Likewise, the employee can intuitively reverse engineer the information and make his performance more in tune with superiors, and set himself up for moving up the ladder. Great book.

5 comments about The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition.

1. Math section has many typo's (more than 10 for sure), use google to find the corrections. Apart from that its good.



2. I wasnt totally happy w/ this book. As other readers have posted there are countless errors in the math sections. For example on page 335 of the 11th edition they say (xr)^2 = x^(2r). This is hard to look over as a typo - as are other errors.
   
   There are also no full-length exams in this book. I mean, come-on, why are the GMAC guys such tight-wads with their questions. I dont really like they way they run the show...



3. This book is very good for people who wuold like to start their preparation for the GMAT. You have enough exercices and and a useful section (explanations) about math, algebra and geometry.
   After, if you need a more brilliant preparation you need to practice on GMAT 800.
   I'm Italian and when I started to read GMAT 800 (by KEPLAN) I found it harder (contents and language).



4. This book begins by stating that it is virtually all you will need in order to score well on the GMAT. I went through the book backwards and forwards - again and again and again. Mind you, I have an MBA from a very good school already and am well able to study and master material. Upon taking the GMAT for my PhD program, the test had nothing even remotely similar to what this book prepared me for. Certainly, there are basic math principles involved, but the overall format and question types in this book didn't at all resemble what I was tested over on the actual GMAT. Outside of that, I was amazed at the number of grammatical errors in the book, especially as it is an 11th edition. Many of the exercises have incorrect verbiage and/or signage as it relates to math problems. If you are getting prepared to take the GMAT, you had better not leave it to this product.



5. Official Guide, as the name suggests, is an official collection of retired GMAT questions, published by GMAC, who own GMAT. Here, I will review this book and its importance in the overall preparation.
   
   First, I was short on time in preparing for GMAT and applying in time. So, I didn't had time to go over all the material and guides available in this universe, and then compare and review them.
   
   Second, before you start your preparation, or make your plan, you need to understand what GMAT is and what it measures. Then try to understand how much time and effort you will need to achieve a good score, for the school(s) you are applying to.
   
   - OG will certainly help you to understand what is GMAT, what it measures and how the different sections test your those capabilities.
   - The Diagnostic Test, taken under strict examination conditions, will measure your current performance and identify the areas you need to focus.
   - The Verbal and Quant sections of OG are mainly a collection of past GMAT questions, their answers, and explanatory solutions.
   - There is very little theory/concepts and very generic strategies. However, do read them carefully.
   
   Once you identify the areas you need to focus on, find the guides with concepts, fundamentals, and tips and tricks. Do your research by reading reviews, and consulting your peers who have used them in past. Every guide is different and have different difficulty levels. What works for one may not work for another.
   
   For Sentence Correction, I will recommend Sentence Correction GMAT Preparation Guide (Manhattan GMAT Preparation Guides). For other sections, I used an old, borrowed edition of Nova's GMAT Prep Course (with Online Course). Unfortunately, I cannot comment about Kaplan, Princeton, Veritas etc since my aim was to get a good score and not compare all these guides. (I spent 3 weeks overall and got a very decent score)
   
   Coming back to OG, here is what I recommend:
   - Do all the questions.
   - Do all the questions, at least three times. By doing so, you can master a lot of concepts and calculations.
   - Do not get discouraged if you get low scores on simulated tests of the other study guides. Actual GMAT level is closest to this OG. Other guides' sample exams have a hidden marketing motive too. They want you to buy their books or take their course. So, their questions' level may not be same as that of actual GMAT. In fact, I found some of them very difficult. (Won't take names, but I took those online free sample exams from those famous names in Study Guides & preps)
   - If you have time, get GMAC's Verbal and Quant supplements to practice more & more.
   
   At last, it's all about speed & accuracy. Best of Luck!

5 comments about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

1. I own a signed Fireside First Edition (1989) of this book, and it is one of my prized possessions. The reader before me, someone I know must now be someone very important, had underlined the most important topics in this ever popular self-improvement text. As I read it, I can actually feel the impact these words had on so many other readers Worldwide. I see that the reader before me underlined "trust is the highest form of human motivation" and then I am amazed that years later, Covey publishes "The Speed of Trust." I take the words in text seriously, as I read that I "must get involved with training and development" and of course, the reader underlined this part as well.
   
   I am convinced that all leaders have read and mastered the skills in this book, and I also know that my book was read by one of those leaders. Me! Andrea Samadi, author of The Secret for Teens Revealed: How Parents, Teachers, and Teenagers Can Inspire Leadership and Transform Lives



2. I keep this book in my special library. I bought it to get organized and learned how to both organize my days and prioritize my personal life. This book emphasizes being effective by deciding what is important and what is not. I would recommend it those that just can't seem to figure out how to fit life into 24 hour days, and puts spirituality at the forefront.



3. "What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say." ~ Emerson
   
   "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is a book I'd heard about so many times I actually thought I'd already reviewed it. Once I realized the book was new to me I started reading it with very high expectations. From the start Stephen Covey seems to meander through a wide variety of loosely related topics. By page 77 I went to read all the one-star reviews because I needed a break and seemed to be bored. I agreed with many of the reviews but felt I should give the book another try so I kept on reading.
   
   The book became more interesting as Stephen Covey started to talk about being reactive vs. proactive. I did think that perhaps some people were offended by the thought of working on yourself instead of blaming others for your problems. I figured that might explain some of the negativity as some books work like a mirror to reveal your faults. The other complaint I have to agree with is that Stephen Covey has a very complex writing style. He also keeps referring to the same examples over and over again - the golden eggs and the goose is used so many times I lost count but felt irritated each time it was spoken of again. Once would have been fine and for some reason it just set me on edge each time I read about it. He also uses the word "paradigm" obsessively.
   
   In this book you will also learn a lot about his family's strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure I would have told some of the stories in this book because they seemed too personal. He calls his sons "honey" in the book and that would seem more appropriate if he was talking about his wife. I always feel for a writer's families as they are exposed in a light I find unattractive.
   
   So what did I learn from this book? Here are the seven things I learned:
   
   1. Be Proactive
   2. Write a mission statement for my life
   3. Prioritize
   4. Seek mutual benefit in all human interactions
   5. Listen more and talk less
   6. Value difference
   7. Take care of body and soul - exercise, meditate, be an eternal learner, cultivate meaningful relationships
   
   I liked the ideas of using visualization to create success. The ideas about writing a mission statement for your life and being opportunity-minded seemed like good ideas. The quotes in the book are quite good and since I collect quotes I was happy to have found some new ones that were very meaningful.
   
   For the most part I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be more successful especially in business. I think the ideas are good but for the most part felt that the book was overrated and at times rather irritating. I didn't feel good or "seasoned with love" while reading this book so I'm only giving it three stars.
   
   "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." ~ Albert Einstein
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



4. In browsing my book shelf I came upon and then found myself rereading this incredibly simple yet profound book. The principles and ideas Stephen writes about are truly ways to discover how to live your life as the person you want to be. I especially found the section where Stephen writes about how powerful unexamined attitudes and perceptions influence how I react toward situations and others. Once I started looking at my predetermined thoughts...those same situations became less mundane and irritating. My experiences became more authentic, meaningful and enjoyable instantaneously. Stephen writes of this as a "paradigm shift", where our attitudes and behaviors, left unexamined, shape how we feel and act in our life in mechanical patterns.
   
   Two authors that have also inspired and ignited my passion for living a magnificent life are Ariel & Shya Kane. The Kanes works: "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment", "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life", "How to Create a Magical Relationship" and their internet radio show "Being Here" on Voiceamerica.com are all indispensable sources I turn to in supporting my well-being in all areas of my life. I highly recommend the Kanes and Stephen Covey classic, timeless book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."



5. Covey is a classic just as this book is. He's a true Guru. Just buy the book and work the plan. You will not go wrong. It's not a lot of "cheerleading" and motivational fluff. It's a plan of action from the first to the last page. If you follow it - your life will change.