“Knowledge used to be power, but it no longer is power. What you do with that knowledge—that’s the skill.”
In this must-watch episode for test takers, GMAC Zach speaks at length with Sergey Kouk from Admit Master about a skills-based approach to GMAT preparation. They discuss the common misconceptions surrounding the GMAT, the importance of reasoning skills over mere knowledge, and how to effectively prepare for the test using strategies akin to learning to drive a car. Sergey shares insights on building confidence, the significance of practice, and section-by-section analysis. The conversation emphasizes that the GMAT is not just about memorizing formulas but about developing critical thinking and reasoning skills necessary for success in business school and beyond.
About Our Guest:
Sergey Kouk is a rocket scientist turned GMAT instructor, who achieved a score of 750 on the GMAT after just 2 weeks of studying. He credits his success to the amazing teachers and mentors, who taught him advanced reasoning skills early in his career.
He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Admit Master, a test preparation and admissions consulting company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Sergey holds 3 university degrees, including an MBA. When he is not teaching prep classes, he spends time snowboarding or sailing a boat with his family.
Sergey brings to this podcast over 15 years of experience teaching the GMAT to thousands of business school candidates, as well as insights from other experienced GMAT instructors and MBA Admissions Consultants at Admit Master, to help you get a great GMAT score and gain admission to your dream business school.
Contact Admit Master: https://admitmaster.com/
Register for the GMAT: mba.com/register
Chapters:
01:17 Sergey's Journey into Test Prep
03:13 Misconceptions About the GMAT
04:57 Knowledge vs. Reasoning Skills
12:06 The Importance of Practice and Feedback
18:35 The Role of an Instructor
22:30 Breaking Down Higher Order Thinking Skills
26:43 Applying Reasoning Skills to the GMAT
29:32 Questions to Ask in the Quant Section
32:05 Understanding Problem-Solving Strategies
33:27 The Power of Elimination in Reasoning
34:55 Effective Questioning Techniques
37:05 The Importance of Strategy Over Formulas
38:11 Comparing Quantitative and Verbal Skills
42:39 Preparing for Verbal Section
47:53 Integrating Data Insights with Reasoning
50:00 Building Confidence for Test Success
52:40 Starting Your GMAT Journey
54:38 Achieving High Percentiles on the GMAT
56:00 The Student Journey with Admit Master