All questions tagged GMAT MathSkills IB - Consulting Q&A - PrepLounge.com

Hi,

You can use the rule of 72.

For example, if you know the revenue will grow from 100M to 400M in 12 years and you need to know the CAGR:

1. 100M will double and grow to 200M in 6 years
2. CAGR = 72 / 6 / 100 = 12%
3. Note that you can take 70-72 depending on what is easier to calculate

Best

Hi Anonymous,

in general, the main issues with big numbers is forgetting zeros during operations. Potential tips to deal with big numbers are the following:

1. Use correctly 10^ powers in your math computation. For example 3.2B/723M can be transformed in 3200*10^6/732*10^6, which makes it easier to deal with math
2. Ask if it is fine to approximate. When you have to deal with math in market sizing, and sometimes even in business cases, you are allowed to approximate math to simplify the computation. In the previous example, for instance, you could transform the computation in 320*10^7/73*10^7, making the overall computation faster.
3. Keep good notes. One of the reasons people do mistakes with big numbers is that they don't keep their notes in order, thus forget/misreport numbers
4. Divide complex math in smaller logical steps. This is something you can use for big numbers after the application of the 10^ power mentioned above. If you have to compute (96*39)*10^6, you can divide the first element in 96*40 - 96*1 = 100*40 - 4*40 - 96*1 = 4000 – 160 – 100 + 4 = 3744*10^6
5. Use shortcuts for fractions. You can learn by heart fractions and thus speed up/simplify the computation - the most useful to know are 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9.

Hope this helps,
Francesco

Hi there,

Two tips :

1. Practice, practice, and just dont give up. Give yourself time & celebrate little successes. Take a break for couple of days here and there and do something fun/creative to unclock the trapped energy in you

2. Thinking-feeling loop: perhaps you are stuck in the same sequence of thoughts that make you feel the same way over the weeks. E.g. I am not good enough or My case structuring is weak, Maybe I am not suited for this consulting world etc etc. Stop doing this. Visualise yourself "being successul and enjoying the case solving exercise". Do this for 10-15mins everyday and I can assure you things will turn

Good luck!

Adi

Hi there,

I can share some useful materials with you for free.

Please feel free to reach me.

Best

Serhat

Hey,

There are a million ways to prepare for the GMAT! Especially given that you're excellent at the PST, I'm sure you just need a bit of guidance/practice on the GMAT before you do well. I'm not an expert on which GMAT resources are best, but a quick google and asking around should do the trick (I personally used Kaplan if that helps)

Hi Antonio,

I don't have experience about Bain, but I can talk for BCG.

- DIFFICULTY:

Quite challenging, however you don't have to make it 100% right in order to pass. The most important thing is to pay attention to time management.

- SUGGESTED PREP MATERIAL:

1) Keeping your math trained with GMAT exercises is always a good idea. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
http://www.mba.com/global/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx

2) Also tests that usually are for investment banks (with graphs analysis) are a useful. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
https://www.tptests.com/Candidate/practice/Instructions

3) Official BGC Potential test examples: https://www.bcg.com/careers/path/consulting/practice-interview-cases.aspx