GMAT is the abbreviation for the Graduate Management Admission Test. This is a computerized test created and administered by the Educational Testing Service on behalf of the Graduate Management Admission Council. This is generally a requirement for entry in to MBA programs, although some programs look only at your grade point average for admission. For those seeking entry to MBA programs, the GMAT a very important part of their business school application.
The GMAT assessment measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills. These are skills that you would have developed over years of education and practical experience. The GMAT begins with an analytical writing section where you have to complete two writing tasks. You are allowed 30 minutes to finish each one. The quantitative section follows next, and consists of multiple choice questions related to data sufficiency and problem solving. You are given 75 minutes to complete this section.
The third portion is the verbal section. This portion of the exam consists of multiple choice questions based on reading comprehension, critical reasoning and sentence correction. If you do not finish each multiple-choice section of the test, your score will depend on the number of questions answered within each section.
Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. 65% of test takers score between 400 and 600. A great score on the GMAT does not however guarantee admission to the school of your choice. A low score can mean you do not qualify at all for a business school program. GMAT scores are also on the rise, which is making acceptance to top schools more competitive. The average score for acceptance to top ten business schools has risen almost 100 points in the last 15 years. This means you need to have near a 700 score to be considered for entrance to the best schools. As more students take the GMAT and vie for limited openings in top schools, the competition for top scores will continue to grow.
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What is the ACT?
American College Testing publishes the ACT as an examination to measure a student's ability in math, verbal comprehension and problem solving. The ACT is a college-entrance test that was introduced in 1959 as a competitor to the College Board's Scholastic Aptitude Test (now SAT). Students who perform poorly on the SAT often find that they do better on the ACT. This is due to a difference in how questions are presented on ACT. Nationally recognized, the ACT is a college admission and placement examination.
The ACT is commonly accepted for college admission. This test is curriculum based and has questions that are directly related to what students have learned in their high school classes. Students are often more comfortable with the ACT as it is based on material that they have been taught already. The ACT furthermore provides test takers with an interest inventory that provides important information for career and educational planning. There is also a student profile section that provides a complete outline of a student's work in high school and his or her plans for the future.
The test covers questions about English, math, science, reading, and an optional writing section. The highest possible score for the ACT is 36. The test takes approximately 3 hours – add an additional 30 minutes for the optional writing section. In 2005 the average composite score for the ACT was 20.9, nationally. And, 2.1 million ACT tests were administered in the 2004-2005 year. In all 50 states, the ACT is administered 5 times throughout the year: in October, December, February, April, and June. The ACT is also offered in September in several states.
The ACT is also a better value than the other college admissions exam. The ACT is a not for profit organization that is governed by educators. Unlike other tests, the ACT offers a comprehensive package that provides an educational assessment and career planning for college bound students at a lower fee. The 2005–2006 basic registration fee is $29.00, which includes sending score reports to up to four colleges. The registration fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $43.00.
Students may take the ACT as often as they wish but only once per national test date. Many students take the test twice, but only 55% of students saw an increase of test scores on the second time around. Of those who took a retest, 22% had no change in their score, and 23% even came up with a lower score.
Melissa Steele is a featured writer for EducationGuys.com. She has been writing about college degrees & trade schools since 2004.
A Hot/Cool Career in HVAC
The need for heating and air-conditioning exists all over the world. Cooling and heating devices help regulate the temperature, humidity, and air quality residential homes, commercial locations, and industrial facilities. The technicians who carry out repairs, maintenance, and installations of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems are often referred to as HVAC technicians or Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning technicians. Opportunities in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration repair and installation are good, especially for those who have formal training, be it through a technical school or as an apprentice. Certification by North American Technician Excellence (http://www.natex.org/) is the standard to become a licensed technician.
Training in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration takes from 6 months to 2 years and can be completed at secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools as well as junior and community colleges. Students in these programs study theory, design, electronics, and equipment construction is studied. Students are taught the fundamentals of installing, maintaining, and repairing systems. Heating and cooling systems are becoming more complex, which is why opportunities for those with training at technical schools or through apprenticeship programs are greater. Many technicians however, still learn on the job as they work.
Students training for this occupation should take classes in computers, mechanical drawing, physics and chemistry, as well as electronics. A familiarity with blueprint reading would also be useful for this career, as would basic knowledge of plumbing. As equipment controls are more regularly used in these systems, basic familiarity of electronics is important as well. Technicians need to keep in mind that their business is service oriented, and customer service is an important part of the job. Technicians need to be polite and tactful when dealing with customers. The ability to climb ladders and lift heavy objects is another aspect of the job not to be overlooked.
Those with formal training in heating and air-conditioning will find the best opportunities in the business. The average hourly wages heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians were $16.78. Though employment projections for this profession are on the rise, if the economy sees a slow down in construction, jobs will suffer. Maintenance and repair however, would keep technicians working regardless of the economy as cooling and heating systems must be kept functioning properly. Year round employment can be expected, as most companies will schedule both installation and maintenance work. Some HVAC companies even require service contracts, which would guarantee work year round.
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