What is a line plot

What is a line plot A line plot is a graphical way of showing data on a number line and above the number line, dots or x marks are placed above a certain number in order to represent the frequency of a certain category or data. A line plot is a simple and an easy way of showing how much data is available for a certain number on the given number line. Line plots are simple to understand and easy to draw to compare various given information. Example 1: Given below is the line plot showing the number of children who made greeting cards. How many children made 2 greeting cards? Number of greeting cards made Given above is the line plot, where x represents the number of children who made certain number of greeting cards. We can clearly see that there are 4 x above number 2 on the number line. So 4 children made 2 greeting cards! Example 2: Given below is the line plot showing the number of children who ate cookies. How many children ate 3 cookies? Number of cookies present Given above is the line plot, where x represents the number of children who ate certain number of cookies. We can clearly see that there are 2 x above number 3 on the number line. So 2 children ate 3 cookies!

Why you should consider management style when choosing your next job - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Why you should consider management style when choosing your next job - Introvert Whisperer Why you should consider management style when choosing your next job A bad manager is one of the most commonly cited reasons for people being unhappy in their jobs. Nobody likes to feel overworked, undervalued, or unappreciated by the person in charge. However, having the right manager can be a very positive thing. The right guiding influence at the right time has been instrumental for plenty of people who have been coached or inspired to achieve great things in their careers. Whilst you cannot cherry-pick your perfect manager, most of us have at least some idea of how we like to be managed. I’ll run through a few different types of management styles, then offer some practical advice on how to make the right choice. 1. The hands-on motivator style This management style works best for people who like having someone else there to provide drive and structure.  Perhaps you struggle with self-motivation, or simply find it reassuring to know that somebody more experienced is nearby for help if things go wrong. The only problem with this style is when it goes too far and descends into micromanagement â€" nobody likes to feel like they’re under the thumb or not trusted to do their job. As you become more confident in your own abilities in a new role, you may want your manager to take a step back and give you space to develop. 2. The guiding mentor style Everyone learns from experience, and even those of us who prefer to work independently had to learn some skills from others. A guiding and mentoring manager could be a fast-track route to becoming highly skilled in your chosen career â€" if you’re willing to learn from them and take their advice. You need to be able to react well to constructive criticism and be open to learning from others for this to be a good option. Some prefer having the space to make their own mistakes and learn in that way, which is fine too. Most people have at least some worthy advice of life experience to offer though, so don’t be too quick to rule out working with someone who is keen to help you grow. 3. The keep your distance style Perhaps you’re the type of person who prefers to get on with things independently, and the idea of somebody keeping an eye on your work at all is stressful. This was always the category I found myself in when working office-based jobs â€" I always wanted to get on with things and then only ask for help if I needed it. Bear in mind that this kind of relationship with a manager is built on trust, so that trust will usually have to be earned over time. It’s not always realistic to expect to be trusted to work independently straight from the first day. You’ll also need to be proactive when seeking help and constructive feedback from this type of manager, and be a good judge of when it’s the right time to ask for help. 4. The nowhere to be seen style Maybe in your eyes, the best manager is one that is never seen at all. I’ve worked for people who are barely in the country, let alone the office. Whilst this may sound appealing, but keep in mind that if something does go wrong, the responsibility will likely be on your head. It’s also worth considering that it’s very hard to build a meaningful relationship with a manager like this, so when it comes to wanting something from them or needing their support, you may not be in the strongest position. 5. What about yourself? With so much work moving online, it is easier than ever for people to have successful and fulfilling self-employed careers. The pros and cons of being self-employed is a whole other discussion in itself, but for the purpose of this topic, it’s worth remembering that you’re never truly without a boss. You’ll still have clients, some of whom can be just as demanding and picky as any traditional manager. You can have a lot more control over who you work for, although in the early days you may find yourself working for whoever is willing to pay. How can you know what your manager will be like in advance of starting? You may be thinking this is all fine and good, but how do I know what my manager will be like before I actually start working for him/her? Interviews are stressful, so people often forget that they’re supposed to be a two-way street. You need to find out if a role is right you, so this a valuable time to ask about management styles. Here are some examples of questions you could ask at the end of an interview: How do you feel the company values are reflected in the style of management? Would you describe the management style as consistent across senior staff, or do people tend to have their own styles of managing? Is the day to day management of staff more hands-on or hands-off in your opinion? I also always suggest that interviewees reach out to employees working at their level because they will tend to get honest answers. The last company I worked for arranged some 10-minute chats with employees at my level after the official interview, which were far more useful for judging the office atmosphere. Another thing to remember is that there will be more choice in a bigger organisation. If you’re relatively junior it might be possible to swap teams or managers if it’s not working out, or try out a few areas of the business before you find the manager you really click with. In a small business, you will not have that level of flexibility, so be sure you like the style of leadership and management before accepting a job in a small team. Final thoughts I’ve had some good managers and some bad managers. The thing is though, what made them good or bad for me might be the complete opposite for you. Make sure you know what management style suits you best, and keep that in mind when choosing your next role. Author Bio:

How to Find Dance Classes in London

How to Find Dance Classes in London All about Dancing in London ChaptersTaking Lessons in one of London’s Dance AcademiesHop in the Social Dancing Scene in LondonTaking a Dance Class in your Local CommunityLeap into a Professional Dance Career in LondonTune your Dancing with a Private TutorOn Superprof dance classes cost on average £20 per hour“Dance is the movement of the universe concentrated in an individual.” Isadora DuncanThere is no better place than London to begin a form of dance, even if you think you have two left feet, or to perfect your technical skills. In the shadow of the world-renowned West End and Royal Ballet, have flourished strongly rooted institutions for education as a professional dancer, and also an active crowd of dance amateurs.The British capital’s impressive multiculturality offers a variety of disciplines to choose from. No doubt a dancer in London is never left without a dance class to try. No matter your skill level, teachers that are passionate about their art and transmitting their knowledge will have you twirling around light as a feather in no time.Beyond ballet, there are  many more dance style you can learn. (Source: Unsplash).So take advantage of the capital’s rich dance culture and discover the next style to dance up a storm! SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTaking Lessons in one of London’s Dance AcademiesMany dance schools all over London offer classes for everyone, from beginner to advanced levels. Quality tutorship and accessibility describe the dance teaching in the capital, whether it is classic ballet or Bellydance you will be skipping to the next class.To choose the right kind of dance classes near me for you to begin with evaluating your expectations. Are you looking to put down the solid bases for a professional career complete with serious dance instruction? This means registering for a dance program which will probably affect your lifestyle and routine.Or are you simply interested in improving coordination and challenging yourself with a new dance style a couple of hours a week? Having fun while learning something new is one of the main reasons why people attend dancing classes.Be it alone, with a group of friends or as a couple, dance lessons open you up to a world of creativity and physical transformation. Talented teachers, often professional dancers themselves, guide you towards a stronger more flexible body, a graceful posture and greater physical confidence.There are multiple health benefits of dance. First off any type of dance will connect you to your body, you’ll notice muscles you thought you never had. Between cardio work and stretching for flexibility, your body will thank you for taking care of it now but also for the rest of your lifetime. A strong and balanced physical shape is sure to age better and help you through the challenges of the chaotic London lifestyle.The intellectual benefits of the learning process are numerous. When learning how to dance, the brain is stimulated by several actions like memorising the choreography, matching coordination to musicality and boosting muscle memory.Dance and its potential for creative expression is also a great ally against high-stress levels. Forget about your worries during your dance lessons and you’ll see how much better you feel afterwards. In very little time you’ll notice a shift with more energy and a positive outlook on things.Dance improves body movement and frees up creativity. (Source: Unspla sh).Each dance school will have its own pedagogical approach, studio set-up and roster of teachers. Some places offer a wide variety of classes all focused on exercise and fun while others are recognised for a high level of teaching for one particular dance genre like hip-hop or Latin. So if you are looking to sharpen your dance skills the later might be the best choice for you.Find below a selection of dance schools with specific areas of expertise:Formal professional training at  Royal Academy of Dance (Battersea, SW)Classical at London Russian Ballet School (Clapham)Tap dance at City Academy (Rosebery Avenue)Dance exercise at Zumba Fitness London (Fulham)Dancehall at At Your Beat (Elephant and Castle)Swing Dance at Swing Patrol (all over London and Brighton)Music video and commercial dance at Frame Studios (locations in King’s Cross and Shoreditch, EC)Pole dance at Pole People (Barbican)Or if you're closer to the midlands, take a look at learning to dance in Birmingham.Hop in the Social Dancing Scene in LondonYou’ve mastered the steps, now you need to take the floor and practice, we’ve got some suggestions for dance meetups near you. Is there a better way to make new friends, twisting and shimmying with other fun-loving dancers in a social and relaxed community atmosphere? The venues are stellar and the floorcraft wild, time to jump into the London scene of dance aficionados!Join Tango Terra in the heart of Covent Garden for an introduction to the Argentine art. Learn the steps with other clueless people here to have a laugh and a jig, a great way to break the ice and socialise. Stay for the milonga after your class, which translates as a tango dance party, and let loose to the sensual sounds of the live band.Looking to moonwalk back in time with some jive dancing? Jive me to the Moon is a joyful and friendly group. Tunes from the fifties and sixties blasting you’ll soon find yourself spinning on the dancefloor kicking those heels as fast as you ca n. No dance partner is required, so you can show up alone, you’ll be sure to have a laugh and be less likely to step on your partner’s toes at your next social bash!Skip over to more dance parties around London:Kaliente Friday at Salsa! Temple (Embankment)Lindy Hop with Swing Out Loud (all over London)Sundays at the Rivoli Ballroom (Camberwell)Tea Dance at the Waldorf Hilton (Aldwych)Connect with people and make new friends at a dance party. (Source: Unsplash).“There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.”Edwin Denby SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!D iscover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTaking a Dance Class in your Local CommunityIn London, there are opportunities to learn dance at every corner, true story! Local culture centres and organisations are there to guide you in motion. These groups focus their resources and energy on one region or type of dance to best support talent and initiatives. Nurturing creativity and musicality through the community is their mission. Often touching upon inclusion and the celebration of cultures, these groups inspire audiences.Dancers wishing to develop a unique style and join a strong community will enjoy these less conventional opportunities to learn how to dance. They are also a great set-up to meet new people.For example, East London Dance brings the craft to Londoners from all walks of life and all ages. An organisation like this one contribute to shaping the communi ty and creating bonds between citizens. The ambitious group believes that everyone should have access to dance, they seek out talent and help young dancers hone their skills to become successful young professionals.Find a fantastic dance community near you:Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) (Clerkenwell)Arts Community Exchange (Streatham Hill)Akademi â€" South Asian Dance UK (Hampstead)Ballet Independents’ Group (BIG) (Hammersmith)Japanese Butoh Dance (South Hackney)Dance Richmond (Richmond)Find dance classes near me.Leap into a Professional Dance Career in LondonHave you been practising your pirouettes and arabesques dreaming of prima ballerina heights? The big smoke has all the best dance academies to build a career in dance, now is your chance to seize the opportunity to train at the UK’s best institutions for the performing arts.Dance connects the body to the mind and brings people together. (Source: Unsplash).The rigorous training and discipline required up on embarking on a full-time dance course will teach your body precision and purpose in each movement. When you come out of this type of training, dance is marked into your core. You’re attitude and allure will unmistakably derive from the art of movement.Dance schools with full-time tuition do not only offer intensive training and stellar infrastructure, but also opportunities to perform at higher levels and with more regularity than an informal drop-in style format. All dance academies are linked to a company, whether it is in-house or a touring group, so you’ll have the chance to rub shoulders with seasoned dancers. Observing the best performers in real life, and understanding the way they have crafted their talent into a distinct signature, is a major part of professional dance training.The following dance academies to get your recital ready:City Academy (Clerkenwell)Pineapple Dance Studios (Covent Garden)London Contemporary Dance School at The Place (Saint Pancras)Kingston U niversity (Kingston upon Thames)Or if you live in Scotland, take a look at dance classes in Glasgow.Tune your Dancing with a Private TutorIf busy classes and a rigorous class schedule aren’t for you, then why not book a private lesson with a tutor? Thanks to a professional’s undivided attention will have you mastering the steps and moves of a bachata or a tap dance routine that’ll make Fred Astaire look like a novice.Private classes are a huge help to students, wishing to rapidly grow as a dancer. Since every class will be entirely focused on you, the dance instructor will easily pinpoint what needs smoothing out and any aspects you are having difficulties with. Finding a great private tutor with the right pedagogical approach and a sense of humour is sure to do wonders for anyone with a career ambition.Many professionally trained dancers offer private tuition during their downtime, these passionate individuals will be very happy to share their experience and knowledge of danc e as a way of life. Just be aware of whether the teacher has a studio or can travel to you. Also, prices may vary according to the level of teaching you require and whether you purchase a group of classes or are looking for a single session.Have a professional audition to rehearse for or looking to master a dance style ahead of an important social event? Are you getting married and feeling nervous ahead of the traditional couple’s dance? A ballroom dance instructor will give you the right tips to flawlessly perform your choreography. That’s one less thing to fret about!Is London too far away? Check out dance classes in Manchester.On Superprof dance classes cost on average £20 per hourOur dance teachers give a detailed account of their abilities and expertise. Some have been teaching at a high level for a decade while others specialise in newer dance forms like dancersize and commercial urban dance.Many cater to all levels but you will also find those who specialise in dance sch ool auditions. With our roster of teachers, you are sure to find the right one for you whether it’s choreography or headspins you are looking to have down like a pro.Whether it’s Argentine Tango, Bellydance, jazz dance or lyrical, London has it all for you to put your best dancing foot forward!Northerners may be interested in dance lessons in Leeds.

What is it Like to Attend Middle Tennessee State University

What is it Like to Attend Middle Tennessee State University Kenis a current senior at Middle Tennessee State University. He is majoring in general science, and specializes in elementary math tutoring and life sciences tutoring. Below, he shares his experience at Middle Tennessee State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Ken: Middle Tennessee State Universitys campus is set in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The campus has plenty of places for commuter students to park, but you have to get there early to get a spot since close lots tend to fill up fast. The campus is more rural than urban. Even though the town is growing, MTSU is still a bit of a drive away from the malls and shops that Murfreesboro has to offer. MTSU offers a campus chauffeuring service, where two or more students walk a student who called the service safely to their destination. Overall, MTSU is pretty safe. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Ken:Most professors and TAs are easy to get ahold of, but every now and then you will get a commuter teacher who only stays on campus for as long as he or she teaches. The advisors are always available, until the last month of the semester when scheduling becomes a hassle because they are very busy. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Ken:There is always something going on at MTSU. The rooms on campus range from home away from home to this is where I sleep and thats about it. The food on campus is mostly fast food restaurants, like Subway or Panda Express, but MTSU also offers two dining halls that have their own home-cooked menus and daily specials. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Ken:MTSU is known in the aerospace and recording industry, but also has an up-and-coming chemistry and biology department. I am a general sciences major, and the newly built science building was a huge improvement to my studies. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Ken:If you join a club, it is incredibly easy to make friends. Personally, I joined MTSUs Band of Blue and made some friends for life. I was also a part of the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega for a few years and met my roommates and best friends there. If you are looking to meet new friends, its easy at MTSU. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Ken:Although they offer career days at MTSU, I have never had the opportunity to attend. However, student services is very good on campus and helps students with many things. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Ken:There are a million different places on campus to studyfrom the library, to outside on the patio of the student union, to the open spaces of the science building. Describe the surrounding town. Ken:There are a lot of different and interesting things to do in Murfreesborofrom the parks, to the mall, to the golf courses. Murfreesboro is an alright little place to be. What makes Murfreesboro even better is that its only 45minutes away from Nashville, which has everything. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Ken:MTSUs student body is huge. Surprisingly, the class sizes were never too crowded. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Ken:The most recent memory that I had was in my Biochemistry class with my professor Dr. Burden. As we all were beginning the experiment, he stopped us and asked, Does anybody actually know what we are doing? Our class fell silent and looked at him a little confused everyone except me. I continued to measure out the amount of distilled water I needed, and without missing a beat, I said, Science. Dr. Burden and everybody in the lab turned and looked at me. The only thing that broke the silence was our teacher bellowing out a laugh that shook the beakers and he said, Keep this up and youll be my favorite class. Check out Ken'stutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Incorporating Feedback

Incorporating Feedback What is feedback?Feedback is information and advice provided either to help inform current work or to help you reflect on work you have already done. Feedback is an essential element of the learning process. It allows students to reflect on their learning, clarify areas where they can improve, and gain the opportunity to self-assess their skills and capabilities. In education, two types of feedback are recognized: formative and summative. Formative feedback is to help you improve or develop your work while there is still time to make improvements or changes. Summative feedback is information that usually comes at the end of a module or assignment that tells you how you have performed. This could be a grade or could include written feedback, either personal or generic.Read on for some more information about feedback and how it can help students of all ages!What are the benefits of feedback?Feedback is crucial in aiding us to improve the standard of our current work and can help us inf orm our future work. Great feedback can:1. Inform the development of current work: highlight areas to develop or change, provide new ideas, introduce different perspectives 2. Help you improve work for future assessments3. Provide new ideas, create inspiration, inspire a different approach3. Encourage you and help you see unrecognized merit or potential in your own work4. Stimulate independence 5. Develop versatility by informing how you workHow does feedback work?Feedback is part of a process, not an object or commodity. Engaging with feedback is an integral part of your learning, development, and understanding. Feedback comes from a variety of sources both formal and informal. Different sources might be more informed in aspects of technology, theory, and process, but all can expose you to different agendas.How should I incorporate feedback?You will usually need to actively reflect upon and interpret your feedback for it to be effective. You may get conflicting feedback or opinions that leads in different directions. It is your responsibility to decide what to do with feedback: this process should deepen your understanding.First and foremost we need to listen and read through the feedback obtained. Reflect and decide what to do: what changes should be made, what has worked in the past? Follow up with a specific plan! How can we make the most of feedback?1. Prepare 2. Check for clarity: make sure work is clear and clearly presented3. Question yourself: what questions might you be asked? What would you like advice on?4. Check past feedback: don’t repeat the same mistakes5. Listen and applyHow can we prepare for feedback?1. Expectations: what type of feedback are you likely to receive? How much feedback can you expect? 2. Be open to feedback by listening: constructive criticism is helpful3. Give and take feedback: share your ideas/ skills with othersOur tutors excel at helping students develop study habits and test-taking confidence. In a 1-on-1 setting, stude nts can ask questions and receive coaching and explanations in a way that makes sense to them. Please reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about how we can help your student!

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT

How I Gained 260 Points on the GMAT GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Five times.....yes.....five times......I took the GMAT five times for admission to business school. Was there something wrong with me? For a while, I thought there was but now that I look back....Absolutely not.Standardized exams are just one of those things that I've always had to work hard at to score decently. I should have taken a hint when I scored about average on the SATs in high school.My mind just works in mysterious ways and I'm sure that if the GMAT tested for emotionally charged responses, I'd score very well.Regardless, scoring high on the GMAT is definitely possible when you put in the effort to think like a standardized test taker. This involves various pieces of knowledge, logic, systematic thinking, and a lot of practice.So...how does one get there?For me, it was a long road. 2 years to be exact. But it was worth it.For starters, according to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), better known as the guys who make the GMAT exam, about 10% of GMAT retakers obtain a significant gain of 100 points or more.That 10% takes a lot of hard work but with the right attitude, you can accomplish anything! What exactly was the end result for me?A 260 point gain! So yes, it's doable!When you think about it, you have a ton of options to increase your score: self-study, study groups, tutoring, prep courses, and online forums. Which one is thee right one for you is something only you can answer. It will definitely rely on how committed you are, too!I'll share my experience with you after taking the GMAT each time. 1st Attempt When I took the GMAT the first time around, I took it cold. No study guides, no prepping, and some knowledge on what the exam was about. If you had asked me what a data sufficiency question was, I might have given you a deer-in-headlights look! But I bit the bullet and took it. $250 later and a score of a 420, I was a bit short of breath. The feeling of disappointment lasted for a few days and it gave me the motivation I needed to sign up for a Kaplan prep course. I had to start somewhere. I didn't dwell on the score so much. I just got back up and knew what I had to do. Lesson learned? Take a free practice exam on mba.com. Some prep courses such as Manhattan GMAT give a free diagnostic exam. Go to the library, lock yourself up, and take the whole thing. Yes, that includes the writing section. From there, conduct an informal self-assessment and see what your weaknesses are just by looking at the answers you got wrong. Ask yourself whether it was time management, a lack of knowledge or approach that contributed to the questions you answered incorrectly. Although there are a variety of factors involved in answering questions incorrectly, this is a start. Make a plan, and follow it. Whatever you do, don't take the GMAT cold, go for lukewarm. 2nd Attempt Two months later........a 460. A 460?! Blargh! A 40 point increase even after taking a prep course?! Two weeks prior, I had a completed a 6-week Kaplan course at $1,500! I had taken a few of their practice exams and scored okay on some of the exams, definitely nowhere near a 460 though. I was confused. I was also spending over 30 hours working on practice problems. I really wasn't sure what I was doing wrong. But alas, I moved forward. At this point, I knew I was in for a challenge and I was determined to do well on the GMAT. Lesson learned? Now that I look back, the Kaplan prep course was definitely not for me. If you're going to take a live class, make sure it goes at a pace that's suitable for you. Also, try and take a glance at some of the resource materials and get a sense of what you're looking at. I know there are a ton of prep courses out there, but if you've made your mind up, ask around and do some research before you spend that type of money. In my case, I really put in the time and energy but I was missing something and I wasn't sure what that was quite yet. 3rd Attempt Bam! A 530. Okay, I broke the 500 mark but seriously, I was aiming for a top business school and I had my eyes set on MIT Sloan whose average GMAT score was well over 700. At some points, I think I wanted to break down but I kept strong. I spent almost five months studying by myself and using my old Kaplan materials to practice, practice, practice. I was spending 3-4 hours a day during the week and 6-8 hours during the weekends studying. It was pretty intense. I also became aware of other resources such as Beat the GMAT, GMAT Club, and some other websites to read success stories and see where I could improve. Lesson learned? Email other GMAT takers and see what's working for them. Don't spend TOO much time reading and writing on the forums as this can become a full-time job in itself. Reach out to a few folks who are studying and have done well on the GMAT and see what are some of their methods. I definitely learned a few tips that worked for me. At this point, I started to see what I needed to improve my score and I figured I needed another prep course. A good one that would work for me. And that's exactly what I did. 4th Attempt A 580! Woohoo! Okay. I was getting closer. Although it was only a 50 point increase from my previous score, it was a 160 point increase from my 420. I didn't want to spend time really thinking about getting a higher score. I knew I needed one but I just went back to the drawing board and picked up where I left off. Before my fourth attempt, I took an 8-week Manhattan GMAT self-study prep course. I spent less time studying but followed their regimented syllabus which is awesome. Aside using their materials, I was also participating in the forums a little more but I was only interacting with students who were solving questions. I also created my own support group on the Manhattan GMAT website and even set up a study group in my hometown. Here is where I started to really learn a lot. While studying with my study group, I began to realize that I learned best when someone taught me the right way to answer a question. A lot times, things had to be explained to me in various ways before I could understand some of those moderately difficult math and verbal questions. I also became aware that the students in my group were using tutors. Neither of the tutors were affiliated with any major test prep companies, they were general tutors who understood standardized exams. I was a bit hesitant to hire a tutor since I had spent quite a bit of money already. At this point, I was running on fumes since I really had devoted a lot of time and energy to the GMAT. But after seeing positive results come out of other students, I decided to invest one more time. Lesson learned? As you move forward, understand your strengths and weaknesses. How do you learn best? It's more than just going over answers over, and over, and over again. I can't tell you how often I went over incorrect answers over and over again only to get them wrong again later. I wasn't truly understanding how to solve the questions. It's all about your gaining various approaches to answering questions that are commonly asked on the GMAT. Once you know this, you'll start to see a difference. 5th Attempt And the fat lady sang! A 680!By this point, I had decreased the number of study hours studying to 15 a week and had hired a tutor with whom I was meeting once a week. It definitely paid off as I started to see a huge difference in my study habits and diagnostic scores on certain online exams. All along, what I really needed was someone to guide me through various questions in a way that was easy for me to understand. Right from the get go, the tutor understood where I faltered and made sure that I COMPLETELY understood WHY I was getting certain answers wrong. We focused on questions that I guessed on and answers that I answered incorrectly. I was able to see, for instance, that I was spending way too much time trying to answer difficult questions, when in reality, I should have been trying to answer the question and then making an educated guess if I could not answer it in time. I also learned various patterns in questions that were frequently asked - both the verbal and quant sections. My tutor also showed me various techniques and strategies for answering questions quickly when I was on a time crunch. I learned new concepts that I had not picked up in prior prep courses. There are so many ways to solve those math questions, and they're endless ways to interpret a passage; my tutor made sure I understood what the question was really asking. I was also staying away from those emotionally charged answers that got me every time. Lesson learned? The details go beyond this. What I learned most about my tutoring experience was that she understood my way of thinking. We went over my exam history and how my weaknesses lied in the verbal section. Although we spent time on the quant section, we spent more time looking at critical reasoning and reading comprehension. Together, we built strategies and tactics for dealing with the harder questions. I could not have done any of this without a tutor. And had I known this would have been the result when I first started studying for the GMAT, I would have gladly reallocated my funds to hiring a tutor. So before you invest, think about your study habits and learning style. This will help you out tremendously as you venture on a quest to get a high GMAT score. Believe me, a higher GMAT score is definitely possible. A 260 point gain doesn't come out of thin air. It happens when you put in the hard work. It will also depend on how much time you spend doing high-quality studying. There's definitely a psychology to this whole process but if you have dreams, don't let the GMAT get in the way. Knock it down. What about you? Do you have any successes? Have you used a tutor? Your comments are welcome! Please visit our GMAT tutoring page to learn more about how MyGuru and our highly qualified tutors can help you get your best possible score in the most efficient way possible! This was a Guest Post byOscar Pedroso, Founder of MBA Writers Block Here's a bit about Oscar and MBA Writers Block: In October 2011, MBAwritersblock.com was born as a way for me to share my experience of applying to business school. I spentthree yearsand almost$11,000applying to seven top MBA programs. I believe no one should ever have to spend that much money to pursue an education in business. So my first goal is to show you, that with hard work and perseverance, you can tackle the business school writing process by learning how to write powerful essays. My second goal is to turn MBAwritersblock.com into a powerful resource for young professionals applying to business school, online and off, so they can apply intelligently and inexpensively.

Yeah! It`s Friday!!

Yeah! It`s Friday!! Today it`s Friday! I cannot wait for the weekend to come. It`s the last weekend of the summer 2015 and I am planning to spend it at the beach! My husband and I are going to the beautiful Huntington Beach, California. Looks like a nice way to spend the last weekend of summer. Hope it will be sunny! The question to all our tutors  â€"What are your plans for the last weekend of the summer?