Virtual all-day online conference for MBA aspirants: hosted by beatthegmat.com

Date June 28, 2010

Beat The GMAT is hosting a full-day free conference for “beating GMAT & Beyond” on 7th July, Wednesday.

This conference will be streaming in real-time. And you can attend it virtually from anywhere, online.   You can ask questions to the speakers live by tweeting your questions with the #beatthegmat hashtag.

I’m not sure whether they’d broadcast it and live-stream it online (via webcam?) but I think they should.

Shout out to all those living in San Francisco/bay area especially near San Mateo, you can attend the conference in person, it’s free seminars, free consulting/advice, free opportunity to network & make new friends & of course free lunch. So dont miss this event. Click here to RSVP and attend the conference in person.

The event is arranged in progressive order, first you’ve GMAT prep tip and tricks, GMAT strategies, then applying to b-schools strategy covering most important aspect ie. ‘admission essays’. Then in afternoon, a story of a successful applicant and finally a glimpse of how it feels to be an MBA alum. All in one day free of cost! it’s a complete package that only a foolish can miss.

Here’s the detailed all day agenda for the conference:

July 7, 2010 (All timing mentioned are PST Pacific standard time)

Welcome & Introduction to the Conference
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Speakers: Eric Bahn, Beat The GMAT; Hansoo Lee, Magoosh.com

GMAT Seminar: Brent’s Favorite Tips and Tricks for the GMAT
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Speaker: Brent Hanneson, Leap Education

The Art of a Gripping MBA Goals Essay
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Speaker: Cindy Tokumitsu, Accepted.com

Break
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

How I Got Accepted – Q&A with Class of 2012 MBA Admits
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Speakers: Cara Delzer, Stanford GSB; Charles Shieh, MIT Sloan

Two Critical Steps to Admissions Success: Approaching Essays and Conducting Effective School Research
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Speaker: Stacey Oyler, Clear Admit

From HBS to Yelp.com – My Career Since B-School
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Speakers: Wendy Lim, HBS Class of 2006

Closing Comments
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Speakers: Eric Bahn, Hansoo Lee

Disturbed by spam SMS? Use ‘smsBlocker’ mobile app.

Date June 27, 2010

Pune based mobile application development firm Optinno Mobitech Pvt.  Ltd today announced the launch of a unique mobile application ‘smsBlocker’. True to its  name, it is an innovative mobile application that can be a savior for millions of cellphone  users who are frustrated due to incessant spam SMS. smsBlocker gives you the options to  block unwanted SMS with various filter levels. What is most interesting and unique is  smsBlocker’s ability to automatically block the cunning spam SMS. So you just  need to install and set smsBlocker in your mobile and that’s it! smsBlocker works so well that  looking at the Block logs will surprise you with its amazing efficiency and intelligence.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Sagar Bedmutha, Founder and CEO, Optinno Mobitech  Pvt. Ltd. said, “smsBlocker effectively empowers you and gives you full control on what SMS  you receive. There are sincere efforts taken by the telecom regulators. However, mobile  spammers always find ways to bypass the regulations. That is the reason why you receive  scores of unsolicited SMS.  This is where smsBlocker comes into play. We are certain that  now the mobile users need not get annoyed and disturbed by spam. We take pride in  presenting this ‘first-of- its-kind’, full-proof, innovative mobile application to our valued  customers today.”

In terms of features and at a one time price of just Rs. 99 (USD 2.00), smsBlocker  scores much above than other spam blocking options like operator’s filter services, other  paid applications.  The application is currently developed targeting Nokia phones and can be used on all  Symbian S60 devices.

More information, online purchase options and a FREE Trial version  are available on www.smsBlocker.in

NB: As a launch offer, this application is available absolutely FREE till 28-06-2010.

New section in GMAT -effective from June 2012

Date June 26, 2010

GMAT is introducing a new 30 minutes section named “integrated learning”, removing one of existing AWA section.
A video below provides a sneak peek from GMAC, the makers of the GMAT. The changes will be effective from June 2012.

If you want further updates, follow the @officialGMAT on twitter or the look for buzz-word #nextgengmat

The news was expected since GMAC made announcement in the conference last year about probable changes in GMAT by 2012. More analysis about the changes later… or maybe I’ll leave it for other bloggers/ GMAT companies.

Back to GMATing, back to blogging

Date June 11, 2010

Oh yeah! You heard it right, which means you can expect me blog about GMAT here more often than earlier. Yes, back to blogging but not on forums, so please do not expect prompt (/any) replies on forum if you PM me.

Few additions/changes in blog: You must have noticed Knewton GMAT’s link in the middle column, yes if you’re interested in joining GMAT   prep course Knewton is the one I recommend. They’re cheapest yet the best in the town. Go get it.

I seriously want to write resources pages, I hope this time around I get more time for this site to add some content.

I also have GMAT FAQ queued up ;-) they’re somewhere around 75 frequently asked questions I would featured in this blog & try to answer clear, short & simple way. I might post them twice a week, maybe. Although I’m not sure when would I start posting it but as I would, I know I may end up writing infinite no. of FAQ posts … so I should stop myself at 75. All in all, expect this blog to be regularly updated with fresh content.

Brief bio about me

Date May 19, 2010

In filling some form I was asked to write a brief bio about me…   I really liked what I’d written there. So I am sharing it here. I never wrote seriously about me anyways so here it goes….

Pranav juggles many roles at a time. He is engineer by profession and has setup a bootstrap startup engineering firm with his friends. While staying at village, believing in decentralisation philosophy, he looks after his retiring father’s fabrication workshop and agricultural farm.
He’s webmaster by hobby and blogs about GMAT and general stuff occasionally. His interest lies in social enterprises, government schemes/initiatives for social change, ^going green^, magazines and internet (& yes! web 2.0). In past time he designs/makes useful articles by re-using useless trash. follow him on twitter @johnycage

Man! am I getting self-obsessed? or have already become one? :P

Scholarship for GMAT prep and fees, by BeatTheGMAT.

Date May 17, 2010

Albeit bit late in posting this information about the on-going scholarship for GMAT studies and fees by BeatTheGMAT.com, I am glad that I could get time to publish it before its last date.
Just last few days remain of famous, annual Beat The GMAT scholarship. Submit it before 20th May.

You’ve two essay questions as usual
1.> why do you deserve this scholarship (500 words)
2.> Why do you want to go to the Business school (300 words)
and an optional essay
3.> Are there any special circumstances you want us to consider?

Everything is same like earlier scholarships, except prizes, sponsors & the juries. This time around there’ll be NO first or second rank winner but general six winners. As all prizes are more or less has equal value. Prizes include full GMAT registration fees ($250) & a full fledged coaching from one of six sponsors, based on the choice of the applicant.
Sponsors are: Grockit, Kaplan, Knewton, Manhattan GMAT, Princeton Review & Veritas Prep.
Winners will get GMAT registration voucher worth $250. Yes, so all you guys wondering how to avail GMAT coupons or GMAT vouchers, here’s your chance- apply for GMAT scholarship and get it free from BeatTheGMAT!

What are you waiting for?
Submit your Scholarship application before the due date.(20th May 2010)