I was working in Investment Banking at the time, so needless to say I worked long hours and had to squeeze in GMAT prep at nights and occasional free weekends. Turns out chatting at the water cooler actually does help, because little did I know, a colleague in a different division was also in the same boat as I. So we decided to become study buddies and met up three times a week.

During our very first session we realized that our skills complemented each other’s. While I was strong in the Verbal Section, he was a Quant Guru who needed to improve his sentence correction and reading comprehension. Together, we tackled almost every OG question successfully. More importantly, through discussion we were able to flesh out sound reasoning that related back to the basic concepts, which we could then hone individually.

My time management improved and I became more efficient. Where I used to slip in an episode or two of 30 Rock during my numerous breaks and shamelessly still kudos myself on a hard night’s work, I could now get some much needed sleep rather than dream about Liz & Tracy. I stopped procrastinating! Once we established our study routine it was easier not to slack as we had preset breaks where we would discuss mistakes and doubts.

Most importantly, and most of you can sympathize with this, I got the motivation I needed to study. At times it really can get pretty difficult to solve those OG problems and read through the Manhattan GMAT Verbal books, there are 6 of them. But, by meeting at different locations such as coffee shops, local libraries and small eateries it became more social and just that little less painful. At least I wasn’t cooped up alone in my room late at night all the time. Funnily enough, studying with a partner also helped me study better individually as I wanted to prep better for our next session.

Studying with a partner also instilled in me that sense of accountability. I did not want to be the one who had not done the problems we assigned ourselves, and let down the team so to speak.  It would have also been a pretty unproductive session had I done that.

This experience made us both realise the importance of studying with a partner, someone who has a similar background to mine or whose work and study schedule are in sync with mine. That is thrwhy we started StudyPal.co, where you can find a StudyPal or a StudyGuru in your city studying for the same test as you.

-Akkshay Chugh
CEO, StudyPal.co

Join Us and lets change the way people study. To find a study partner near you, sign up at www.studypal.co today!

With CET just a month away we wanted to share a few study tips coming straight from our experts who have been there done that.

TIP #1: Focus:

Before you start to pick up those huge books and start to scribble just wait there. First things first, set the environment where you study. Today we live in the world with numerous distractions and our addiction towards smartphones and those apps are great time killers. So just shut it. Remain focussed and start with a goal in mind “to get into a top B-school”.

#determination #dedication

TIP #2 Basics:

Get through the basics quickly, remember the difficulty level of the questions is very low in CET so get through the syllabus. You have been doing it for a year or so now, so this should not take time. The syllabus is very basic with most of the concepts taken from the 10^th grade.

#revision #syllabus

TIP #3 Study with a pal:

Studying together with someone who is going to take CET is quite helpful. You can discuss your doubts, challenge each other and work together to achieve the common goal. If you haven’t found one yet, you’ll surely find one at Studypal.co

#teaming-up #Study-partner

TIP #4 Speed and Mocks:

CET is a time based exam. You need to work hard to improve your speed of solving and calculating. You may gain it by doing speed drills, just set the time and always better it. Vedic maths may also help. You should be able to solve a question in about 30-35 seconds. We recommend you to at least take 20 mock exams so that you get the timing right. If you haven’t started on your mocks yet just log on to oliveboard.com and start taking mock exams.

#30seconds #mocks

Final Tip:

Remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision and eat healthy.

Good luck!

Do first things first.

Prior to starting the preparation for CFA, make a study plan. Find a study partner for the CFA on www.studypal.co. A study partner for the CFA is very beneficial to keep you motivated throughout your CFA journey. Study plan and discipline in adhering to it is a must in case you wish to pass the exam. You can use tools like TimePrep to help you with strategy and time management and keep you on the track.

Get the best things first.

The second advice would be – start with the most interesting topics. If you like corporate finance more than Quantitative methods, start with Corporate finance. You will finish the first book sooner and this will motivate you for further successes.

Write to memorize.

Take notes – although you may think this is redundant, it may be good for the review phase. Take notes in the books or separately, but try to build a system that will help you review the most important topics and calculating procedures.

Watch out – there are some rules!

Get used to infrastructure – exam questions type (multiple choice, item set & essay), calculator policy (only two types of calculators are permitted), and other rules and procedures. Sooner you get used to these, you will be more successful and calm on the exam.

Repetitio est mater studiorum.

It is hard to memorize so much and reproduce this knowledge in such a short time frame. It is hard to remember all the formulas and concepts. However, repetition can really help you master this amount of content. Focus on the practice problems during repetition. Besides knowledge you gain, this is something that prepares you the best for the exam.

Know your enemy.

Visit the testing centre a day (night) before the exam. Calculate how much time you need to reach the centre. Take into account possible morning rush hour (although the exams are organized on Saturdays and Sundays). Try to eliminate the unnecessary stress prior to the exam.

There is really no secret sauce for passing the exam. You have to learn and practice. However, learning from the experience of other candidates and members, and avoiding some obvious traps, may make you more successful candidate.

Good luck!

Becoming a CFA charter holder gives you a certain level of personal satisfaction. Completing one of the most prestigious and demanding professional programs in business is certainly a distinctive characteristic that should make you proud. As a CFA Charterholder you will be among approximately only 110.000 professionals in the world who share this designation.

CFA Charter will certainly open some doors in the investment/financial industry. It doesn’t mean that you will be instantly promoted at your current workplace, but it definitely makes you a person of choice for lead expert or managerial position. The key competitive advantage compared to your peers is certainly the knowledge you have gained in the process of obtaining the charter. However, do not neglect the opportunity for further education given by CFA charterholders by CFA Institute via magazines regularly shipped to charterholders’ address, as well as other professional programs – education is the lifetime long process.

According to some researches CFA charterholders get better paid jobs than non-CFA charterholders. The connection is probably not linear and the fact that you have the ability to complete such a demanding program also enables you to climb in the corporate organization. However, CFA Charter definitely gives you some bullets for your career talks with your superiors. Your knowledge will be recognized and you will be professionally more satisfied than before.

On the private side, you will have surprisingly more time for private stuff. During preparation for the CFA exams, you wanted to make use of your time as efficiently as possible – you can use TimePrep and also form a study group on StudyPal.co So, if you keep the discipline, after the program, you will have much more free time to spend with your family and friends.

Finally, don’t forget an important thing. CFA charter gives not only benefits but also some requirements. Strict professional and ethical standards oblige you to certain level of professionalism and adherence to the high ethical standards. Make sure you promote and adhere to these standards in your everyday business.

Good luck!

I am often hungrier while writing an article about food rather than while I’m cooking it. Thinking can make us pretty hungry. According to medical researchers, our brain cells need double the energy as the other cells in our body, causing our body to crave food to restore this energy during intellectual activities like test prep.

So if you are preparing for standardized tests and often get the munchies, it is merely your brain insisting on a glucose boost. Sorry to be a damper on a guilt free study binge by stating the obvious, but over-snacking and eating the wrong things during your hunger pangs will certainly be counterproductive. It can cause your brain to get too much glucose and slow down. Not so smart after all!

However, there is nothing better than a healthy snack to keep your mental juices flowing.  So why don’t we make this snack time doubly productive by eating not just healthy but brainy foods too.

There are four main nutritional components that help our brains function to their full potential and even reinforce new brain cells. Here is a list of healthy powder foods that will provide the right nourishment for those long study days.

1. Glucose (carbohydrate) – The energy giver
   
   • Banana smoothies
   • Bean and corn salads
   • Popcorn
   • Lentil soups
   • Whole grain crackers with hummus

    

2. Fatty acids (omega 3-6) – The brain lubricant
   • Smoked salmon or grilled sardine fingers snacks
   • Avocado and chia smoothie
   • Walnuts
   • Cashew nuts
   • Flax seed rich energy bars
   • Tahini (sesame paste) dip

3. Antioxidants – The restorer
   
   • All kinds of berries
   • Spinach soups
   • Steamed garlic broccoli
   • DIY Energy drink: Coconut water with chia seeds
   • A variety of teas

    

4. Amino acids (protein) – The protector
   
   • Grilled fish, meat, liver and tofu snacks
   • Egg white salads
   • Yogurt snacks with honey and flax powder

And here are two simple and quick recipes for you and your study buddy.

AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

Serves – 2 glasses
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 avocado
3 tablespoons chopped dates
5 tablespoons 0% fat greek yogurt
½ cup Soymilk
¾ cup water
2 tablespoons chia seeds

Methods:

Mix the soymilk, water and chia seeds in a glass and leave aside letting the chia seeds absorb the water and fluff up.

Put the avocado, dates and greek yogurt in a blender and blend till they form a smooth paste.

Put the avocado paste in a mixing bowl with the soymilk mix and gently combine the ingredients together with a spatula.

Chill in the refrigerator and drink the cold avocado smoothie during your study break to give your brain a jumpstart!

BEAN SALAD

Serves – 3
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup red beans
½ cup sweet corn
½ cup chopped coriander leaves
¼ cup spring onions
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Dressing:

½ a lime, juiced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika powder
1 teaspoon honey

Method:

Mix together all the ingredients for the dressing and leave aside.
Put the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss till the produce have come together nicely.

Mix in the dressing and serve chilled.

Remember to graze through your study days, eat nutritious snacks and keep it light.

Enjoy!

1. Tell us about CollegePond and its Founders

Collegepond is an online/offline-counseling career guidance, test preparation and admissions counseling outfit. We help talented students achieve their goal of studying at top Universities across the globe. We have guided over 2000 students in obtaining admission to the elite universities in USA, France, NZ, Australia, Singapore, UK and Hong Kong. Our strength lies in highlighting the most optimal path in achieving students’ career ambitions. Our directors are also featured in Education Times regularly.

More information about us can be found on www.collegepond.com.

Suraj Bajaj completed his undergraduate dual degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School and College of Arts & Sciences. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.  Suraj has spent 10 years working at leading investment banks and Big 4 Accounting firms where, in addition to his work responsibilities, he was involved in recruiting new graduates as well as lateral hires.  He has also passed the CPA examination and has written articles for various journals. Over the past seven years, Suraj has been involved in helping aspiring, talented young individuals set their career objectives and develop an action plan to achieve the same. He has guided students in obtaining admission to the elite universities in the US, France, Australia and United Kingdom. Suraj heads Collegepond’s counseling division and works with students to ensure that they are on course to achieve their desired career path.

Jimeet Sanghavi has worked at Citigroup & Bloomberg and has a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Stony Brook University. His spectrum of experience ranges from being an IT Analyst to Key-Account Manager to University Recruiting Captain to Teacher and Faculty Member. He decided to pursue his love of teaching and counseling which he had been doing even from USA over the last 5 years.Thanks to his recruiting efforts, he has an excellent rapport with the Career Centers of these universities which helps gauge the job placement scenarios of different schools every year. Jimeet heads Collegepond’s test preparation division and helps students crack the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and SAT exams.

2. How should students considering GRE start their test prep?

You should approach GRE in a way similar to training for a marathon. You need to build up gradually and be steady throughout. It is unlike a college exam where you take crash courses and study at last minute and scrape through.

GRE is an exam of aptitude as well as your nerves. You need to condition yourself with a lot of mock exams periodically to assess whether your efforts are being reflected in your scores. One simple recommendation to improve your GRE score is to become an avid reader.  By reading, we mean understanding the grammar, contextual reference and word usage and not just skim through a page-turning novel. Also, it is important to brush up your high school algebra and geometry (not trigonometry) and remember the formulas at a bare minimum.

We also recommend studying with a study partner of forming a study group. You can find a GRE study partner at StudyPal.co

3. What are the resources students must use for their GRE test prep?

There are various reference books available in the market and on the internet.  It is important that students utilize the Powerprep material provided by ETS when registering for the exam. It comes with 2 mock exams which are almost a replica of the GRE exam. It is important to thoroughly exhaust the question-set provided in this software.

4. How long does one require to prepare for the GRE?

On average a student requires about 200 hours of study. This encompasses reading, tutoring classes, homework, mock exams, analysis of exams, etc

5. What are your top 4 study tips for students?

(a) Practice is the key. The more you practice the better you become.

(b) More often than not, GRE is more an exam of your grit and confidence than what you know. You need to be confident, not let a difficult question affect your mindset for the next one

(c) Time-management is important. Solving something correctly in the appropriate amount of time is crucial. It is also important to manage your time between your GRE prep, work, & family commitments.

(d) Form a study group; it helps to keep you motivated and on schedule.

Did you study with a partner or by yourself for the GMAT? If yes, why?

I studied by myself for the GMAT as none of my friends were taking it around the same time. At the time of my GMAT prep I was running my start-up Dream11.com and had long working hours, which meant studying at odd hours of the night and squeezing in time on free weekends. I was not able to find a study partner in my city who had a similar educational background and studied during my time preference. More importantly, I would have wanted someone with a similar score & college aspirations as mine but did not have a platform of finding such a study partner.

What resources did you use for the GMAT?

I primarily used Manhattan GMAT books & prep courses as well as Karan Gupta Tutorials

Did you use a college counselor? Which?

While applying to CBS I took advice from ReachIvy

Would it have helped to have a StudyPal in your city to prepare with? Would you have used StudyPal.co?

Yes, it would have helped to keep me motivated and share the load of balancing my work and test prep with another who was going through what I was. Moreover, if the study timings matched and I could find someone who was at a similar level of preparedness to me, I would definitely have used StudyPal.co

Can you provide a few lines on your experience at MBA and life in NYC

Columbia is an awesome fit because its right in the middle of NYC so I have the best of everything – Wall Street, Silicon Alley, Restaurants, Nightlife.

CBS’s strong Entrepreneurship program, focusing on hands-on learning, lends well to learning & growing of my start-up Dream11.com.

Group studying is a common approach used in almost all educational systems around the world. From school to college, students organize themselves in groups for homework and exam preparation. The reason behind the activity is that a group of people is smarter and more productive than an individual.

If you study in a group you will solve problems more efficiently. Sometimes you will contribute to the group and at times the group will clarify certain topics or queries you may have. Teamwork makes the whole process less stressful and more pleasant because you meet people with similar interests and backgrounds who will motivate you to achieve common goals.

A very important aspect of studying is time management. If someone in the team takes care about the progress of the group, the group can leverage on its teamwork and complete the process on time. It is advisable that the entire group has a single agenda and an appointed team member to monitor the progress of the group. This team member should use various time management tools such as TimePrep iOS apps for the CFA Exam to ensure that the team’s goals are met in a timely manner.

While a team approach to studying can yield numerous positive effects you should refrain from excessive socializing, talking about non CFA topics or just networking. The common goal in fact will only help you in staying focused and being sensitive to other team members’ aspirations. You will be encouraged to come prepared  for the study sessions and help the group stay on schedule.

In order to successfully prepare for the CFA exam, we would suggest the following:

• Find a small team of candidates with similar motivation, background and same level of preparedness, on www.StudyPal.co
• Organize either on-line or physical space for study sessions.
• Never meet without an agenda – discussion about certain topics (pages or sections/practice problems).
• Dedicate one person for process/time management in order to be both effective and efficient.
• Ensure the group discipline and manage time carefully.

Good luck!

 TimePrep for CFA