The 4 Best Resources to Practice Singing On Your Own

The 4 Best Resources to Practice Singing On Your Own Suzy S. As youre learning to sing, dont forget that often the magic happens while youre practicing by yourself, outside of your lessons! And with  the right  resources available, practicing can be fun! Here, voice teacher  Molly R.  shares 4 of her favorites When you sign up for voice lessons (and if you haven’t yet done so, there are many fabulous voice teachers  to choose from on TakeLessons), you will likely need to purchase sheet music for your solo pieces. But what other resources are essential for making your studies more effective? How can you continue to learn to sing by yourself, when your voice teacher isnt around? Weve showcased a few online resources for singers  on the blog before; now, here are a few more both print and digital resources that you can use to practice singing on your own. 1. Our Singing Lessons Playlist on YouTube Our singing lessons playlist is full of quick, go-to tutorials. With more than 30 videos, you’re not going to be bored! Some of these exercises emphasize breathing, and other skills include dynamics, articulation, and resonance. Expect a wonderful variety here, from basic scales to playful warm-ups with nonsense words and fun phrases! 2. Funky n Fun Vocal Exercises by Kim Chandler These recorded vocal exercises are phenomenal. I use them with all my students young, old, classical singers, pop singers, everyone! They  not only emphasize basic vocal technique, they  help you develop your ear. Ms. Chandler, a seasoned session singer with a wonderful voice, encourages you to trust yourself and “jam” with her over the tracks. Some of them are based on hooks to well-known funk songs. Who wouldn’t love warming up with Stevie Wonder tunes? Some of my students have  liked these exercises  so much that after we use them in lessons, they buy them to use at home or in the car and some even do them with their families. (Yes, they really are  that fun!) You can download these exercises on Kim Chandlers  website or purchase them in CD format. 3. Estelle Liebling’s Vocal Course This couldn’t be a bigger contrast to Ms.  Chandler’s method, since  Estelle Lieblings books  are definitely “old school”! However, I firmly believe that we must cross-train in vocal studies. Ms. Liebling was one of the finest vocal instructors in NYC years ago, and her famous pupils include opera diva Beverly Sills and the great Meryl Streep. Her training is based in bel canto, the European school of beautiful and healthy singing. Most of the emphasis is in singing with a clear and pleasing tone. These books are available on Amazon, and you can purchase the one most appropriate  for your voice type: soprano, mezzo/contralto, tenor, or baritone/bass. If you’re a commercial music type, don’t let the term “classical technique” scare you! The vocal exercises in her books are actually quite simple and will help you develop your voice, too, and help you learn to sing by yourself, in between  your lessons. Your teacher will agree! 4. Easy Warm-Ups by CoreSinging founder Dr. Meribeth Dayme Who says you have to spend a long time warming up? And who says your warm-ups have to be traditional scales? They don’t! Dr. Dayme, founder of CoreSinging, has developed a fun way to warm up your voice anywhere, anytime. These vocal warm-ups are different, because she uses playful sounds (sirens, humming and chewing, silly conversations, etc.) to get everything going. I love doing these myself, as it brings out my inner kid. It doesn’t feel like “work” at all, and my students agree!  These can also be purchased on Amazon for instant download. While there may be a ton of resources to choose from out there, it’s important that you seek out a variety to keep it fresh! Remember that it’s super important to  put in the time to strengthen your technique by yourself, outside of your private voice lessons. With resources as wonderful as these, its easy and fun to learn how to sing! Readers, what other resources do you use to practice singing  by yourself? Leave a comment below! Post Author:  Molly R. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Photo by  Kevin N. Murphy Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

8 Tips to Maximize Your Commute (So You Can Enjoy Every Minute of Summer) - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 8 Tips to Maximize Your Commute (So You Can Enjoy Every Minute of Summer) - Introvert Whisperer 8 Tips to Maximize Your Commute (So You Can Enjoy Every Minute of Summer) Guest Author June 27, 2016 Adaptability, Communication, Emotional Intelligence One response Despite what sitcoms, friends and the people in your daily life want you to believe, commuting can be good for you! Its not a total waste of time, and it shouldnt be a time to feel stressed and unhappy. Whether its on the train, in your car or even on your bike, there are many ways to make the most of your time spent commuting. Turn your daily commute from a frustrating, boring ride into a time of day where you can unwind, think clearly and be yourself! Here are eight tips to hack your commute: Reflect/Unwind Do you have a mental list of goals youd like to accomplish? Sort through which ones need to be addressed for the day during your commute. If an area of your life needs improvement, decide how youll tackle it when youre walking, sitting on the train or driving to work. Your commute can also be your time for rest and relaxation. Allow yourself some time to just chill out for a bit. You need to reenergize so youll be ready to face the next day! Start Your Workday Early Long day full of emails, calls and meetings ahead? If so, give yourself a head start by clocking in before you even reach the office. Answer some emails, make some calls and spend time thinking about your role in the meeting. If you have a presentation, this is the perfect time to rehearse! But maybe your day doesn’t stop there. Dinner reservations, office parties or a night with the kids may await you. Your commute is the perfect time to decide what youll wear to the party or where to take your kids. Learn Something! Why just stare out the window when you can stimulate your brain? Theres an endless amount of information out there, which means theres always something new to learn. You can read some college course materials online, and The Great Courses can be your starting point. You can learn a new language with a quick and fun app like Duolingo, or you can start with something as simple as reading up on your favorite musician on Wikipedia. Power Nap It depends on your commute, but if you can catch a few minutes of shuteye, it will benefit you. Power naps give you an energy boost. 10-15 minutes is all it takes to have a positive impact on your body, leaving you feeling reenergized. Unconvinced? Heres everything you need to know about why naps are awesome. Listen Your favorite band just dropped their new album last night and you HAVE to hear it, front to back. Your friend recently told you to listen to an up-and-coming artist. Use your commute to fully soak in an amazing album or find your latest musical obsession. Not really feeling music on your way to and from work? Audiobooks are still around! Snuggle up with a good book and a soothing voice reading it to you. Read It might be annoying to have someone talking in your ear. Youd rather imagine what youre reading in your own voice. So head to your local library and pick up some good old-fashioned books or magazines. Of course, technology can come to the rescue, too: An e-reader or your phone works just as well. Get Your Social Media Fix Over With Its not necessarily a wise idea to be updating your status or posting a tweet while youre on the job. Temporarily suppress your urge to be a social butterfly by browsing your social media on your commute. Respond to those notifications and check your news feeds now â€" there will always be a brand new set of updates to look forward to when you clock out. Be Inspired! Maybe you have a passion or a hobby that sort of gets stifled by work. Luckily, the things you see and hear on your commute can give you that much-needed spark of creativity. Check out what other people around you are doing. Pay attention to the sights and sounds of your surroundings. They can be the subject of your new poem, song, story or any other creative outlet you practice. Take Your Time Weve all rushed around the house, searching for our lost keys, sunglasses or some other small object. When youre in a rush, youre more likely to be stressed and unhappy. Commuting during less-than-ideal times, like rush hour or long-distance drives, can spike your blood pressure! Leaving early puts you in control. You have time to stop for coffee, take a more scenic route to work or catch up on some reading or social media. If you plan ahead before you leave, youll feel more calm and relaxed on your commute and throughout the day. Sarah Landrum is a business and career writer with a background in Marketing and Economics. Her blog, Punched Clocks, helps professionals find happiness and success in life and at work. Be sure to subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on social media for more great tips! Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

ACT Prep Online Tutor Act Test Prep Online ACT Prep Tutorpace

ACT Prep Online Tutor Act Test Prep Online ACT Prep Tutorpace About ACT When preparing for college many high school students decide to take the ACT test. This is a standardized aptitude test designed to illustrate students skill and mastery of subjects including Math, Critical Reading, and Science Reasoning. The ACT test is important to many students who wants to get in to top college. Preparing for ACT test can be stressful and challenging. A well-prepared student is able to take the ACT with confidence and skill. This is why our ACT tutoring services can be an invaluable resource for students planning on taking the test. Why Choose Tutor Pace? Our ACT online tutoring services are unique. Our approach is highly interactive, versatile and personalized, and our ACT tutors work directly with our students on a one to one basis. By logging into their account the students may speak and work with a dedicated ACT tutor. Our ACT tutoring services are designed to be the most adaptable and accessible of any online tutoring services available. ACT tutoring for 1:1 Support Once a student begins working one on one with his or her own dedicated ACT tutor a diagnostic test is administered in order to determine the students particular strengths and challenges. This diagnostic test helps the tutor in personalizing the ACT tutoring sessions to be the most effective possible. The student and tutor work together through our online whiteboard system while communicating via headset through an audio chat. While other online tutoring services may work through an online whiteboard system, the live audio chat is often excluded and renders the tutoring less effective. Here at Tutor Pace we are dedicated to your childs success and by utilizing audio/video chats in tandem with our whiteboard, our ACT tutoring has proven to be the most effective and adaptable to student needs. Our ACT tutors often utilize sample questions similar to what may be expected on the actual test. By familiarizing the student with the kinds of questions they may expect to encounter our students come to the test already familiar with the format. By working directly one to one with our tutors each of our students are given the full attention of their tutor and our multimedia services maximize effectiveness. This direct one on one tutoring with an ACT specialist provides our students with the tools and resources to be successful on the ACT.

Five Great Ways to Support Students

Five Great Ways to Support Students 0SHARESShare In this age of competition, each student requires to perform at the best to accept the challenges that they are going to face in higher education. The student requires some extra help and support besides school academics. Fortunately, there are lots of options available to support students making subject easier and more enjoyable for you. Private Tutoring: Private tutoring is the most sought by children and their parents for ease and convenience. The tutor identifies weak areas of the student and focus on those areas making them more interesting. The tutor can come to home or may go to another location for tuition. Tutoring at Center: Tutoring centers give tutoring sessions for small groups or give private study lessons. You can register with tutoring center for extra help on the subjects of your difficulties. Some tutoring centers provide help on assignment work, test preparation and practice work on email. The students can get short term and long term teaching solutions with wide range of subjects taught. Group Tutoring: Group tutoring is taken by the group of students for the help to meet the difficulties in specific area on the topic or subject. Either the group of students facing difficulties in particular topic/subject approach potential tutor or a tutor expert in particular topic/subject forms a group of students facing difficulties in that same topic/subject. The group meets specific needs at regular times by group accord. Online Tutoring: Online tutoring is available anytime, anywhere for any need. The student can either find qualified online tutor who independently provide online tutoring or avail tutoring services from online tutoring website. The students can take tutoring of each chapter from the school textbooks, seek help on homework, assignments, test preparation etc. Online tutors offer best help to students who can work on odd hours. Drop-in Tutoring: Drop-in tutoring takes place in school or public libraries where tutor sits in the library to solve student’s difficulties. In college education, the students take library tutoring at defined time for different subjects, typically defined in the class syllabus. [starbox id=admin]

Italian Films You Must See

Italian Films You Must See The Best Italian Films to Learn Italian ChaptersThe Last Kiss (L’ultimo bacio)The Girl by the Lake (La ragazza del lago)The Great BeautyThe Good, the Bad and the UglyLife is Beautiful (La vita è bella)Can you remember your language or  Italian lessons from school? You almost certainly had to listen to recordings or watch videos.  Can you learn Italian in the same way by watching films?Of course, you can! While we’re focusing on Italian in this article, this method can work for any foreign language. If you're an amateur filmmaker or critic, you should combine your love of cinema with your language learning.We’ve picked out the 5 best Italian for beginners films that could help you improve your language skills.You should watch them as follows:Firstly, watch the Italian version of the film with English subtitles.Next, watch the film again with Italian subtitles.Finally, watch the film without any subtitles.This will help you work on your reading comprehension and listening. You’ll also pick up some of the grammar, to o.Of course, you can repeat each step multiple times if you aren’t yet comfortable with moving onto the following step. Make sure you take things at your own pace. If you're watching films to learn Italian online, you have to watch actively. This means that if you don't understand something, don't be afraid to rewind the scene and listen to the same piece of dialogue repeatedly until you understand exactly what they said. You can also keep a notepad next to you and write down words to look up later or make a note of expressions you like.With that said, let’s get back to the 5 films you should watch to improve your Italian. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Dis cover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Last Kiss (L’ultimo bacio)The Last Kiss is a 2001 Italian film directed by Gabriele Muccino. It stars:Stefano AccorsiGiovanna MezzogiornoStefania SandrelliMartina StellaThe original L'Ultimo Bacio is better for your Italian than the remake. (Source: snapwiresnaps.tumblr.com)The Last Kiss was Gabriele Muccino’s 3rd shot at directing and while it didn't take home any Oscars, it did win a number of prizes including five David di Donatello awards which are basically the Italian Oscars, anyway.Best DirectorBest EditingBest SoundBest ProducerBest Supporting Actress (Stefania Sandrelli)NB: There was an American remake of the film also titled “The Last Kiss” starring Zach Braff which wasn't as good.The plot is fairly simple: we follow the story of a couple of 30-somethings in the middle of a crisis. After several years living together, adultery looks set to tear the couple apart.According to critics, the film is a realistic portrayal of modern relationships. You can relate to the characters and their shocking-yet-touching stories.  The film stays away from the trite clichés that tend to plague most films with a romantic plot.You should certainly check it out! You should also check out our list of the most important Italian writers and painters, too.The Girl by the Lake (La ragazza del lago)The Girl by the Lake is Andrea Molaioli’s first feature film. The 2007 film is an adaptation of a novel by the Norwegian author Karin Fossum.It stars:Toni ServilloValeria GolinoFabrizio GifuniAnna BonaiutoOmero AntonuttiIf you like thrillers, you’ll love The Girl by the Lake.The story takes place in a small town in the north of Italy. Anna, a 17-year-old girl, is found drowned by the side of the lake.The film was ba sed on a book by Karin Fossum. (Source: Jonathan Petersson)Other than a blue cover, the girl is completely naked. It seems that the killer put this there.We follow detective Sanzio’s investigation as he attempted to unravel the mystery of the drowned girl. The death of this girl uncovers a lot of secrets.The variety of characters in this film is particularly interesting.  The two suspects said to have been Anna’s lovers despite Anna still seeming to be a virgin.The detective and his family are also fascinating. The detective has neurasthenia and his wife suffers Alzheimer’s, doesn’t recognise their daughter, and is getting worse by the day.The director seems to have used the investigation as a means to introduce us to the interesting people in the film.The film took home 10 David di Donatello awards including:Best FilmBest Actor (Toni Servillo)Best DirectorBest New DirectorBest ScreenplayBest ProducerBest CinematographyBest SoundBest EditingBest Visual EffectsYou can learn m ore about this film on IMdB. DanielaItalian Teacher 5.00 (9) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LuciaItalian Teacher 5.00 (4) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarilùItalian Teacher 5.00 (8) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarcoItalian Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GiusyItalian Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EnricoItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FedericaItalian Teacher 5.00 (2) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Great BeautyThe Great Beauty was directed by Paolo Sorrentino in 2013. It stars Toni Servillo, Carlo Verdone, and Sabrina Ferilli.When it comes to dramatic comedies, you have to watch The Great Beauty.In addition to being nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for the Palme d'Or, this masterpiece won plenty of awards, including:The Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign FilmBAFTA for Best Film not in the English LanguageBest European Film at the Cinema Bloggers Awards in PortugalBest Foreign Language Film at the Golden GlobesBest European Film at the Cinema Bloggers Awards in PortugalDavid di Donatello Award for Best Actor (Toni Servillo)David di Donatello Award for Best DirectorDavid di Donatello Award for Best EditingWe obviously can’t mention them all!This film takes place in Rome and follows the story of Jep Gambardella, an ageing writer who still remains popular and influential in Roman high society.  As a leading socialite, he enjoys Rome's dolce vita and attends all the parties in the city. This is all thanks to his one and only novel. On his 65th birthday, he starts looking for meaning in his life.Loved by critics and viewers alike, The Great Beauty is a mesmerising and witty film.  The protagonist is a modern-day Casanova trying to escape the superficial world of socialites he lives in.The film beautifully portra ys its main character the way the city of Rome has been filmed is incredible.The characters are funny, moving, proud, miserable, and lively at the same time.In short: The Great Beauty is a masterpiece of Italian cinema.You can find out more about the film on IMDb.The Good, the Bad and the UglyItalian filmmaking was at its peak in the 1960s and this film is a fine example of the popular Spaghetti Western movies of the time.Italian directors helped define a genre. (Source: Urbex Clan)Thanks to Sergio Leone’s cinematography, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is timeless. The kind of film you can watch again and again and again.All the actors in the film speak their mother tongues: Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef speak English while Eli Wallach speaks Italian.This means that some people will think that it’s an English film. Others will say it’s an Italian film. Either way, the director was Italian and it’s not hard to find an Italian version of the film.Released in 1966, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is famous for being one of the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time. It’s the last film in the Dollars Trilogy.The film takes place during the American Civil War. Three gunslingers are looking for a hidden treasure: Two of them have important information about where the treasure is buried. One is a bloodthirsty brute who’s willing to do anything it takes.Whether you like Westerns or not, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a masterpiece that you should watch at least once in your life.Excellent dialogue, brilliant music, and a fantastic cast: the film’s a masterpiece.Find out more about the film on IMDb.Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella)Let’s finish with one of Italian cinema’s most moving pieces: La vita è bella.The film came out in 1998 and was directed by and stars Roberto Benigni (is he one of our 16 famous Italians?) and is both a drama and a comedy.We find ourselves in 1939 at the start of the Second World War and Italy under the control of a fa scist government. Since they’re Jewish, Guido and his son are deported to a German concentration camp.Since the protagonist is an optimist, he does everything he can to convince his son that they’re playing a game. This is to hide him from the horrors of the concentration camp.The prize in the fictional game is a tank. (Source: skitterphoto.com)As funny as it is tragic, La vita è bella is a film that you have to see. It’s the kind of film you can watch again and again and critically acclaimed.Find out more on IMDb.Of course, this isn’t every single Italian film you should watch. There are plenty of both older and newer films that you can watch if you’d like to improve your Italian. Whether you like a thriller or or a comedy, there'll be an Italian film director you should check out.However, these 5 are films you should watch as soon as you can. You can kill two birds with one stone by watching a critically-acclaimed films while improving your Italian.Why not learn more wi th Italian tutorials and learn more about Italian culture?Soon you’ll be speaking Italian fluently!Check out Superprof to find your ideal private tutor to help you master the Italian language:Italian lessons LeedsItalian courses LondonLearn Italian online

Improve your Vocabulary English Words and Phrases connected to Winter

Improve your Vocabulary English Words and Phrases connected to Winter When you hear the word winter what do you normally think of? The most common English words and phrases connected to winter are snow, Santa, Christmas, dark  nights, wrap up warm, hot chocolate.Well, we are here again and what a quick year it has been! The clocks go back  (the time is  adjusted to winter time), depending on what part of the world you are in, on Saturday night/Sunday  morning (28th /29th October) so we will now be faced with  (you will now experience) dark evenings as  the nights close in  (days become shorter and the nights become longer) and winter begins.The  upside  (advantage) for many is that we enjoy an extra hour in bed! So all is not so bad!We usually have many jobs to do to get ready for the winter.For me I have to get out  (take out of  storage) the winter clothes.Put away  (put into storage) the summer tee-shirts and shorts replace  them with warm jumpers, shirts and thick socks. The winter hat and heavy coat are also ready and in  case we have early snow o r lots of rain the winter boots are also cleaned.The heating will be turned on in most rooms and the radiators checked to make sure they are  working. I have already switched  (changed) my breakfast so I am now enjoying a warm bowl of  porridge with honey instead of the muesli I eat during the summer.The car is also checked and again depending on where you live you may be considering putting on  your winter tyres. This can be a little troublesome  (difficult).You have to take the spare wheels/tyres  from the balcony or storage room, pack them into the car and then go to the service station to get  them changed. This involves waiting in line (queuing for a while) until it is your turn.Of course, if  you are really well prepared you might have made an appointment  (fixed time) and so avoid  standing in line too long. Once the car is checked and the wheels changed you are all set. Thoughts  then switch to a winter holiday perhaps? English Idioms connected to Winter Here are some useful English words and phrases connected to winter:CHILL OUT   We use this when we want to relax or unwind after a difficult day.ex. I love to chill out in front  of a warm fire and a glass of wine.SNOWED UNDER   Used to refer to the fact we have lots to do and have no time for anything else.ex. I  would love to go to the match with you but I am snowed under at work and have no time.PUT IT ON ICE When we want to delay something for a little while.ex. That idea is great but we do not  have time to do it now. Can we put it on ice until the new year?ON THIN ICE   Where you are in a little bit of trouble,not sure of your point or at risk of making a  mistake.ex. He had missed his wife’s birthday as he was on a business trip,if he missed their anniversary  he would be on very thin ice!TO WRAP UP WARM   To put on warm clothes (hat, scarf, gloves) against the chill of winter.ex. Its cold outside, wrap up warm!Don’t forget your personal check up. Vitamins and exercise ar e essential for a healthy winter. English Words and Phrases connected to Winter English Vocabulary Words the clocks go back the time is adjusted to winter time to be faced with to experience somethingthe nights close in days become shorter and the nights become longerupside -advantageto get out take out of storageto put away put into storageto switch to changetroublesome difficultwaiting in line queuing for a whileappointment fixed time

Executive Assessment (EA) Exam vs. GMAT Pros, Cons, and Considerations

Executive Assessment (EA) Exam vs. GMAT Pros, Cons, and Considerations GMAT MBA Admissions Blog If you are targeting EMBA programs, the Executive Assessment exam may be your best option. Executive MBA (EMBA) programs are for experienced professionals looking to earn an MBA without taking a full two years off. Traditional or part-time MBA programs are generally for less experienced, typically younger professionals. They can be structured as full-time one or two-year programs, or as part-time programs that take 3-5 years to complete. But when it comes to considering whether to take the Executive Assessment exam or the GMAT, you only have a choice if you are considering an EMBA program. Full time MBA programs require the GMAT or GRE (although some less selective programs don’t require an entrance exam at all). And although many EMBA programs require admission test results, but there are some top programs that do not. For those that do, prospective EMBA students have a choice of three testsâ€"theGMAT, theGRE, and the Executive Assessment (EA). Because we have been receiving increasing interest in Executive Assessment exam tutoring and it is closely related to the GMAT,in this article we’ll explore the differences between the GMAT and the EA exam. When did the EA exam become an option for EMBA students? If you were considering an MBA or an EMBA a few years ago and then decided to hold off, you may be surprised to learn about the EA exam upon recently returning to the process of test prep and graduate school admissions. The Executive Assessment exam is very new. It was developed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the same organizationthat administers the GMAT, in partnership with a several business schools. The basic premise of developing the EA exam was to create a standardized test that would primarily measure academic readiness and find a way to consider the type of knowledge that real-world experience provides. Here are some dimensions to consider when you compare the GMAT to the Executive Assessment (EA) exam. It might be fair to think of the EA exam as “GMAT-lite.” The fact the EA measures readiness and the fact it is shorter can create the impression that the EA is easier than the GMAT. But the content is essentially the same. This is the position of GMAC.org, and they created and administer the exam, so it’s probably basically true. Certainly, all available evidence and opinions I could find suggest that the verbal section and the integrated reasoning section are the same. It may be the case that the quantitative section is slightly easier, but that’s more opinion than fact. Key points of comparison include: Applicability.As mentioned above, you can take the GMAT and still be in the running to apply to traditional MBA programs as well as EMBA programs. The EA is only applicable to EMBA program applicants. Verbal section difficulty. Theverbal section on the EA seems similar in difficulty to the GMAT, with similar percentages of Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Sentence Correction questions. Quantitative section difficulty.On the quant side, there is no geometry in the EA. Aside from that, the quant content is supposedly the same. However, some sources suggest that more difficult quant concepts of probability, statistics, and combinatorics are less common on the Executive Assessment. Integrated reason and AWA Essay sections. The GMAT has both. While the EA exam has ann integrated reasoning section that is the same as the GMAT, it has no AWA essay. Length.The EA is shorter. It takes approximately 90 minutes, while the GMAT takes approximately 180. This is achieved by halving the number of questions and time required for verbal and quant and removing the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section. The reason for this is that the EA measures readiness vs. endeavouring to create a distribution in scores such that some students rise to the top while others fall. Competition for EMBA programs is less fierce, so schools don’t have to be as selective with candidates. Computer adaptivity.The GMAT and the EA are both computer adaptive tests (questions become harder or easier based on if you get the question right or wrong). But the GMAT gets harder or easier after every question (item adaptive), while the EA changes after a block of seven questions (section adaptive). Preparation time.Given the above, it should take less time to prepare for the EA than the GMAT. At a minimum, there is no AWA essay section to prepare for. EA Exam vs. GMAT: Conclusion If you are considering both regular full-time MBA programs and EMBA options, you should take the GMAT, as this leaves options open. If you are focused on EMBAprograms, and those programs state a preference, you should follow that preference. For example, Booth’s EMBA program prefers the EA exam, while Penn prefers the GMAT. Again, if a preference is stated, you should heed it. If the schools you are targeting have no preference, given its length and angle towards EMBA applicants, you should strongly consider the Executive Assessment exam.

How to Prep for a College Job Fair

How to Prep for a College Job Fair via pixabay.com 1. Bring several copies of your resume. One of the most important things you can bring with you to a job fair is your resume. This piece of paper is something you can put in the hands of those who are hiring so they can remember you later on. Make sure youve edited your resume multiple times and gotten several opinions on formatting, use of verbs, and organization. Your schools career center will likely have professionals who dedicate their daily lives to reading college student resumes and aiding in the job search. Before you attend your college job fair, make sure your resume is as close to perfect as possible. Writing a resume can be challenging and intimidating. Its tough to know what your industry expects, and there are way too many online templates to choose from. Research tips on  making your resume stand out  to human resources managers prior to completing and printing out several copies of your resume. 2. Dress appropriately. When you attend a job fair, youre making a first impression on the company. If you show up in your sweaty gym clothes, potential employers will be anything but impressed. Remember that first impressions cannot be redone. If youre serious about getting a job after college, ensure that when you attend a job fair and meet professionals in the field, youre dressed as if youre interviewing for the job on the spot because oftentimes, thats exactly what a job fair is. Outfits that are acceptable for job interviews are also acceptable for job fairs. Though I would say youre safe if youre slightly more casual than formal interview wear. Employers understand that you might be coming from class, so theres a chance youre going to be in shoes that are a bit more comfortable to walk in than your dressy ones. However, theres no excuse for showing up to a career fair in shorts and a t-shirt. I would  not  recommend throwing away your chance at a job because of a wardrobe faux-pas. via Pixabay.com 3. Do your research. Showing up to a career fair without any information about employers who will be in attendance is one of the worst ways to prepare for a job fair. Colleges will most likely publish a list of employers who will be in attendance often organized by industry. Spend some time looking over this list and prioritizing the employers that youre most interested in (more on this in the next point). Otherwise, you could waste your time talking to employers that dont offer what youre looking for. One of the best ways to research companies is to talk with a current employee. Its pretty unlikely that youre going to personally know someone who works for the company youre most interested in, but this is where upperclassmen can come in handy. Reach out to classmates youve had that have graduated and gotten jobs. They could be some of your best resources when it comes to finding a job for yourself! The one thing you  absolutely do not want to do  is show up to a career fair with absolutely no knowledge about any of the employers in attendance. Itll make you look completely unprepared and irresponsible. This isnt to say that you cant visit tables of employers youre not as familiar with its just to point out how ill-prepared you look if you walk up to an employer and expect them to sell  you  on what they have to offer. Sure, employers know theyre competing with everyone else in attendance. But it looks pretty bad when your introduction to an employer begins with so tell me about you guys. Employers will be much more impressed if you know your stuff upon opening a conversation with whoever is there to represent them. created by Lorena Roberts via Piktochart.com 4. Prioritize your interests. There are going to be hundreds of employers at this job fair trust me. If your university has gone through the trouble of scheduling a job fair, theyre going to make sure its loaded with potential employers. Because it can be overwhelming to walk into a job fair and approach employers, prioritize those you are most interested in speaking with. I wouldnt suggest showing up and lolly-gagging from table to table, hoping you come across your dream job. Preparing for a career fair requires you take time beforehand to really do your research. Plus, companies are highly impressed when students can show theyve dedicated time to researching a company and their goals. Consider reaching out to HR before the career fair expressing your excitement for meeting one of their representatives on campus. That way, when you show up to the fair, someone is already expecting you and youll have a starting point for conversation. This is probably better advice for upperclassmen who are on the verge of graduating. As a freshman, its not as important that youre on a first name basis with the HR supervisor. But as you move through your college career, consider ways you can network with companies youre most interested in working for. 5. Be prepared to give a pitch. Career fairs are about selling yourself and your abilities. When you travel from table to table, representatives from companies will ask you about yourself, your interests, and your career goals. Be prepared to strike up a conversation with a professional regarding the things youre interested in, some of your favorite classes, and any experiences youve had that would make you valuable to their company. If you need help writing or rehearsing your elevator pitch, reach out to your schools career services center. They specialize in making sure youre prepared to land a job after college. It can be intimidating to try and write an elevator pitch on your own and its hard to know what youre up against as far as competition with your fellow classmates. Universities have career service departments to help students with things like this! Youll be able to meet with someone whose sole purpose is to help you land your dream job. Most likely, theyll be with you every step of the way from writing your pitch to practicing and perfecting it for the employers youre most interested in. 6. Know what  not  to bring. Employers know that youre visiting the fair in between classes, but, if at all possible, stop back by your apartment or vehicle to drop off your bulky belongings. While its generally acceptable to show up to a career fair with friends, I wouldnt suggest traveling from table to table together. Be confident enough to branch out on our own and talk to potential employers without your BFF by your side. Food and drink is a total no-no, unless its your refillable water bottle. Showing up to a table holding your Subway sandwich is going to make you look like nothing more than a  total goon.   My advice? Eat a snack beforehand and only show up to a career fair with a bottled water if you need it. Carrying around a soda, a snack, or other eateries just makes you look like you werent prepared for a college job fair. Employers remember things like this though you may think they dont. You probably dont want to be the one they remember as the girl with the sauce on her face. Potential employers have taken time out of their busy schedules to meet with college students who could potentially become employees. Walking up to a table with a greasy sandwich in your hands is a total turn-off. via Pixabay.com 7. Have a plan for following up with some of your top choices. Collect business cards, email addresses, and names of the companies youre interested in pursuing. Come up with a game plan for following up with them! Whether you send an email thanking them for their time or getting more information, employers like to hear from you after theyve met with you. You can truly seal the deal by making sure you have a plan for how youll follow up with the employers you favored most. College job fairs can be intimidating especially if its your first go-round. But after you get the hang of things, youll realize that these career fairs are gold mines  for ensuring you have a shot at a job after graduation. Its the perfect place to network and make connections with professionals in your field and get your name out there. Students will often attend more than one career fair. The more opportunities you can take advantage of, the better! So as soon as you feel prepared to start showing up to these events do it! The more practice you get meeting employers, the better. Youll be glad you did it when it comes to making those student loan payments after graduation. Attending your universitys career fair might be intimidating at first, but there are ways you can ensure youre completely prepared to hit a home run with every employer you talk to. Make sure you show up with plenty of copies of your resume, dressed for the job, with the background knowledge you need to make conversation with the employers in attendance. The earlier you get experience with attending career fairs, the more practice youll have, and the more likely itll be that youll land your dream job after graduation.