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LMAT Tips

2009-12-05T16:54:00.003-05:00

I recently gave the LMAT - the admissions test for LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences). Its based on the GMAT. Although my test didn't go very well, I learnt a lot about it. Its definitely beatable. The Princeton Review Book and the Official GMAT Guide are great resources. The key is practice and timing.

If you are serious about getting in but are are lacking in discipline to practice properly and learn the tips and tricks, by all means join a class with Anees Hussain, IBA Grads, Princeton Review or any of the countless other providers.

Some tips for the LMAT:

1. If you're in Karachi, the test at AKU was at Lecture Hall #3 in the medical college section (AKU is huge and no one will know what you're talking about. Took me 30 mins to find the place).

2. Practice doing tests from the Official GMAT Guide. Do the whole book... twice. Also practice doing answers on a separate sheet, you can download answer sheets from the net. It can take a bit of getting used to if your just used to ticking the answers.

3. Once you've brushed up on the material, then practice the material. Its pretty useless getting the question right if it takes too much time. Practice doing bunches of 20 questions of each type and make sure you can manage a rate of 20 questions per 25 minutes. Practice skipping questions that you can't answer in under 3 minutes.

4. AWA, practice writing. A lot of us have forgotten to use a pen and pencil. It can be strenuous to write 4 paras in 20 mins. It is essential to make an outline before you start writing. Make sure your outline is ready within 6-7 minutes. Practice intro and conclusion phrases and paragraph transitions.

5. Reading Comp. Learn to not read the whole para completely or learn to read very fast. You have 30 mins to read 3 full passages and answer 25 questions about them. A technique I have found that works sometimes is to read the first para, the first sentence of each body para and the first and last sentence of the last para. Then tackle the questions and you will be able to answer a lot of them. You can then spend time reading specifics to answer the remaining questions. Don't even try to answer them all.

6. Get a good night's rest before the test. Don't have to show up too too early, seating began at 9 for my test. getting in by 8:45 should be fine even.

7. Don't forget all these points for your test like I did :P I hope I don't have to give the test. Its a long test.

Yum Cha Restaurant - Taste The Heart of Chinatown

2009-10-30T12:54:00.000-04:00

If you're a dimsum lover and you're down in Singapore; make sure you visit this place.

I love the whole world

2009-01-08T02:21:00.004-05:00

I love technology,
I love its business,
I love the spirit of it,
I love the laziness,
I love the whole world,
boom de ya da, boom de ya da.
boom de ya da, boom de ya da.

What do you love about our World?

Eid Mubarak (1429AH)

2008-10-03T05:27:00.001-04:00

Don't eat till you are full

2008-09-07T05:18:00.000-04:00

The blessed Prophet said: “The children of Adam fill novessel worse than their stomach. Sufficient for him is a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third left for air.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhî)

India!

2008-08-23T02:40:00.005-04:00

Last time I got down to writing an India post, it got lost somewhere, wasn't able to post. So anyway, India vacation happened. Went for approximately 20 days. Mid-June to Early-July.

Saw the following Movies in Theatres:

- Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
- Sex and the City
- 21
- Aamir
- Get Smart
- Via Darjeeling
- Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
- Mere Baap Pehle Aap
- The Incredible Hulk
- De Taali
- Sarkar Raj
- In Bruges

12 movies in 20 days isnt so bad. Thats vacation for you. Good theatres there. Good snacks, ate out a lot. Really wanted to go see some plays but never got around to it. Dont have too many pictures. But here's one

Vacation, Vacation

2008-06-08T08:56:00.002-04:00

I have not been on a vacation on a while. Can't really say that I've been on vacation since I graduated. Have planned to several times, but nothing ever materialized.

India is in the works now... more closer to fruition than the last few plans. Lets see what happens.

Other than that have just been busy overall. I'm a Karachi Club member. I can say I'm a 3G member (3rd Generation). Still need to pickup my card though. Hopefully once I start seeing the monthly bills, I'll start using it more.

Fuel is getting very expensive these days. Ideal time to have a car eh? Well, I know have a car, temporarily atleast.

Everything is so expensive these days, its just annoying. Who would have though 1 nan would cost 6 rupees. that's almost 10 cents!

Okay. Bye.

KhaoPiyo.com

2008-06-08T08:50:00.004-04:00

KhaoPiyo.com is finally doing something KhaoPiyo related, not exactly what I had thought of initially, but just dipping my feet in the water.

For more details on KhaoPiyo.com visit it! :) If you're interested in contributing let me know, but being in Karachi is a prerequisite for volunteers.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome. Just mail me.

In the coming few months I'll also be working on KarachiCineplex.com V1.5, response so far has been good on the site... approximately 80-90 visitors daily.

Anyway, thats the update on that.

Old Karachi

2008-05-02T03:58:00.003-04:00

What a Karachi!

The star of the Indian Cricket League

2008-03-31T15:08:00.009-04:00

Who's the star of the Indian Cricket League?

Lahore Badshah's? Hasan Raza? Jhunjhunwalla? Nope... not for me.

I think the star of the show is host Mayanti Langer! Not only is she the first girl host I've seen in cricket, she's good looking and actually know's what she's talking about. A very refreshing addition to the world of cricket commentary. And certainly better looking than Harsha Bhogle (no offense Harsha, I'm a fan of yours too.)

We don't get Zeesports here on cable in Pakistan but get to see the ICL on Geo Super. I hope we get to see a lot more of her in our cricket to come.

Apparently, Mayanti is not only well versed in cricket but is also a football/soccer fanatic. Bhaichung Bhutia an Indian soccer legend once commented about Mayanti that "She knows her game."

I'd like to see some Pakistani ladies get into this game too... with this much style!

Dear Falak

2008-03-28T06:02:00.002-04:00

A person, I could call a friend passed away recently. I wanted to write a post dedicated to her.

I met Falak Sufi in O-Levels and then we were together in A-Levels as well. We lost touch as the days faded. I had begun to lose my memories of her to some extent as well, I just remember her being a really nice, polite and friendly person.

In the days after her passing away, I began to see old photographs, so was in so many of them... smiling in almost every picture. Then I also came across some old emails that we had exchanged. So full of life they were.

I will miss Falak. And my condolences to everyone who's lives she touched.

Crabbing!

2008-03-04T12:45:00.002-05:00

Went crabbing with the office today. Going crabbing here generally means going on a boat, generally a cool little wooden fishing boat and eating crabs and other seafood cooked by the fishermen.

Words to describe the food are: "Chha gaya, kamaaaaal scene hai."

Menu was:
Crab cakes/cutlets
Masala Aloo (potatoes)
Prawn Masala
Fish fingers and fried fish in masala
Crab bodies and lollipops in masala

Weather was awesome and we had a funny guy "Munga" entertaining us. Mast scene thaa, overall we had a great time.

PS: This post is dedicated to Taha.

Funny Money

2008-02-12T02:43:00.000-05:00

A whole bunch of cool currency illusion pictures can be found at the link above:

Here's a sample:

Household: Chill a Coke in 2 minutes

2008-01-25T14:13:00.000-05:00

Household: Chill a Coke in 2 minutes:

Mythbusters TV show host Adam Savage drops science on how to make a warm can of Coke cold in under 2 minutes over on Ask MetaFilter.

That would be about 20-25 minutes in a freezer. If you put [the can] in a bucket of ice, that would halve that time. If you put water in that ice, it'd be cold (+- 5c) enough to drink in about 4-6 minutes, if you put salt in that water, you'd reduce the chill time to just over 2 minutes. Agitating the can in the water, rolling it around, reduces the chill time even more.

The fastest possible way is to grab a CO2 fire extinguisher and unload that sucker on the can.

Courtesy: Lifehacker.com

Hmm try karna parey ga!

Royal Handies

2008-01-19T16:20:00.000-05:00

Haha I don't know why, but when I saw this at sign saying "Royal Handies" at Hot-n-spicy near Cafe Clifton, I really couldn't help laughing.

Here lemme share it with you guys:

Wonders of the World

2008-01-19T16:13:00.000-05:00

At work, I have built 9 mega (mini) structures. Kits were provided by Arshad Sattar, in the form of lotte gum gifts. They were purchased at Haji Super Store for Rs. 10 each.

The structures include:

Taj Mahal
Pyramids of Giza
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Eiffel Tower
Empire State Building
Wisma 46
KLI 63
Burj Al Arab
Big Ben

Thats all of them. Here are some pictures of the completed 9.

I heart KHI

2008-01-18T02:15:00.000-05:00

I've been seeing these I heart KHI logos on a lot of buses lately. These logos have been around Karachi for a while now.

A while back I registered the website: http://www.iheartkhi.com/

Havent done much with it yet, but there are plans. Lets see how it pans out.

(Though I must admit, that these plans are only part of many)

I am a famous blogger

2008-01-17T11:01:00.000-05:00

I am now a famous Pakistani blogger :) hehe, someone even interviewed me and published the interview on their website!

http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-huzefa-lotia/

Isn't that cool!

Life Means Drama / Seyyem

2008-01-15T10:58:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to blog about this site for a while. I have known the author since my early school years. Its the most creative thing I've seen in a while. And this is a totally non-commercial non-promotional shoutout to kAy :) Keep jammin along! :)

http://lifemeansdrama.blogspot.com

Here another creative old school friend of mine. Their band is called Seyyem. I think they are pretty talented, I think their music will just get better and better as they gain more experience. You can see for yourself at their myspace site. All their music is originally written and composed; Manna has also published a book of poetry.

http://www.myspace.com/seyyem

Pizza Hut - In 30 mins

2008-01-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Last couple of times I've called pizza hut for delivery, I've been pleasantly surprised with the call normally ending with 'your pizza will get to you in 30 mins. So far, it has!

Just in case you are hungry:
Here is a link for all pizza hut outlets in Pakistan. The UAN is 111-241-241

Note to self: KhaoPiyo.com is still only a concept.

Some great pictures of Karachi

2008-01-04T23:37:00.000-05:00

Frere Hall

PIDC Building

3 Talwar, I think I can see posters on them even since back then

Do talwar - Just doesnt stand out as much anymore. This was supposed to be a monument to our independance.

Quaids Mazar - Karachi's best known landmark, though many of us dont give a crap about it

BCCI Building - As we all know the BCCI is no more

Habib Bank Plaza - With its majestic old logo

Press Trust Building

PNSC Building

Now known as the Regent Plaza Hotel (Has had quite a few names over the years)

A little dated, but were a nice trip down memory lane. Can't help but wonder what Karachi would have been now with a little good governance and good citizenship back then.

Courtesy Shabbir.com

HAPPY NEWYEAR

2007-12-31T11:20:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAY 2008 BE BETTER THAN 2007
MAY PAKISTAN WIN SOMETHING AT THE OLYMPICS (PREFERABLY GOAL)
MAY THE WORLD ACHIEVE PEACE, PROSPERITY AND HAPPYNESS
MAY YOU ACHIEVE ALL YOUR RESOLUTIONS
MAY I NOT WRITE A SINGLE POST IN ALL CAPS IN 2008

Image Chef - Cook Some Pictures!

2007-12-31T10:50:00.000-05:00

I recently found this website, http://www.imagechef.com/

Its pretty cool, lets you cook up personalized images.

Here are some examples:

Now that's pretty cool don't you think?

My Birthday Wishlist

2007-12-24T00:41:00.000-05:00

My birthday is coming up soon. (2nd week of Jan). I just thought I'd post a wishlist here:

Gives me reason to be afraid of ghosts:
http://www.clubnamco.com/product.php?productid=202&cat=261
Pretty much anything from thinkgeek.com. Here are some examples:

Now that's fashion!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/apparel/hats-ties/9352/
The memory stick, mightier than the sword?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6b3b/
I know this one is a bit girly, but still... I like:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/bags/984c/
My Money will just feel more secure:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/9964/
No more asking for staples:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/8b70/

Now that should give you enough to work with for now :). More things may come later!