GMAT Strategy

I'll echo David's comment.
The diagnostic test in the Official Guide is a killer. I believe that it's meant to familiarize you with the types of questions found on the GMAT and give you a very approximate idea of your current skills.
If you decide to take it, don't dwell too much on the results of this test.

Taking an official GMATPrep practice test is a better route to get a baseline score.

Cheers,
Brent

Hi reylo11,

Your last post is from almost 3 years ago, so I'm going to assume that you're essentially restarting your studies from scratch. As such, it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can refamiliarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

reylo11 wrote:Hello guys.! I want to start again with my GMAT preparation studies since a couple of months of not reading / studying anything.
Last year I took some MGMAT practice tests and was scoring 550 on average.
I want to start again with my studies and was thinking to start my preparation taking the diagnostic test found on the OG. Was wondering if this would be a good start and also if I should time myself while doing so. If this is a good start, how long should I take for every question on average?

Thanks for your inputs!

Short answer: no! Don't start with the diagnostic in the OG. It's not really "diagnostic" of much of anything, because it's not adaptive. You should start by taking a timed, fully adaptive online practice test from one of the major prep companies. That will allow you to track metrics (how you did on PS v. DS, for example).

You should give yourself the same amount of time that you'd have on the real thing: 75 min per section. It will be more difficult that way, but that will train you to develop guessing strategies as well as content skills.

Good luck!