GMAT Strategy

Hi Zeebrah,

As you start to work through the early phases in your GMAT studies, you will likely notice several similarities to how you studied for the MCAT. There's certain content/knowledge that you'll need to gain, as well as Tactics and patterns that you'll have to train with and you'll have to become physically prepared to face the Full GMAT under realistic testing conditions. Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then 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 familiarize 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?
4) As an aside, how did you score on the MCAT?

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

Zeebrah,

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200: take a diagnostic immediately, from MBA.com, like Rich recommended.

You want to get a clear picture of where you are deficient, and what you need to to learn: is it content? test taking strategy? or Mindset?.

Since we teach both MCAT and GMAT, I can assure you that there is very little in common between these tests, aside from their both being standardized tests with 5-answer choices that are the same. The good news is that the reading on the GMAT is much easier than CARS, but other than that, they're two different tests.

That said, if you got 'game' and know some test-taking strategy - - such as eliminate answer choices that you know are wrong if you have to guess or backsolving/plugging in Math (for the sciences on the MCAT) you're a little ahead.

Once you know how you're faring on the test, however, you'll have a better idea of what you need to do to advance your score - - if you need to. You might find that it's just a better fit for you, and that your mind is already poised to think like a business professional and thought leader.

Let us know how it goes!

Best,