1 week left until test - my list of weaknesses

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jazzcat4u: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 97; Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 2:43 pm

by jazzcat4u » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:00 pm

So I have 1 week left and I am proficient in most math topics (proficient meaning I can answer 500-600 level math questions right).

My question is, from the below list of weak areas, which ones should i focus on the most this week and which has the most upside on comprehension? in my studies, i have barely grazed these subject matters (i know most of the formulas/operations, but applying them is another issue). I didn't focus on it as much, since i heard that these subjects rarely come up, but based on recent accounts of test takers, it seems like that is changing...anyway, pls let me know which ones i should focus on in my last week.

probabilities
combinations
permutations
functions
linear equations (y-intercept, slope, coordinate geometry)
solids (cubes, spheres, cylinders, rectangular solids, cones, pyramids, etc)
sequence and progression

also, for those recent test takers - which of these topics did you see the most on the test?

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:00 pm

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by beatthegmat » Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:42 am

In your last week of studies, you should really think about winding down your prep significantly. Each day you get closer to your test, you should be doing less and less prep, and more and more resting. The day before I recommend that you do nothing but have fun and relax.

Each of these topics you've listed are infrequently tested on the GMAT Math section. What I mean by that are you will probably see at most a handful of these questions. If I had to narrow that list, I 'd say permutations/combinations may be a good focus, but I will defer to someone else who's taken the test more recently.

Bottom line: you've worked hard in your prep, so be sure to start slowing down and relaxing! Be confident and do great on test day.

Good luck,

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VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:47 am

As said above, you're lucky in that those topics don't show up a whole lot on the test. I would review the basics of permutations/combinations/probability, but don't worry too much about the really complex stuff. The vast majority of perm/comb/prob problems on the test are pretty simple if you know the basic forumlae.

And I also agree that in the last week, it's time to relax a bit. You want to give your brain a couple days to relax before the "mental marathon".

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:50 am

I just saw in your other thread that you are scoring in the 500s. In that case, your list of weaknesses should also include some more common problem types. The types you listed above are generally the last things I tell people to study - once they're scoring in the high 600s or above.

So, I will change my answer: you should focus on medium difficulty, common concepts that show up all the time. That will increase your score a lot more than studying advanced and infrequently tested topics.

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

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