BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

My story - where do I start?

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2228
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada
Thanked: 639 times
Followed by:694 members
GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Thu May 28, 2009 12:01 pm
Re: the admissions stuff, it would be good to ask your questions in the Business School / Admissions threads, as this area is All About the GMAT. :)

Most people study for 3-4 months for 2-4 hours a day. Very few people score 750+ (by definition - 750 is the 98th percentile, so only 2% of all test takers score at that level or better). That's not to say that you can't score that well or that you can't get the score you want in 6 weeks - but I just want to let you know that you are both going for an exceptionally high score and trying to do so in less time than is typical. That's going to make it extra-hard.

Also, most people I talk to compare the amount of work needed to taking a regular, semester-long, university-level class. As such, it's going to be necessary at some point to set some priorities in terms of what you study and how you study.

The place to start is with a practice test. You need to know where you stand at the start before you can figure out what you need to do and how you want to do it. The difference between your starting score and your desired score, as well as your individual strengths and weaknesses, will help you to determine the best study plan for you.

You'll then need to make a general decision as to whether you want to study on your own, with friends, with a class full of other students, or with a tutor. If you study on your own or with a friend, start by checking out the Resources area of this web site for ideas about developing a study plan. If you decide to take a course or work with a tutor, start checking out any free sessions or offerings made by any companies in which you're interested and see what you think works best for your goals and learning style.

One thing I do want to caution you about: the quality of your study is far more important than the quantity of your student. Don't make the mistake that so many others have made in the past and think that doing tons of problems and taking tons of practice tests will get you to the score you want. Simply doing lots of problems and tests provides only marginal improvement. You actually need to study the test - both the material tested on it and the test itself (what you're expected to do for the different question types, how the questions are worded, how to recognize what a question is really asking you or telling you, how to spot and avoid traps, how to manage your timing, etc.).

Good luck - let us know how it goes!
Please note: I do not use the Private Messaging system! I will not see any PMs that you send to me!!

Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT

Contributor to Beat The GMAT!

Learn more about me
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Thanked: 5 times

by skang357 » Thu May 28, 2009 2:11 pm
Hey man, if you're gonna apply to an MSCF or an MFE, why are you taking a GMAT.

I know that some schools like CMU accept the GMAT for their program. However there are only two schools like that that do that. I think Claremont Graduate U is the other one.

Everywhere else wants to see the GRE, and specifically the Math Subject GRE.

In that test you're tested like real hardcore math (at least hardcore compared to the GMAT). The GMAT just tests elementary problem solving and critical reasoning skills. Basically just the ability to think quickly and innovatively on your feet. You know primary skills that you need in the world of business.

But if you want a degree from CMU MSCF, you're gonna be employed as a quant, and although GMAT like skills will be important whatever you do, really to succeed as a quant you're gonna need to demonstrate higher level math skills.

That's really what the programs like CMU seem to care about as well as a fundamental basic knowledge of computer programming.

Dunno, just my two cents.
Impossible is nothing
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 11:04 pm

by eSik » Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:44 am
acd abc
Last edited by eSik on Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:29 am
Just my 2 cents but if you truly qualified for "Mensa", putting you in the top two percent of the world as far as intelligence goes, then you should be able to score 700+ with about a week a study. For example, DanaJ, who I truly believe is Mensa material, said she scored a 700 on GMAT Prep with little to no preparation.

It really irritates me when the word "genius" is thrown around. I went to one of the top 5 schools in the country (USA) and I must have met 300 kids who claimed to be "geniuses". In reality, I probably met one or two actual geniuses in my entire life.

I'm not saying I do not believe that you qualified for Mensa, I'm just saying that if it truly is the case, you should need little to no preparation.
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 11:04 pm

by eSik » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:34 pm
asdf qwerty
Last edited by eSik on Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:38 am
Well since I only got a 710, I am not in a position to advise you. I would listen to Stacy, she knows what she is talking about.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 322
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:56 pm
Thanked: 24 times
GMAT Score:710

by mike22629 » Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:39 am
Furthermore, most people agree that there is virtually no difference between a 740 and 790, so it is pointless to spend too much time to get a >780.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:40 am
Location: Sweden
GMAT Score:770

by alexhard » Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:51 am
eSik it's nice to hear that you only needed so little time for the level I CFA, as I'm planning on pulling a similar stunt in December.

As for the GMAT, as it has been stated above, I doubt there is any difference between a 740 and a 790 in terms of admissions. Just do a GMATprep test, find the areas that are giving you trouble, and focus on those. Do the last 20-30 questions from each section from the official guides, as well. The Kaplan 800 book might also help you. While it doesn't really have 800 level questions, they are definitely 700+, which is (presumably) your range.

Good luck!
Top
User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 am
Thanked: 712 times
Followed by:550 members
GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:03 am
Mike: thanks for your kind words, but Mensa is not... something of interest to me... When I think about it, the picture of guys with smoking pipes in striped shirts comes to my mind, so I'm better off with the rest of the world :D
Besides, just talking about smartness is a waste of time, IMHO. I'd rather DO something smart (like watch the Zero Punctuation reviews every Wednesday) than simply THINK about smartness...

Anyway, this is not the thread to discuss IQ's and stuff like that!

To answer the original poster's thoughts, though: IMHO GMAT is not about IQ. It's about how well you can deal with the material at hand and I absolutely guarantee you that's better to spend some time practicing these types of questions than simply relying on your brains (however gifted you may be!).

I'll tell you what worked for me: I didn't practice for quant, I just answered questions on this forum, since if you can explain a question so that even a non-native speaker can understand it, then you're on the right track. BUT the verbal part was more challenging: of course, you have to use the official books for that one, and I wholeheartedly recommend that you do so, since not only are they the only resource for retired questions, but their quality (you'll see what I mean by quality after you've practiced for a while) is unmatched, maybe only by PowerScore CR Bible (for CR questions).

As a side note: Why would you ever leave Norway for Australia?! I can't understand people who like hot weather... I'm currently in pain, since it's almost 25 degrees here and it's already too hot for me... It's going to be a looong summer....
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2228
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada
Thanked: 639 times
Followed by:694 members
GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:34 am
I gave a short answer earlier about the best way to get going for the GMAT. For the GRE, I would still start with a practice test. If you are not sure which test(s) to take, you need to find out directly from the schools to which you plan to apply - different schools require different tests. Schools will post the application requirements on their web sites.

In terms of resources to use for the GRE... I have no idea. But I'm guessing there aren't a lot of GRE resources available here at Beat The GMAT. :) You may want to try to find a forum similar to this one but dedicated to the GRE.

Good luck!
Please note: I do not use the Private Messaging system! I will not see any PMs that you send to me!!

Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT

Contributor to Beat The GMAT!

Learn more about me
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:33 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Thanked: 5 times

by skang357 » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:21 am
eSik wrote:Thanks for your answer bro. My problem is that I will be applying for MFE/MSCF/MMF in US and Europe. The US schools prefer the GRE, however, the schools in Europe want the GMAT. I've thought this over quite a bit, and it'll be very hard for me to do both the GMAT and GRE in the next 6 months considering I am going for straight A's and writing my honours thesis.

So what I've decided is to put priority towards the GRE. I might still have to do the GMAT as I will apply for dual MBA/MS at CMU, NYU and CU. But I figure I can apply for the MBA in round 2 and do the GMAT after I graduate.

So where do I start with the GRE? Courses, books etc?

It seems to me that most schools are asking for the General test, but are you saying they'll be indifferent between the General and Maths test? In that case I might be better off doing Maths, as I firstly are very strong quantitatively, and secondly have done a lot of pure mathematics in my degree.

Cheers.
Not really sure where you should start with the GRE studies. To me, it seems like a slightly easier test to study for than the GMAT. The GRE math is another matter.

I don't think they are indifferent to the either the math or the general test. I think that basically all schools require that you take the GRE, AND SOME schools will also accept the GMAT. However, all schools also welcome the fact that you took the GRE MATH and look at that test as a telling indicator of how you will handle the math in their program. Also you're basically expected to get 800 on the math portion of the general test to enter a top tier program. Scoring lower on the verbal section is not as sensitive of a matter as the math portion. There is very little correlation with your performance on the verbal portion to how you might excel in an MFE or as a quant. Also many of the MFE programs are filled with foreign students who do not have great English skills and will test poor(er)ly on the Verbal section. But you are at least required to demonstrate your English skills so you can't just bomb the verbal section.

I know that some schools like Chicago require that you take the GRE Math.

If you take the GRE Math along with the general test, you just strengthen your overall profile. It could allay concerns if for example you have some C's and B's in your higher level math courses.

The GRE math just demonstrates that you know higher level math beyond calculus. Whereas the GRE quant portion of the General test just demonstrates that you have problem solving skills, like the Q section of the GMAT. In the MFE program, higher level math is key.
Impossible is nothing
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1