550 to 700+ Can I make it happen?

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nittanylion530: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 6:14 pm; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:700

by nittanylion530 » Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:53 pm

Hey everyone,
I've finally decided to buckle down and really lay out a study plan for the GMAT. However, with all the information available on this forum/site it's hard to narrow down a 'correct' study schedule for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am planning on taking the GMAT towards the beginning of March.

I took a Kaplan practice GMAT a few months ago and got a 550 (Q30 V34). I had no idea the types of questions I would encounter or anything. Obviously, I feel very weak in the Quant part, especially Data Sufficiency. In Verbal, SC was my weakest.

I have the following books:
-OG 11
-OG Math Review Supplement
-OG Verbal Review Supplement
-Kaplan GMAT Premier Program
-Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook

I'm unsure of where to start or even how to tackle these books. Should I do it by book, or by topic?

Also, I'm aiming pretty high like everyone else (700+). Can I make it happen?!

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:53 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:47 pm

Congrats on getting serious about your GMAT journey! You've come to the right place.

Here's an example study plan you can use for your own prep: https://beatthegmat.blocked
Some other resources to aide your study plan design: https://www.beatthegmat.com/a/resources

It sounds like you are starting close to ground zero with your prep, with low familiarity with the GMAT exam. I would definitely start with the Kaplan GMAT Premier book, since it provides a nice overview of the test. Next, take a look at the Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook to get comfortable with math concepts. As you're going through the GMAT Math Workbook, start to do some practice sets from Official Guide 11, to see how successful you are in applying concepts to real (but retired) GMAT questions. Then go through the OG supplements.

I recommend practice tests on a weekly basis. Try to simulate the testing conditions (I liked practicing in a somewhat well-trafficked area of a public library) and take your tests at the same hour you would be taking the real exam.

Hope this puts you down the right path! For info on how to get started with Beat The GMAT, check out: https://www.beatthegmat.com/a/getting-started

Good luck!

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nittanylion530: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 6:14 pm; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:700

by nittanylion530 » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:42 pm

Thanks for the response. A follow up question: While reviewing practice questions, should I review just the questions I got wrong, or the ones I got right as well? Is reviewing the ones I got right a waste of time?

Perminology: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 47; Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 1:50 am; Thanked: 2 times; GMAT Score:540

by Perminology » Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:18 pm

Review EVERYTHING! What if you got those answers right but for the wrong reasons? Reviewing all your work is also good in that it reinforces what you learn. Also, you could learn alternate ways of solving those questions. My two cents.

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