6 weeks prep time - Target 700+ for EMBA @Wharton

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oldpanda: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:27 am

by oldpanda » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:18 pm

I have 6 weeks to prepare (taking 3 weeks off from work to focus on the preparation). I am aiming for EMBA at Wharton (deadline Feb 4th).

I have engineering background and am (at least, I used to be) pretty good at Math. Verbal, I am not so sure. But, all of that was 13 years ago. I am not looking to ace the GMAT or hoping to become a GMAT expert. Just want to get good score to compliment my experience and good academic credentials.

I am hoping that the experts can help me be honest and hopefully help me not waste time, which I don't have much of.

Materials:
Quant:
OG 13
Advanced GMAT quant-Manhattan (If I fall short, I may get Manhattan Quant guides)

Verbal:
Aristotle SC Grail
Powerscore CR Bible
Aristotle RC

Action Plan:
go through OG13 Quant and Verbal first and take a Prep test (1 week)
Complete SC and CR books (2 weeks) - I may not be able to completely finish the big CR book
Take MGMAT Prep every 2 days while focusing on improving the troubled areas (2 weeks)
Complete Advanced GMAT Quant (1 week)
RC - practice through out.

Does this seem reasonable and achievable? Any suggestions on making it better?

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:18 pm

buzzz85: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:53 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Location: India; Thanked: 4 times; GMAT Score:690

by buzzz85 » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:19 am

oldpanda wrote:I have 6 weeks to prepare (taking 3 weeks off from work to focus on the preparation). I am aiming for EMBA at Wharton (deadline Feb 4th).

I have engineering background and am (at least, I used to be) pretty good at Math. Verbal, I am not so sure. But, all of that was 13 years ago. I am not looking to ace the GMAT or hoping to become a GMAT expert. Just want to get good score to compliment my experience and good academic credentials.

I am hoping that the experts can help me be honest and hopefully help me not waste time, which I don't have much of.

Materials:
Quant:
OG 13
Advanced GMAT quant-Manhattan (If I fall short, I may get Manhattan Quant guides)

Verbal:
Aristotle SC Grail
Powerscore CR Bible
Aristotle RC

Action Plan:
go through OG13 Quant and Verbal first and take a Prep test (1 week)
Complete SC and CR books (2 weeks) - I may not be able to completely finish the big CR book
Take MGMAT Prep every 2 days while focusing on improving the troubled areas (2 weeks)
Complete Advanced GMAT Quant (1 week)
RC - practice through out.

Does this seem reasonable and achievable? Any suggestions on making it better?

Its actually a good plan.
A few tweaks as per me would be to have the below strategy -
1. For Verbal, you can use Manhattan study material. I personally used it for my preparation and found it easy to understand and implement. SC is all about concepts and MH material will be great help. There are about 11 chapters, so wrap them up with practice questions in 2 weeks (with alternate days devoted to Quant).
Also, try to do 3-4 passages and 10-12 CRs on a daily basis.
2. Quant - As you said this is your stronger area, devote more time to practice questions (have them timed in later weeks). But be sure to go through the formulas like AP, GP, HP etc. beforehand.

Lastly, Quant and Verbal on alternate days is a better approach in my opinion.
Take lesser tests in the first 3 weeks, and a test daily in the last three weeks.
Also, make sure to go back to the questions you get incorrect during practice tests.

Regards
BUZZZ
www.gmatexecmba.blocked

oldpanda: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:27 am

by oldpanda » Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:40 am

Thanks buzz!

Based on few post I read through this forum, CR guide from MGMAT is not everybody's cup of tea and that SC Grail is the best out there. Did you look into SC Grail and CR Bible in addition to MGMAT verbal guides?

Your suggestions on practicing quant regularly and doing more tests towards the second half of my prep time make perfect sense. Will do so. Thank you!

-OP

Kasia@EconomistGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 646; Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 7:08 amFollowed by: 143 members; Thanked: 322 times

by Kasia@EconomistGMAT » Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:29 am

Your plan is very in-depth. What I would suggest is that you concentrate on your weak points and keep careful record of your mistakes both from tests and individual questions. Later make sure that you go back to your list and revise the topics you find more challenging.

I also agree with buzz that you should concentrate on tests after you have covered the majority of theory. Doing tests too early can be frustrating and can demotivate you.

Kasia
Senior Instructor
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oldpanda: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:27 am

by oldpanda » Wed Dec 12, 2012 7:23 am

Good suggestion on keeping careful record of the mistakes and challenging topics. I'll definitely do that.

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