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Starting Over

by agourdine » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:24 pm
Hi all! I have posted in beat the gmat forum before but this is the first time I've started my own topic! So, here's my dilemma/issue (I'll take all advice--keep it real for me)!

I took the MGMAT online course and studied from April to November on my own. I delayed the GMAT exam a few times and finally took it right before X-Mas break. I did horrible--440 :( ! Practice exam scores ranged from mid 400's to 580. This killed my confidence, especially since the GMAT exam was the lowest-scoring verbal I have ever had (I usually score in the 60+ percentile). Quant is truly my weakness (esp geometry and word translations). I had my post-GMAT review on Monday and basically the instructor says that I need to start studying all over again, even re-take the MGMAT course. I think the material didn't sink in and I became pretty burnt out. :oops:

My question is, has anyone taken more than one test prep course? The cost is pretty high, so wondering if I should go down that road or study on my own and go back through the MGMAT material. I am a very motivated person and thought I was doing ok studying on my own, but I think I began to lose steam between October and November. I've heard different things about PR, Kaplan, and Veritas. :D

My goal is to reach 650 and to apply for B-school for Fall 2009, and I know I can do it! I just need some direction, or the right push! HELP! Thanks guys!
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by beatthegmat » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:28 pm
I question whether taking another test prep company's course would really help you. MGMAT has a really solid course, and I'm skeptical as to whether you would learn more from taking a different course.

How were you doing in your practice tests prior to your exam?
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by agourdine » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:33 am
Scoring in the high 400's then a low 500 and my 5th practice exam I scored a 580. I can honestly say that the 580 score I went into the test so relaxed and much more confident. When it came time for the real thing I felt like I was running out of steam... :cry: and I waited too late in the day to take the test--my nerves def took over.

I wanted to see if any one else in the forum has used more than one test prep and if it was worth it. Its pretty pricey but not sure if just studying on my own and going through the MGMAT material again isn't enough, especially for someone who is trying to make a big leap in her score. :?
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by beatthegmat » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:56 am
There certainly may be a few folks in this community that have taken more than one prep course, but in my experience this has been rare.

Just reviewing what you said in your last post--it seems that the problem may have been more to do with your nerves than your subject matter knowledge of the test. Perhaps working on your confidence during the test will do more for improving your score than taking another course?
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by bates88 » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:06 pm
Actually, a classroom course would probably really help you, or working with a tutor. An online course when you're struggling probably isn't going to be as effective as sitting with an instructor, going over specific problem areas. So yeah, I'd definitely look into it.
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by beatthegmat » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:27 pm
Good points, bates. Yes, private tutoring may be another option, since you can get training that is customized around your unique needs.
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by AleksandrM » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:03 pm
Agourdine,

How systematic was your studying when you studied on your own? It is my honest belief that while people have different abilities when it comes to this exam, a true system and discipline go a long way.

Have you consistently made flashcards incorporating new concepts and strategies? Did you keep up with your flashcards on a daily basis? Did you practice enough with different types of questions? Often, merely going through different questions will familiarize you with different patterns and ways of solving them. When you got the wrong answer to a question, did you go back at least twice to review what you did wrong? Sometimes, going back to a problem a month from now, what you will find is that you still cannot solve it having forgotten the right answer; make sure this never happens. Have you allowed yourself to steer away from your weaknesses? For example, if you are weak in translating word problems into equations, have you immersed yourself in these types of questions?

Furthermore, have you tried to modularize your testing simulations? For example, instead of taking the entire practice exam, have you tried doing one type of question timed, then an entire type of section with different questions? Doing the same type of questions timed will allow you to see how quickly you solve them. Then, doing a section obviously allows you to see how you perform on that section. What you might find is that when you take a practice CAT, you mentally break it down into modules, and might perform better that way. Don’t forget, a big chunk of how you do on this test has to do with your state of mind, not just the concepts you have learned.

Hope these questions serve as a checklist and actually help somehow.
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by beatthegmat » Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:57 pm
AleksandrM wrote:Agourdine,

How systematic was your studying when you studied on your own? It is my honest belief that while people have different abilities when it comes to this exam, a true system and discipline go a long way.

Have you consistently made flashcards incorporating new concepts and strategies? Did you keep up with your flashcards on a daily basis? Did you practice enough with different types of questions? Often, merely going through different questions will familiarize you with different patterns and ways of solving them. When you got the wrong answer to a question, did you go back at least twice to review what you did wrong? Sometimes, going back to a problem a month from now, what you will find is that you still cannot solve it having forgotten the right answer; make sure this never happens. Have you allowed yourself to steer away from your weaknesses? For example, if you are weak in translating word problems into equations, have you immersed yourself in these types of questions?

Furthermore, have you tried to modularize your testing simulations? For example, instead of taking the entire practice exam, have you tried doing one type of question timed, then an entire type of section with different questions? Doing the same type of questions timed will allow you to see how quickly you solve them. Then, doing a section obviously allows you to see how you perform on that section. What you might find is that when you take a practice CAT, you mentally break it down into modules, and might perform better that way. Don’t forget, a big chunk of how you do on this test has to do with your state of mind, not just the concepts you have learned.

Hope these questions serve as a checklist and actually help somehow.
Great post, AleksandrM!
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by agourdine » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:28 am
I think my biggest issue was not attacking my weaknesses as aggressively as I could. I did download the flashcards from this site and I created my own but I never really reviewed them. Between the OG, the MGMAT books, the online course, and the practice exams I felt pretty overwhelmed to say the least. Also, I think I was overwhelmed by the different strategies that were taught that in the end I panicked and went with my gut and not logic when it came time to take the exam....

I know I can get the score but its all a matter of what stragegy I should go with and developing a CONSISTENT strategy to approach the GMAT. I know everyone is different but does it really make a difference whether you take several practice test and work on timing OR study the material, develop strategies, and do small blocks of questions? When I had my post GMAT review, the tutor said that I need to focus more on the material and LESS time focusing on practice exams...
:?
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by vgmat2 » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:55 am
Hi,

I would strongly suggest you NOT to take VERITAS prep. Its waste of money and valuable time.

After I took veritas it didnot help me much other than to just understand basic stuff, which I could have anyway understood by reading OG,.

I am preparing on my own, Still I have issues with verbal timing, But will get there. I think strategy and dedication is much needed. Once you get the game plan, get the strategy figured out, then dedicate to it.

My 2 cents

thanks
V-
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