Hi everybody!
I've just taken the GMAT for the first time on 09/26 and scored a 700(Q48,V38). I'm happy with the score and I won't retake the test. Just a few tips from my experience:
1) Start early! I've studied for 2 and a half months (weekdays for as much as I could - not at all in some days, weekends all day long - at least 8 hours). It all depends on your level. I started at around 600, so I figured that 3 months should be enough for an additional 100 points. If you start lower, you have to budget more time.
2) Buy the right materials! I've only used the Manhattan GMAT 8 guides and the OG12 + the Quantitative and Verbal books. The MGMAT books are great for reviewing the concepts, the other 3 provide enough questions to practise and improve your skills. You should be aware of the fact that the 6 MGMAT tests are more difficult than the real thing, so you shouldn't be discouraged by lower than expected scores.
3) Be mentally ready for the test day! All you have to do is to relax, be confident, go there and give it your best shot. There is simply not enough time to worry about anything. You shouldn't be thinking "why are the questions getting harder or easier", you should only think about the question in front of you.
That's all that matters. The GMAT is not a monster, it can be owned. One final piece of advice: don't make the GMAT more important than it actually is. It's not very important to be over the school's average, as long as you are in the middle 80% range. The main purpose of a GMAT score is to show that you are not an idiot. As long as it shows that, you shouldn't worry about 20-30 points more.
Good luck to everybody!
I've just taken the GMAT for the first time on 09/26 and scored a 700(Q48,V38). I'm happy with the score and I won't retake the test. Just a few tips from my experience:
1) Start early! I've studied for 2 and a half months (weekdays for as much as I could - not at all in some days, weekends all day long - at least 8 hours). It all depends on your level. I started at around 600, so I figured that 3 months should be enough for an additional 100 points. If you start lower, you have to budget more time.
2) Buy the right materials! I've only used the Manhattan GMAT 8 guides and the OG12 + the Quantitative and Verbal books. The MGMAT books are great for reviewing the concepts, the other 3 provide enough questions to practise and improve your skills. You should be aware of the fact that the 6 MGMAT tests are more difficult than the real thing, so you shouldn't be discouraged by lower than expected scores.
3) Be mentally ready for the test day! All you have to do is to relax, be confident, go there and give it your best shot. There is simply not enough time to worry about anything. You shouldn't be thinking "why are the questions getting harder or easier", you should only think about the question in front of you.
That's all that matters. The GMAT is not a monster, it can be owned. One final piece of advice: don't make the GMAT more important than it actually is. It's not very important to be over the school's average, as long as you are in the middle 80% range. The main purpose of a GMAT score is to show that you are not an idiot. As long as it shows that, you shouldn't worry about 20-30 points more.
Good luck to everybody!
