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Undergrad College Senior Seeking Advice

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Undergrad College Senior Seeking Advice

by tarnation » Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:27 am
Hey everyone - this is my first thread on the forums so I apologize in advance for any etiquette mishaps.

I'm a senior in college this year and I recently signed an offer to work at an middle market investment bank. Once I graduate my working hours will prevent me from adequately preparing for the GMAT. I am planning on taking the GMAT this year since I don't have a heavy course load - just in case I decide to go to business school in the future. I start working full-time in July so I would like to give the GMAT sometime before then.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Some questions/concerns I have are:

- I have heard that some of the top schools require students to provide GMAT scores within the past 3 years while others give more time. If so, I am assuming that I should take the test as late as possible (sometime in August?)
- How can I get started on a study plan that will help me score 750+? Are there any guides/threads that someone can direct me towards so I can create a plan of action? I am honestly clueless when it comes to how to start so any guidance would be much appreciated.
- What books/resources should I purchase?
- Other than maintaining a good GPA this year, is there anything else you guys suggest I do during my last year in college to best position myself for MBA applications?

Thanks!
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by Gaurav Mittal » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:07 pm
Hi

I can answer the bit about GMAT exam preparation from my recent experience. If you give yourself adequate days before taking the test, it is possible to prepare for the test along with your job. You just have to carve out time and dedicate yourself during that time. Weekends will have to be utilized to the fullest. Use day-wise time table upto your test day to ensure that you track each and every day, each and every week.

Books will depend on your strong and weak points. In case you feel you are strong at Quant, you may go through my blog (link below). It's not complete yet but you can ask any concerns you may have in blog's comments section. Please note that I considered quant my strong point hence you will see that I went through limited reference material for quant.

Cheers
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by Gaurav Mittal » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:09 pm
I just realized that you want to take the exam while you are in college. Things would be even easier them because you will have more time to spare. Still, preparation time is not the sole factor governing success in GMAT..strategy is important.
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by tarnation » Sat Sep 10, 2016 6:36 pm
Gaurav Mittal wrote:I just realized that you want to take the exam while you are in college. Things would be even easier them because you will have more time to spare. Still, preparation time is not the sole factor governing success in GMAT..strategy is important.
Thanks for the reply man. Any tips on how I can properly identify weak point areas? I am thinking that I should take a practice test and then take it from there.
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by Gaurav Mittal » Sat Sep 10, 2016 8:33 pm
People usually recommend taking a GMAT prep test to identify weaknesses. However, I think that it's not prudent to waste GMAT Prep to identify weaknesses right at the start of your preparations. You may take paper diagnostic test in Official guide for that purpose. Once you start working on few areas, you may take first GMAT Prep then to further improve.
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by [email protected] » Sat Sep 10, 2016 9:27 pm
Hi tarnation,

It sounds like you're just starting out. Is that true? Have you done any studying so far?

Since a GMAT score is good for 5 years, studying now (while you have more free time) and locking up a competitive GMAT score is a smart idea. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so you should plan accordingly.

If you're just beginning, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a bit of practice first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the general content and question types first, then that's fine - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:00 pm
Since you are just starting out on your GMAT journey, it is a good idea to first familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam and then take an MBA.com practice exam. The results of that exam will provide an accurate depiction of what to expect on the GMAT as well as a baseline GMAT score.

I also welcome you to take my free 37-question quant diagnostic. After completing the diagnostic, you'll be provided with a detailed analysis of your proficiency level on all GMAT quant topics as well as an opportunity to discuss your diagnostic results and GMAT plan with me or another TTP instructor/coach.

In regard to GMAT prep options, there are many, ranging from classes (in-person and online) to textbooks to private tutoring (in-person and online) to online self-study programs.

If you are looking for a prep program with a study plan, you may consider using an online self-study course. Self-study courses typically provide detailed study plans and have granular analytics, so you can easily track your progress as you move through the course. By being able to track your progress, you will remain more engaged, and you'll be able to forecast when you are truly ready to take your real GMAT. If you are unsure of which program to choose, check out the verified review section here on Beat The GMAT.

In regard to some of your other questions, you may consider chatting with someone with more admissions experience such as an admissions consultant. Feel free to contact me directly and I can connect you with someone who can help.

Finally, I wrote a detailed article that provides advice and tips on how to score 700+ on the GMAT.

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by ceilidh.erickson » Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:01 pm
tarnation wrote: - I have heard that some of the top schools require students to provide GMAT scores within the past 3 years while others give more time. If so, I am assuming that I should take the test as late as possible (sometime in August?)
!
I don't know who is telling you this, but I'm pretty sure that they're misinformed! In 5+ years of working closely with students and admission consultants, I've never heard this one. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years, so as long as you apply within that time, schools will accept the score.

I have had students who took the test their senior year, but then waited too long to apply and had their scores expire. That's a risk that you run, but I still think you're making a smart and proactive choice. Many of my students wish they had taken it in college when they had more time!

To that point, though... many people who try to study for the GMAT years in advance find that they aren't motivated enough to put in the many hard hours of work required. They dabble a bit, but get distracted. So, if you're going to commit to studying this year, really COMMIT!

- How can I get started on a study plan that will help me score 750+? Are there any guides/threads that someone can direct me towards so I can create a plan of action? I am honestly clueless when it comes to how to start so any guidance would be much appreciated.
There is a ton of guidance on these forums, but here's a general plan:
- take a diagnostic practice test
- analyze your strengths and weaknesses based on that
- read strategy guides from some major prep company, topic-by-topic
- do OG problems to practice
- take practice exams every 2-3 weeks to evaluate progress
- track your work carefully throughout. Keep an error log.

- Other than maintaining a good GPA this year, is there anything else you guys suggest I do during my last year in college to best position myself for MBA applications?
This one is harder to answer. Business schools don't want to admit an entire class of bankers who have nothing else going on in their lives (even though a life in investment banking leaves little time for anything else!). Make sure that you have interests that you actively pursue that are personal to you.
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
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