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Continue Self Study or Prep Course/Tutor

by Ed2289 » Thu Jul 31, 2014 7:09 am
Hello Everyone,

I've been silently following the BTG forums religiously for the past few months and the postings and articles have truly been motivating and informing. I figured I finally have a question for myself.

I started studying for the GMAT about a month and half ago. I am following Brett's great 60-day study guide exactly but taking a few extra days on each section. I have just about finished going over all math topics covered using the Manhattan GMAT track. So essentially I have finished going over all 5 Manhattan GMAT strategy guides for quant and all the OG13 quant questions. I have not touched verbal at all yet. I have always benefited from learning in a structured environment as opposed to self studying. However, if I sign up for a prep class, I don't want to waste any time going over topics I may know well already. I'm sure many prep classes will be using the OG13 in detail, but I have already finished all the quant questions. I also want to do the most efficient prep as possible but will do whatever is necessary to get a 700+.

I took the GMATPrep CAT #1 in the beginning of my studies per the 60-day guide and received a 550 (32Q, 33V) so I know I have a ways to go to get that 700+. I have without a doubt made progress in my self studies in quant, but have not taken another CAT yet to track the progress. I'm not sure if I'm maximizing my study efforts though. I essentially don't want to run into a situation where I self study for a few months and don't make the progress I'm expecting and after those few months I end up signing up for a prep class/tutor anyway (when I could have just signed up in the beginning and avoided some wasted time).

Should I bite the bullet and enroll for a class or tutor or continue my self studying. Manhattan's prep classes look attractive, but I already own the majority of the materials that come with the class. Money is an issue so I just want to make sure I am getting the most out of it. My targeted test date is October, but I will delay it if I do not feel fully prepped for it.

Thanks in advance everyone!
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by [email protected] » Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:39 am
Hi Ed2289,

Your post makes it seem like you're unwilling to make choices. You wrote a number things that seem to "counter" one-another:

1) You've been using the 60-day guide "exactly", but taking a few extra days on each section....so you're not following it exactly.
2) You've been studying for a month-and-a-half, but you haven't touched verbal AT ALL....why not? Verbal is half of your score!
3) You claim to benefit from a structured learning environment, but you're focused on the 60-day plan, which is essentially self-study.
4) You don't want to sign up for a class because you don't want to go over topics that you may know already, but you will do whatever is necessary to get a 700+.
5) You're not sure if you're maximizing your studies, but you haven't taken a practice CAT since you started (so how will you know if you're improving?)
6) You want to be efficient, but nothing you've written makes it sound like you're acting in an efficient manner.

This makes me think that you need a GMAT Course to give you a series of step-by-step instructions to follow. Even if you find that you know some of the material already, the review will make you a stronger Test Taker. Attempting questions that you already know how to answer, using other methods/tactics, will also make you a more flexible thinker.

An October Test Date gives you plenty of time to get through a Course. You should look at the various options, then pick the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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by Ed2289 » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:58 pm
Thanks for the reply Rich. Sorry I was a little contradicting and unclear in my initial post.

I've been following the 60-day guide exactly (as in chapters to review and problems to complete), but taking a few extra days to go over chapters again and make sure I know the material before progressing. I haven't touched verbal at all since the 60-day guide hits quant first before moving to verbal. Money is an issue for me which I why I'm trying to self study, even though I know a structured test environment would benefit me the most. I haven't taken another CAT yet to gauge my progress since the 60-day guide doesn't have another CAT scheduled until the completion of quant review (which I am just about at). Perhaps I should have said I would like to do the best prep possible with the least financial impact?

However, I do see now that extra review on topics I may already know will only help me be a better test taker. Since I already own a lot of the Manhattan materials, should I maybe look at other companies? I'm located in NYC and would definitely prefer an in-person class instead of an online class. Any suggestions? Much appreciated!
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by [email protected] » Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:49 pm
Hi Ed2289,

I think that taking a FULL-length CAT would provide you with some valuable information about your progress. As you continue to study, you should plan to take a CAT every 1-2 weeks. This will allow you to "catch" any issues earlier rather than later and give you more lead time to nitpick your process.

When it comes to classes, there are plenty of options. Live classes will likely be the most expensive options, so you should consider all of the possibilities. Many GMAT companies offer free sample resources (classes, online practice material, videos, etc.); you should investigate the various options, then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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