Any good 4-6 week study plans out there???

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Any good 4-6 week study plans out there???

by chiggaj » Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:49 pm
Good afternoon BTG Forum!!!

I am relatively new to the GMAT world, and am looking to approach this task with as many arrows in my quiver as possible! I know many of you have had successful experiences with the GMAT, and I'd love to benefit from them.

Just a little background on me...I'm 6 years removed from undergrad (Marketing and Finance), earned good marks (3.5 GPA), and held active leadership positions in student organizations (and collegiate athletics - football). Since undergrad, I've been working in a retirement planning and investment management capacity for a Fortune 500 company. I'm hoping these, paired with a strong application, letters of recommendation, and an impressive GMAT score will help ensure my admittance to a Top 10/Top 20 program.

This is where I could use any and everyone's assistance! I just completed an Advanced Kaplan course to learn the fundamentals, and will embark on a 4-6 week full time study regimen next week after I officially resign from my job (resigning b/c I plan to dedicate my full attention to the application process for several months, and then relocating to be closer to family for the next year). I plan on spending the next 4-6 weeks studying 30-40 hrs/week, and hope to successfully complete the GMAT by early May.

Does anyone have any guidance they can offer regarding how to best approach the next 4-6 weeks, or even a sample study guide?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
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by vineeshp » Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:04 pm
This site already has study plans in the section 'self study' above.

There are also success stories of aspirants and how they did it. That should help.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)

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by rishi raj » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:24 pm
30-40 hours/week is way too much. It will have a negative impact on your performance and on your retention. By the way, quitting a full-time job just for the sake of prepping for the GMAT and for the application process is not a good idea. The schools are not gonna look at it positively. How do you plan to explain this in the essays because this is gonna haunt you big time.

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by chiggaj » Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:29 pm
Thanks Raj and Vineeshp!

As for the study plans provided on this site under the self study section, I've reviewed them before, and am still interested to see if anyone has any additional experiences they can speak to.

In regards to leaving my current job, there are several layers to this story that may change your perspective. I'd normally agree with you Raj, but I'm not quitting solely to prepare for the GMAT. Not to get into too much detail, but my dad recently passed, and I'm moving home to help support my mom both emotionally and financially. I've spent the past several years managing $50M+, in addition to several of my own relatively successful investment properties. This good fortune has enabled me to make some sacrifices for the benefit of my family, and I'm more than comfortable articulating that in an essay or interview. Family takes precedence in my life...and it seems strong moral character holds weight with most MBA programs today.

Just out of curiosity, wouldn't top programs be interested to hear a candidate say he/she has spent time preparing for this endeavor above and beyond the GMAT? Interning in the field(s) you're pursuing, significant nonprofit work, self-development, etc.? Personally, I plan to allocate my free time over the next to a nonprofit organization I have a history with.

Thanks!!