This is my first post (hopefully of many) on this forum! I'm going to start studying for the GMAT on the 5th of febr and I'll take the test on the 5th of april. Because there is quite a delay for shipping books to my country, I would like to order them as soon as possible. Thus this post.
I've found this forum via the blog of Eric and would like to thank him for this great initiative! I've been reading here a lot and found really valuable information on strategies and resources. I've tried to come up with a list of books that would help me for my prep, hopefully i'll get some comments before I start buying. My budget is limited (I'm an undergrad student and have to pay for this myself), but I want to spend enough money to be the best prepared as I can get!
GOAL
My goal is definitly 700+ because I would like to do the NYU Stern' MBA and/or work for firms like BCG. I've heard that these strategy consulting firms also look at the GMAT, is that true?
ABOUT ME
Weakness:
- English: Writing is really bad as you may have noticed: This must be one of the firsts english texts I've actually written myself. But contradictionnary, I think my general Voc/RC/SC skills are not worse than other non-natives at the beginning of their prep (if I can believe the DT test of OG, which I scored great without the time limit). But the AWA is going to be hard, not sure how I'm going attack this (Maybe a couple of sessions with a teacher to discuss the practice essays I'll write).
- Speed: I'm a slow thinker in general. I spend an average of 5 min / question on the DT Quant section. I had to dig deep to find my math fundamentels, but still: even when I'll have mastered the theory, time wil be a big issue. As everyone is advising, practicing on pacing (after mastering the fundamentals) will be the focus of my study.
Advantage:
- 'PS mind': I've always found myself a logical guy with a 'problem solving mind'. Subjects like math, statistics or writing arguments have never been a problem. But I know GMAT is all about speed, so this does not really make things easier for me, I guess.
- Time: I have 2 months available for studying. I would like to study an average of 4h/day but if necessary, I can do up to 7h/day (average). I'm sure that would put me way above the average GMAT student/fulltime worker. But I realize that my goal of 700+ is not going to be easy at all (why would I do better than 90% of potentional MBA (aka smart) students??) That's why I'm taking this test now I have the time (not really a class-attender).
BOOKS
That being said, here is the list of books I'm thinking to buy:
- 3x OG
- Complete MGMAT set (8 books + OG explanations)
- Powerscore CR: everyone is talking about this book, but isn't useless if I'll already have the MGMAT CR?
- Veritas RC: I'm sure I need to practice a lot of RC and I've heard this book has good questions. Anyone suggesting a better/extra one for RC questions?
- What can I do for AWA? I saw a book on amazon with essays on every possible subject, but it has bad comments and looks out of date. Would this be usefull (meaning: worth the money) to compare my practice essays with?
OTHER
- ofcourse I'll also use all the free flashcards (but I think making my own will be better for me) and CAT's (after studying).
Any suggestions? I'm not going to take a course. But I really want my resources to be enough for 700+. The only thing between me and 700 should be myself and my motivation (but reading the stories really helps my motivation!)
I've found this forum via the blog of Eric and would like to thank him for this great initiative! I've been reading here a lot and found really valuable information on strategies and resources. I've tried to come up with a list of books that would help me for my prep, hopefully i'll get some comments before I start buying. My budget is limited (I'm an undergrad student and have to pay for this myself), but I want to spend enough money to be the best prepared as I can get!
GOAL
My goal is definitly 700+ because I would like to do the NYU Stern' MBA and/or work for firms like BCG. I've heard that these strategy consulting firms also look at the GMAT, is that true?
ABOUT ME
Weakness:
- English: Writing is really bad as you may have noticed: This must be one of the firsts english texts I've actually written myself. But contradictionnary, I think my general Voc/RC/SC skills are not worse than other non-natives at the beginning of their prep (if I can believe the DT test of OG, which I scored great without the time limit). But the AWA is going to be hard, not sure how I'm going attack this (Maybe a couple of sessions with a teacher to discuss the practice essays I'll write).
- Speed: I'm a slow thinker in general. I spend an average of 5 min / question on the DT Quant section. I had to dig deep to find my math fundamentels, but still: even when I'll have mastered the theory, time wil be a big issue. As everyone is advising, practicing on pacing (after mastering the fundamentals) will be the focus of my study.
Advantage:
- 'PS mind': I've always found myself a logical guy with a 'problem solving mind'. Subjects like math, statistics or writing arguments have never been a problem. But I know GMAT is all about speed, so this does not really make things easier for me, I guess.
- Time: I have 2 months available for studying. I would like to study an average of 4h/day but if necessary, I can do up to 7h/day (average). I'm sure that would put me way above the average GMAT student/fulltime worker. But I realize that my goal of 700+ is not going to be easy at all (why would I do better than 90% of potentional MBA (aka smart) students??) That's why I'm taking this test now I have the time (not really a class-attender).
BOOKS
That being said, here is the list of books I'm thinking to buy:
- 3x OG
- Complete MGMAT set (8 books + OG explanations)
- Powerscore CR: everyone is talking about this book, but isn't useless if I'll already have the MGMAT CR?
- Veritas RC: I'm sure I need to practice a lot of RC and I've heard this book has good questions. Anyone suggesting a better/extra one for RC questions?
- What can I do for AWA? I saw a book on amazon with essays on every possible subject, but it has bad comments and looks out of date. Would this be usefull (meaning: worth the money) to compare my practice essays with?
OTHER
- ofcourse I'll also use all the free flashcards (but I think making my own will be better for me) and CAT's (after studying).
Any suggestions? I'm not going to take a course. But I really want my resources to be enough for 700+. The only thing between me and 700 should be myself and my motivation (but reading the stories really helps my motivation!)
