Hi! This is my first time to post here although I've been lurking on these forums for quite a while.
I'm planning to take the GMAT on the 1st week of July and targeting at least a 700 score. Right now I have the ff. resources:
1. Kaplan Premiere (with 5 practice CATs)
2. MGMAT Official OG Companion (with 6 practice CATs)
*have yet to find a copy of the OG 13th ed in my country but the extra CATs from MGMAT will do for now
3. Official GMATPrep Free Software (with 2 practice CATs)
After reviewing a bit of GMAT 101 & quant fundamentals (really just a bit--more like skimming a few algebra & arithmetic problems) on my Kaplan book, I took my first diagnostic CAT from MGMAT and got the ff:
Quant-38 (48th percentile)
Verbal-31 (59th percentile)
TOTAL-580 (56th percentile)
A few things noted:
- QUANT is my real weakness. I need to work on both fundamentals and time management skills (By question#22 on the practice CAT, I was already 11 mins behind schedule. Had to rush through the last 10 questions.. might've gotten some of them right if I wasn't already panicking and guessing here and there)
- I thought VERBAL would be easier but ended up butchering CR & RC. Part of it had to do with stamina & focus, I guess... I felt too drained after the Quant section.
Ok so the results left me quite devastated.. but with the 4 months I have left, I'd like to get some tips on how best to move forward.
Also since I have 12 remaining CATs to practice with, how do you suggest I go through them (how many in a month, in which order)? Stamina is a major concern especially since there's still AWA & IR.
Your help will be much appreciated. =)
Thanks!
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Help on 4-month Plan (1st CAT: 580; Target: 700+)
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Hi AKCNC,
You've given yourself plenty of time to study, which is a good first move. The resources that you've purchased may or may not be enough to help you hit your goals. We'll know more as you're progressing through your studies. You've already assessed some of your weak spots, so you have some areas to focus on for this first month.
As to the CATs, you should plan on taking 1/week at the most. Your skills (including endurance and pacing) will improve over time as you continue to study and review your past CAT performances.
You'll likely have to make some adjustments to your plan as you become more familiar with what the GMAT is really about, but if you ever feel "stuck", you should post back here. There are plenty of people here who can help you along the way.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
You've given yourself plenty of time to study, which is a good first move. The resources that you've purchased may or may not be enough to help you hit your goals. We'll know more as you're progressing through your studies. You've already assessed some of your weak spots, so you have some areas to focus on for this first month.
As to the CATs, you should plan on taking 1/week at the most. Your skills (including endurance and pacing) will improve over time as you continue to study and review your past CAT performances.
You'll likely have to make some adjustments to your plan as you become more familiar with what the GMAT is really about, but if you ever feel "stuck", you should post back here. There are plenty of people here who can help you along the way.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
