Best time to take the GMAT

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seippelk: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:40 pm

by seippelk » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:36 pm

I am graduating this December and I want to take the test relatively soon while I am still in the "school zone". I want to get into a top program so I know I will have to work for a while before getting accepted (I only graduated from a top 75 school - Michigan State University) so my questions are is it a good idea for me to take the test now even though it might be a couple years before I got to school (I know its good for 5 years but I would like to know how good is it really to the schools)? I am also going to take the Manhattan Online class (unless you guys think that the actually classroom is better I would have to drive an hour every Saturday to actually attend the class) what is the timeline for when to take the test after I take the class? Right after or should you do your own studying for a while? My last question is that I have time before I will be taking the Manhattan class so should I be starting to study on my own now and if so which books should I get? Thanks you so much for the info.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:36 pm

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Dan@VinciaPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 384; Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 amFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Paris; Thanked: 92 times

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:24 pm

seippelk wrote:I am graduating this December and I want to take the test relatively soon while I am still in the "school zone". I want to get into a top program so I know I will have to work for a while before getting accepted (I only graduated from a top 75 school - Michigan State University) so my questions are is it a good idea for me to take the test now even though it might be a couple years before I got to school (I know its good for 5 years but I would like to know how good is it really to the schools)? I am also going to take the Manhattan Online class (unless you guys think that the actually classroom is better I would have to drive an hour every Saturday to actually attend the class) what is the timeline for when to take the test after I take the class? Right after or should you do your own studying for a while? My last question is that I have time before I will be taking the Manhattan class so should I be starting to study on my own now and if so which books should I get? Thanks you so much for the info.

Doing extra studying never hurt anyone. I might suggest getting the Manhattan books early (will they give them to you early?) and going through some of your weaker points. That way you won't be lost when you do their classes. I've never taken their classes so I can't say which one is better, but I know their books are pretty good. If it were me I would work on your reading comprehension right now so that way you can practice reading everyday correctly. Then I would go on to your next weakness. By getting the books now it may make the classes a little less interesting, but you're probabaly going to review all of the material at least once anyway so why not start sooner? Also, in general its best to take the test within one month of finishing your classes so that way all of the material is still fresh- but it really depends on how ready you think you are.

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uwhusky: Legendary Member; Posts: 1172; Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 74 times

by uwhusky » Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:32 am

Personally if I am in your shoes, I would start my preparation right now with the aim at taking the GMAT few years down the road. Everything you learn from GMAT is "surprisingly" quite transferable to everyday life. Regardless of the result in my GMAT journey, I am glad that I made the decision to take this journey.

I wish I had the plan to take GMAT many years back as oppose to just 3 months ago...

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seippelk: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:40 pm

by seippelk » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:31 pm

So should I wait then I am worried waiting I might forget more stuff from my schooling than I would like. Also should I really start studying years in advance?

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Dan@VinciaPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 384; Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 amFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Paris; Thanked: 92 times

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:44 am

seippelk wrote:So should I wait then I am worried waiting I might forget more stuff from my schooling than I would like. Also should I really start studying years in advance?

You can always work on reading comprehension regardless of when you're going to take the test. However, I think studying for more then six months might not be the best strategy- instead studying seriously for two or three is probably preferable.

If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
GMAT tutor paris
Prepa GMAT

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Ashim88: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 73; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:01 pm; Location: San Jose, CA; Thanked: 8 times

by Ashim88 » Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:29 am

dan.gmat.gre wrote:
seippelk wrote:So should I wait then I am worried waiting I might forget more stuff from my schooling than I would like. Also should I really start studying years in advance?
You can always work on reading comprehension regardless of when you're going to take the test. However, I think studying for more then six months might not be the best strategy- instead studying seriously for two or three is probably preferable.

My personal schedule is to study for the next 5 months, covering at least 5 chapters per week in the MGMAT guides, get through the OG books, do a bunch of CAT tests, and master my writing skills for the AWA's.

I'm also graduating this December, but my test day is Nov. 24th

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seippelk: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:40 pm

by seippelk » Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:09 pm

When are you planning on applying to schools? I am curious because I want to know how many people are trying to get into good programs right after college or soon there after.

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Ashim88: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 73; Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:01 pm; Location: San Jose, CA; Thanked: 8 times

by Ashim88 » Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:14 pm

If I get a 650 or higher, I will apply to IU Kelley for Spring 2011.

And if I get less than 650, or declined by IU, I will work for 3 years/possibly re-take the GMAT and apply to IU and UC's

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