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cbenk121
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 202
- Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:34 pm
- Thanked: 15 times
- GMAT Score:760
Hi all,
I took the plunge today and took Practice Test #1 in official GMAT test software, and got a 700. Here's the breakdown:
Quant - 48
Verbal - 38
--Sentence Correction: 6 correct, 6 incorrect
--Critical Reasoning: 6 correct, 2 incorrect
--Reading Comprehension; 10 correct, 0 incorrect
Overall, I was very happy and exceeded my expectations - I was nervous I was going to get around 550, because I bombed problem solving diagnostic test in the Official GMAT Book (only got half of questions right). But, in hindsight I think that test was covering all the possible topics, whereas actual GMAT covers just a few.
Time was not an issue, I think I had 10 minutes left on quant and 15 minutes left on verbal.
So now I'd like to develop a study plan. Here's what I'm thinking:
Quant (two weeks) - I didn't notice any difference between Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving in terms of difficulty, so I think I need to focus on strategies for both, then just do lots of practice problems. The official GMAT guide has a general review on quant, but lacks strategies (or at least what I've read thus far), anyone know of a great resource for quant strategies? Frankly, I had a couple problems where I guessed lucky, so I want to develop my familiarity with how to approach these problems so I don't need to guess except in extreme situations!
Verbal General - I notice that the spread in terms of percentiles is much greater than with quant, so combining that with my lower verbal score indicates I should spend more time overall prepping for verbal.
Sentence Correction (two weeks) - By far this was my weakest section, but fortunately is probably the easiest to improve (since it's straightforward English rules). I've heard the Manhattan guide is good, so I'm thinking of getting that. Any other resources I should look into?
Critical Reasoning (one week) - This was pretty strong, but I missed a few. I know one was because I chose an answer based on something that wasn't mentioned in the text, so I learned my lesson. Really I'm not sure how much strategy you can have for this, since it's just logic, I'm thinking of reviewing basic strategy then just practicing problems.
Reading Comprehension (one week) - Obviously I did well here. In a similar setting, the ACT, I aced the Reading section (36), so I think this is a natural strength. I have my strategy down, but I'll still review any strategy in Official GMAT Guide, and do some practice problems.
In summary, I currently have the Official GMAT Book, and will work through that. In addition, I'm considering getting Kaplan's GMAT 2010 Premier Live, and Manhattan's guide to Sentence Correction. Then spend the next 6 or 8 weeks, mostly targeting quant and sentence completion.
Thoughts from people who've gone through test prep and the GMAT? My goal is to get 760+ (99th percentile): that score will help me get into the business school I want, as well as recruitment out of that business school. Thanks!
I took the plunge today and took Practice Test #1 in official GMAT test software, and got a 700. Here's the breakdown:
Quant - 48
Verbal - 38
--Sentence Correction: 6 correct, 6 incorrect
--Critical Reasoning: 6 correct, 2 incorrect
--Reading Comprehension; 10 correct, 0 incorrect
Overall, I was very happy and exceeded my expectations - I was nervous I was going to get around 550, because I bombed problem solving diagnostic test in the Official GMAT Book (only got half of questions right). But, in hindsight I think that test was covering all the possible topics, whereas actual GMAT covers just a few.
Time was not an issue, I think I had 10 minutes left on quant and 15 minutes left on verbal.
So now I'd like to develop a study plan. Here's what I'm thinking:
Quant (two weeks) - I didn't notice any difference between Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving in terms of difficulty, so I think I need to focus on strategies for both, then just do lots of practice problems. The official GMAT guide has a general review on quant, but lacks strategies (or at least what I've read thus far), anyone know of a great resource for quant strategies? Frankly, I had a couple problems where I guessed lucky, so I want to develop my familiarity with how to approach these problems so I don't need to guess except in extreme situations!
Verbal General - I notice that the spread in terms of percentiles is much greater than with quant, so combining that with my lower verbal score indicates I should spend more time overall prepping for verbal.
Sentence Correction (two weeks) - By far this was my weakest section, but fortunately is probably the easiest to improve (since it's straightforward English rules). I've heard the Manhattan guide is good, so I'm thinking of getting that. Any other resources I should look into?
Critical Reasoning (one week) - This was pretty strong, but I missed a few. I know one was because I chose an answer based on something that wasn't mentioned in the text, so I learned my lesson. Really I'm not sure how much strategy you can have for this, since it's just logic, I'm thinking of reviewing basic strategy then just practicing problems.
Reading Comprehension (one week) - Obviously I did well here. In a similar setting, the ACT, I aced the Reading section (36), so I think this is a natural strength. I have my strategy down, but I'll still review any strategy in Official GMAT Guide, and do some practice problems.
In summary, I currently have the Official GMAT Book, and will work through that. In addition, I'm considering getting Kaplan's GMAT 2010 Premier Live, and Manhattan's guide to Sentence Correction. Then spend the next 6 or 8 weeks, mostly targeting quant and sentence completion.
Thoughts from people who've gone through test prep and the GMAT? My goal is to get 760+ (99th percentile): that score will help me get into the business school I want, as well as recruitment out of that business school. Thanks!
. (Although to be fair, in reviewing my missed answers in OG 12, most of them were stupid mistakes).
