Well I took the GMAT today, and I got a . . . 700! 48 Math, 38 Verbal. Here's how I did it.
1. I took a Princeton Review class.
Unfortunately, I don't think this was of much value but that has more to do with the specific teacher than the program itself. I have already written to Princeton Review about this.
2. I read the Manhattan GMAT books.
There are 8 books, and I read six in detail, doing all the problems, etc. This was the kicker for me. These books honed in concepts I hadn't understood/been taught with the PR class. These books were especially crucial for me getting the 700.
3. I took the GMAT Prep practice tests.
I took the GMAT Prep tests, both of them, and scored a 660 and then 690. On the 690, I lost on time before answering the last question so that would technically have been a 700 if I answered. It goes to show not to get caught up in Princeton Review practice tests... they are not accurate! Or, I really jumped that much due to Manhattan GMAT. I'm not sure either way.
4. I studied my ass off.
Let me fill you in on my study schedule. During the weekdays (I work fulltime), I studied 3 rounds. What that means is I studied for 40-45 minutes, then took a 10-15 minute break. That constitutes one round. My substitute PR teacher (who was much better than my original teacher) suggested that I practice this way, and he was right! He said the brain remembers the first and last 20 minutes of what you study crystal clear, but the middle gets muddy. So skip the middle! So a round is a total of 1 hour, with 40-45 minutes actually studying. On weekends, I would go 8 rounds or more. Sometimes I'd watch 10 minutes of a movie in between, or read some news. But then I'd get right back to studying. I pounded the info in time and time again.
5. Finally, PR had sent me the 12th edition book with all the GMAT questions... this is priceless practice that you cannot get anywhere else. Buy this book.
Overall, I am super happy and am ready to apply in a couple years to top schools around the country.
You can get a huge jump on your score if you study like I outlined above, do it for at least 1.5 months, and get those Manhattan books!
PS I moved my test back twice, each time paying $50. I was going to take it May 17, then moved it back to the 21st (it was the latest in May they had available, and I didn't want to wait until June b/c of the new Integrated Reasoning... I don't want to be a guinea pig!). Then I moved it back to the 31st when that date became open. That extra 2 weeks means I jumped from 500 to 700 in 5 weeks, and it IS doable.
Thanks to this forum for steering me in the right direction.
But, regardless I am very happy and now am looking forward to some relaxation.
