Self Study vs. Course Prep

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 172
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:00 pm
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:1 members

Self Study vs. Course Prep

by smclean23 » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:06 pm
I am in a world of trouble or maybe I am putting too much pressure on myself. I took the GMAT today and got a horrible score (low 400's for the nosey people out there). I've read thru the many blogs and posts about whether to take a prep course or study on my own. I really do not want to spend $1500 on a prep course that may or may not beneficial to me.

Is there anyone out there who can give me confidence and/or an outline for how they prepared for test on their own? My goal is to get a 600...I would be happy with a 580 to be honest. Thats a whopping 200 point jump. I have until October 15 to get this score which means hours of hours of studying. My real question is "Is it possible"? (unidiomatic, of course)....

Please describe in detail the types of things you have done. I want you to be explicit..down to what you ate on test day.

Thanks so much in advanced.

-Shocked & Amazed....
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 10:46 am
Thanked: 1 times

by Mclaughlin » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:36 pm
Yes, i think it's definately possible. I think if you have the discipline to do it on your own, spending some money of course on the Manahattan SC guide and the OG guide and the OG verbal, OG math AND with the SC guide, you get access to the MGMAT tests online (6 of them i believe) that are CATs that it's possible. But you have to study every day and review why you got questions wrong so you wont make the same mistakes again. That's imperative.

I dont thinkyou have to study every day until october, perhaps if you plan on really studying every day for the next 8 weeks, then i'd reschedule for mid september.

GOOD LUCK!

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2469
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:09 pm
Location: BtG Underground
Thanked: 85 times
Followed by:14 members

by aim-wsc » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:49 am
Eric's blog is great inspirational stuff to work on your own.
The founder of this site prepared for GMAT on his own & you can check our his blog here...
https://beatthegmat.blocked
THere are great take aways & I learned a lot from his blog personally.