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Self-Study or take a Course?

by piyushk » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:32 pm
Hello,

I come from an Engineering background. I would say I have good Math Skills. I did my schooling and graduation in English, hence I'm also ok to Verbal.

The roadblock for me is that i'm in a Full time job, which i cannot leave for my GMAT preparation.

What option would be best for me to prepare for GMAT: Self-study or join a course?

PS: i'm not good at understanding tenses, and some other Verbal partitions.

Please respond. I have a target to give GMAT by Nov-end or mid-December....score target 770 and above only..

Thanks,
Piyush.
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by sumanr84 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:30 am
Take a GMATPrep test as diagnostic and then you will come to know your level. Please post your score here so that experts can comment.
To score 750+ in GMAT, I feel questions/approach should come naturally to you. If your current level is below 550 then its really difficult to score 750+, no matter how much effort you put in. I don't really want to frustrate you here, but I am speaking from my personal experience with GMAT for last 3-4 months.
After a certain level, I have found that its really difficult to even increase your score by +20 points. No matter how well you are prepared anything can go wrong in the exam if you couldn't hold on to your nerves. Slippage of EYE leads to multiple wrongs on some occasions. Time management is also very important. There are so many factors just to be in place for 750+ score.

So, start with a diagnostic and do a self realization of your current level and then kick-start your preparation strategy. Prep companies in India(classroom courses) just rush through the prep and unless you are well acquainted with concepts before hand, you will not only waste your time but also waste your money. I cannot generalize though.
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by frank1 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:20 am
sumanr84 wrote:Take a GMATPrep test as diagnostic and then you will come to know your level. Please post your score here so that experts can comment.
To score 750+ in GMAT, I feel questions/approach should come naturally to you. If your current level is below 550 then its really difficult to score 750+, no matter how much effort you put in.
well i think that cannot be general statement but it depends upon..
person
your problem areas,your strengths...some areas can be taught some cannot be
your background(means standard of education you were grown up.....i failed here)
and your plans....

sometimes it may be that you are infact a good student but not able to get good score as you dont know how to dance according to gmat music...in that case you can come back to 700 even scoring 550 i guess....
and luck also plays a big role....

so nothing to worry about

Taking class or learning yourself also depends upon on you-what kind of person are you...
If you love reading books,jotting down things ,understanding from there you may be ok with studying ownself...there are lots of good books and other stuffs available...
if you want to be guided then classes will help ,may be some extra money...

so just go on
GMAT score is equally counted as your GPA and 78 clicks can change you life.
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by piyushk » Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:31 am
sumanr84 wrote:Take a GMATPrep test as diagnostic and then you will come to know your level. Please post your score here so that experts can comment.
To score 750+ in GMAT, I feel questions/approach should come naturally to you. If your current level is below 550 then its really difficult to score 750+, no matter how much effort you put in. I don't really want to frustrate you here, but I am speaking from my personal experience with GMAT for last 3-4 months.
After a certain level, I have found that its really difficult to even increase your score by +20 points. No matter how well you are prepared anything can go wrong in the exam if you couldn't hold on to your nerves. Slippage of EYE leads to multiple wrongs on some occasions. Time management is also very important. There are so many factors just to be in place for 750+ score.

So, start with a diagnostic and do a self realization of your current level and then kick-start your preparation strategy. Prep companies in India(classroom courses) just rush through the prep and unless you are well acquainted with concepts before hand, you will not only waste your time but also waste your money. I cannot generalize though.
sumanr84, as I have a full time job which takes away 12hrs a day, i was thinking to join an online class which would help me to be on my toes for the preparation. I have done self-study for my college entrance exams and got into a good one. btw I'm looking for online classes, not a classroom.

Also which diagnostic test would you suggest to check my level/score? and how would it help as I have still not started preparing for GMAT?
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by sumanr84 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:49 pm
piyush,

Joining an online class is a good option, but I cannot suggest any as I don't know about them. You can check reviews and decide yourself.

Diagnostics:
1. You can buy OG12 Guide and it has a section in the start of guide that you can take-up in the untimed mode. After the test you can use Interpretive Guide to judge yourself. Buy the book and you will come to know what to do.

2. Download GMATPrep software from MBA.com and complete one full test in timed mode. GMATPrep is a standard software and your score in GMATPrep often corresponds to your real GMAT test score. There are only 2 tests though, so students generally save these tests so that they can use them towards the end of their preparation.

I would recommend 1st approach. Give yourself time and do it in a relax way. I feel running in timed mode will not be a true judgment of your level.
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by sumanr84 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:51 pm
frank1 wrote:
sometimes it may be that you are infact a good student but not able to get good score as you don't know how to dance according to gmat music...in that case you can come back to 700 even scoring 550 i guess....and luck also plays a big role....
I agree with frank.
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by KrazyKarl » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:54 pm
I plan to take one of the free practice tests at mba.com and then see what I need to improve on and maybe try some of the free events that they advertise to the right of the screen here at BTG. Would everyone recommend the same?
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by piyushk » Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:51 pm
sumanr84 wrote:piyush,

Joining an online class is a good option, but I cannot suggest any as I don't know about them. You can check reviews and decide yourself.

Diagnostics:
1. You can buy OG12 Guide and it has a section in the start of guide that you can take-up in the untimed mode. After the test you can use Interpretive Guide to judge yourself. Buy the book and you will come to know what to do.

2. Download GMATPrep software from MBA.com and complete one full test in timed mode. GMATPrep is a standard software and your score in GMATPrep often corresponds to your real GMAT test score. There are only 2 tests though, so students generally save these tests so that they can use them towards the end of their preparation.

I would recommend 1st approach. Give yourself time and do it in a relax way. I feel running in timed mode will not be a true judgment of your level.

Thanks sumanr84, I would go with option-1. I was not aware of it.

I'm off to buy the book tomorrow.

Thanks, Piyush
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by Anthony Russomanno » Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:46 am
Hi Piyush,

Everyone here is giving great advise. However there are many free practice tests available. Check out The Princeton Review's here https://theprincetonreview.com/free-onli ... tests.aspx, mba.com, and other test prep companies. I would suggest a class if: you don't score as high as you though you would, you struggle with prioritizing time, and you find structor motivating.

Personally, I think the organization of a classroom (virtual or not) would be helpful in your situation. After a 12 hour day of work, the last thing you want to do is pick up a book, figure out where to start, and decide what to study. When you pay for a classroom, you have motivation and structor. You don't have to spend a lot of time thinking about how to approach your studies, beacause the classroom does it for you. In The Princeton Review's online classes, the teacher can help you in areas that you are struggling and pull you aside for one on one explanations. With your lack of time, I honestly think a course will do you a lot of good.

I hope I was able to give you some additional perspective. If you have any questions or want to chat further, please email me at [email protected] or give me a call at 949.863.6017.

Good luck!
Anthony
Anthony Russomanno | MA, MBA
National Director of Educational Partnerships, The Princeton Review
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by piyushk » Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:42 pm
Anthony Russomanno wrote: Personally, I think the organization of a classroom (virtual or not) would be helpful in your situation. After a 12 hour day of work, the last thing you want to do is pick up a book, figure out where to start, and decide what to study. When you pay for a classroom, you have motivation and structor. You don't have to spend a lot of time thinking about how to approach your studies, beacause the classroom does it for you.
Hi Anthony,

You read my mind on this.

Thanks, Piyush
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by Anthony Russomanno » Wed Aug 18, 2010 9:22 am
Anytime!
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