Cursed because of Kaplan?

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beaterbeaterpumpkineater: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:48 pm

by beaterbeaterpumpkineater » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:42 pm

After looking through several posts on this site, I am worried about my situation. Most of the Strategy posts don't recommend the Kaplan course or Kaplan materials.

I would appreciate any advice on the subject as I have completed 75% of the Kaplan online workshops, quizzes and tests.

I also would like to point out that I have one month left to study...Wish I would have found this site earlier!

Thanks!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:42 pm

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Re: Cursed because of Kaplan?

by beatthegmat » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:46 pm

beaterbeaterpumpkineater wrote:After looking through several posts on this site, I am worried about my situation. Most of the Strategy posts don't recommend the Kaplan course or Kaplan materials.

I would appreciate any advice on the subject as I have completed 75% of the Kaplan online workshops, quizzes and tests.

I also would like to point out that I have one month left to study...Wish I would have found this site earlier!

Thanks!

Actually, I think that the Kaplan materials are quite good. There are only a handful of companies that I trust with regard to quality GMAT prep materials: GMAC, Princeton Review, Manhattan GMAT, and Kaplan.

I certainly do not think you are cursed because you used Kaplan materials--if anything, you are blessed to have them.

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mayonnai5e: Legendary Member; Posts: 1018; Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:19 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Thanked: 86 times

by mayonnai5e » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:50 am

While Kaplan materials are not to be laughed at, there are better resources out there in my opinion. With one month left, if you have not looked at the official guide resources, I would strongly suggest abandoning the Kaplan materials for OG materials including OG11, OG V and/or OG Q. The reason being that while Kaplan is good, it will never be able to match the quality of old retired GMAT questions. You will probably notice a significant difference in the way the questions are framed, the ways certain topics are covered, and the simplicity of the OG solutions. Indeed, the greatest resource available in my opinion is the set of solutions for the OG material - they are mini lessons in and of themselves.

You probably will not have time to cover all three books in one month so I would suggest OG11, which contains 800 problems. Even that may be a bit difficult to complete in 1 month depending on your study times.

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:47 pm

Great point about OG materials.

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bates88: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 101; Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:50 am; Thanked: 2 times

by bates88 » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:28 pm

No, you're not cursed, but there definitely are better materials out there. In your last month, I would do the OG as recommended, and I would switch to Princeton Review. Their tests are much more like the real thing than Kaplan's, especially for verbal. The strategies also worked very well for me when I was in a bind on the real test.

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beaterbeaterpumpkineater: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:48 pm

by beaterbeaterpumpkineater » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:33 am

Thanks everyone for your help.

I get the feeling that Kaplan materials use the "hold your hand along the way" process, instead of just diving right in and tackling real GMAT questions.

I started using OG 11 yesterday and hope to finish it within two weeks. I have decided to work with the OG materials and if I have time I may move on with Princeton Review. But I also think it would be a good idea to focus on my test taking skills (time management and simulating a testing environment). Any comments?

One good thing I found about Kaplan was that they offer an ultimate practice test- where you can go take a practice round at a Pearson Center.

Anyways, I will post again about my progress.

Happy Holidays!

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Smallz: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 23; Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:57 am

by Smallz » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:43 am

I wouldn't even worry about Princeton Review if I were you. If you have time after the OG, get the supplements and go through those. I started with the Kaplan Premeir Program but quickly switched to the OG guides and thats all I did and now that I've done the test, I wouldn't do it any other way. Also, have you done the GMAT Prep tests yet?

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MK2007: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:17 pm

by MK2007 » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:11 pm

I was in the same situation as you and felt that Kaplan online tools differ a bit from the real questions. The Kaplan CATs are too hard.
I still did all the required material and 7 CATs of out 8.
If you have just one month left, I recommend you start working right away on OG 11 and 10, buy the manahattan SC book + read sahil's notes and also do the MGMAT online exams, they are very helpful and give you a good feel of what the real thing is. You need to take of course the two GMAC CATs available (GMATPREP 1 and 2).
Finally, the UPT is so important. It will help you do better on the day of the exam because you ll have less pressure.
Try to do everything above if you can and I m sure you ll do well.

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beaterbeaterpumpkineater: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:48 pm

by beaterbeaterpumpkineater » Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:31 pm

I have taken two Kaplan CATs at home. Hard to discipline over the holidays but still trying to get in some practice.

The OG book is quite helpful.

Where can I find "Sahil's Notes"

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beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 amFollowed by: 994 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times

by beatthegmat » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:57 pm

Sahil's Notes can be found on the resource page, "Essential GMAT Prep Resources," https://www.beatthegmat.com/resources.html

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