Finding Time to Study - Reposted per request from Stacey!

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ReachingHigher: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:33 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by ReachingHigher » Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:03 pm

I am attempting to manage my time effectively. However, my work schedule has become hideously overwhelming! I cannot take time off....we do not have that policy at work. Also, I have been very exhausted and have a difficult time concentrating. I know the concepts...so a class would not really work for me. Plus, I want to really master the pacing and other areas of the test. I want this to be the last and final time I take this blasted thing.

I have always had serious text anxiety when it comes to the GMAT. When I have taken the test before, I have been under some personal and physical stress. I really just gave up halfway through the test, and I achieved a 550. This was with little attention to time or strategy. I know the concepts...I have studied the same material at least three or four times. However, I have some timing issues. I frequently struggle with keeping my problem solving time under 2:30 minutes. I firmly believe that I can do much better!

Also, I seem to struggle with carving out time to study. Do you have any suggestions on how to manage time? I have heard a good rule of thumb is to study one hour (or two) on the weekdays, and then study 5-6 hours on the weekends.

My question is this: how can I improve my overall study strategy? I have about 2.5 months (I will be taking this exam at the end of November).

I started studying about two months ago, but it has been slow. I have made flash cards, with all relevant concepts higlighted. I have the following books:

-All 8 Manhattan GMAT guides
-Official Guide Companion (MGMAT)
-Verbal Review & Quant Review (OG)
-12th Edition OG
-Took a 9 week MGMAT course one year ago

I really appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks,
Angie

My main goal is to study the two areas of which I am weakest: Word Translations and Sentence Correction. My tutor helped me to assess which areas I needed to study.

Do you have any other suggestions?

*Please be aware that I really do not want to take ANOTHER class.

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:03 pm

suvankar: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:12 am; Location: Kolkata,India

by suvankar » Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:31 am

Hi,
First of all, regading the SCs, I would suggest you to go thru the PR Sentence Correction chapter, that would really help you out .
I really dont know how weak you are in verbal-SC, but I would suggest you PR for the same. I have tried it ans it is really good.

regards,
Suvankar

ReachingHigher: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:33 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by ReachingHigher » Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:38 pm

Hi There,e

Thanks for the answer.

My SC wasn't terrible, but I could totally improve it. Are you referring to the Power Score SC Bible? I do indeed have that. I plan to review it.

I think my biggest hurdle is reviewing all the math and then feeling comfortable to move on towards the verbal section.

I guess I will have to intermingle both sets of material as I go along.

Thanks!

A

suvankar: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:12 am; Location: Kolkata,India

by suvankar » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:57 pm

Hmmm....
By PR, I want to refer to Princeton Review latest edition : cracking GMAT.It is the book that teaches you the GMAT MAth and Verbal.

Its really good. Intially, I had problems with the CRs, but this book really helped me in understanding the rudimentaries of the CR, and now I am confident in doing them.

As far as the Maths prep is concerned, I would suggest you to do thru the PR's Math portion and then start with the OG.OG is having huge repository of practise questions on QA.

let me know if it suffices your need.

regards,
Suvankar

ReachingHigher: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:33 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by ReachingHigher » Wed Sep 29, 2010 10:23 pm

Hello There,

Thanks! I do appreciate that.

Angie

geokid: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 14; Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 10:46 am

by geokid » Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:31 am

I'm in a similar boat, but I am debatig to sign up for veritas on demand or a full course. My biggest issue is timing on both math and verbal. PowerScore RC is great you should definitley get that. In terms of timing, everything boils down to your reaction time on the questions. Most people here or elsewhere indicate that getting strong on concepts and practice practice improves timing. You'd be better able to spot the patterns and solve the problems quickly. Since you are strong on concepts, I'd recommend practicing as many questions as possible, both verbal and math. There are other books for additional questions, if you have exhausted MGMAT and OG. You can search for "GMAT Hacks" in the forums, I dont have these, but debating. In my opinion the if you have already fininshed the guides you should be good, just my 2 cents. Are you keeping tab of time when you try to solve each question? I used to just do the problems and refer to answers without time tracking. I realized that later and started timing every question, I saw great improvement. Also, there are quite a few free resources shared here and elsewhere that you should consider.

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