GMAT Strategy

Thank you! I'll check those out!

Hi Vanessa,

Here are some suggestions for you that go along with what I said:

1. Complete the Kaplan math review. You should do a verbal review as well because it is better to cover both areas. You don't want to get caught short when it comes to studying for the GMAT.

2. Take a diagnostic test. I don't have a preference. But, you should find one that will give you complete explanations for the test questions. Some of the prep company diagnostic tests will give you a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses, too. Look for that kind.

3. Use the results of your diagnostic test to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are if your diagnostic didn't do that for you.

4. Use those Manhattan GMAT math and verbal strategy guides for the strategies that you should go over before attempting to practice problems using the Official Guide. Their math and verbal strategies are just like putting down a foundation for you, to be able to do the questions and problems in the Official Guide.

5. Once you go through the math and verbal strategies in the MGMAT guides, follow their set pattern of practicing questions and problems from the Official Guide. Their "study" plan is very well organized.

6. I would use anything that MGMAT has to offer both in print and online because they have excellent GMAT prep materials.

7. Lucky Number 7. Don't forget to make a plan to take at least 5 or more practice tests as part of your preparation process. That way, you can track your progress as you go along. mba.com has two free practice tests that you can download from that site. MGMAT has an online, computer adaptive test bank that you can buy for $39. I think that you can take up to 6 tests without any questions being repeated.

8. Make sure that you buy a timer to use when you are practicing anything during your prep process. Taking the GMAT is all about timing, so learning how to time yourself is a very important thing, too. Two minutes to complete a math problem is pretty standard. Verbal problems are harder to time, so I don't have a suggestion about those kinds of questions. Most practice tests have a built in timer, but you should get used to timing yourself, anyway.

9. Study times: Study for 90 minutes at a time, no more than that. Then, take a break. I think that 5 hours a day has always been my limit. I would study up to 25 hours a week, maximum. You need to make sure to give yourself a break when you start feeling really tired. I really don't try to push the envelope when it comes to that. You also need to make sure that you give yourself at least one whole day off. Actually, spending 25 hours a week, will make you want some time off for sure. So, 5 days at 5 hours a day could be a plan? Take two nice days off. 25 hours x 8 weeks=200 hours for your prep work. Or, you could spend 20 hours x 10 weeks=200 hours. The point here is that you should try to think about how many hours a day and for the week, that you could honestly study for the test, without getting that burned out feeling?
Greg

That is an absolutely excellent post. Such great advice! I am going to follow it point for point - thank you. *goes off to order Manhattan Guides*
You are right about thinking honestly about what I can achieve and how long I can work each day.
As long as 200 hours end up being around enough then 5 hours a day as you suggested will be great.
You have been so helpful - really, thank you so much.
I will post back and tell you how it is going.
I have Finals at the moment and I can't wait to be done so that I can start GMAT prep (I'm crazy). You know when you have the buzz to achieve something?

When are you taking the test? Tons of luck, though I am sure you are a pro

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa,
I think that 200 hours is an above average number of hours to spend studying for the GMAT. Actually, I would say that most GMAT test prep companies say that 120-150 hours would be a target preparation time for their courses. I think that 200 hours spread over 2.5 months is good. That means that I think that I would go for 4 hours a day at 5 days a week for 10 weeks. You could "tweak" things a little to fit that time in before your test date of August 10. Two months and two weeks minus four days would be your target number of hours to study. Honestly, studying for 25 hours every week is a whole lot. Some weeks, you may want to study like that, but most weeks I think that 20 hours would be the best. One Manhattan GMAT instructor told me that they expect you to spend 14 hours a week doing their "assigments" outside of the class. That same instructor said that you could be spending 20 hours a week if you did every single thing on their course syllabus for the week. I am not trying to sound confusing here, but I think that the amount of time that you need to spend on this, is a factor of many different things. First, the time that you take to absorb the different strategies that you need to use to do the problems. Then, how many problems that you want to complete in the OG? Then, taking those practice tests. Yes, there are those factors, the kind that will give you an idea about how many hours that you need to put into studying.

I am planning to take the GMAT in September. I haven't actually signed up to take the test, yet. But, for the time being, I gave myself a tentative date as a goal, instead.

Rob

Thanks, Rob,

Unfortunately I can't start studying just yet and not all my summer will be free, but your post is so useful for determining how to best divide up my time. I am quite excited to start prepping! I will do as you say and spread it out more.

I also ordered all the Manhattan math prep guides. I think I may have ordered too much material, but better to have more than less I guess.

I think it was a good idea on your part to set a tentative date. I was going to do the same, but I know myself: I work better to deadlines, and since I am starting my job in August, I don't think I'll have time to study and take the test any later than the date I have booked.

I will definitely post about my progress, and look forward to hearing about how your prep progresses....

Many thanks again,

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa,
I think that you will be surpised when you start looking through the MGMAT strategy guides. It is a lot of material, but I think that is has been very useful for me when it comes to the GMAT prep process. You will also notice a certain pattern in the way that MGMAT presents their material. Trust what MGMAT has to offer because I think that it is very good.

Greg

I'm excited to get them!
Today I had a quick browse through Kaplan 800 (only because it is the first book Amazon has sent) and the verbal part seems fine...
The maths is difficult, but I think I'm beginning to see what you mean about the same concepts recurring... so hopefully with _a lot_ of practice I'll get better.
i'm excited to get going now! )