Hi Everyone,
I am in the preliminary stages of my GMAT preparation. I am planning to take the GMAT by 15th May, 2014 and have come up with a study plan for the same.
I took the GMATPrep practice test with zero preparation and got a score of 340. I could not finish any of the sections completely. I managed to answer only 23 questions (time expired) in quant and answered 9 questions correctly. I managed to answer only 24 questions (time expired again) in verbal and answered 13 correctly. The reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions were pretty difficult. I found that I knew the concepts that the quant section was testing but I couldn't recall the concepts completely.
I have come up with a 3 and a half month study plan to attain a target score of 700+. I wanted to know whether the study plan that I have formulated will help me reach this target score if I study diligently. Here goes :
Books I am planning on purchasing :
1. Manhattan series of 8 strategy guides.
2. Official Guide 13
3. Official Guide Verbal Review
4. Official Guide Math Review
5. Kaplan verbal workbook
6. Kaplan Math workbook
7. Kaplan 800
8. PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible
My weekly study plan :
1. Finish one MGMAT strategy guide (Including practice questions) in 5 weekdays @ 1.5-2 hours/per day.
2. Solve the OG 13 and OG review questions corresponding to the MGMAT Strategy Guide on Saturday and review everything that I studied till date.
3. Solve the Kaplan workbook questions corresponding to the MGMAT Strategy Guide on Sunday and review everything I have studied till date.
4. Repeat the above steps until all MGMAT books have been exhausted.
5. At the end of the first month, take practice tests every weekend to see where I stand (Thanks to Rich for this suggestion)
I am going to use the weekends for solving the questions from the OG and the workbooks. I am also going to use the weekends for reviewing whatever I have studied till date. I am leaving the review process for the weekend since this will take more and more time as I am going to cover more and more material as the weeks go by.
The MGMAT series has 8 books. If I stick the above plan diligently, I will finish reading the MGMAT books + Finish with all the OG questions + Finish with all the workbook questions by the end of 2 and a half months. That will give me 1 month to take practice tests and cover advanced material such as the Kaplan 800.
It would be great if anyone who has attained a score of 700+ can review my study plan and let me know what you think of it. Am I choosing the right books? Do you see any obvious flaws in the plan? Am I missing something in the plan? Will this be a good plan to follow if I am targeting a score of 700+?
One flaw that I see with my study plan is mapping an MGMAT book to the questions in the Kaplan workbooks. I know that MGMAT lists the questions that map to the OG series at the end of each book.I am not sure if the Kaplan workbook has questions categorized by the MGMAT topics so I am not sure how I am going to identify which questions to solve from the workbook. If there is no such mapping available for Kaplan, my plan is probably going to fail/needs to be changed since I can't touch the workbooks until I have finished with all the MGMAT books.
Looking forward to the help
- CK
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Need a review for my 3 month study plan (Day 0 score : 340)
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Hi CK,
Your list of resources seems fine, but it doesn't appear that you've given yourself any means to test your skills "along the way." Waiting until the final month to take practice CATs could be problematic. Your entire process hinges on book-work, perfect comprehension and perfect retention, without a way to gauge if "your way" of doing things is actually working. After your first month of study, you might find that taking a practice CAT every week or two provides some important information about your growing skills, how you handle the physical and psychological aspects of taking the test and your pacing. You might also need to make some adjustments to your plan, as many Test Takers find certain aspects of the GMAT to be too difficult to self-study for (which might mean purchasing some additional resources and/or tutoring).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Your list of resources seems fine, but it doesn't appear that you've given yourself any means to test your skills "along the way." Waiting until the final month to take practice CATs could be problematic. Your entire process hinges on book-work, perfect comprehension and perfect retention, without a way to gauge if "your way" of doing things is actually working. After your first month of study, you might find that taking a practice CAT every week or two provides some important information about your growing skills, how you handle the physical and psychological aspects of taking the test and your pacing. You might also need to make some adjustments to your plan, as many Test Takers find certain aspects of the GMAT to be too difficult to self-study for (which might mean purchasing some additional resources and/or tutoring).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Rich,
Thank you for the review. Your suggestion about including CAT's in my schedule makes complete sense. Do you think my target score is achievable if I am diligent in my efforts?
When you say that that my list of resources seems fine, do you mean it could be better?
Thank you for the review. Your suggestion about including CAT's in my schedule makes complete sense. Do you think my target score is achievable if I am diligent in my efforts?
When you say that that my list of resources seems fine, do you mean it could be better?
GMAT/MBA Expert
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[email protected]
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- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
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Hi sgnikc45,
One of the "quirky" aspects of preparing for the GMAT is that there are a variety of resources to choose from. It's a safe bet that each resource that you're planning to use has helped some people to hit their goals, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those resources are the best fit for you. Unfortunately, there's no way to know if a resource is helping you until you've used the book/Course/Tutor/etc. for awhile.
With your starting score and score goal, my first thought is that you would probably benefit from a taking a Course, but I don't know you well enough to know what you're capable of. The GMAT includes a number of physical and psychological elements to it that you might not properly train for if you're self-studying with books. Conversely, it's possible that none of those elements will affect you.
For all those who are unsure of their plan/resources, I suggest that they "test out" a few and try to gauge if the material is helpful, easy to use and a match for their personality and budget. When it comes to GMAT Courses, most companies offer free samples, tests, quizzes, etc.; try them all out and pick the one that you think is best. With your timeline, you have the room to make adjustments as needed, so stay diligent and be prepared to make changes as necessary.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
One of the "quirky" aspects of preparing for the GMAT is that there are a variety of resources to choose from. It's a safe bet that each resource that you're planning to use has helped some people to hit their goals, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those resources are the best fit for you. Unfortunately, there's no way to know if a resource is helping you until you've used the book/Course/Tutor/etc. for awhile.
With your starting score and score goal, my first thought is that you would probably benefit from a taking a Course, but I don't know you well enough to know what you're capable of. The GMAT includes a number of physical and psychological elements to it that you might not properly train for if you're self-studying with books. Conversely, it's possible that none of those elements will affect you.
For all those who are unsure of their plan/resources, I suggest that they "test out" a few and try to gauge if the material is helpful, easy to use and a match for their personality and budget. When it comes to GMAT Courses, most companies offer free samples, tests, quizzes, etc.; try them all out and pick the one that you think is best. With your timeline, you have the room to make adjustments as needed, so stay diligent and be prepared to make changes as necessary.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Rich,
I understand where you are coming from. I need to be flexible with my plan in-case it does not work the way I imagined it would. Will keep that in mind.
I think I should tell you a bit about myself so that you can give me the right advice. I have been an above average student all my life but I am a very hardworking and diligent person. I can stick to a schedule and I enjoy studying as well. I have never really failed when it comes to academic and professional achievements. I have given a computer test or two for my technical certifications and I have managed to achieve my target score for these certifications. That being said, I am determined, dedicated and excited to beat the GMAT. Kindly re-asses.
I understand where you are coming from. I need to be flexible with my plan in-case it does not work the way I imagined it would. Will keep that in mind.
I think I should tell you a bit about myself so that you can give me the right advice. I have been an above average student all my life but I am a very hardworking and diligent person. I can stick to a schedule and I enjoy studying as well. I have never really failed when it comes to academic and professional achievements. I have given a computer test or two for my technical certifications and I have managed to achieve my target score for these certifications. That being said, I am determined, dedicated and excited to beat the GMAT. Kindly re-asses.
Rich,
I understand where you are coming from. I need to be flexible with my plan in-case it does not work the way I imagined it would. Will keep that in mind.
I think I should tell you a bit about myself so that you can give me the right advice. I have been an above average student all my life but I am a very hardworking and diligent person. I can stick to a schedule and I enjoy studying as well. I have never really failed when it comes to academic and professional achievements. I have given a computer test or two for my technical certifications and I have managed to achieve my target score for these certifications. That being said, I am determined, dedicated and excited to beat the GMAT. Kindly re-asses.
I understand where you are coming from. I need to be flexible with my plan in-case it does not work the way I imagined it would. Will keep that in mind.
I think I should tell you a bit about myself so that you can give me the right advice. I have been an above average student all my life but I am a very hardworking and diligent person. I can stick to a schedule and I enjoy studying as well. I have never really failed when it comes to academic and professional achievements. I have given a computer test or two for my technical certifications and I have managed to achieve my target score for these certifications. That being said, I am determined, dedicated and excited to beat the GMAT. Kindly re-asses.
GMAT/MBA Expert
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[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi sgnikc45,
I think that you clearly have the right attitude for the challenge that you're about to face and that you're a strong enough planner to put together a schedule that will work for you. In terms of assessing it (or reassessing it), the only way to know if it's going to "work" (or is working) is to see how well you improve in the ensuing weeks and months. If you're not progressing, then some adjustments will have to be made. In most cases, some adjustments end up having to be made regardless of what the original plan was.
So, jump in. Once you've taken your next CAT, you should report back with your progress and we can evaluate everything to date.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
I think that you clearly have the right attitude for the challenge that you're about to face and that you're a strong enough planner to put together a schedule that will work for you. In terms of assessing it (or reassessing it), the only way to know if it's going to "work" (or is working) is to see how well you improve in the ensuing weeks and months. If you're not progressing, then some adjustments will have to be made. In most cases, some adjustments end up having to be made regardless of what the original plan was.
So, jump in. Once you've taken your next CAT, you should report back with your progress and we can evaluate everything to date.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Thanks Rich. You have been really helpful. I have placed an order for the MGMAT and official guides. I have decided to drop the Kaplan series for now.
On a side note, I see that you scored a 800 on the GMAT. That's simply amazing!! What business school did you graduate from then?
On a side note, I see that you scored a 800 on the GMAT. That's simply amazing!! What business school did you graduate from then?
