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Quant Strategy

by pbanavara » Sat Feb 14, 2009 6:16 pm
Having an engineering background, I hate to say that I score better in verbal than in Quant. Just took the MGMAT CAT 3 and got a 70th percentile in Quant and 77th percentile in Verbal. Not to mention, I've exhausted all Quant resources I have. I haven't tried the purple OG yet. Though there has been improvement in my scores, I'm wondering if I really lack the math skills at the 700-800 level. Can someone please suggest ways of improving the Quant score at this level ?

Thanks for your help.
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by VP_Jim » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:22 am
This is just a wild guess, but..

Often, people with strong quant backgrounds (engineering, finance, etc.) tend to do problems the "official" way, by setting up equations, working them all the way through, and obsessing over a problem until they get it right. This isn't really the best way to approach most problems. Are you using any tricks or shortcuts? These are especially useful on harder problems where the calculations are too difficult and you need to see the theory behind the question.

That's my hunch!
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by pbanavara » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:44 am
Now that I think about it, I guess you are right. The only shortcut techniques I know of are backsolving and picking numbers. However, by default I use the traditional technique, will not be able to solve the problem, lose time, get demoralized and completely forget to use any other short cut techniques. I think I need a fundamental shift in the problem solving strategy, to 'think smart'. Any pointers in this direction will be greatly helpful. I have my exam on Feb 26th, would it be worth to push it by 2 weeks and give some time to learn about these techniques ?

Thanks a lot Jim.
pradeep
In the land of night, the chariot of the sun is drawn by the grateful dead
https://questor.blocked

GMATPREP1 - 550 (Oct 08)
MGMAT FREE CAT - 600 (Dec 08)
MGMAT CAT1 - 670 (Jan 09)
MGMAT CAT2 - 550 (Jan 09)
MGMAT CAT3 - 640 ( Feb 09)
MGMAT CAT4 - 660 ( Feb 09)
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