I just Beat The GMAT!

Hello Ekta,

Would it be possible for you to also mail me the soft copy of the GMAT materials at [email protected]

Thanks

Hi Ngufo,

I need your help and advise on verbal timing issues:

I am having problem with timing my verbal section,

CR: I take 3 mins on an avg to solve one question- approach: I write down the premise,conclusion etc and then I attack the question. It takes 3 mins, but I get it correct.Sometimes I have to go back and forth among the answer choices. It takes another 30 secs. Please let me know if there is better approach. If I donot write down but try to solve, then I keep going back and forth between arg, stimulus and ans choices many times, And may get ans wrong.

SC : On tough SC I take around 2.5 mins, when 2 or 3 choices are close. And my hit rate in OG verbal supplement was 70% to start with and slowly came down to 45-50% toward's end. For SC's I try to read the question and without reading answer I try to figure out the prob/sol and later I go look at ans choices, everytime I find atleast there are 2 close ans choices and eats away my time. Is there better approach for this ?

RC : I read first para twice sometimes and then take notes for each and then go for questions. I take 4-5 mins to read passage and avg 1.5-2 mins to solve each questions.

So overall my scenario in exam is by the time I have reached 25-30 questions on verbal my time is exhausted, I end up marking 11 questions blindly and out of 30 about 17 will be correct, which will land up in low verbal score. My goal is to make atleast 30 correct in verbal out of 41.

I appreciate your help. Please let me know other strategies/practice material to beat the timing issue.

Finally, I would like to know if OG 11 is better than OG supplement ? Do they have repeats ?

Btw I posted this question in strategy section, I did not get any response. You are very trustworthy as you have answered my previous questions, i am sure you will help.

Thanks again
Vgmat2.

Hey NGUFO ... firstly and foremost ... a big congratulations on your excellent score.
And secondly ... I think you should go into coaching or mentoring man ... you are very inspirational / motivational !

Thanks for all your valuable input to us folks on the other side, working on trying to beat the GMAT. My exam is in under 3 weeks time.

Hi vgmat2,
You make me remember the same pain I went thru when studying for the GMAT. It was excruciating (RC, CR as well as SC) . Let me first start with a very small thing I did which helped me save crazy amount of time - took me some time to figure it out.

Before every question in verbal that I answered I would the following before even reading the question.

7.35
1. A B C D E

7.39
2. A B C D E

The 7.35, 7.39 is the time when I start to answer each question. It would give me a very good idea of how much time I had spent on each question. ( above it shows me that I had spent 4 minutes on question 1). I would know that I had spent a lot of time, and need to pace myself better. The only area I know I could save time was SC, would try to do that, plus it also helped because if I came across a particularly hard question that I knew would take me time, instead of spending another 4 minutes on it (given taht I knew I was running out of time), i would make a best guess on it sooner.

Based on what you have written, it sounds like you are already doing a good job of timing yourself - trust me that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING. Once you get your timing good, I fervently believe that half of the problem for preparing for GMAT is gone. So that is a good first step. The 1 is the question number, and The A B C D E written is the answer choices. Before even reading the question I would write the above down, (it had become a reflex with me). What I would do is that for each answer choice that I was sure is wrong, I would cross the alphabet out (THAT MEANS NO RE-READING THAT ANSWER CHOICE AGAIN). I saved precious time. The ones that had a circle on it, were the ones that could be the potential choices. Wahtever back and forth I did would be between those choices. Once I decided one was out, I would cut that out, adn continue the same process. It really helped me (because beofre, I would end up re-reading all the questions and getting confused which was better than the other). Writing the time and the alphabets should be come a part of you, before even reading writing it on paper, and then starting!!

Now coming to the CR portion. I tried 300 different techniques . I was so screwed up - nothing seemed to work for me . I tried reading the passage, summarizing it and writing the premise and the conclusion. First reading the question then the passage -EVERYTHING. Just like you I kept asking, trying new things, NEVER GAVE UP. Finally what worked for me literally was PRACTISE. After a lot of practice I realized that "when I read the question, and then read the passage, for some reason after reading the passage I felt the need to re-read the question being asked again". I noticed that consistently at least in me. So I stopped reading the question first. I would read the passage, and keep track of the main flow. Then read teh question - based on that, it was easy to cut out 1-2 straight off the bat (on the alphabets - as I did that it saved me a lot of time). After that yes for the remaining choices, its re-reading the passage and going back and forth. The funny thing is that over time, when you TIME EVERY CR passage that you do (I timed every question that I did in the Official Maths guide, offical verbal workbook, as well as the Official guide 10th edition). i didnt do a single question without timing it, write the alphabet, and practise cutting things off, and re-reading the remaining options) over time, I just felt I got the hang of it. It was like one day - CR questions didnt feel so painful anymore. I was able to go thru them relatively painlessly - I had my pattern built. "Immediately write the time, write the question number, write the alphabets, Read the passage well (very very focused), read the question - immediately cut the ones that dont make sense), and then go thru the process of re-reading the passage and making decisions. Once you feel comfortable with what you are diong, stick with it. If you are taking 3 minutes, but comfortable with your technique, and getting it right that is GREAT. Just keep practising and timing. I am very sure, with enough practise, over time, it will get better. In case you are not timing every question in OG make sure you do.

SC: Dude dont try to figure out the solution before reading the answers . That will kill you - I know because that killed me too . I did the exact same for the first 3 months of practise. I HATED SC. i couldnt for the love of god figure out how the hell to get them right. Every damn answer looked good to me!!!!. princeton gave a good technique. See the underlined portion, and then immediately look at the answers (dont even TRY to figure out what should be right). When you see the choices use the 3/2 technique. Based on the answers you will see that 3 questions have similar usage, like " The children have had their dinner and gone to bed". Three choices will show you have and 2 will shwo you has. You immediately no that has is wrong. Cut your alphabets - great now you just have to figure out the remaining three. Now instead of you trying to figure out what is write, compare teh differences between the three ansewrs. Try to see what the author has done different in those three choices. Often times that helped me figure out what was right (most times what I thought should be there never was - not sure if my english is that bad, or GMAT just sucks ).
finally make a flash card for EVERY sentence correction question you get wrong... I know that sounds crazy, but trust me, that alone helped me get very very good at SC. It was hard to remember all the idioms, all the patterns. I also have a problem of basic informatin retention. I forget things very quickly (had this problem since I was small). Read something then forget . So by making flash cards and swriting it down (I have explained how I made the flash cards), and practising the questions reguarly, I would remember how the sentence patterns were. In 6 months I had 4 big business card boxes of flash cards (used my official business cards as flash cards). I would practise them regularly. Keep in min dthe usage (try to answer without looking at th eanswer. Not by memorizing the anser, but by memorizing what was wroing - like oh there is a parallelis error here, there isan applies and oranges error here so on so forth (I used princeton verbal to learn the fundamentals. It explains that very easily). By doing that after 6 months of lots of flash cards and lots of revising I started seeing patterns - it became much more easier. It was only then that I got the Manhattan SC book (it would have been too complicated for me earlier). Later on I was able to add on to my base with the book. (I made flash cards, of important concepts from the book too)

RC: Another painful portion for me. Probably the worst. Given my retention problem by the time I would finish reading the passage, I had completely forgotton what the hell the author was talking about . If you talk about crazy frustration and depression - this area killed me. I remember thinking of buying some mental ability tests, to help me fix my retrention issue, to help me focus. I practiced with soem tools on the web -all it helped was giving me a big headache . I tried everything possible - reading all blogs, asking for help, trying to emulate the techniques people mentioned - nothing worked. Finally with a lot of practise and trying new technique I found a way that worked for me. I realized that the first para and the last para, basically control the entire flow of the passage (introduction and summary para). The paras in middle were like e.gs, or details of some specific thing. If I could keep track of what the first and secon para was talking about, and have a basic understanding of what was in the middle paras, I was able to do a better job of answering my RC. So when I would read, I would read the 1st and last para very carefully. The middle paras, I would skim thru. When flow/passage structure questions were asked (previously I would get them wrong, as I would be reading everything in detail, and forgetting the same after completing the passage). After my new technique I got those questions right. For questions in which they asked a specific question about the passage, it was easy enough to go and re-read a few lines to get the exact answer - BINGO. I was just so excited the day it started working for me. It happened out of the blue - one day nothing was happening the next day it just happend....

Having said all the above vgmat2 I will surely add the following. I feel your pain .. - you are going thru the same struggle I went thru.... The struggle to improve, the struggle to not loose faith in one self, the faith that I am good enough, and that its only a matter of time, that if I keep trying to find a way out - god will definitely show me the way to improve. That if I dont try at all - there is no hope. That always got me going - I knew that if I didnt keep reading books for new techniques, trying new ways, , looking, asking for help, doing whatever it took to keep finding ways out, then the only other option for me was to be stuck where I was currently... Trying, hoping, practising, gives you the option to get better - not trying, kills any hope (what is life without hope?)..........

I dont know what the GMAT supplement is? I just used the OG 10th edition (fat book with crazy amount of questions - would do 100 a day - 20 (CR, RC, SC) 20 (Problem solving, Ds). every day in the morning from 5-8 am. (Everything timed - really think that helped me a crazy lot). Its painful but helped me build my stamina, time myself, and feel much more confident. If you arent doing the GMAT 10th, edtion or 11th edition please do so. It is the most important.

I really hope the above helped. Your email gives me a lot of faith that you will succeed. I see the same fire in you, the same burn to crack the GMAT . The same desire to succeed against all odds, the same will to not take NO for an answer no matter what.... just some voice inside that says, that if I give everything I have to this endeavour, how is it not possible that I will not succeed .... I see the same fire in you .....

God helped me achieve my goal - I shiver sometimes just thinking how much against the odds I was able to achieve that score. The 4 years it took me to make up my mind, and do it. Probably thats the part which helps me help people out in a similar position - I feel the pain ....

Dont you dare give up buddy - you are on the right track. Put everything into your try for GMAT. I am very very sure that you will succeed.....

Wish you all the best,
-ngufo

Hi Ngufo,

I don't have words to thank you. Your advise is fabulous, Hats off to you.

I will try all the techniques you mentioned. In fact, I am going to take printout of your reply and stick it in my room.

Actually, verbal supplement is OG verbal review. I finished verbal review and started with OG 11, I was wondering to start working from last 1/3rd of question backwards, since its tough towards the end.

As far as practice tests go, did you give gmatprep multiple times ? I was thinking of focusing on verbal part only to begin with to fix my timing issue and take it several times. But not sure of how to handle repeated questions. Please let me know any strategy for practice exams.

Again, Hats off to you!! you are my greatest inspirer. Better than any mentor I have ever had....

thanks
- Vgmat2.

Hi Ngofu,

I have just read your incredible story of how you prepared and survived to score over 700 in your GMAT. Congratulations and thanks for a great post! I have also started my own preparations and being a very average person myself, I find myself being extremely unmotivated each time I open a GMAT book. Reading your article as well as Eric's has given me new hope and what I would like to know is whether you can provide me the names of the Princeton books you used as well as any other study material (i.e. publisher, edition, year of publishing, publishing house, etc). I managed to find one of the books you used (Cracking the GMAT by Princeton) at a local bookstore today.

I currently have two books (one which consists of about 8 - 10 practice exams and answers) and the other being GMAT for Dummies 5th edition. I am not too sure how good these books are but I am considering ordering the same study material you guys used. I am a little confused whether I should start with these books, finish them and then order the ones you guys used. Please could you advise?

Due to my current situation (i.e. working and living in South Africa), I do not intend to study at any of the Ivy league schools in europe or north america. Hence, UCT (University of Cape Town) Business School is my only option as it is the only business school which presents a competitive mba programme in South Africa.

My intention is to write the GMAT in September/October 2008 and hand my application in towards the end of October for a start early 2009. The entry requirements are not as difficult as some of the top MBA schools in the US, however, my dream is to get a score of 700+. Let's hope my journey is not as harsh but as rosy as yours was in the end!

Thank you very much and all the best with everything in your future endeavors. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards

Clearly one of our most important and popular threads. Making it a sticky.

Regards

Hi Zazoo,
Apologize for the delay in response, the last week, and this weekend were busy on the work front.
When i decided to write the GMAT I knew that I would need to study a lot, practise a lot. Hence for me, just a few books would not help . What I did was I read up a lot of the excerpts of people on this forum and realized that Princeton, Kaplan, Official Guide were the three most saught after brands. However each of the book is veyr expensive. In the last 3 years, I slowly collected all teh books (used), thru craigslist, and taking some from friends who didnt need it. You may not want to buy all of the books, just borrow it from friends if possible.

The aim of the books is to make sure you get comfortable with the basics. for me I found the Prince maths, verbal, adn main book (which I think you have as the best). For ramping up further I used Kaplan and the most important books that I belive you *must have* are Official guide maths, official guide Verbal, and Official guide 10th or 11th edition. I do believe you absolutely have to have those books, as they are the closest to the final test. Also I hope yo have downloded GMAT Power Prep 1,2 GMAT CAT 1,2 free online tests? They are the tests you should probably do at the very end, as they are very very representative of how the actual GMAT is.

Let me give you details now
Princeton Maths: https://www.amazon.com/GMAT-Math-Workout ... 092&sr=8-7 Note I have a soft copy of this book, let me know your mailing address I can mail you this book
Princeton Verbal: https://www.amazon.com/Verbal-Workout-GM ... 145&sr=1-3
Princeton Main 2005 edition: https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Sample-T ... 181&sr=1-2

Official Guide Books:
OG Maths: https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... 21_rsrssi0
OG Verbal: https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... 20_rsrssi0
OG main Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... ch_tsr_rtr

My advice that you first want a book that will teach you the basics. Do use the Princeton maths (that I will send to you), and the Princeton Cracking the GMAT for starting out on your studies. I really wish I could mail you the princeton Verbal also (But I have given it out, and wont get it back any time soon ). It is a very good book, if you can get it from library that would be great.

With the above books I do believe that you will be set with your basics. AFter that I would suggest you move on to the official guide books that I have listed on top. They are very very good and I believe with that done, you shoudl be able to do very very well on your test. I also did the Kaplan books, because I was terribel in Maths and Verbal, and knew I needed more practise. You can keep on a look out for them - if you get them great, you will get more practise.

Note the Princeton book comes iwth the CD. The tests in it are very important to do. Please make sure you do those tests diligently. it show syou straight off where you are. It is not as representative of your true scores as are teh GMAT prep tests that I mentioned to you to download from www.mba.com, but they will tell you where you stand.

You are going with the right attitude - who cares whether one goes to a ivy school or not - I think what matters is that you give you best to what you are trying to do, and feel proud of your achievement. After that whether you want to go to a harvard or to UCT, I believe both are equally good - as long as you get what you are dreaming of

I really wish you all the best. You have kept enough time for studying, so hoping that by doing princeton adn the official guide, you will be able to hone your skills and do a great job at the test. Do not forget to make flash cards pleas e - they helped me a lot.

If you need any help any time, please psot to this forum, I may take a little time, but I promise I will reply

Thanks,
-ngufo

Thanks gabriel, that is very kind of you - I really appreciate it. It means a lot to me.

This forum has given me a lot when I did my studies, it feels good to know that I have been able to re-pay a little of that back. Will keep doing the best I can going forward.

Regards,
-ngufo

Hi Ngufo,

Could you please explain little bit about the experimental question( 9 in Quants & 11 in Verbal, without the multiple choice answer option). Could you please tell how do they impact the scores.

Regards,
Partha

Hi Ngufo,

I have just read your post and seen the emails. Thanks a lot, I will go through them in detail later tonight.

I feel extremely motivated thanks to you!!!! And yes, I will keep the flash cards in mind during my studies.

Thank you very very much for all the advise and help. I really appreciate it and yes I most probably will need your helping hand during the next few months...

Thanks again and Best Regards

I can not even begin to tell you how much this post has helped me.. Reading these forums I really feel like I am dumb or something. I work on sets and sometimes I am lucky to get half of them right. I have not taken a practice test yet because I am sure the score will be in the 400's low 500's maybe.

Thank you so much again for writing this post!

craigblitz wrote:I can not even begin to tell you how much this post has helped me.. Reading these forums I really feel like I am dumb or something. I work on sets and sometimes I am lucky to get half of them right. I have not taken a practice test yet because I am sure the score will be in the 400's low 500's maybe.

Thank you so much again for writing this post!

Craig, I hardly think the GMAT is a test of intelligence. Scoring a 500 on GMAT does not make you dumb neither does scoring a 750 make you smart. Have confidence in yourself, I am sure you will reach your target score. Best of luck with the prep

Regards

HI craig,
I read your short post, but the following is like a story out of my life:

"There will always be people smarter, better looking, stronger, more charismatic, but I have the equilizer. Hard work. Never be outworked or lose focus of your dreams and you will be a success no matter what you do."

I have tears in my eyes when I respond to you, because I coudlnt have said it any better. All my life I have known that I am not a very sharp/smart person. That what other people may do in 2 hours I take 2 days. That when in school doing my masters, I would spend 7 days studying like a crazy person, trying to get my assignments done on time, while people did it in a few hours on sunday, that while for most people GMAT prep takes a few weeks, to a few months - for me it took 6 months of intense preparation. It hurts sometimes, adn I wonder why life is so hard for me every time? But then I remember all those moments, when I achieved the so called "impossible" because I would never give up. because I would put in so much of work in getting to the goal,that I would be both physically and emotionally exhausted by the time I was done. And somehow the effort i have put to date - has never gone waste. The only thing you have to keep in mind, i sjust hard work wont help. You have to be smart about identifying your weakness, your study plan, they way you wll revise etc. Otherwise sometimes the story is like a fly in a bottle, which dies trying to get out of the wrong side of the bottle (even though it tries so hard ).

I felt exactly like you when I was studying for the GMAT. For the first 1 and half months, I didnt even write a test, because I felt like I knew nothing. What was theuse writing then. I mades sure I finished my princeton maths, verbal books (understood the concepts/formulas) etc, and then wote my first test. Got a 460. I had been expecting something bad, but that was just a way of telling me -get started girl you are going to bleed now for 6 months (no easy way out).

Bottom line - I have achieved everything I want to date. I sometimes stand next to the smartest guys in the office, who have no clue how hard I work to keep up. All they know is - damn this girl is really sharp . It doesnt matter whether it takes me 2 hours or 2 damn days. At the end I am right there where the other so called "very sharp" people are... and in the process god has taught me how to have a strong mind, brave anything that comes my way - and yes always NEVER TO GIVE UP.

you have the absolutely right atttitude craig, dont anything intimidate you (even if it feels scary), just make your study plan and go for it with full force. I do fervently believe that when you put in your best, god helps with the rest .....

You are starting out now - start anlysing why you are getting half of your sets wrong, what are the problem areas? Are you timing yourself well - that is a big problem you will need to master in GMAT, do you understand the concepts well enough. there is a thread here that I wrote to one of the guys - about how to fix areas in SC, CR, RC - which I used, which may be of help to you. I forget but it is in the last 2 pages of the post - page 7 or 8 (Very detailed analysis of what worked for me), might not apply to you, but may be of some help ...

Feel free to email me if you any questions any time,
Wish you all the best,
-ngufo

Hi Partha,
I am really sorry, but I dont know much about the experimental question - except that if you do get it right or wrong, the score doesnt count. I never paid much attention to that when I was studying - because
I didnt know how to identify what question was experimental, plus I was strugglign so hard to clear my concepts, and finish studies in time, tath Ididnt get a chance to look into it

Really sorry I couldnt be of much help on this question, if I dig something up will let you know.

Take care,
-ngufo