I am having a hard time coming up with a study strategy that works well for me. I took the Kaplan course then tried (to no success yet 540, 570, 630,570, 650, 540...very inconsistent) to come up with a study strategy that will help me consistently score high(700+). I want to know if someone can share with me what worked for them.
Below I describe the problems I am having, and what I am currently doing. If you have time please read. Maybe you can help me out!!
OVERAMBITIOUS?:
I want to study each CAT and problem set that I do. I want to go through the problems and see why I got them wrong or why I got them right. This is very time consuming. I work full time and only have about 2 hours per weekday and 8 hours on the weekend. Any suggestions?
CAN'T FIND ENOUGH STRUCTURE IN THE AVAILABLE BOOKS:
I did very well in school and went to a top university with a top degree and a very good GPA. In order to get good grades in a math class I would study the heck out of a subject. I would make sure I knew how to do the problems, then move on. With the GMAT I find this hard to do. And...for me, this is why:
The GMAT is not set up like a class,... but that is what I need!!!!
I feel like I need a syllabus (with corresponding problems sets)!
And...not just a GENERAL syllabus (like every GMAT study book has - at least from what I found). I need a specific syllabus with problems sets to do on each subtopic.
Sample of what the GMAT books have*:
Algebra
Num Props
Proportions
Prop of sets
Geometry
*Very general and problem types are scattered about making it very difficult to exercise with the topics.
I need something like this**:
Algebra
-Lines
-Systems of equations
-Inequalities/Abs Value
Num Props
-Divisibility
-Factors, Multiples, etc.
-Odds/evens
Proportions:
-etc...etc...
**Very specific with problem types grouped together allowing one to get significant exercise with each topic.
With sets of problems in each section that would let me master the topics. You know..."exercises" like in school. Exercises that would help you master and get stronger at a topic. I can't find this anywhere!! So, I have spent a tremendous amount of time planning.
This is my current plan(revision 5...yes 5):
Study the four big quant sections:
ALG, NUM PROPS, PROPORTIONS, PROP OF SETS
1.) Review Kaplan lesson.
2.) Do Kaplan sets (online)
3.) Review Kaplan sets.
4.) Do related OG problems using Kaplans sheet that shows lists of probs by topic.
5.) Review OG probs.
6.) Form list of all probs I got wrong and keep all work in a binder.
7.) Review ones I got wrong after studying and try again.
8.) Keep list for "finals" week where I got back and try all of the hardest problems that I got wrong.
9.) Do a CAT and then review it.
Is this a good strategy? Can anyone give me a hand? Has anyone had my similar frustrations and found what worked for them?
Please share. Until then, I am going to get studying.
I had one more question:
Should I study verbal and quant at the same time? If so, how? I only have 2 hours during weekdays and 8 hours on the weekend (quitting my job to study is a great idea, but not an option).
Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.
Below I describe the problems I am having, and what I am currently doing. If you have time please read. Maybe you can help me out!!
OVERAMBITIOUS?:
I want to study each CAT and problem set that I do. I want to go through the problems and see why I got them wrong or why I got them right. This is very time consuming. I work full time and only have about 2 hours per weekday and 8 hours on the weekend. Any suggestions?
CAN'T FIND ENOUGH STRUCTURE IN THE AVAILABLE BOOKS:
I did very well in school and went to a top university with a top degree and a very good GPA. In order to get good grades in a math class I would study the heck out of a subject. I would make sure I knew how to do the problems, then move on. With the GMAT I find this hard to do. And...for me, this is why:
The GMAT is not set up like a class,... but that is what I need!!!!
I feel like I need a syllabus (with corresponding problems sets)!
And...not just a GENERAL syllabus (like every GMAT study book has - at least from what I found). I need a specific syllabus with problems sets to do on each subtopic.
Sample of what the GMAT books have*:
Algebra
Num Props
Proportions
Prop of sets
Geometry
*Very general and problem types are scattered about making it very difficult to exercise with the topics.
I need something like this**:
Algebra
-Lines
-Systems of equations
-Inequalities/Abs Value
Num Props
-Divisibility
-Factors, Multiples, etc.
-Odds/evens
Proportions:
-etc...etc...
**Very specific with problem types grouped together allowing one to get significant exercise with each topic.
With sets of problems in each section that would let me master the topics. You know..."exercises" like in school. Exercises that would help you master and get stronger at a topic. I can't find this anywhere!! So, I have spent a tremendous amount of time planning.
This is my current plan(revision 5...yes 5):
Study the four big quant sections:
ALG, NUM PROPS, PROPORTIONS, PROP OF SETS
1.) Review Kaplan lesson.
2.) Do Kaplan sets (online)
3.) Review Kaplan sets.
4.) Do related OG problems using Kaplans sheet that shows lists of probs by topic.
5.) Review OG probs.
6.) Form list of all probs I got wrong and keep all work in a binder.
7.) Review ones I got wrong after studying and try again.
8.) Keep list for "finals" week where I got back and try all of the hardest problems that I got wrong.
9.) Do a CAT and then review it.
Is this a good strategy? Can anyone give me a hand? Has anyone had my similar frustrations and found what worked for them?
Please share. Until then, I am going to get studying.
I had one more question:
Should I study verbal and quant at the same time? If so, how? I only have 2 hours during weekdays and 8 hours on the weekend (quitting my job to study is a great idea, but not an option).
Thanks for reading. I really appreciate it.
