GCHall840 wrote:Hi Mayonnai5e,
I would take a diagnostic test so that you can get a real idea about what your strengths and weaknesses are in regards to the content material tested on the GMAT. I would take the results of that diagnostic test to pick out what your strengths and weaknesses are as well. Maybe, you already took a diagnostic test? Is that how you came up with what areas you are weakest in?
You should cover all subject areas in your Veritas course. However, because you mentioned that you will have three months to prepare for the test, I would incorporate more and more time into your preparation time to fine tune your skills in the areas that you are the weakest in. The GMAT is an all inclusive test where they test you on all of the subject areas. That means that you can't miss a beat when it comes to studying and learning the content material. You can't leave any stone unturned in your preparation process.
So, because you mentioned that your weak areas are number properties, word problems, geometry, and data sufficiency. I would really focus your attention on those subject areas covered in the Veritas booklets and class recordings. That way you would be on your way to turning your weaknesses into strengths. All of that might seem like a long, drawn out process, but it really will work if you keep your focus in place right up to when you take the test. Don't forget to give every concept your attention. Just pay more attention to those weak areas that you mentioned.
Greg
Hello again Greg,
I have taken two diagnostic tests:
PowerPrep 1 560
PR Cat 8 550
On both tests, my failure was timing. I completed only half of each test and resorted to randomly guessing on at least 1/3 and in some case 1/2 of the questions (on both V and Q). That is the main reason why I believe I can raise my score substantially if I can nail my timing weakness down. As it is right now, I have incorporated a timed practice session in my daily studies where I do a timed set of 20 problems in 40 minutes.
The main areas of weakness that I mentioned have come from my tracking spreadsheets. They are not based on the CATs, but rather from the problem sets provided in the books I have been working with (Kaplan 2006 with CD, PR Math workout).
I have not started the Veritas prep material yet because I'm almost done with the PR Math workout and I'd prefer to just finish that first. But you have given me a good suggestion (focusing on my weak areas in the Veritas books and online videos - I should watch them over and over again until the material flows like water).
For now, I have created individual folders for each weak area. Each week I plan on picking a specific area to focus on (this week is Number Properties). The idea is to pore through my collection of prep material and find as much Number Properties material and copy/print them out and put them into the folder. Also, practice problems will be placed in that folder so I have unique place where I can look for materials for my weakness. My attack plan for this week is spend 30 minutes each day reviewing the number properties material that I will have collected and then do a large practice set on the weekend. That gives me a few days to go over the fundamentals and then two days to hammer the idea in.
If you have any other suggestions, please let me know as this is a tentative plan and subject to change as I find more and more efficient ways to learn.
