Help with Strategy

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Help with Strategy

by priya_kapoor » Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:34 pm
Hello BTG-folks,

First, like everyone, I have to thank you all. I've been observing these pages, running to it every time I got an answer I was sure of, almost was sure of, or didn't quite know, as if this forum became the doctor I ran to for a "second opinion". Its such an honor to have so many people work alongside each other for a common goal and a genius idea to get everyone's juices flowing.

So on to what I really wanted to say: I have a problem. I've been studying for the GMATs since March and I decided to take the test on June 26th. The week before I took off from work and studied DAY and NIGHT. From that one week alone, I saw my score skyrocket. It went from 400 to a 500 within a weekend all the way up to 600 where I stayed for the last few practice tests. The day before my test, after the week long of studying, I ended up falling sick with the flu! Of all days. I decided to cancel my test after being persuaded by my family that it was the right thing to do and reschedule for a later date.

My test is now on August 14, 2010. I have less than 40 days left to study and I know my weaknesses are on the following:
- Word problems (especially permutations, mixtures, probability)
- Reading Comprehension (weaken conclusion, strengthen etc.)

Does anyone have any great suggestions that I can implement for these two areas? I saw something on the main page of the blog but just wanted to see if there were any best practices that someone would be willing to shell out for these two areas to help me go from a 600 to a 700 in the next 40 days. I am on the BTG e-mail study guide but some of it is practice material that I've done already. Let me know when you get a chance. Thanks in advance!!!!
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by gmatpill » Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:54 pm
Hi priya,
Taking the exam with the flu is definitely not good. Kudos for delaying the exam. There's a huge psychological component that is important to be aware of and the flu can definitely affect you there.

There's not too much I can do to help you on reading comprehension--other than to force yourself to be really, really interested in the content of the passage. Constantly ask yourself why the author is writing--is it to support something? to complain or argue about something? What's the purpose of the next paragraph? To give further detail or evidence supporting the main point? If you can pretend to be extremely interested in the subject matter, you'll be surprised at how much better you'll do!

As for probability and permutations---try to focus less on memorizing formulas and more on reasoning through the various possibilities. Sure, you'll answer some questions correct. But the GMAT will always word a problem in a way that is more complicated than one where you can just use a formula. They purposely do this so that you don't rely on formulas--but rather you focus on the reasoning.

With limited time, you should know that doing an endless supply of practice questions is not good enough! You need think through questions efficiently and confidently. Mark them and move on. Hopefully you'll have someone who can direct you in the right direction between now and your exam date.

Good luck!