2.5 weeks left...what to do

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2.5 weeks left...what to do

by bacali » Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:33 am
Just want some expert advertise on what I should do to hopefully make it to 750.

Stats: GPREP before finishing up OG 11 and OG 10: 650 (Q42 V36)

I have finished OG 11, OG 10 and the V and Q guides now.

Inequalities, and some rate exponent problems where I have to setup equations freak me out.


What should I study to raise my quant by 8 points? I got a 42 without going over any of my wrong answers in OG 10 and OG 11 and I know I can get to 50.

Should I do the GMAT sets? Or browse forums for Gmat Prep questions?

Please help.
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Re: 2.5 weeks left...what to do

by hwiya320 » Mon Nov 24, 2008 8:25 am
bacali wrote:Just want some expert advertise on what I should do to hopefully make it to 750.

Stats: GPREP before finishing up OG 11 and OG 10: 650 (Q42 V36)

I have finished OG 11, OG 10 and the V and Q guides now.

Inequalities, and some rate exponent problems where I have to setup equations freak me out.


What should I study to raise my quant by 8 points? I got a 42 without going over any of my wrong answers in OG 10 and OG 11 and I know I can get to 50.

Should I do the GMAT sets? Or browse forums for Gmat Prep questions?

Please help.
It sounds like you already know the answer to your question. I would suggest spending extra time in ineq. and rate exp. questions until you are comfortable with the subject. I am actually planning on taking my exam in 2.5 weeks and I am doing my best to prepare myself for it.

I would highly recommend you to set a schedule for yourself. I have been consistently preparing for the exam and I have lacked in many areas from only studying, not reviewing my mistakes. I am planning on reviewing my mistakes from practice tests and completing the green/purple OG books by end of the week. I have just ordered the Manhattan from Amazon for next week. I'm glad it's Thanksgiving so I can focus on studying for the exam.

I know I am not the best with advice since I haven't taken the exam, but I suggest,

1. Review, review, AND REVIEW the ineq. and rate exp. until you are comfortable.
2. Review your previous exams on what you have missed.
3. then DON'T forget to review your strength. I've experienced what many gurus have experienced on this forum. Although I realized this before taking the real exam, I've gotten too comfortable with my strength and forgot to review! My later practices show the decrease in the subjects.

Good luck and don't freak out!

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by Stacey Koprince » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:13 pm
I wouldn't start with other questions until you've actually reviewed the ones you've done. You've learned almost nothing compared to what you could have learned! :)

Keep an error log and write down precisely why you get any problem wrong.  Then figure out how you can change your methods or institute new habits in such a way that you will minimize the chances of repeating that type of error in the future.

Don't forget that, sometimes, what you will need to decide is, "This problem is out of my reach.  My best approach is to make an educated guess and move on."  Then figure out how to do that.

For the ones you get wrong, answer these questions:
1) Why did I get it wrong (as specifically as possible)?
2) What could I do to minimize the chance of making that error (or those errors) again?  How will I make whatever that is a habit so that I really do minimize chances of making the same error again?
3) What are the right ways to do it? (for math, there's always more than one way to do a problem)
4) Of the right ways, which one is the best way for me (combining both efficiency and effectiveness) given my strengths and weaknesses?
5) How will I recognize problems of similar type in future so that I can apply that "best way" to the problem?

For ones you get right:
1) Did I really know what I was doing or did I get lucky?  If I got lucky, review all of the "wrong answer" questions, above
2) If I did know what I was doing, did I also do it in the best way (for me)?  If not, figure out the best way for you.
3) How will I recognize problems of similar type in future so that I can either repeat my original success or apply my new "best way" to the problem?

Also, for any question (right or wrong), answer these questions:
Did I make a connection to previous experience? Or did I have to do it all from scratch?
Did I choose the best approach?
Am I comfortable with other approaches that would have worked, at least partially? How should I have made an educated guess?
Do I understand every trap and trick that the writer built into the question, including why the wrong answers are wrong (especially on verbal)?
Could I explain every aspect of this problem, fully, to someone else?
How will I RECOGNIZE similar problems in the future? This is the "holy grail" of test prep.

The above is in addition, of course, to the obvious stuff - if you didn't know a rule or formula, if you didn't know what you were supposed to do to answer a certain type of question, etc, then go study that stuff.
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