GMAT Strategy Help Needed

Expert replies

yjaber1992: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:13 am

by yjaber1992 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:43 am

Hello everyone!

I've just discovered this website and I realized that it encourages people to seek help as well as aid others who are in need.

Resources:
Manhattan 13th edition (All Books)
Kaplan New GMAT Premier 2013 w/ 5 Online Practice Tests
Powerscore Bible: Critical Reasoning
Verbal and Quantitative handouts [1000 questions/handout][Got them from a prep course]

Exam Date: September 7th, 2013
GMAT Current Level: 520
GMAT Level Goal: 650+
Strengths: Mathematics [Calculus and Linear Algebra. Alas, they're not on the exam]
Weaknesses: English

Intro about me (you can skip if you want to )
I am a 21 year old student going into my last year of University and I've told myself that I want to write the exam before University starts.

I started studying by reading the Manhattan Series (sentence correction) and I'm starting to learn a lot of the rules that I've never new existed. I'm really lost on how to commence studying. I have so many resources and I just don't know how to begin. I work full-time so that'll make life tougher however I told my workplace that I will be taking 3 weeks off effective August 12th, 2013.

I would appreciate if you can take the time out of your day to give me ANY tips/guidance that will be beneficial.

Thank you for reading and I hope y'all have an amazing day!

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:43 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:12 pm

Hi yjaber1992,

For a test such as the GMAT, smaller study sessions over a longer period of time tend to be a more effective way to study (as opposed to trying to cram in all the material in 3 weeks). It's also worth noting that self-studying from books isn't the best approach for most people. If it doesn't work for you, then you'll need to adjust your plan and add in some other resources (an online course, tutoring, etc.).

With your 520 practice score, what was the breakdown for the Quant and Verbal sections? Were there certain types of questions that you had more trouble with than others?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

yjaber1992: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:13 am

by yjaber1992 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:17 pm

For Verbal (All of them were brutal. CR/SC/RC)
For Quantitative (DS questions were the tough ones)

I'd like to think that I'm a quick learner, I just need a good path to follow.

Thank you,

Youssef

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Jul 29, 2013 1:23 pm

Hi Youssef,

Since you already have a plan and have purchased some Prep materials, you should study for a couple of weeks and see how you improve. If the material that you have helps you to raise your score, then you'll probably be fine. You might have to make some adjustments (or change your plan entirely), but we need some practice results before you make that decision.

For now, I suggest that you keep an open mind and be ready to practice some tactics that you haven't seen before. The GMAT is predictable, which means that can train to beat it. From an organizational standpoint, be sure to write EVERYTHING down, stay organized, take good notes, etc. GMAT questions tend to be fairly straight-forward, so make sure that you aren't missing any of the details or doing anything silly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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