So I just took the GMAT practice test online..Advice needed!

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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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Took the gmat practice test online from the free MBA.com software, and I got right around what I expected.

I got a 400. I did NOT study anything and haven't even cracked any type of textbook in about a year.

I got a 21 on quant and 24 on verbal.

I am going to begin to study today, I need to get my score up to a 540 minimum.

Is this possible? Any other advice as Im new here?

Thanks in advance
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by Noles579 » Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:36 pm
bump for the late crowd

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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:26 am
I haven't taken the official exam yet, so take my advice for what its worth.

Don't take anymore GMAT prep tests until you are closer to your test date. Most people view those tests as the most valuable tests, because they possess actual past test questions. To begin your studies, I would recommend beginning with either Kaplan premier or Princeton Review. After you go through one of these guides in its entirety, I would recommend evaluating your weaknesses. If you have math weaknesses, purchase the Manhattan GMAT math guide that corresponds with that weakness. If you have difficulties with Critical Reasoning, I would recommend buying the PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible. Regardless of how well you do on the Sentence Correction, I would suggests that you buy the Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Guide. All in all, I would say give yourself at least 3 months to study for it. If you go through all of the material I suggested, you probably will get above a 600. Good luck

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by Noles579 » Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:42 pm
Thanks for the advice!

I am taking the test Feb 24th, so i have just over a month to study.

The only book that I was planning on using was the Official Guide as I am going to use my friends copy.

I've tried studying online in the meantime by doing practice questions, and I am not really answering any correctly. However, when I see the solution, i kick myself seeing how easy it really was to get the answer.

I have one GMATPrep test remaining, and will save that for a few weeks. Until then, I will take about 1 test per week and see if i can improve

If the score isnt over 500, i might as well not take the test cause it wont be worth it.

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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:08 pm
The problem with only using the official guide is a lot of the math explanations aren't the best. I would recommend attempting to go to the library and check out a Kaplan or Princeton Review book if you don't want to spend money on materials. If you do decide to spend money, the two books that I think are absolutely invaluable for the exam are Manhattan GMAT Number Properties and Sentence Correction guides.

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by Noles579 » Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:11 pm
Thanks. I been to the library and everything was checked out. I am thinking about buying a used Kaplan Premier book from amazon.com.

I'm doing these practice problems online and it doesn't seem like im making progress, im getting SO frustrated. I'm not the smartest person, but I know Im not dumb, but confidence is getting killed right now

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by midori » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:37 pm
hey there, from what 've read, i think u need to start from the basic. no matter how many practice questions you do, it wont't help if u dont have the basic.

I was in the same boat as you're right now. Only depend with OG and online practice question. Got 500++ (cant remember the actual score).. At that time, I was pretty confident i'll score higher marks in real GMAT, but i score 480 instead.. it was so frustrating..

I got crash by the GMAT, i really dont want people to repeat the same mistake i did.

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by Noles579 » Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:13 pm
Thanks for the encouraging words Midri.

I took a break from the math stuff until my books come, and started on sentence correction.

Remember, I only got a 24 on the verbal part on the practice test, with no knowledge.

Needless to say, I am absolutely DOMINATING these practice questions I am doing over sentence correction right now! It's a blast!

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by Noles579 » Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:37 pm
I've made gigantic strides in the verbal section. I am going to study Critical reasoning tonight for the second time, and then I'm going to hit Reading Comp. I will take a practice test tomorrow night sometime and see if my score went up (it should).

The only problem I am STILL having is basically the ENTIRE Math part of the exam. I am going to utilize the free online classroom on this site tomorrow and hope to improve.

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by Noles579 » Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:00 pm
Going to take a 2nd practice test tonight.

I expect my score to go up drastically (i think). Math part might be SLIGHTLY better, but my verbal should be up greatly.

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by Noles579 » Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:15 pm
SO pumped right now!

As you know, I scored a 400 on my first GMAT test though the mba.com website. I just took the Free Manhattan Practice test from their site, and I scored a 520!!!

My score has gone up 120 points in a tad less than a week!

I scored a 30 on quant and 31 on verbal. I swear i basically guessed on all the quant questions as i STILL cant get the concepts down, but the verbal section I KNOW i knew the material better this time.

Any other advice moving forward?

thanks in advance