strategy of preparation. how to study more efficiently

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Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
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Hey guys,

Time to ask your advice because I got stuck again with my self - preparation program.

I had signed up for 60-days-GMAT-study guide and, following all its instructions, solved all tasks from OG12 and recommended Kaplan textbook. It helped me to increase my performance for the math part (from 22 to 42) but the verbal score remains the same - 20. The biggest problem is speed of my reading and comprehension - it is too bad. I can understand the tasks, apply the proper strategy for each type of verbal question but I do it very slowly (E.g. RC long text takes 5 minutes instead of recommended 3,5 mins, CR - 3-3.5 minutes instead of 2-2.5 minutes).

I used to ask here about how to increase the speed of reading and I'm working on it on daily basis but I'm afraid if I do only reading (not only GMAT kind of texts but newspapers, magazines etc) without taking math, SC, CR quizzes I will start to forget strategies, small GMAT tricks etc.

so my question is: how to keep the CR, SC, PS and DS skills alive and fresh during the preparation. I can spend 3 hours per day for GMAT (1,5h before lunch , 1,5h after).

E.g. shall I take 10 (as example) PS and DS tasks one day than spend the rest of time reading and next day the first 1,5 h for CR and SC and the second 1,5 h reading again?

P.S. I review flash cards on daily basis.
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by karanrulz4ever » Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:47 am
Well, improving reading speed involves lot of reading time and patience from your side. Read newspapers,magazines etc.

On practicing quant, 10 sums are enough, but those sums should vary according to topics. Don't just do geometry everyday. :)

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by Taran » Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:42 pm
Hey Alex!!

It seems you work full time. Is that the reason you can only spend 3 hours per day for GMAT?

There is another tool you can use to your advantage. BTG has a facility, subscribing to which, you receive a daily Math and Verbal question in your email. You can solve it within a time frame suitable for that particular type of question and also go through the explanations that others give in the btg forums.

The explanations that others give to arrive at a solution provide a great learning.

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by gointobeready » Thu Dec 09, 2010 8:16 am
Hey Alex,

Disclaimer: The highest score I ever got on a practice test is 620 soooooo take what I say accordingly.

Anyhow, you whould think about investing in MGMAT's RC guide. It tells you how to read, i.e., how you shouldnt be reading the whole passage....think about it. RC was my worst section in english, and it turned around when I started practicing their way of approaching the passages.