In a desert, seeking a GMAT tutor oasis

Expert replies

VegasMBA: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 12; Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:22 pm

by VegasMBA » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:19 pm

Hi Guys,

By looking at all the posts today, it seems like many people out there are scrambling to take (or retake) their exam before the application deadlines!

So, here's my story. I have been very diligent about my preparation for the GMAT. I began studying late May and scheduled my exam for this Saturday. After taking the GMATPrep exam today, I felt that my score was not in the range that I was comfortable with, and that it would be better to cancel rather than take the exam again ...if I was going to get a poor score.

I've read too many posts to get depressed about my situation; I just need to change what I am doing to improve my results, right?

Now...what to do next? I have read other posts from people similar to me, but I am in an unfortunate predicament regarding GMAT help. I live in Las Vegas and (save the jokes) am not really comfortable with the quality of tutoring offered by the few outfits that are in town...not to mention they charge an arm and a leg!

There is some UNLV Mathematics TA that I found but nothing comparable to what you might find in a larger market with more academics.

So my longwinded question is...

What are the best GMAT prep resources for someone like me in Las Vegas, all things considered?

Has anyone tried the remote tutoring? Is it worthwhile?

Note:
I have already completed the Princeton Review Online, have all the OGs, and have a few of the MGMAT Quant books...

Thanks so much!

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:19 pm

VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:12 pm

Hello,

We (Veritas) have weekend seminars in Las Vegas - the next one is on 10/25 and 10/26 (verbal) and 11/1 and 11/2 (math). We also have tutoring in Vegas. Here's a link to our Vegas course schedule:

https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat/Las-Veg ... nd-course/

I teach some of our online classes and find that students get what they put in. Many students simply log in and sit there - sometimes I wonder if they are even there or if they have the TV on! - while others participate, ask questions, etc. If you're in the latter group, you could get a lot of out it.

Good luck and happy studying!

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

GMAT/MBA Expert

lunarpower: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3380; Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:20 amFollowed by: 1535 members; Thanked: 2256 times; GMAT Score:800

by lunarpower » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:16 am

we also offer remote online tutoring, 1-on-1, via an internet platform called "elluminate live".

it's pretty sweet - it features virtual whiteboards, virtual faces you can make, a text-messaging window, and other neat little features. i'm generally quite the luddite, so the fact that i like elluminate is a testament to its general awesomeness.

tell las vegas hello for me; i miss it.

Ron has been teaching various standardized tests for 20 years.

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VegasMBA: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 12; Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:22 pm

Thanks Guys!

by VegasMBA » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:38 pm

Thanks Guys!

It is clear that I need to focus intensively on my Quant. I am scoring consistently in the 95th percentile for verbal....but need quite a bit of assistance on Quant.

I have already reviewed the basics through the PR online course, but I need more focused help...or possibly just getting someone to point out what I am doing wrong and how to improve what I am studying.

I am less inclined to spend lots of energy on Verbal through a standardized course when I already know my weakness is Quant.

Stuart@KaplanGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3225; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 1710 times; GMAT Score:800

Re: Thanks Guys!

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:53 pm

VegasMBA wrote:Thanks Guys!

It is clear that I need to focus intensively on my Quant. I am scoring consistently in the 95th percentile for verbal....but need quite a bit of assistance on Quant.

I have already reviewed the basics through the PR online course, but I need more focused help...or possibly just getting someone to point out what I am doing wrong and how to improve what I am studying.

I am less inclined to spend lots of energy on Verbal through a standardized course when I already know my weakness is Quant.

A tutor might be very helpful, but a GMAT tutor, not a math tutor.

The problem with traditional math tutors is they teach you how to... well... do math. While the GMAT tests math content, traditional math approaches are often NOT the best way to attack GMAT math questions. Remember: the vast majority of math tests/exams from grade 1 through university give you 1 point for the correct answer and 9 points for your solution; on the GMAT, only the correct answer gets you points.

If "corporate" (i.e. Kaplan/MGMAT/etc...) sources of tutoring are too pricy, then check out UNLV's MBA school and see if you can find a tutor there. The more experience your tutor has with the actual GMAT, the more likely he or she will give you advice directly relevant to test day.

Kaplan does have a Centre right in Las Vegas (at 7455 Washington Avenue) and also offers courses at UNLV, so if you want to find out about Kaplan tutors, you can call 1-800-KAP-TEST and you'll be connected with the closest Centre.

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

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