This is my first and probably last post here. Thanks to everyone in this forum especially for the solutions to the GMATPrep questions. Briefly my experience with various study materials and sample tests:
Profile:
36y.o. marketing background, not a native speaker, 14 years after graduation
Overall study time:
6 weeks
Books:
- OG + both Verbal ad Quant Reviews - the latter seems too easy, most of the questions on my exam seemed as difficult as the last 20 of the review
- Kaplan Premier GMAT and the CD - quant part is OK, although does not prepare for some question types, verbal - EXTREMELY difficult at times, much harder than GMAT texts. I still have dreadful memories of getting 3 out of 3 and 4 out of 4 wrong in some RC questions. Overall - not bad, especially in the RC and CR, plus nice backsolving and number-picking strategies
- Manhattan Number Properties and Word Translations - extremely valuable. Helped me figure out combinatorics (big THANKS for the word anagrams) and probabilities as well as factors. Actually I took a couple of trial GMAT exams for fun 14 years ago right after graduation and I honestly do not remember having combinatorics back then. The math seems much tougher now. I guess getting all Manhattan Quant books right away would have been a wiser choice.
Test scores: I did 1 or 2 tests every weekend
GMATprep 1: 710 (Q48V38)
Veritas free test: 670 (Q47V39)
Kaplan free test: 720 (Q46V43)
Kaplan CD test 1: 670 (Q46V43)
MGMAT free test: 700 (Q43V41)
Kaplan CD test 2: 630 - the horror! (Q39V36)
Kaplan CD test 3: 670 (Q41V38)
GMATprep 2: 770 - the relief (Q49V48)
MGMAT online test 2: 720 (Q47V41)
Actual (unofficial) GMAT score: 750 (Q49V44)
In retrospect Kaplan tests are very hard in the Verbal part and a nice exercise but completely off as a final score. Actually comparing the first 3 Kaplan tests I toook with each test I had fewer errors and a lower score in both parts.
GMATPrep is very accurate and MGMAT a bit low.
A word of advice - priming oneself is a powerful strategy. Aiming at a specific score, imagining that you got it, pretending you're keenly interested in the dullest of RC subjects - this all pays out handsomely.
That's more or less it, hope the score outweighs my mediocre undergraduate record. Going for Global EMBA with the kind support of my current employer. Just in case - will be glad to answer questions if any.
Profile:
36y.o. marketing background, not a native speaker, 14 years after graduation
Overall study time:
6 weeks
Books:
- OG + both Verbal ad Quant Reviews - the latter seems too easy, most of the questions on my exam seemed as difficult as the last 20 of the review
- Kaplan Premier GMAT and the CD - quant part is OK, although does not prepare for some question types, verbal - EXTREMELY difficult at times, much harder than GMAT texts. I still have dreadful memories of getting 3 out of 3 and 4 out of 4 wrong in some RC questions. Overall - not bad, especially in the RC and CR, plus nice backsolving and number-picking strategies
- Manhattan Number Properties and Word Translations - extremely valuable. Helped me figure out combinatorics (big THANKS for the word anagrams) and probabilities as well as factors. Actually I took a couple of trial GMAT exams for fun 14 years ago right after graduation and I honestly do not remember having combinatorics back then. The math seems much tougher now. I guess getting all Manhattan Quant books right away would have been a wiser choice.
Test scores: I did 1 or 2 tests every weekend
GMATprep 1: 710 (Q48V38)
Veritas free test: 670 (Q47V39)
Kaplan free test: 720 (Q46V43)
Kaplan CD test 1: 670 (Q46V43)
MGMAT free test: 700 (Q43V41)
Kaplan CD test 2: 630 - the horror! (Q39V36)
Kaplan CD test 3: 670 (Q41V38)
GMATprep 2: 770 - the relief (Q49V48)
MGMAT online test 2: 720 (Q47V41)
Actual (unofficial) GMAT score: 750 (Q49V44)
In retrospect Kaplan tests are very hard in the Verbal part and a nice exercise but completely off as a final score. Actually comparing the first 3 Kaplan tests I toook with each test I had fewer errors and a lower score in both parts.
GMATPrep is very accurate and MGMAT a bit low.
A word of advice - priming oneself is a powerful strategy. Aiming at a specific score, imagining that you got it, pretending you're keenly interested in the dullest of RC subjects - this all pays out handsomely.
That's more or less it, hope the score outweighs my mediocre undergraduate record. Going for Global EMBA with the kind support of my current employer. Just in case - will be glad to answer questions if any.
