Hi YipYip,

The Diagnostic Test in the OG isn't really a proper 'match' for what you'll face on the GMAT. For a more accurate 'baseline score', you should plan to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections). You can download 2 CATs for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) You mention a concern about scoring above a 600, but is 600 your goal score (or is it something else)?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

Hi YipYip,

If you'd like to do a bit of studying, to familiarize yourself a bit with the major concepts and question types on the GMAT, then that's fine, but you shouldn't take too long to take that first FULL CAT.

If your application deadlines are not until the end of January, then you really have a good chunk of time that you can devote to your studies, which is good. As such, you shouldn't try to 'rush' through the work to get everything 'done' in 2 months - there's an aspect to scoring at a high level on the GMAT that requires a high level of attention to detail, so the QUALITY of your work will be more important than the quantity of it.

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