Studying for 4-5 months?

BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Post Reply

Previous Topic Next Topic

gmatjunkie: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:53 am

Studying for 4-5 months?

by gmatjunkie » Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:54 am

everywhere i've read it seems like 3 months is the ideal time. but i don't think i can get through all 8 mgmat books and 3 og guides and all the cat's in that amount of time. i work full-time and i don't want to take the test until i'm scoring in the mid-700's on my practice tests.

does anyone have experience studying for 4-5 months and does it work, or will i get burnt out? for frame of reference, i am also thinking about studying for the lsat (not at the same time) and 3-5 months is the norm for that.

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:54 am

Osirus@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1578; Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am; Thanked: 128 times; Followed by:34 members; GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:56 am

Study for the LSAT first. This will ensure that you kill the GMAT verbal. After your LSAT prep, the GMAT verbal will seem easy to you. I think 4 months is actually ideal.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.

Quote

gmatjunkie: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:53 am

by gmatjunkie » Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:59 am

thank you for your replies to my threads. you are very helpful!

Quote

Osirus@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1578; Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am; Thanked: 128 times; Followed by:34 members; GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:13 pm

You're welcome, let mek now if you have any other questions, either reply here or send me a PM.[/u]

https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.

Quote

MFaulkner: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:56 pm; Location: Indianapolis; Thanked: 2 times; GMAT Score:760

by MFaulkner » Fri Feb 19, 2010 12:46 pm

My original plan was to study 2-3 hours per weekday night and 10 hours (combined) over the weekend and be done with a 700 score in 2 months. However, things at my job started picking up after about 4 weeks--by the time I'd get home from work I'd spend at least one hour studying and reviewing GMAT material but after a 10+ hour work day mind is usually too fatigued to make any substantial progress. Spending an hour per weekday going over material is a good refresher but unfortunately it's rare for me to get obtain a solid grasp on new material during that time.

So, as of now most of my progress takes place during the weekends. I'm already well into month four, but hopefully I will be able to reach a 700 by March or early April unless things are work slow down.

It does seem like the consensus on here is around 3 months, but for some people that really is not possible--it really depends on how much you need/want to improve combined with how much time you have out of work. These past four months have been especially brutal to my social life but I've managed to stay focus and make noticeable and tangible improvements each week.

Quote

money9111: Legendary Member; Posts: 2109; Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pm; Location: New Jersey; Thanked: 109 times; Followed by:79 members; GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Fri Feb 19, 2010 2:13 pm

@MFaulkner - "These past four months have been especially brutal to my social life"

if you're in the states like me think of it like this - "it's winter.. who wants to be out partying in the winter?" i find it easier for me to justify studying seeing as though it's too cold outside. I can't imagine having to study in the summer.. i hope i know it out of the park the first time so I don't even have to contemplate the thought!

My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog

Me featured on Poets & Quants

Free Book for MBA Applicants

Quote

bhumika.k.shah: Legendary Member; Posts: 941; Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:28 am; Thanked: 20 times; Followed by:1 members

by bhumika.k.shah » Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:33 pm

honestly speaking, even i was been told that 2.5 months are enough for GMAT prep and blah and blah.
But trust me its not !

I feel atleast 4-5 months is required especially for working professionals .

And a thorough 1-1.5-2 months full time studies.

This is subjective to each individual's knowledge level.

Quote

harsh.champ: Legendary Member; Posts: 1132; Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:38 am; Location: India; Thanked: 64 times; Followed by:6 members; GMAT Score:760

by harsh.champ » Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:01 am

bhumika.k.shah wrote:honestly speaking, even i was been told that 2.5 months are enough for GMAT prep and blah and blah.
But trust me its not !

I feel atleast 4-5 months is required especially for working professionals .

And a thorough 1-1.5-2 months full time studies.

This is subjective to each individual's knowledge level.

Hey bhumika,
You are right.Actually the time span "3 months" is given for those people who already have good conceptual skills.So,in 3 months ,
1)they can brush up on them,
2)learn various shortcut techniques,
3)learn elimination technique
4)be adjusted to work in timed conditions
And most important of all
DEVELOP EXAMINATION TEMPERAMENT by giving mock tests.

I guess 3 months are sufficient for the above tasks.

But like, if you also have to work through concept-building , then you have to devote time for it.

Also,for working professionals , a lot depends on their work schedule.

It takes time and effort to explain, so if my comment helped you please press Thanks button