Hey everybody
First of all I would like to say that this is a very informative site, and I have gotten a lot of info from here.
My situation
I have 3 weeks till test day, I haven't had the chance to study much and since I'm working right now, my availble hours for studying will be limited.
I have to get a 600, so I'm aiming for 700 to be sure.
My question
How do I go at this? Are there parts I should focus on more, should I concentrate on doing practice tests? Or if you have any tips or pointers that can help me out, please don't hesitate.
Thank You
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3 weeks till test day
This topic has expert replies
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VP_Jim
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What materials have you used to study so far? Do you know what your weak areas are? Have you taken any practice CATs already? If so, what were your scores and your score breakdowns? If you are starting at, say, a 680, then getting to a 700 score will not be nearly as difficult as if you were starting from a 480. Lastly, have you already set up a schedule for your future studying?
If you can be a little more specific with your questions, I'm sure more people will be able to help you out.
If you can be a little more specific with your questions, I'm sure more people will be able to help you out.
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
I'm sorry, I've been really busy and my head isn't always screwed on the right way.
I used McGraw-Hill 2009 so far. I have been told to use OG 11 & Kaplan. I didn't get a chance to do a practice CAT. I thought my weak point would be math, but I've been going over some of the practice questions and I seem to manage well. So I would say the verbal part in general is my weak spot.
Thank you for your help
I used McGraw-Hill 2009 so far. I have been told to use OG 11 & Kaplan. I didn't get a chance to do a practice CAT. I thought my weak point would be math, but I've been going over some of the practice questions and I seem to manage well. So I would say the verbal part in general is my weak spot.
Thank you for your help
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VP_Jim
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Definitely, definitely, definitely do a practice CAT as soon as you can. You need to get a baseline score and begin to familiarize yourself with how CATs work and feel.
Also, get the OG. It includes actual old GMAT questions, and is probably the best study material out there (as long as you can put up with its sometimes-awful explanations).
Also, get the OG. It includes actual old GMAT questions, and is probably the best study material out there (as long as you can put up with its sometimes-awful explanations).
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
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tdadic84
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Let me answer this on behalf of Jim, since I read almost all his post and know where he stands on this question...
Yes, if you feel you need more practice and would like additional questions, def. get the OG green and Purple books. thre is nothing better then the OG's.
Yes, if you feel you need more practice and would like additional questions, def. get the OG green and Purple books. thre is nothing better then the OG's.
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VP_Jim
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I've never used/seen the OG companion. Personally, I think a big part of learning how to conquer the GMAT is stuggling through the explanations yourself, thinking of your own ways to solve problems. I imagine you would learn less by having it handed to you.
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep
GMAT/MBA Expert
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Bara
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I'll jump in here.
VITAL: find out your strengths and weaknesses via a diagnostic real test. As the Wall Street Journal article pointed out about the SATs, its the SAME for the GMAT <https://online.wsj.com/article/SB124278685697537839.html>, and students can best see where they are really are at by using real tests, instead of 3rd party tests. These have a firm place in practice, but not in gauging how one might score.
Once you know where you're at, it's time to hone in on FIXING what is isn't working for you.
I, too, have not seen the OG companion, however, I agree with Jim...it's often better to work something out, then figure out shortcuts for yourself.
The journey in figuring it out is sometimes more valuable, plus with ownership of the process, you're more likely to replicate it when it counts the most.
Good Luck!
VITAL: find out your strengths and weaknesses via a diagnostic real test. As the Wall Street Journal article pointed out about the SATs, its the SAME for the GMAT <https://online.wsj.com/article/SB124278685697537839.html>, and students can best see where they are really are at by using real tests, instead of 3rd party tests. These have a firm place in practice, but not in gauging how one might score.
Once you know where you're at, it's time to hone in on FIXING what is isn't working for you.
I, too, have not seen the OG companion, however, I agree with Jim...it's often better to work something out, then figure out shortcuts for yourself.
The journey in figuring it out is sometimes more valuable, plus with ownership of the process, you're more likely to replicate it when it counts the most.
Good Luck!
Bara Sapir, MA, CHt, CNLP
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c
So I did my diagnostics test from Kaplan.
General Results
Result: 590
Percentile: 80
Quant: 35
Verbal: 36
Detailed Results
Math
Problem Solving: 58%
Data suffiency: 60%
Arithmetic: 60%
Algebra: 50%
Geometry: 78%
Verbal
Sentence Correction: 70%
Critical Reasoning: 85%
Reading Comprehension: 32%
It seems my weak points are obvious...
Any tips?
General Results
Result: 590
Percentile: 80
Quant: 35
Verbal: 36
Detailed Results
Math
Problem Solving: 58%
Data suffiency: 60%
Arithmetic: 60%
Algebra: 50%
Geometry: 78%
Verbal
Sentence Correction: 70%
Critical Reasoning: 85%
Reading Comprehension: 32%
It seems my weak points are obvious...
Any tips?
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4score20
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Kaplan is viewed by some to be great for students aiming for 500-650. However, students trying to score higher should consider using a different source of prep. Tougher problems can usually be found in the challenge archive of Manhattan GMAT.
