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Forming a plan of action...

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Forming a plan of action...

by Rin12 » Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:51 am
Hi All!

I only recently came across this forum and the information I've found has already been such a help! I just starting to prepare for the GMAT, and hope to take the exam sometime July/August.

I don't come from a math background and after some initial reviews I have a feeling that math is going to be my biggest challenge. I've already purchased the Kaplan Premier 2010 so I can get a basic overview of the exam topics but I wanted to know if anyone had other suggestions for books I MUST get?

Also, I'm worried if I focus only on math for too long I'll burn myself out and I dont want to save all the verbal sections till the end. Any suggestions for setting up a study plan that would maybe switch between the two? Or would that be a bad idea?

I've considered attempting to break down my studying by different topics but I can't figure out how to break down the the different sections aside from questions type but that seemed to vague...

I'm just a little overwhelmed by all the material right now....
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by sashasoro » Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:56 pm
Hi Rin,

I've just recently started studying myself and like you, I figured math would be my biggest challenge (I used to be decent but it's been 9 years since I've done the kind of math that's on this test).

Like you, I also purchased the Kaplan Premier and here is my experience so far:
Kaplan Premier gives a pretty good overview of the kind of math you're expected to know. The problem sets at the end of each chapter are very simplistic but just the kind of drill you need to remember those skills. This is the very first thing I would do if I were you. I started trying to do the problems first and quickly realized I had completely forgotten basic arithmetic and simple rules.

The book that you will definitely have to buy is the GMAT Review Official Guide because the problems there are very different from Kaplan. Kaplan gives a good idea of how to use some nifty techniques, but their problems are much more straight forward than what you see in the OG and what you will probably see on the test. Don't skip Kaplan altogether though since the techniques are quite valuable.

As for verbal, if you systematically go through Kaplan, you will hit Verbal first. I recommend going through it that way because verbal section of Kaplan is so much shorter and you will get a good idea and a boost of confidence when you read about how to tackle that area and do the practice problems.

As for the topics, don't break it down yet since you don't know your weaknesses. When you go through Kaplan, you will likely see a couple of areas where you are struggling. Mine was Data Sufficiency and Reading Comp. Taking the practice GMATPrep confirmed those weaknesses, so I'd say the impression Kaplan gives you is overall correct. When you are ready to really study though, you should use the OG.

Hope this helps,
sashasoro
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by Rin12 » Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:22 am
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice. I know my post was a little vague and your perspective has definitely helped to calm my nerves.

I think I'll try to do some more review with Kaplan then definitly take the GMATPrep, and figure out what books I may need to get from there. Thanks again!!
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