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weak quant - need some encouragement + support

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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weak quant - need some encouragement + support

by basso25@ » Thu Mar 28, 2013 5:58 pm
hi all: started my gmat quest beginning of 2013 and have logged approx. 200 hours to date, all of them on quant. 720 target score. my verbal is better than quant - i am a native speaker, but SC trips me up quite a bit. nothing compared to quant, where i continue have to review concepts prior to/after doing OG13 practice questions.

i'm looking for big picture encouragement, advice, support, etc. from all of you "math wizzes" out there -- how do i get more like to? think like you? i am highly self motivated and am dedicated to putting in my all to meet my goal. i am not disillusioned in thinking it will be easy. i am willing to do the work. but i want to make sure that i am using my time most effectively and with the highest possible return.

i have not taken a practice cat yet (aside from diagnostics, as recommended). test date has not been scheduled yet; would like practice cat to get up to my target score before i register. R1 2014 applicant, but if i need more time meeting my gmat goal, then i will defer to R2 if i need to.

math people!! can't thank you enough for your time and support! only the best.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:57 am
As far as how one goes about improving in math, I believe that you should compartmentalize your learning and take the time to master each topic (e.g., percents, ratios, exponents, statistics, etc.).

This means that, for each topic, you should:
1) Learn the underlying concepts (rules, attributes, notation, etc.)
2) Learn GMAT-specific strategies related to that topic
3) Practice dozens of questions all related to that one topic.
4) Don't stop working on that topic until you have mastered it
Then, and only then, move on to the next topic.

To help you focus on one topic at a time, you can use BTG's tagging feature to isolate one concept. For example, here are all of the questions tagged as statistics questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... statistics
See the left side of that linked page for more tag options.

I also suggest that you spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the Experts on this site. They typically model the steps you should be taking when tackling math problems.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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by basso25@ » Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:42 pm
thanks for the advice, brent.

i scored a 37 on my first manhattan practice cat and was in and out of work going through the problems, so i'm optimistic that score may be slightly slower than my current ability. is there hope??

week 13 of quant review; i've gone through all of the manhattan quant guides, gone through all og13 questions twice, and now making flash cards for problems that i'm still struggling with/learning from...

next, i'm planning on going through the 2nd edition quant review questions, then i will take my second cat practice test.

would love any of your expert insights on whether this makes sense, and if not, what alternative option or suggestion would be stronger.

thank you!
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:29 am
Hi basso25,

Your plan looks good to me.
Let us know how your next practice test goes.

Cheers,
Brent
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by basso25@ » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:17 am
always encouraging to hear you say that, brent. and man, you are on fire with your math answer explanations! finding your answers to be the most insightful and easiest to follow. thank you, and please continue spreading that wisdom to us non-quantitative minds out there!
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