NEED TIPS for a STUDY STRATEGY

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scmetzger: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 14; Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:47 pm

by scmetzger » Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:47 am

Hey guys,

I am studying for the gmat for about 3 weeks now. First, I read the Princeton Review book and after that I started working with OG 11. I did every math and DS problem in OG 11 but I have the feeling I didn't get any better because when I go back to Princeton Review and do the questions out of Math Bin 3 I still get like 5 or so wrong. I had trouble with some of the questions from OG 11 but after reviewing the answers I think I got it. I am just afraid now that I won't improve anymore or that I am studying wrong. I heard that the OG 11 is like "the bible" for GMAT takers so I am really focused on it.
Please give me tips on how to study the best because I am just doing practice problems and I review the ones I had wrong and do them at a later time again.
Are there any other books I can use with better strategies or more practice?

PLEASE HELP ME because I want to score 670+.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:47 am

VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:28 am

The problem is that "you think you got it." The only way to truly get better on the GMAT is to take the time to painstakingly analyze each and every problem that you do. Passive knowledge, such as reading the explanations in the OG, will not suffice. Know why every right answer is right and every wrong answer is wrong. Know the fastest, most efficient way to solve math problems (usually NOT the way the OG tells you to). Be able to explain each question to someone else. Understand the fundamentals of a problem and find some sort of rule or takeaway for every problem that you do, so that you can apply what you learned to future problems.

If you didn't do all of those things when you "did" the OG, you've got more work to do!

Happy studying!

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

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scmetzger: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 14; Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:47 pm

by scmetzger » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:52 am

that sounds like good advice. thank you.
but tell me, how exactly do I do that? I mean when I read the answer explanation to the question I got wrong and it makes sense to me and I can explain it to somebody else.
How exactly did you do that and studied for it?

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VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:09 am

Well, the real test for me was when I started teaching. I had to be able to confidently and efficiently explain every problem in the OG at a quick glance. A good way to practice is to take a quick look at a problem, then work it out on another piece of paper, talking through it and explaining it to yourself, without looking back at the original problem.

Also, remember: the explanations in the OG - for quant, at least - are often NOT THE RIGHT WAY to do problems. Make sure you find the "right" way to do every problem.

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

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