New guy and yes, I am terrified of the GMAT...

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Bens4vcobra: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 76; Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:10 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 3 times

by Bens4vcobra » Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:25 pm

Hello all,

I am new and scared to death of this big ole monster you fine folks call the GMAT. I'll start by giving you the usual lines you've 1000 times; I don't test well, I'm not "test smart," I hated math in school, math hates me, I am not good at math. Does that about sum it up? Anywho, I am a beginner and have absolutely no idea where to start. Obviously preperation is key for any test but there seems to be so much out there on the GMAT and its difficult to separate it all.

So far, I have come to the conclusion that the Kaplan classroom thing is the direction I need to go. Its pricey, but I think its worth it for someone like me. I have also thought about hiring a tutor. I'm really sure how to go about that, however. Should I hire someone specific to my weak areas? Or are there "GMAT tutors" out there?

Anyway, as you can see, I am in need of guidance. Please help.

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:25 pm

Wall.Street.Sweeper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 13; Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:12 am; Location: New York; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:550

by Wall.Street.Sweeper » Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:55 pm

From a newbee to a newbee welcome to the forums. If you dont like math, you will be taking a good amount of it as an MBA candidate, so the GMAT is a good way to get use to traditonal school math.

A GMAT course is not necessary to do well on the test, so dont think you have to do that right off the bat. But if you definately know you want to take a course, I wouldnt do any pre-course prep. When you take the course make sure you do all the homework they give and give it your all. After the course see where you are and then determine if you need to do further studying to reach your desired score. I dont know too much about personal tutors, but i heard they usually run about $100/ hour.

Bens4vcobra: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 76; Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:10 pmFollowed by: 2 members; Thanked: 3 times

by Bens4vcobra » Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:17 pm

Thanks!

What I'm scared of, since its been so longs since I've had any math, is that I'll have to re-learn everything. I hope thats not the case.

How helpful are these test prep books as far as people who may not just look at something and say "oh yeah, I remember that" and then boom boom boom they can do it...?

Wall.Street.Sweeper: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 13; Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:12 am; Location: New York; Thanked: 1 times; GMAT Score:550

by Wall.Street.Sweeper » Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:10 pm

Well it depends what you remember and what you dont remember.

I would suggest reading Cracking the GMAT and see where you are and what you understand. If you think u need more math help buy a traditional high school algebra text book. I understood most of the concepts that i read in Crakcing, but i still went and purchased a used Algebra 1 txt book and did almost all the problems in that book just so I was quick in my math calcuations.

For most people, reading Cracking will not get you your desired score, but it will help you to understand what the GMAT is all about and help you determine what other books you should buy.

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