New to the GMAT, need a 700! - I know nothing.

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Hi all!

I am so happy to have found this website; it's a fountain of knowledge for all things GMAT!
I have a target to reach of 700 (who doesn't?!), getting anything below a 700 is not an option. Nevertheless I am very week is maths - painfully. In GCSE Maths (final secondary school exams that we sit when we are 16 in the UK), I gained a D grade, done a resit and gained another D - this was 7 years ago. I carried on without maths, haven't touched anything related to maths since.

Looking at the GMAT is a shock to my system - I have the Veritas and MGMAT flash cards and I get almost pretty much everything wrong (Verbal and quant!). The GMAT is an enigma to say the least. I doubt I am going to get anywhere; I took the MGMAT foundation maths and only received 7/20 - bearing in mind. I only got 2 knowingly right. The other 5 that I got correct were guess work. I have to get from this appalling level - to a 700 level. I have a friend who is good at maths (I mean excellent) and it will take him forever to work out the answer (although he gets it right), and when he is trying to explain how to do something (e.g. Algebra), it is as though he is talking Japaenese.

I don't even wish to take the full diagnostic test. I don't see the point if I do not have a clue - I am destined to get an atrocious score, and in turn never want to touch the GMAT. Yet this does not change the fact that the GMAT is a crucial element of getting into my desired courses (MSc Management).

I have decided to go home and not work (well I will work weekend or evenings - no more than 20 hours a week, as I need some income) and study full time for the GMAT. After my colleague seen how much I struggle he agreed that focussing on the GMAT full time would be the best option, because it will take a while for me to get up to a good level of maths. I was going to get the MGMAT prep pack and start from the foundation books. However I am still overwhelmed with all this information - so even after I get the prep pack I do not know how to structure my study. As I know nothing, how am I supposed to know if I am progressing?

I need that beloved 700 score by January in order to apply on time.

Advice on how to structure my study (amount of hours a day/ topics etc), encouragement, ANYTHING would be heavily appreciated.

Thanks in advance
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:15 am
BritCarib wrote: I don't even wish to take the full diagnostic test. I don't see the point if I do not have a clue - I am destined to get an atrocious score, and in turn never want to touch the GMAT.
That's one way to look at it.
On the other hand, a full diagnostic test gives you a good idea of how much work you have ahead of you, and it helps build confidence when you undoubtedly improve on that baseline score at a later date.
BritCarib wrote: However I am still overwhelmed with all this information - so even after I get the prep pack I do not know how to structure my study.
The 60-Day Study Guide (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide) is a good place to start. It takes your GMAT prep, breaks it down into bite-sized pieces and sends you an email each day telling you what learning activities to complete. This ensures that you cover everything you need to cover.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
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by BritCarib » Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:05 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:
BritCarib wrote: I don't even wish to take the full diagnostic test. I don't see the point if I do not have a clue - I am destined to get an atrocious score, and in turn never want to touch the GMAT.
That's one way to look at it.
On the other hand, a full diagnostic test gives you a good idea of how much work you have ahead of you, and it helps build confidence when you undoubtedly improve on that baseline score at a later date.
BritCarib wrote: However I am still overwhelmed with all this information - so even after I get the prep pack I do not know how to structure my study.
The 60-Day Study Guide (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide) is a good place to start. It takes your GMAT prep, breaks it down into bite-sized pieces and sends you an email each day telling you what learning activities to complete. This ensures that you cover everything you need to cover.

Cheers,
Brent
Thank you for your response Brent, I did the practice test

Score: 350
Breakdown: Q16 (12 out of 37), V20 (22 out of 41)

It's evident I know nothing. Do you think it's best for me to go through the foundation books solely? And if so how much time do you think I should dedicate to them before going onto the full MGMAT prep? Are there any free online resources I can use for now? As I won't be able to purchase any books for the next 6 weeks.

Due to circumstances - it appears that I will have to work more than planned, as opposed to focus solely on the GMAT :cry:. If I work part time I will do the 4hrs a day as advised on the 60 day plan as well as additional study plus all day Saturday. If I have to work full time I will attempt the 60 day plan of 4-5 hrs a day as well as a GMAT tutor for 3 hours on a Saturday.


Anymore tips would be appreciated!

Many Thanx