Krysia411 wrote:Hello all,
I am a recent graduate, and I would like to study in the USA. I have a school in mind and I am currently preparing my application. The GMAT scares me. I am appauling at maths, and the overall test seems very difficult. I need at least 650 on this test, I want to get 700 just to be on the safe side as I only have an OK gpa. I have 3 months to study for this and I have no idea where to begin. I am just very eager to get into thid school, and would be heart broken if I did not. Your help would be highly appreciated.
Thanx!
First of all, congratulations on your dedication and motivation to go to Business School for an MBA and joining this site to beat the GMAT. I am an international student as well and I had to take the GMAT 3 times before I got my target score. The process was very frustrating and I had to literally work my butt off. Nonetheless, it would've been easier if I had prepared a better study plan since day one. There are many good sources on this website, but I will give you my advice as to what finally worked for me.
First of all, I set aside 90 days for my GMAT preparation. I began with a practice test (GMAT Prep - Score 450...sucked!) in order to assess my strengths and weaknesses and to determine where I was standing. I then purchased all the books by Manhattan GMAT, the Official Guide Guide 12th Edition and the two supplemental Quantitative and Verbal books. During the first 45 days, I studied 6 times per week 3 hours per day to get a good hold of the basics of Quantitative and Verbal. The Manhattan GMAT books are amazing and they will help you understand how to solve all kinds of problems. I read everything on each book, made a review of each subject on my notebook and did all the practice problems at the end of each Chapter. After I finished the MGMAT books, I took another practice test (MGMAT) and my score was immediately up by 100 points into a decent 550 level. I then took 2 weeks to do all the Quantitative and Verbal problems on the OG Guide and supplemental books. After that I took another practice exam (MGMAT) and I scored a 620 (highest score at that point!). During the remaining 30 days, I reviewed my notes, made some practice problems and took 2 practice exam per week. I was scoring in the lower and mid 600's now consistently. In the end, I finally got my target score and I could not believe my eyes when I saw the score report! I made it!
So in summary, here's some quick tips:
MGMAT is the way to go
Work on your Q and V basics
Do notes just as you did in High School
Do A LOT of practice problems
Complete as many practice exams before your official exam
In conclusion: knowing the basic Q and V skills by heart and repetition of problems and tests is the key!
Good luck!!!
