GMAT Strategy

I read the different strategies on this site and noticed some people recommend quite a few books. I went back to school after 20 years to complete my undergraduate degree, and should have started on GMAT when the math portion was still fresh in my brain last year.

I'm not looking to get into an Ivy league school, but a good AACSB accredited program online and plan to stay in the same field that I have been in for the past 18 years. I would like to limit the books to three or less and spend about 15 to 20 hours for two months. I'm only looking for 600+ score. If I want to focus on just one to three books, or good online program, which ones would you recommend. Luckily, I have a good tutor at home that is a English/math wiz that can help me with the subjects.

I have spoken with some Universities and they mentioned with my background and industry designations, I should not have any problem getting in with scores in the mid 500's, but I would rather focus beyond 600. Since I have a family to support, my options are limited as I do a lot of traveling due to my work. I also thinking of limited the study material to under $500.00

3 books? I would suggest Manhattan GMAT Number Properties, Kaplan's math and verbal work books. That should suffice. I think the Number Properties book is vital, because Kaplan does a poor job teaching it, but the rest of the book should be enough to get you over the 600 mark. Good luck.

What is the difference between Manhattan GMAT Number Properties and Kaplan's Math Workbook? Would I need both books? I would have my son to help tutor me with some of the math problems.

So far, I am looking at these three books.

The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition
Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook

Should I also start with either Cracking the GMAT, 2010 edition or Kaplan GMAT 2010 Premier Live to give me an intro to GMAT before reading the other books?

well i think the difference is that the MGMAT number properties JUST covers number properties while the Kaplan book will cover everything... now just because it may cover everything doesn't mean that it TEACHES you everything... i don't know what your background is or how long it's been since you've seen this type of material. maybe a practice test first would be your best option to find out what your baseline is? i mean some people find it hard to break 600

I'm almost thinking of doing either Knewton or Manhattan GMAT Guided Self-Study. There are so many options out there.

MGMAT Guided Self Study > Knewton in my opinion

money9111 wrote:MGMAT Guided Self Study > Knewton in my opinion

I'm really stuck between both. The amount of material in the MGMAT looks overwhelming. On Knewton, I did noticed the person was talking pretty quick and felt I might need some type of basic gmat prep book just to prepare for the Knewton videos. Not unless I can review practice problems prior to watching the videos.

Well you can always do a little bit of both... get the MGMAT guides on the topics you think you'll need help with and then do Knewton