640(Q38V40) -> 630 (Q42,V35), need advice on books

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Hi all,
I never really thought I would need to post on these threads but since this whole GMAT dilemma has already cost me a hefty amount of money, effort and time I would like to know what best options are available to me at the moment.
About myself: I am a senior business undergrad student and took the GMAT last december. I realized that I didn't prepare enough for the quantitive part and and subsequently bombed it, I scored a 640 (Q38V40). Although I was happy that my verbal score was considerably higher than my quantitive score, I kept on thinking that if I hadn't screwed up the quantitive part I could've gotten a much higher score. I also felt that the verbal part didn't really challenge me as much as the quantitive did even though I scored much higher. I blamed myself for giving myself about 1.5 weeks of preparation and not finishing all of the exercises in the OG. I completed maybe close to 50% of all exercises in the OG and went through the entire laughably basic Princeton Review I would never recommend anyone buying it to be honest).
So I decided to re-take it again and rescheduled for February 28. I went through all the quant exercises in the OG and through a bulk of the exercises in the OG quant review. I realized that Data Sufficiency was still my weak point but that I must've somehow improved. Well, after taking the 2nd test I guess I was right. The problem was that I was rushed for time while taking the real test, and by the end I had to click through the last 5-6 questions. The dumbest thing that happened was that I wasn't sure if the computer registered my last answer and I was dreading whether I screwed up my score by missing one question. Angry at myself I just skipped the 8 minute break and just decided to get this over with as fast as possible.
I get out and lo and behold my score is actually 10 points lower, and inverted. I had scored 630 (Q42,V35). Okay, so I screwed up the verbal part and that was dumb on my part but even though I thought I did quite a lot for quant, I still scored relatively weak.
So, by taking it a third time I'll be giving away another 250+ USD to this overpriced test and I definitely do not want to take it a 4th time, so I want to make this one count. I thought the Manhattan Guide was overpriced for a test-guide which costs roughly 50% of the actual test! I'm guessing I was also misled by all my fellow co-students, some of whom scored 720 studying 1.5 weeks, and others scoring 750 by just studying for 2 weeks. Obviously, they are somehow better at this test than I am so I will have to invest more sweat and effort into this. I'll be missing most of the deadlines of the schools I'm applying to with this 3rd test but I want to get this done nevertheless.
I'm currently only looking at the Manhattan Guide (8 book set). I also am in the possession of the quant and verbal review, but is maybe anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks

Best Regards
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by vineeshp » Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:30 am
First thing, good to see the fighting spirit. This will help people like me too.

I sincerely recommend that you take a short break. You have been working hard on this for quite a long time. You will burn out if you dont give yourself rest. So take a break. Make a short visit to some place. Watch some movies. Relax your mind.

I havent used all the Manhattan guides so cannot comment if they are good. I love the SC guide. But I find the CR guide a little too stretched.
For RC, I would recommend the RC passages on Aristotle prep. They seem to mimic GMAT questions well.

For math, again. Work on the concepts. Once you get the concepts through, solving problems should be easier. if you need more practice, there are lots of resources. BTG practice questions is a good example of a source for more problems.

Looking at your scores, you look strong in Verbal. Make it count. I would be really happy if I manage over 40 in Verbal section.

Take practice tests under full conditions by writing the AWA Essay too. That will help you develop endurance for the test.
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)

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by User3045 » Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:40 pm
Hi vineesh,
thanks for the welcome!
Yes, I'm def going to aim at tackling the GMAT at a more long-term pace this time but also grant myself 1-2 weeks before I start doing any exercises again. I went ahead got ahold of the Manhattan guides so I'll read through those and I reckon I'll check out some of the practice tests on this site!
I'll def check the Aristotle SC guide after I'm through with the Manhattan Guides.
Another question!
I did the PrepTest a couple of times and I've noticed that I recognize too many questions for it to be a reliable indicator so are there any alternatives (which won't cost me too much either)?
I already went through the prep test v1 and v2 but I didn't really notice a noticeable difference in questions back when I was prepping.

Best Regards

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by bkw » Sat Mar 05, 2011 4:48 pm
Hi, good to hear you not give up and that you really wanna beat the GMAT.

Do not spend too much effort thinking on how much time others spend to prepare. It will only take your time/energy.

I suggest that if you want to improve much more you should review for the available prep courses, I there there is a review somewhere and then join one of them. And yes MGMAT books (and courses) will probably give a solid foundation for quant at least.