GMAT Strategy

I am two weeks away from the GMAT. I am a law student (with an MBA) and I will apply to PhD programs (once I know what my test score is).

I scored 610 the first time (back in 2003) but I didn’t study as much in 2003.

I have gone through a ton of books. I wished I started with the Official Guides and found this site earlier.

One problem I have now is that I have already done all of the problems in the OG's. Consequently, I feel my scores on the official computerized tests are a little inflated because there is some overlap with the books. I assume I have to predict my scores off of my initial 'scores' on the OG's. My scores have been consistent throughout all of the books. Here is the general break-down on percentage of question I have answered correctly:

Problem solving: 90%
Data sufficiency: 84%

Reading comprehension: 91%
Critical reasoning: 92%
Sentence correction: 72%

My scores on the computerized tests range from 680 to 740 but I feel this is inflated because I reviewed the OG's first. I also notice a ton of similar patterns etc.

Numerous people on this board recommended the Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction book so I purchased the book. Hopefully this will increase my SC score.

I guess my question is what should I expect for a score on the real test based upon my results? I am shooting for low-tier PhD programs. One has an average GMAT score of 610 (believe it or not). I hope to god I can crack 700. I will be satisfied with a 680. My undergraduate & MBA GPA is 4.0. I am hoping a decent GMAT score and the rest will get me in a decent PhD program.

From here on out my plan is to review the problems I have answered incorrectly and to work on sentence correction problems.

Wish me luck.

Hi,

as for prep scores compared to the actual score - try this link

https://www.gmatclub.com/content/resourc ... /index.php

from what I read and understood, actual scores can sometimes be better than prep scores - or atleast with in your prep score range - so it looks like you are in a good position to achieve you GMAT score goal.

as for your career as stated - I am finishing my LLB (the EU law degree) and have thought of taking a local (Israeli) MBA but decided to wait untill I have a chance to do it in an international top 20 school.
I thought of doing a business PhD instead but was talked out of it on acount of it being very academia oriented and not real life business oriented (as I think I am)

so, would you agree with the assumption that a Business PhD is only worth the while for a career in academia? or can it bring you a real business edge (like a top MBA program can)?
are there Business PhD program under 2 years in top schools?

thanks, and good luck

Ron
https://mbaaspirations.blocked/

Hi
I am so glad to have foudn somebody who is also applying for a Ph.D in business. That’s what I am trying to do. I completed my MBA in 2001 so I took the GMAT back in 1998. My goal is to get into academia and quit my “Corporate career”. I have been working in a corporation for 6 years as an auditor and accountant and I felt I needed something else, something different. That’s why, last year I got in touch with some of my previous MBA professor and well, here I am , studying like crazy and trying to manage my FL job and my family (oh, did I mention I have a 19th month old daughter). But I am full of hope and I am this is what I want so it makes it so worthy, even though it is really though!

Good luck to you, it will pay off!