Where to start?

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Where to start?

by JBG89 » Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:19 pm
I've just joined this community and it seems extremely helpful.

I am an undergraduate senior and plan on studying come January and taking the test sometime before June/May if possible.

I have a bunch of random guides and practice exams but am not sure where to start. I have more material than I can read.

Is there a specific first book that I should pick up to at least get me familiar with the type of questions & test?

Say if I go through the official guide 12 at least once then start working on practice examples how will I fare?

Any suggestions on the best strategy for these 4-5 months would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
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by ikaplan » Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 am
"Where to start" is a really good question. It depends on you. Have you been out of school for more than 5 years? How strong were you in Math during undergrad or high school?

If you need to completely refresh you Math skills and improve verbal, I would suggest you the Manhattan GMAT 8 Strategy Guides. IMO, with moderate pace, it will take you 2 months to complete them. Another question that arises here is 'Do you have enough time'?
"Commitment is more than just wishing for the right conditions. Commitment is working with what you have."

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by JBG89 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:22 am
Thank you for your reply.

I am currently a senior and will be starting FT employment come June. So I would like to take it around April/May.


I currently have the Official Guide 12, 3 Manhattam GMAT (Arith, Crit Reasoning, Sentence Correction), Official guide 10 and 11 review, and a few other books here and there on diff topics (NOVA, master the GMAT, mcgraw Hill)


Would a plan such as so work out? Any other suggestions would be great.
  • Read through OG 12 / start working on some problems.
    3 Manhattan Gmats
    Practice tests to see where I am weak.
    Read through additional material on weak topics.
Last edited by JBG89 on Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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by JBG89 » Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:46 am
I also have the online live classes frmo manhattan GMAT (9 courses)

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by ikaplan » Tue Dec 07, 2010 12:50 pm
You can start with the diagnostic test in the OG12; if the test proves that you need to refresh your verbal or quantitative knowledge, then go back to MGMAT and other resources you have. In my opinion, it is always better to cover the basic concepts; the books you have will definitely help you.

Then you can proceed to the OG questions. After you finish the OG, take a mock exam and identify your weak points.

I myself started with the OG first and since I was not proficient in the basic concepts, this approach proved to be completely wrong for me. It undermined my self-confidence to a great extent...

"First things first" and you will be on the right track!
"Commitment is more than just wishing for the right conditions. Commitment is working with what you have."