Problem Solving

Hi all,
I'm studying for the GMAT and expected to take the test in March. I set the target of about 700 but now I start to wonder if it's too high for me
I've only 2 months for review but my Math is too too terrible, I'm nearly crazy about it.
I try some tests in GMAT Barron book (people say it's close to the real GMAT) but I often get about 60% of the questions right @ @ and my mistakes are always silly. Each time I got different mistakes (
The problem to me is I'm too careless and time pressure makes me extremely nervous.
Moreover, if I get stuck in one question, I nearly lose the way, then i don't have time for the rest of questions and no more eagerness.
Please help me if you have any suggestions or tips to overcome that. Thank you guys a lot.

Hi Lipton,

You may want to consider pushing back your test-date, especially now that you have an idea of how much more you need to prepare.

To begin, I think you should remove ALL timing/pacing pressure and just focus on building up your math skills. Read as many math articles as you can from BTG and elsewhere. Review math topics on easy-to-understand websites like Purple Math. Do exercises out of supplemental artihmetic/algebra/geometry review books if necessary.

Once you feel more strongly about your math skills, consider creating an Error Log for harder questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/11/ ... -error-log

The reason for your careless mistakes it probably due to lack of practice as well as lack of good organization, use of scratch paper and effective, disciplined strategy. Make sure you are doing ALL steps on scratch paper, not in your head. It may sound elementary, but you have to retrain yourself to do math just like a young child does for the first time. Keep it in neat columns!

Create a "Formulas to Know" sheet and add to it as you go. For now, I would just turn into a Math sponge! Read, read, and read. You'll get better - but DOES take time.

Good luck!
-Vivian

Hi Vivian,
Thanks a lot for your suggestions You diagnosed exactly what's wrong with me .
I do use scratch paper but the way I use is totally ineffective, just like a mass that make me often do wrong calculations. @ @
Moreover, I don't like Math since I was at school and I'm lazy at that, and totally lack of practice.
Now I just use Barron GMAT (it has instructions and tips to do the test but there's only 5 practice tests). Do you have any advice on what book I should use to have more effective practice for my Quantitative section? I see some people suggest using Mahattan GMAT book, but I'm not so sure which one because they seem to have lots of books with various price.
I see your Error log and it's really interesting. Previously I just thought about my mistakes in my mind, never jot it down, maybe I should clarify everything.
Tks again for your valuable reply. Have a good day, Vivian.

lipton wrote:Do you have any advice on what book I should use to have more effective practice for my Quantitative section?I see some people suggest using Mahattan GMAT book, but I'm not so sure which one because they seem to have lots of books with various price.

Hi Lipton,

The official GMAT guides are absolutely the best to work with. I recommend The Official Guide for GMAT Review and also The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review, since math is your weak spot.

These books contain actual GMAT questions that have appeared on the test but have since been "retired." When I studied for the test, I used several different GMAT practice books, and I found the official GMAT books most helpful. Some of the other books contain some very weird questions, and they don't really give you a good impression of what to expect on the test itself.

Another thing you may want to consider is to keep track of time while you're practicing. Check my blog entry at www.superduperstudent.com on that topic.

Good luck!

Thank Superduperstudent, maybe i'll buy a new book focusing on Math to have more practice.
I've visited your blog and see you have an amazing score on the GMAT, really admiring , you must have lots of experience in preparing for the GMAT.
Also I'll try your advice and hope it works.
Tks again

Thank you, Lipton! Contact me anytime if you have any other questions related to GMAT or MBA application.

Good luck with your test!