REQUESTED: GMAT Prep Strategy

Expert replies

schelljo: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 12:52 pm

by schelljo » Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:06 pm

Good Evening All-

I just took the GMAT and scored a 590 with a Q in the 44% and the V in the 66% ( 40% SC). I have been very inconsistent across the board, in my CAT's leading up to the GMAT, and feel like that I need to review the strategies and basics all together before wasting more CATS and OG problems. I have studied for about 3about a month before but I feel like I was just doing it lipservice and not really digging into the individual problems. Below is a plan that I put together that is based off the MGMAT books. I will be studying 4 hours a weekday (2 in the morning and 2 in the evening) and 4-6 on the weekends with taking Friday night off. I would love everyone's feedback. Thanks much!

WE Dec 20: All Foundations and Math and Verbal Chapters
WE Dec 27: SC 2-3, RC 1-4, FDP 1-7
WE Jan 3: FDP 8, Algebra 1-7, SC 4-5, RC 5
WE Jan 10: Algebra 8-13, SC 6-7, RC 6, CAT
WE Jan 17: SC 8, CR 1-4, WP 1-9
WE Jan 24: WP 10, NP 1-5, SC 10-11, CR 5-6 & 8
WE Jan 31: NP 6-7, GEO 1-5, CR 7, Mixed Sets, CAT
WE Feb 7: Geo 6-7

I have budgeted in an extra month as I just need to have a 700 by March for Round 3 deadlines. I wanted to mix up Quant and Verbal so that I can work on both at the same time. In addition, I have my time budgeted about 50% books and 50% OG Questions.

I appreciate the feedback and thank you all for your time.

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:06 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Dec 14, 2015 8:50 am

Hi schelljo,

It's not clear from your post how you were studying before you took the GMAT, so I have a few questions about the work that you've done so far:

1) What resources have you used so far?
2) How did you score on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

3) When are you planning to next take the GMAT?
4) What are the exact application deadlines you're facing?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

schelljo: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 12:52 pm

by schelljo » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:30 am

Rich-

Thanks so much for the reply. Let me try and answer your questions below.

1. I have used only bits and pieces of the MGMAT books but to be honest it was just reading them and really didn't apply them to OG problems.

2. I score a 530 on my first CAT with a 34 V and 29 Q.
3. I am next planning on taking the GMAT sometime in February.
3. My R3 deadlines are on March 11 so I have about 3 months.

GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:51 am

Hi schelljo,

You've given yourself up to 3.5 months of additional study time, which is good. From what you described, your prior studies haven't been particularly well-planned out. To raise your score to the 700+ level, you will likely need a consistent, guided Study Plan. Before you have to commit that that though, you can study as you choose for the next couple of weeks, then take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections). From that score result, we'll have a much better idea of whether your study plan is helping you to improve or not.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

schelljo: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 21; Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 12:52 pm

by schelljo » Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:53 am

Thanks Rich for the time and comments. I have a CAT scheduled the second week in January so that should give a better idea if this is working.

Have a great holiday!

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