GMAT / Quantitative section on a budget

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GMAT / Quantitative section on a budget

by mcleod13 » Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:00 am
Hey everyone, I haven't really posted a lot on here and I probably should post and follow more. Anyway, here is my problem. I am currently a practicing attorney and am already in an MBA program. I took the GMAT earlier this year shortly after taking the bar exam. I did not prepare for the GMAT at all. I bought a couple books and skimmed them, but did not read them. I also hadn't had a real math class for 13 years prior to this.. I got a 640. I was in the 90th percentiles for Verbal but quantitative was 30 something percent..

I am extremely unhappy being an attorney and I want to follow a dream of mine and get a PhD and become a researcher and professor. I have looked at online prep courses and they are quite expensive. I currently run and operate a not-for-profit law firm and money is tight. What can/should I do to make sure that I can boost up my score quite a bit. I would like to break 700 if possible.. Is that possible?
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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:07 am
mcleod13 wrote:Hey everyone, I haven't really posted a lot on here and I probably should post and follow more. Anyway, here is my problem. I am currently a practicing attorney and am already in an MBA program. I took the GMAT earlier this year shortly after taking the bar exam. I did not prepare for the GMAT at all. I bought a couple books and skimmed them, but did not read them. I also hadn't had a real math class for 13 years prior to this.. I got a 640. I was in the 90th percentiles for Verbal but quantitative was 30 something percent..

I am extremely unhappy being an attorney and I want to follow a dream of mine and get a PhD and become a researcher and professor. I have looked at online prep courses and they are quite expensive. I currently run and operate a not-for-profit law firm and money is tight. What can/should I do to make sure that I can boost up my score quite a bit. I would like to break 700 if possible.. Is that possible?
Go for the Manhattan GMAT books, and the OGs. They're the best books. Focus on concepts first and then do tons of questions after to build up your speed and stamina.
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by mcleod13 » Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:38 am
Thanks!! I am going to order them today!!! I am not entirely sure when the PhD apps have to be in, but most of them were by end of November.. Is it possible to get an increase of 60+ in that amount of time?

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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:04 am
mcleod13 wrote:Thanks!! I am going to order them today!!! I am not entirely sure when the PhD apps have to be in, but most of them were by end of November.. Is it possible to get an increase of 60+ in that amount of time?
I just re-read your message and realized that it probably isn't even the GMAT that you want to take. Most schools prefer the GRE to the GMAT when it comes to doing a PhD for certain areas in Business. Make sure that your taking the right test for the area you want to go into.

Secondly, you can definitely increase your score by 60+ points by the end of Nov. if you study regularly.
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by InkyBinky » Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:37 am
I second the MGMAT books. Number Properties is especially useful because, although these types of questions deal with generally basic concepts, it's very useful to be able to dissect them in a matter of seconds given the time constraints. The other MGMAT quant books are also very helpful, but I think Number Properties would help you the most.

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by mcleod13 » Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:43 am
Awesome!! Thanks..

I am sure that it is the GMAT they want me to take. The program I want won't accept the GRE..