-
AarondoesSA
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:17 pm
Hi,
I'm taking the GMATs next Saturday, Dec. 20. I jsut received my first target GMAT score with the practice test I took tonight (700). I now need to figure out the best strategy to maximize my score and ensure I receive AT LEAST a 700 on the real thing. Any tips or critique of my strategy would very much appreciated!!
I started studying about 4 weeks ago after I received a 580 on the Kaplan Test (at this point I realized I better start studying, and studying fast!)
So,
I signed up for the GMATS and have studied with practice CATS and random problems:
GMAT Prep #1 - 690 (M45, V38). This score really helped my confidence but I noticed that almost all of my verbal problems were on SC. So, I bought the SC book and then gained access to the 6 CATs. I started studying a chapter a night and doing the subsequent word probelms in the OG 11th edition. I also practiced my math with the 2nd half of the DS and PS problems
1.5 weeks later...
Manhattan Free GMAT Exam 590 (don't remember my breakdown but it wasn't that good) - basically, this was a heartbreaker. I had heard the MGMAT tests could be harder for Math (is this true?) but I was disappointed that my verbal had gone down as well. I thought overall the reading and CR are a lot harder than the GMAT Prep as well. I didn't want to make excuses so I went back over the SC questions and continued to finish the OG 11th edition book. I then decided that my math could be suffereing b/c of timing, so I decided to take a test twice/week
3 days later...
Manhattan GMAT CAT #1 660 (M42, V38). This was better but still not near my 700 score. I focused on reviewing every problem in this test..and knew it was my timing on the Math side (only got to Q27) and my verbal still isn't improving (SC was about 46%)
3 days later...
MGMAT Cat #2 660 (M42, V38). Again, same exact score and same exact problems. On my math, I could only get to Q27 on math and on my verbal my SC was about 52%. I got the purple OG Verbal book and started studying the chapters again from the Manhattan SC and went over the problems....Also, I dled the BEAT THE GMAT flashcards and started studying those randomly. In addition, when reviewing this test I tried to ask myself "what lesson can I learn" from each incorrect problem as suggested by Mayonai5e on beatthegmat.com
3 days later... (Today)
MGMAT Cat #3 700 (M44, V41). Finally, I got my score on a practice test. My Math I was able to get to Q32 and felt much more comfortable on the itming b/c I basically said "wow, this DS or PS question looks confusing...let's spend a minute trying to narrow down the possibilities and move on"...I think this is the only way I can do it..However, I still missed every question from #31 to #37 on the Math. On my verbal, I improved b/c my SC finally went up! I got 11 out of 15 correct. Still would like to get this around 12 or 13 out of 15 correct.
So, I still think my biggest weakness/room for quick improvement is Math Timing and SC. I'm going to finish up all the questions in the purple OG verbal book and continue to review the BEAT THE GMAT Flashcards for both quant and verb. FOr math, I was going to review my test questions and also do the "tough quant" on this website...any other suggestions for math?
OK, so finally, my question is this..what should my strategy be? I feel the practice tests are giving me a lot of good practice for timing which seems to be my weakness. Should I take another MGMAT test on Saturday and then take the GMAT Prep test #2 next Wednesday. Or should I take the GMAT prep test on Saturday and then just focus on individual problems the week leading up to the exam on Sat. Dec. 20? Oh also, I work full time so I'm only able to devote about 2.5 hrs a night to this.
Sorry for the long post..thanks!
Aaron
I'm taking the GMATs next Saturday, Dec. 20. I jsut received my first target GMAT score with the practice test I took tonight (700). I now need to figure out the best strategy to maximize my score and ensure I receive AT LEAST a 700 on the real thing. Any tips or critique of my strategy would very much appreciated!!
I started studying about 4 weeks ago after I received a 580 on the Kaplan Test (at this point I realized I better start studying, and studying fast!)
So,
I signed up for the GMATS and have studied with practice CATS and random problems:
GMAT Prep #1 - 690 (M45, V38). This score really helped my confidence but I noticed that almost all of my verbal problems were on SC. So, I bought the SC book and then gained access to the 6 CATs. I started studying a chapter a night and doing the subsequent word probelms in the OG 11th edition. I also practiced my math with the 2nd half of the DS and PS problems
1.5 weeks later...
Manhattan Free GMAT Exam 590 (don't remember my breakdown but it wasn't that good) - basically, this was a heartbreaker. I had heard the MGMAT tests could be harder for Math (is this true?) but I was disappointed that my verbal had gone down as well. I thought overall the reading and CR are a lot harder than the GMAT Prep as well. I didn't want to make excuses so I went back over the SC questions and continued to finish the OG 11th edition book. I then decided that my math could be suffereing b/c of timing, so I decided to take a test twice/week
3 days later...
Manhattan GMAT CAT #1 660 (M42, V38). This was better but still not near my 700 score. I focused on reviewing every problem in this test..and knew it was my timing on the Math side (only got to Q27) and my verbal still isn't improving (SC was about 46%)
3 days later...
MGMAT Cat #2 660 (M42, V38). Again, same exact score and same exact problems. On my math, I could only get to Q27 on math and on my verbal my SC was about 52%. I got the purple OG Verbal book and started studying the chapters again from the Manhattan SC and went over the problems....Also, I dled the BEAT THE GMAT flashcards and started studying those randomly. In addition, when reviewing this test I tried to ask myself "what lesson can I learn" from each incorrect problem as suggested by Mayonai5e on beatthegmat.com
3 days later... (Today)
MGMAT Cat #3 700 (M44, V41). Finally, I got my score on a practice test. My Math I was able to get to Q32 and felt much more comfortable on the itming b/c I basically said "wow, this DS or PS question looks confusing...let's spend a minute trying to narrow down the possibilities and move on"...I think this is the only way I can do it..However, I still missed every question from #31 to #37 on the Math. On my verbal, I improved b/c my SC finally went up! I got 11 out of 15 correct. Still would like to get this around 12 or 13 out of 15 correct.
So, I still think my biggest weakness/room for quick improvement is Math Timing and SC. I'm going to finish up all the questions in the purple OG verbal book and continue to review the BEAT THE GMAT Flashcards for both quant and verb. FOr math, I was going to review my test questions and also do the "tough quant" on this website...any other suggestions for math?
OK, so finally, my question is this..what should my strategy be? I feel the practice tests are giving me a lot of good practice for timing which seems to be my weakness. Should I take another MGMAT test on Saturday and then take the GMAT Prep test #2 next Wednesday. Or should I take the GMAT prep test on Saturday and then just focus on individual problems the week leading up to the exam on Sat. Dec. 20? Oh also, I work full time so I'm only able to devote about 2.5 hrs a night to this.
Sorry for the long post..thanks!
Aaron
