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I don't have a link, but here's my take on pacing: You need to take a lot of practice tests to find your pace. There is no substitute for this. Someone who always has 10 minutes left requires very different advice than does someone who can't finish the last few problems. That said, generally speakin...

by VP_Jim

Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:47 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Pacing?
Replies: 1
Views: 1093

I think it depends how comfortable you are with the problems in OG12. My preference would be for you to master those problems before going onto the supplement, so if you're still shaky on some of them, spend some time reviewing. If you're only having trouble with the last, say, 20 problems, then don...

by VP_Jim

Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:42 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Quant: OG12 vs. Quant Supplement
Replies: 2
Views: 1173

Typically, people don't take the GMAT more than three times. It would start to look funny if you took it more times - of course, as pointed out above, a huge score increase would probably be worth it. That said, if you've scored 660 twice in a row, I'd probably recommend you just hold steady. Sure, ...

by VP_Jim

Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:28 pm
Forum: I just Beat The GMAT!
Topic: 660 on third try!!! Should I retake?
Replies: 8
Views: 2746

I'm sure you know this, but I'd like to highlight that there are two types of data sufficiency - some that ask something like "what is the value of x?" and some that ask a yes/no question such as "is x even?" Most students I've had in your situation (good at math, bad at data suf...

by VP_Jim

Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:20 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Interesting dichotomy
Replies: 2
Views: 1075

GMAT Prep tests are the most accurate out there, so yes, you can trust your score. As for getting that same score on the real GMAT, no one can say. My experience with many, many students has been that they tend to score +/- 50 points from their final practice test. So, if you took the test today, yo...

by VP_Jim

Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:16 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: GMAT Prep
Replies: 2
Views: 1351

One solution is to "fudge" your examples to fit the situation. Don't flat out make things up, but it's okay to adapt the facts to your situation. I've had plenty of former students do this and score 6.0 on their essays.

by VP_Jim

Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:13 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: tips for AWA
Replies: 1
Views: 1372

I make them up as I go along, but now that you mention it, maybe I should write them up and post them. I think I'll get on that when I have some free time.

by VP_Jim

Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:38 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Not reporting score vs. lower previous score
Replies: 7
Views: 3849

Just to add to the above - there really isn't a point to NOT reporting scores, since schools will see your previous attempts from the past five years. So, if you bomb attempt #1, do well on attempt #2, and send your scores, schools will see both score #1 and score #2. You might as well send the 5 fr...

by VP_Jim

Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:40 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Score Reporting
Replies: 2
Views: 1018

If you're picky about the time of day you take your test, then you should sign up early. The prime slots (late morning) fill up fast. On the other hand, if you're a morning person and want an 8 am test, you can usually sign up with a week's notice. Also, if you need to take your test on a weekend (s...

by VP_Jim

Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:59 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Need help with scheduling test day
Replies: 1
Views: 894

That IS a good question! I always tell my students: no matter how badly you think you did, do not cancel your score! The only good reason to cancel your score is if something truly awful happened during your exam - e.g., you got sick and had to run to the bathroom for 20 minutes during the verbal se...

by VP_Jim

Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:38 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Not reporting score vs. lower previous score
Replies: 7
Views: 3849

Just to set the record straight: the highest you can score on the actual GMAT is 51. I think some prep tests out there do have bugs that allow you to score over 51 if you did incredibly well.

by VP_Jim

Sun Aug 02, 2009 1:10 pm
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: Help, I want your opinion!
Replies: 5
Views: 1424

Great job. That quant score is definitely nothing to worry about - in fact, I think that's just about as high as a humanities person can expect to achieve. Good luck in admissions!

by VP_Jim

Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:33 am
Forum: I just Beat The GMAT!
Topic: 760 (99th percentile)!
Replies: 5
Views: 3374

It doesn't make a difference that you reported your first score after your first attempt, since all of your GMAT scores from the past five years are included on your score report. So, schools would see the first attempt anyway, once you reported your second attempt. It's definitely normal and not a ...

by VP_Jim

Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:27 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Not reporting score vs. lower previous score
Replies: 7
Views: 3849

You don't give much detail in your post, but I'll give you the advice I give everyone with a big quant/verbal disparity -- start reading! Rather than doing question after question and beating yourself up over GMAT stuff, just add 30-60 minutes of quality reading into your daily study regimen. I like...

by VP_Jim

Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:56 am
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: how to imrpove verbal drastically?
Replies: 6
Views: 1988

The answer is actually 7 (so, answer choice C). The easiest way to do it is to plug in the answer choices.

by VP_Jim

Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:04 am
Forum: GMAT Strategy
Topic: More questions for practice... Where to find?
Replies: 4
Views: 1162