Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum, and although I took the official test 2 weeks ago, it seems my journey is just starting now.
After taking the official test, rather unprepared, and getting a 570 (32Q; 35V). I now realize that I need a study plan. I have read around some posts on the forum checking out study plans, but I thought that making my own, and getting feedback on it, would be the best way to hit my target: 700.
Here is what happened on test day:
During the official test I was still not used to the timing. In the last 2 minutes I randomly selected answers for the last, at least, 5 quant questions. In the verbal I rushed through the middle part and finished 2 minutes early. I had successfully completed my first GMAT prep test just the day before and gotten a 470 because my pace was so off(finished only half the Quant questions). On test day I new I had to go a lot faster and got the aforementioned result.
2 days later, December 11th, I took a GMAT prep test and, a bit more used to the timing, I got a 600 (35Q 38V). Just one question unanswered on each section (as I hadnt clicked "next!"). On my last test, december 18th, I scored a 620 (35Q;41V). The verbal score may have been boosted from seeing some of the same questions.
Now it seems I have just started to get a handle of the exam, I know what I am up against, and I need to devise a strategy to beat the GMAT!
A little bit of background:
Just graduated with a political science degree, raised in the US, I have an advantage compared to many test takers in verbal.
However, even though I have liked math since I was a kid, doing some pretty intense math and physics in High-School (17+ class time hours/week), I need to study hard/practice a lot, to get these rusty gears turning again and to get used to these GMAT math problems.
Strategy:
Taking into account that I have never used flashcards to learn anything (less visual/auditory learner more experiential/trial&error). Also taking into account that I have the most room for improvement in Quant.
1) Part 1 of my strategy is to take as many practice tests as possible (and I like the strategy in another post of doing GMAT Prep over and over despite getting some of the same questions-especially for my quant).
2) To complement practice tests, daily I will do timed sessions of exercises targeting my weak points, focusing a good part of my efforts on Quant, and spending just as much time on review. (one day break on weekends and upcoming holidays).
Ressources:
It seems that the OG is not enough to prepare.
I liked the concept of the OG companion on gmatfix.com but it is the companion of edition 12 and I have 13 (wouldnt the cross referencing be off?).
As in quant the one thing I am really not used to is property of numbers exercises I am thinking of getting the Manhattan strategy guide for this subject, and getting the 6 practice tests that go along with it.
My test is in 2 months and 10 days away.
(1) What would be the best resources if I want to get my Quant score from 35 to mid-high 40s?
(2) How should I go about studying verbal in particular?
(3) Are there any other books like gmat companion? with explanations including multiple ways of solving? Should I just get it even if it refers to a different OG? The concept is really appealing to me.
I am used to taking a lot of time to solve math problems, with proofs worth half of the points.
Usually I can solve the problems but doing it in less than two minutes is the big problem.
Hence the need for practice, practice, practice!
Learning important lessons as I go so I feel like I will improve quickly!
I would really appreciate any feedback!
I am new to this forum, and although I took the official test 2 weeks ago, it seems my journey is just starting now.
After taking the official test, rather unprepared, and getting a 570 (32Q; 35V). I now realize that I need a study plan. I have read around some posts on the forum checking out study plans, but I thought that making my own, and getting feedback on it, would be the best way to hit my target: 700.
Here is what happened on test day:
During the official test I was still not used to the timing. In the last 2 minutes I randomly selected answers for the last, at least, 5 quant questions. In the verbal I rushed through the middle part and finished 2 minutes early. I had successfully completed my first GMAT prep test just the day before and gotten a 470 because my pace was so off(finished only half the Quant questions). On test day I new I had to go a lot faster and got the aforementioned result.
2 days later, December 11th, I took a GMAT prep test and, a bit more used to the timing, I got a 600 (35Q 38V). Just one question unanswered on each section (as I hadnt clicked "next!"). On my last test, december 18th, I scored a 620 (35Q;41V). The verbal score may have been boosted from seeing some of the same questions.
Now it seems I have just started to get a handle of the exam, I know what I am up against, and I need to devise a strategy to beat the GMAT!
A little bit of background:
Just graduated with a political science degree, raised in the US, I have an advantage compared to many test takers in verbal.
However, even though I have liked math since I was a kid, doing some pretty intense math and physics in High-School (17+ class time hours/week), I need to study hard/practice a lot, to get these rusty gears turning again and to get used to these GMAT math problems.
Strategy:
Taking into account that I have never used flashcards to learn anything (less visual/auditory learner more experiential/trial&error). Also taking into account that I have the most room for improvement in Quant.
1) Part 1 of my strategy is to take as many practice tests as possible (and I like the strategy in another post of doing GMAT Prep over and over despite getting some of the same questions-especially for my quant).
2) To complement practice tests, daily I will do timed sessions of exercises targeting my weak points, focusing a good part of my efforts on Quant, and spending just as much time on review. (one day break on weekends and upcoming holidays).
Ressources:
It seems that the OG is not enough to prepare.
I liked the concept of the OG companion on gmatfix.com but it is the companion of edition 12 and I have 13 (wouldnt the cross referencing be off?).
As in quant the one thing I am really not used to is property of numbers exercises I am thinking of getting the Manhattan strategy guide for this subject, and getting the 6 practice tests that go along with it.
My test is in 2 months and 10 days away.
(1) What would be the best resources if I want to get my Quant score from 35 to mid-high 40s?
(2) How should I go about studying verbal in particular?
(3) Are there any other books like gmat companion? with explanations including multiple ways of solving? Should I just get it even if it refers to a different OG? The concept is really appealing to me.
I am used to taking a lot of time to solve math problems, with proofs worth half of the points.
Usually I can solve the problems but doing it in less than two minutes is the big problem.
Hence the need for practice, practice, practice!
Learning important lessons as I go so I feel like I will improve quickly!
I would really appreciate any feedback!
