Study Plans

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rbakerv: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2015 7:55 am

by rbakerv » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:23 pm

I'm taking the GMAT for the first time in ~8 weeks but have been studying off and on for a few months. My practice tests project low 600's but I'm aiming for ~680; I plan on taking the exam more than once. I tend to study better when I have a structured plan but really haven't found one online that has worked and am having trouble creating one myself. I'm using the PR review books and the 2015 OG; does anyone have a basic 8 week study plan they've used and can recommend? I've been looking through materials long enough to know basic techniques and POE but have been struggling with various quant sections like probabilities, coordinate geometrey, properties of integers, and in verbal I'm having trouble with critical reasoning. I know this is way too in depth but any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:23 pm

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:28 pm

rbakerv wrote: I've been looking through materials long enough to know basic techniques and POE but have been struggling with various quant sections like probabilities, coordinate geometry, properties of integers, and in verbal I'm having trouble with critical reasoning. I know this is way too in depth but any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated...

To help you focus on one topic at a time, you can use BTG's tagging feature. For example, here are all of the questions tagged as geometry questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... h/geometry
See the left side of that linked page for more tag options.

As you work on each topic that you're struggling with, spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the Experts on this site, since they often model the steps you should be taking when answering questions.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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 Apr 27, 2015 9:58 pm

Hi rbakerv,

Most Test Takers who self-study with a 'book heavy' approach are not able to score at the 700+ level (or in your case, a 680+ level) - they usually get 'stuck' at a particular scoring level.

You mention how your practice Tests are in the low 600s, but I'd like to know more about your overall studies:

1) How long have you been studying?
2) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
3) Have you taken the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

While you've noted some of your 'problem areas', these may or may not be the "big" areas that you need to spend more time working on.

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

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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