GMAT Strategy

...and scored a horrific 410 However, I expected that my score will not be good so no surprises there.

A little background about myself - graduated from college in 2001 with a dual degree in psychology and criminal justice. Couldn't find a job in my field so I started doing accounting. Today, I'm an accounting manager who needs an MBA to advance further.

I signed up for Kaplan review course because I need someone to explain math to me. The last math class I've taken was in high school so some of the problems on the test literally freaked me out. I already bought review books recommended by Beat the GMAT and I believe that along with my motivation to do better (much better!) and a good studying strategy I will improve my score.

I will keep you updated. Thanks all.

Don't worry. After you learn the format of the GMAT and how to attack the questions, you will do much much better.

Eve...i am the same with math. I highly suggest getting the ARCO's math review and the 5 manhattan GMAT math guides. I am slowly improving my math skills with lots of practice. I couldent even add fractions when i started. Damn calculators drained all my math skills.

Scoutkb,

I'm in the same boat now and I'm actually getting better but the problem is trying to understand the question. That area is still grayed out to me. I did take a diagnostic but I just ended up guessing most of them because of frustration.

Lorneth1

Eve,

I avoided math as possible even in high school but now its taking its toll because every entrance exams will be dealt with fundamentals which is my weakest part. I can't afford any prep classes so I'm just sticking with traditional review and studying. How were you doing the entire diagnostic? Did you know most of them at least and did not know the answer or just plain clueless on the subjects?

Lorneth1

One thing I learned long time ago is you cannot get rid of math. Not matter it is always coming back
so you better get better at math. Private tutoring is really expensive but sometimes is the only way to really improve you score in the quantitative section. I tried to study on my own and it did not work...so I hired a private tutor just for math.

Indeed! I'm paying some of the price right now; struggling in making good scores with GMAT.

Trust me on this...i think if you invest enough time you can learn the basic math that is tested on the GMAT. In reality, its very basic and i am sure everyone did more in high school then what is tested. The key is learning to quickly decipher what the GMAT question wants. Thats the hard part. I am not very good at that so i signed up for the Manhattan GMAT online course. The math itself is not impossible (once you practice it over and over). When i first started i know i was in the low 400's, but as time goes on, and i practice more, i am seeing a significant improvement. But i have invested ALOT of time. I try to put in 20 to 25 hours a week on relearning everything. I am about average intelligence so i have to work much harder to get the score i want.

lorneth1 wrote:Eve,

I avoided math as possible even in high school but now its taking its toll because every entrance exams will be dealt with fundamentals which is my weakest part. I can't afford any prep classes so I'm just sticking with traditional review and studying. How were you doing the entire diagnostic? Did you know most of them at least and did not know the answer or just plain clueless on the subjects?

Lorneth1

I'm OK (not good, just OK) with PS but horrible with DS. I think I got all DS questions wrong. I don't understand DS and it will take me a lot of practice to get better. I did the best with SC, got all questions correct, then missed a couple on RC. So, my verbal is significantly better than quantitative. I'll see how the Kaplan review will go; if I still need help with DS, I might get a tutor just for that but, at this point, my plan is to go through as many exercises as possible.