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richlittl
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:22 pm
- Location: CA
- Thanked: 1 times
Dear beatthegmat gangs, first, a big thank you for been there to share your insights on GMAT and provide your time to answer questions.
I got a 690 on my test, with 51Q and 31V.
Sadly, I didn't finish my verbal section, and left the last question blank, which I think might have an impact on my final score. However, cannnot change what was done, so... PLS ... DO NOT leave anything blank. You need 5 secs for the computer to process next page and select an answer and say yes on that answer. Please learn from my lesson.
Ok, I am going to give you some different insights about this test!
First .. some background info
I grew up in Taiwan and came to the US at age 18, afterwards I attended junior college for two years and then transfered to university to complete my college education.
Verbal section:
One thing I would like to point out; I have horribe English grammar knowledge and turtle reading skill. Understanding English is my weakness, I tried very hard to improve it. I purchased the sentence correction books such as MGMAT, SC bible, OG11, OG supplement, and etc ... I will tell everyone MGMAT is the best book, but it should be used as a tool to reference grammar topics back to the questions on OG. Sadly, I didn't do so well on my verbal section.
WHY?
Because OG makes GMAT look so easy...
Please believe in this, "for people whose first language is not English", trying to focus on OG11 will help you hit 600+, but it will be hard to break the 700 barrier. MGMAT and Kaplan's 800 book both offer harder questions which are a lot closer to the actual test level. Please use OG as a starter and MOVE ON to do more test questions from MGMAT and Kaplan.
Ok, not going to waste your time right here... many people can offer greater verbal insights than I can.
Quant section:
Since I coached my friend from Q43 to Q49, I am going to offer two different strategies to people aiming for different scores.
Currently in the low 40s going for 45-47
OG11 is your friend. It can teach you the basics and help you remember what you learned from the ice age. If I recall correctly, there are around 250 questions on math section. The last 75 questions are what you are trying to focus on. Do not be happy because you got 50/50 in the first 50 questions, first 50 questions are V10 level. The diagnostic test and the last 75 questions are very close to the test you will hit around V40-V45 score.
Second, go for Kaplan's test . I did two of their 9 tests via my friend's access, and they are very reasonable questions and kind of close to the actual test question. Remember, MGMAT math test is your enemy, because it will shatter your confidence into pieces, and this is the last thing you want on preparing for math.
Third, PRACTICE.
Currently in the high 40s going for 49-51
First advise: threw away your OG11 math portion like I did. It is beyond useless.
For peopel at this level, looking at OG11 is a waste of your precious time. You already know all the basics, and it's time to do more practice. I am good at math, (not because I am Asian...), but I still practiced more than 1,000 questions before I take GMAT. You want to be sure you cover all areas and also are very confident on DS questions. I will suggest doing GMATclub's 25 practice test sets, and you can choose to take MGMAT tests rather than Kaplan tests. MGMAT will offer you questions closer to the end of the test (FYI: but, MGMAT is still harder than real test), and KAPLAN's test is just too simple (got perfect score on it...lol).
Important pointers: Take couple seconds to review what quesion is asking you before you move on to the next question can do magic to your score.
Alright, last but not least. First 15 quan questions on GMAT are very easy and straight forward, but they can hurt you tremendously on your score. If you do good on it, you are opening yourself a door to hit 45 or above. Howeve, if you make careless mistakes, you can kiss 51 goodbye. Please double check your answers!!
To everyone a great December and see you in Business school!
I got a 690 on my test, with 51Q and 31V.
Sadly, I didn't finish my verbal section, and left the last question blank, which I think might have an impact on my final score. However, cannnot change what was done, so... PLS ... DO NOT leave anything blank. You need 5 secs for the computer to process next page and select an answer and say yes on that answer. Please learn from my lesson.
Ok, I am going to give you some different insights about this test!
First .. some background info
I grew up in Taiwan and came to the US at age 18, afterwards I attended junior college for two years and then transfered to university to complete my college education.
Verbal section:
One thing I would like to point out; I have horribe English grammar knowledge and turtle reading skill. Understanding English is my weakness, I tried very hard to improve it. I purchased the sentence correction books such as MGMAT, SC bible, OG11, OG supplement, and etc ... I will tell everyone MGMAT is the best book, but it should be used as a tool to reference grammar topics back to the questions on OG. Sadly, I didn't do so well on my verbal section.
WHY?
Because OG makes GMAT look so easy...
Please believe in this, "for people whose first language is not English", trying to focus on OG11 will help you hit 600+, but it will be hard to break the 700 barrier. MGMAT and Kaplan's 800 book both offer harder questions which are a lot closer to the actual test level. Please use OG as a starter and MOVE ON to do more test questions from MGMAT and Kaplan.
Ok, not going to waste your time right here... many people can offer greater verbal insights than I can.
Quant section:
Since I coached my friend from Q43 to Q49, I am going to offer two different strategies to people aiming for different scores.
Currently in the low 40s going for 45-47
OG11 is your friend. It can teach you the basics and help you remember what you learned from the ice age. If I recall correctly, there are around 250 questions on math section. The last 75 questions are what you are trying to focus on. Do not be happy because you got 50/50 in the first 50 questions, first 50 questions are V10 level. The diagnostic test and the last 75 questions are very close to the test you will hit around V40-V45 score.
Second, go for Kaplan's test . I did two of their 9 tests via my friend's access, and they are very reasonable questions and kind of close to the actual test question. Remember, MGMAT math test is your enemy, because it will shatter your confidence into pieces, and this is the last thing you want on preparing for math.
Third, PRACTICE.
Currently in the high 40s going for 49-51
First advise: threw away your OG11 math portion like I did. It is beyond useless.
For peopel at this level, looking at OG11 is a waste of your precious time. You already know all the basics, and it's time to do more practice. I am good at math, (not because I am Asian...), but I still practiced more than 1,000 questions before I take GMAT. You want to be sure you cover all areas and also are very confident on DS questions. I will suggest doing GMATclub's 25 practice test sets, and you can choose to take MGMAT tests rather than Kaplan tests. MGMAT will offer you questions closer to the end of the test (FYI: but, MGMAT is still harder than real test), and KAPLAN's test is just too simple (got perfect score on it...lol).
Important pointers: Take couple seconds to review what quesion is asking you before you move on to the next question can do magic to your score.
Alright, last but not least. First 15 quan questions on GMAT are very easy and straight forward, but they can hurt you tremendously on your score. If you do good on it, you are opening yourself a door to hit 45 or above. Howeve, if you make careless mistakes, you can kiss 51 goodbye. Please double check your answers!!
To everyone a great December and see you in Business school!
