Question on GMAT experience

[tiffykoh]

Hi all!

Just have a few questions I have been wondering, basically, how much is too much?

- Would you consider 10 hrs each day 2 weeks prior to exam date too much?
- Also, would doing 2 CATs each day 2 days prior to exam date kill you?
- Do people prepare for GMAT while working or do they not work for a couple of months and focus just on preparing for GMAT?

I have had a major blow couple of days back, so thought of asking for advice.

[doclkk]

Hi all!

Just have a few questions I have been wondering, basically, how much is too much?

- Would you consider 10 hrs each day 2 weeks prior to exam date too much?
- Also, would doing 2 CATs each day 2 days prior to exam date kill you?
- Do people prepare for GMAT while working or do they not work for a couple of months and focus just on preparing for GMAT?

I have had a major blow couple of days back, so thought of asking for advice.

I do think 10 hrs each day 2 weeks is too much. Maybe 5 hours or even 7.

2 cats each day ... what for? You don't learn anything from CAts. Cats are for bench marking unless you're working on timing then CATs are very important to get the flow of your timing.

I prepared while working. After work 2 hours a day.

[tiffykoh]

thanks! i appreciate your reply!

i can say that i am likely a classic example for the wrong way to prepare for gmat and how bad and totally unexpected your actual day score can be. imagine getting a score sorta half of what you are aiming for.

i am going to retake it after a month, but i guess everyone's advice will be focus on your weak areas right? i am thinking if i should get the 12th edition?

i have the princeton guide, manhattan sc guide, OG 11th, kaplan math workbook. i shall look around the forum for additional good verbal guides.

cheers!

[VP_Jim]

Yes, that's way too much studying. I think a good goal is 2-3 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 2-3 months. Cramming doesn't work. Most people manage to study for the GMAT while fully employed, though some of my students have taken personal days once in awhile to relax or have an occasional marathon study day.

As said above, CATs don't really help you learn. They help you practice pacing, but simply taking CATs over and over won't get you anywhere. You need to analyze what you did wrong - on CATs and when working problems.