Hey guys,
This post is long overdue. I've used this site as a source of support during my GMAT studying, and I can't thank this community enough for providing answers to difficult questions, and support.
I first took the GMAT in August 15th. I got a 620, v42 (95%) and q32 (33%), AWA 6.0 (90%). I couldn't believe how badly I messed up the math. I studied for many months, but my undoing was doing the Manhattan GMAT books in sequence without reviewing old material or problems.
My second time around I got a 720 (94%), v45 (98%) and q44 (69%), AWA 6.0 (90%)
Lessons learned:
1. If you don't get high scores on practice exams, you won't get a high score on the GMAT. I never scored over a 670 prior to taking the GMAT the first time around. Somehow I fooled myself into believing that something magical would happen when I took the test for real. It didn't... I actually did much worse. The second time around I was consistently scoring in the 700's.
2. As you're doing practice problems, write the ones you get wrong into a notebook. The first time around all I did was mark them in the book to go back and review them. The second time around, I kept a detailed journal of each question I missed, and studied it until I understood every reason why I missed it. Time consuming? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
3. The first time around, I did the Manhattan GMAT books in a row. They're good books, but I fooled myself into thinking that it was enough just to review them once. The second time around I took notes from each chapter and reviewed all the notes at the beginning of each study session. Again, time consuming, but very useful.
4. For me, putting in the time wasn't good enough. This was the first goal that I've badly failed at in years. Typically, if I put in the time, I could outwork whatever the barrier in front of me. The GMAT isn't like that. You not only have to put in the time, but you have to actively challenge yourself to think smart about how you're studying. The tips above should help you do that.
5. It's worth noting that I did all this on my own. After a number of people told me what a waste of time KAPLAN courses were, I resolved to provide myself with the structure a course usually does. I kept a spread sheet and logged every hour that I studied. I basically gave up my personal life for a year. I bought the five quant Manhattan GMAT guides, and all of the OGs I could get my hands on. I did the official practice tests about six times, and also a number of Manhattan practice tests as well.. which are actually quite good.
6. There are those, and I would say this is the majority, that recommend taking a practice test first, and then studying the areas that need most work... I didn't find this to be necessary, and actually quite a waste of time. After doing the mini test the OG has in the front of the book, I knew I sucked at GMAT math. I didn't need to spend over three hours of time on a full length test to tell me that. I recommend taking the time you would normally spend on the first test and putting it toward studying more. The practice tests really become useful midway through studying and especially toward the end, as you start to work on timing.
7. Speaking of timing.. it matters. On the first test this really hurt me. At the bar after the first test (yes, I got a bit drunk, but I was back at studying the next day) I met a buddy's friend who told me about a technique that worked well for him: He got his timing down by doing practice sets, 10 questions in 20 minutes. He kept doing these until he got through the whole OG book. This really worked for me as well. Rather than doing the problems in the OG book after I was finished with a particular Manhattan book (as I did the first time), I did the 10/20 problem sets. This kept my timing right, and it also helped me see a variety of problems in succession in a stressful environment, which forced me to get better at understanding problem frameworks.
8. Finally, problem frameworks are important, and Manhattan GMAT is excellent at teaching them. I am not naturally good at math under GMAT conditions, but after memorizing the frameworks taught in the book, I was able to solve problems much quicker.
So there you have it..these are my observations from nearly a year of studying. I hope you find them helpful.
If you don't do well the first, time (and you may well not), know that most people don't achieve their goal the initial go around. Provided you're determined enough, and smart about it, you can turn things around for yourself.
I'm applying R2 to six schools, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Wharton, MIT, Harvard. Done with the first four apps, and two more to go.
Best of luck to whoever is reading this, and let me know if you have any questions.
-vlad
This post is long overdue. I've used this site as a source of support during my GMAT studying, and I can't thank this community enough for providing answers to difficult questions, and support.
I first took the GMAT in August 15th. I got a 620, v42 (95%) and q32 (33%), AWA 6.0 (90%). I couldn't believe how badly I messed up the math. I studied for many months, but my undoing was doing the Manhattan GMAT books in sequence without reviewing old material or problems.
My second time around I got a 720 (94%), v45 (98%) and q44 (69%), AWA 6.0 (90%)
Lessons learned:
1. If you don't get high scores on practice exams, you won't get a high score on the GMAT. I never scored over a 670 prior to taking the GMAT the first time around. Somehow I fooled myself into believing that something magical would happen when I took the test for real. It didn't... I actually did much worse. The second time around I was consistently scoring in the 700's.
2. As you're doing practice problems, write the ones you get wrong into a notebook. The first time around all I did was mark them in the book to go back and review them. The second time around, I kept a detailed journal of each question I missed, and studied it until I understood every reason why I missed it. Time consuming? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
3. The first time around, I did the Manhattan GMAT books in a row. They're good books, but I fooled myself into thinking that it was enough just to review them once. The second time around I took notes from each chapter and reviewed all the notes at the beginning of each study session. Again, time consuming, but very useful.
4. For me, putting in the time wasn't good enough. This was the first goal that I've badly failed at in years. Typically, if I put in the time, I could outwork whatever the barrier in front of me. The GMAT isn't like that. You not only have to put in the time, but you have to actively challenge yourself to think smart about how you're studying. The tips above should help you do that.
5. It's worth noting that I did all this on my own. After a number of people told me what a waste of time KAPLAN courses were, I resolved to provide myself with the structure a course usually does. I kept a spread sheet and logged every hour that I studied. I basically gave up my personal life for a year. I bought the five quant Manhattan GMAT guides, and all of the OGs I could get my hands on. I did the official practice tests about six times, and also a number of Manhattan practice tests as well.. which are actually quite good.
6. There are those, and I would say this is the majority, that recommend taking a practice test first, and then studying the areas that need most work... I didn't find this to be necessary, and actually quite a waste of time. After doing the mini test the OG has in the front of the book, I knew I sucked at GMAT math. I didn't need to spend over three hours of time on a full length test to tell me that. I recommend taking the time you would normally spend on the first test and putting it toward studying more. The practice tests really become useful midway through studying and especially toward the end, as you start to work on timing.
7. Speaking of timing.. it matters. On the first test this really hurt me. At the bar after the first test (yes, I got a bit drunk, but I was back at studying the next day) I met a buddy's friend who told me about a technique that worked well for him: He got his timing down by doing practice sets, 10 questions in 20 minutes. He kept doing these until he got through the whole OG book. This really worked for me as well. Rather than doing the problems in the OG book after I was finished with a particular Manhattan book (as I did the first time), I did the 10/20 problem sets. This kept my timing right, and it also helped me see a variety of problems in succession in a stressful environment, which forced me to get better at understanding problem frameworks.
8. Finally, problem frameworks are important, and Manhattan GMAT is excellent at teaching them. I am not naturally good at math under GMAT conditions, but after memorizing the frameworks taught in the book, I was able to solve problems much quicker.
So there you have it..these are my observations from nearly a year of studying. I hope you find them helpful.
If you don't do well the first, time (and you may well not), know that most people don't achieve their goal the initial go around. Provided you're determined enough, and smart about it, you can turn things around for yourself.
I'm applying R2 to six schools, Berkeley, Stanford, Columbia, Wharton, MIT, Harvard. Done with the first four apps, and two more to go.
Best of luck to whoever is reading this, and let me know if you have any questions.
-vlad
