goal = 650+ in 6 weeks - need your help!

[jakejmw]

I perused the btg forum off and on for the past two months, but I forgot one little detail - I never started the studying process! Now I have 6 weeks left and it's time to get serious. I already have the 8 MHGMAT books, OG 12 and both reviews. I need to come up with a game plan that will give me the most bang for my buck. Here are my current questions:

1. Should I read all 8 books? This would deplete most of my study time. Also, each book has an advanced section towards the back. Would it make sense to skip that section and focus on mastering the basic concepts since my target is a 650?
2. A lot of users suggest a CAT at the very beginning to find where your weak points lie. I feel like I am weak in everything, so when should I begin my first CAT?
3. The application deadline is May 1st. My target test date is March 20th. Would it be better to hold out another two weeks with the goal of improving my GMAT score, or does it make sense to get the app in as soon as possible?
4. Should I do every question in the OG and review books and then use the MHGMAT books to review concepts of the questions that I am unsure of or get wrong?

Any and all advice is welcome! I need to do the most with the little time that I have.

More info that might help: I have a low GPA, solid resume with 2 yrs work experience, good references, 1-2 hrs of study time available per weekday and 6-8 on the weekends. I plan on taking 4 days off to add 30 hrs of study time.

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

I perused the btg forum off and on for the past two months, but I forgot one little detail - I never started the studying process! Now I have 6 weeks left and it's time to get serious. I already have the 8 MHGMAT books, OG 12 and both reviews. I need to come up with a game plan that will give me the most bang for my buck. Here are my current questions:

1. Should I read all 8 books? This would deplete most of my study time. Also, each book has an advanced section towards the back. Would it make sense to skip that section and focus on mastering the basic concepts since my target is a 650?
2. A lot of users suggest a CAT at the very beginning to find where your weak points lie. I feel like I am weak in everything, so when should I begin my first CAT?
3. The application deadline is May 1st. My target test date is March 20th. Would it be better to hold out another two weeks with the goal of improving my GMAT score, or does it make sense to get the app in as soon as possible?
4. Should I do every question in the OG and review books and then use the MHGMAT books to review concepts of the questions that I am unsure of or get wrong?

Any and all advice is welcome! I need to do the most with the little time that I have.

More info that might help: I have a low GPA, solid resume with 2 yrs work experience, good references, 1-2 hrs of study time available per weekday and 6-8 on the weekends. I plan on taking 4 days off to add 30 hrs of study time.

You're going to have to decide how badly you want this. You will need at least four hours a day from now until your test. Give yourself the extra two weeks as well. Many will disagree but I started getting 650-700 on practice tests before I ever opened the official. I would say go through the Manhattan math guides and Sentence Correction guides, but answer and review every reading comp and critical reasoning section from the official guide. As you go through the MGMAT guides be sure to review the material you learned regularly. Don't just read a chapter and leave it behind never to revisit it again. Review all of the basics daily. If you do all of this you will have a chance at 650, but with only two months of prep, its not guaranteed. Good luck.

[Yes.WeCan]

It kind of depends on how fast you read/work.

6 weeks is probably a good source of time: 180hr (including your time off), is a lot of time for preparation!

Try to make an excel file with everything you have (study material), take a GMATprep, diagnose weak areas and perfect those according to your study plan.

[jakejmw]

I'm definitely serious about my target score of 650. I ended college on the not so serious note. This is a test, and this is also a chance for me to prove that I still have what it takes.

I forgot to mention that I also have the CR Bible.

[decipherthegmat]

Keep us posted on your results!! I am in the same boat as you also. I have 6 weeks to study for the GMAT and I will be taking it around the 2nd week of March. My target for the GMAT is 600-650. Good luck!