Need advice on GMAT preparation strategy!

[jgdjgd]

Hello friends!

I want a serious advice from you on "how to proceed for GMAT's preparation?" as I want 750+score in my real GMAT by August,2010 this year, so that I can apply in 1st round.

My first take on it:-
On my friend's advice I took GMAT prep test-1 in April 2nd week and scored a dismal 480.

Just to relax myself I have the following reasons for my low score.(Pls. check if I am right and help me form strategy)

Reasons for low score(To the best of my knowledge and need your say on it):-

1)Didn't know about GMAT pattern at all.(Not even was aware of total time of the test)

2)Completely out of touch of studies for almost 2 years.

3)Completed only 30 questions of quant and 20 questions of Verbal before time elapsed. So, that ways I left almost half the section of verbal and 8 questions of quant in all.


Now, I would want your advice on making preparation strategy as I am left with only 3 Months time(MAY,JUNEand JULY).

I can devote 3 hours on weekdays and 8 hours on weekends.

I am planning to devote last complete month of JULY for preparation during which I will only be preparing.(taking off from office)

I have started preparing with OG-12 and Manhattan sentence correction guide.

I want to know the material I need to focus in order to improve my score from dismal 480 to 750+

Thanks in advance to all you friends!

Nothing is impossible, even impossible says i....m....possible!

[becnil]

You have planned to put aside a considerable time for your preparation (and you have fixed the deadline)..this is very important. You resources are good. OG 12 is the best book you can have for your GMAT prep, so go through it in real details..do all the problems Verbal & Quant, at least twice and definitely read the explanations of all the answers. Manhattan Review is also a very nice resource. Since you have only taken one Practice Test so far, it will not make sense to actually classify your individual mistakes right now. Rather, in my opinion, you should just try to go through the problems and read the basics of GMAT Quant and Verbal, thereby refreshing your mind. Read the instructions in OG 12 and also in the software you get when you register at MBA.com. These instructions will help you understand the format and the overall contents of the test.

Once you feel comfortable with the OG (may be after doing all the problems at least once), try to take a GMATPrep CAT from the software (the Official Practice Test). Assess the scores as well as individual section performances. Then you will probably be able to point out the specific areas you need to focus more. Do this after a month or so into your preparation, then spend the rest of the time focusing on specific weakness areas and refreshing some known topics, mainly through practice tests.

[jgdjgd]

thanks Becnil for your advice!

I would want to ask one important thing here :"Should I focus on time while practicing this book's question?"

As I started a week back and am taking lot of time in one question be it CR or RC.

CR almost 6-8 mins.
RC in the range of 25-35 mins.

Understanding passages or CR question is taking bit lot of time before I am in position to answer those.
How should I proceed in such a case?