Official Guide vs. the Individual OG math and verbal

[kidboc1]

Hello,
I need all the practice on math that I can get. I finished the Kaplan GMAT workbook and did the diagnostic test in the OG 11th edition and didn't do so well. I haven't started the OG, just did the test but was wondering, are the math problems in the 11th edition duplicates of those in the OG math book?
The books I have are the Kaplan Math, OG 11th ed. and I'm planning on buying the MGMAT SC due to good reviews and when buying it you get access to 6 online CAT test from MGMAT. I'll buy whatever it takes to do well. If the OG math is different, I'll buy it. Any input on whether I should be armed with all the books necessary would be appreciated.

best of luck to all,

[beatthegmat]

Hi kidboc:

There shouldn't be overlap between the OG11 book and OG11 quant book.

I think your choice of Kaplan, OG, and Manhattan GMAT books are very solid. I couldn't recommend a strong set of books to study from!

Good luck!

[Stacey Koprince]

Yep - no overlap between OG11 and the Quantitative supplement. Also - the diagnostic test in OG11 is not very representative of the real thing - don't worry about it!

GMAC is planning to launch a new online diagnostic test next year (they're targeting first quarter for a math test and later in the year for a verbal test), so if you're not planning to take the test for a while, start checking www.mba.com in January until you see the new diagnostic test. They said they're planning to sell it for about $30 (but that could change). The test will tell you your strengths and weaknesses by question type and broad content area, and will also give you specific question numbers in OG that you should practice based upon your test results. (FYI - it will not be a full-length test. I think they're targeting about 24 items for the math test and maybe a similar number for verbal. It's still in development, so not everything is set yet.)

[beatthegmat]

Stacey:

Do you know if GMAC is planning to phase out GMATPrep in order to upsell the online practice test?

[Stacey Koprince]

No, no worries there - they are planning to keep GMATPrep and keep it free. They are also planning to phase out some questions that their algorithm guru doesn't think are as good and add in some new ones that he is handpicking. I don't know when that will happen, though.

The online diagnostic test will provide additional information, as noted above, as well as timing information. The new test will be made of real test questions that have particular high discrimination (that is, they are very good predictors of a person's ability). In other words, it will provide very good value, which is why they believe they can charge for it.

[beatthegmat]

I'm glad to hear GMATPrep is safe, for now.

[kidboc1]

Thank you all for your responses. I am a new member and appreciate the value that comes from those who provide advice.