This will be the first time I am taking the test. I will sign up for Dec 18 so I have roughly 2 months to study, course begins Nov 1 (looking at Veritas or Kaplan). I am aiming for a 700+ score as well. Generally in the past I perform much better when I have in class instruction for anything, it helps drive me to study a lot as well. I am asking because it seems that the bulk majority of people take a class the second time they take the test not the first.
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Should I take a GMAT Review course?
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David@VeritasPrep
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Below is a posting that I made in response to another student who had a similar question. (By the way if you do decide to take a course and if you have not checked them out here is a link to the verified reviews https://reviews.beatthegmat.com/)
As experts at Beat the GMAT we do not try to convince people to take courses, we just offer info and try to help people succeed...whatever you decide to do we will be here to help!
I generally give the following guidelines to people who have the same sort of question that you do - self-study or get some help.
1) How much time can you devote to your studies? You have two months - to do it alone does take more time. If you can put in 30- 40 hour weeks then you have a better chance of doing it on your own, or with books. If you are busier with work, and can only do something like 20 hours a week then you may be a candidate for getting some help. 8 weeks at 20 hours may seem like a long time, but it may not be enough to review all of the concepts and develop your own best techniques for each question.
2) Are you the kind of person who generally looks at something and tries to figure out the best way of doing it? If you plan your errands so that you have no left turns in traffic or so that you drive the fewest miles then you are a better candidate for self study. If you are a person who does better with some tips and techniques and maybe even a little more you might want to get some help.
3) How disciplined are you? Some people can set a schedule and stick to it. Others do better when they have a class coming up and they know the homework will be reviewed.
4) When was the last time you had a math class? The more you need to review the help you may need.
5) Time or money? It costs more to take a course or tutoring, but it takes longer to do it yourself.
Whatever you choose, best of luck!
As experts at Beat the GMAT we do not try to convince people to take courses, we just offer info and try to help people succeed...whatever you decide to do we will be here to help!
I generally give the following guidelines to people who have the same sort of question that you do - self-study or get some help.
1) How much time can you devote to your studies? You have two months - to do it alone does take more time. If you can put in 30- 40 hour weeks then you have a better chance of doing it on your own, or with books. If you are busier with work, and can only do something like 20 hours a week then you may be a candidate for getting some help. 8 weeks at 20 hours may seem like a long time, but it may not be enough to review all of the concepts and develop your own best techniques for each question.
2) Are you the kind of person who generally looks at something and tries to figure out the best way of doing it? If you plan your errands so that you have no left turns in traffic or so that you drive the fewest miles then you are a better candidate for self study. If you are a person who does better with some tips and techniques and maybe even a little more you might want to get some help.
3) How disciplined are you? Some people can set a schedule and stick to it. Others do better when they have a class coming up and they know the homework will be reviewed.
4) When was the last time you had a math class? The more you need to review the help you may need.
5) Time or money? It costs more to take a course or tutoring, but it takes longer to do it yourself.
Whatever you choose, best of luck!
