Is self study for gmat recommended ?

[tanishajajoo]

Hi all, Im a commerce graduate from Mumbai, India and Im looking forward to apply for a Master of science program in marketing for fall 2012. I plan to give my gmat sometime early november this year, for the first time ever.

But before I begin my tryst with GMAT, I was just a little confused over whether I should be studying for it all by myself or opting for professional coaching instead.

If I should go in for self study then what books should I refer to (keeping in mind that i can dedicate around 2 hrs daily and do this for 4 months) ?
and
If I should opt for coaching/tutors then who should I go to ? There aren't too many good GMAT coachings that im aware of.

Please help.
Regards,
Tanisha Jajoo.

[arun@crackverbal]

Hi Tanisha,

Hi Tanisha,

At the outset congratulation on thinking through this problem now. Coaching v/s self-study is a debate not many students address till the very end. I would ask you to consider the following:

1. Take a diagnostic test and assess your performance i.e. where you stand. This should give you an idea of what improvements to realistically expect.

2. Ask yourself if you need the professional help/advice that you get. This should be very specific and individual. That is - in your case - would you like to have 1 on 1 support sessions, or would you need someone to tell you exactly what techniques to be used. Or maybe you just want the discipline they will inculcate.

3. When checking for the correct GMAT service provider see if your questions above are answered. Also talk to the faculty (not the marketing person) to understand his knowledge of GMAT. This is a gut feel but you should be able to figure it out. Rest of it (online portal, questions etc) is pretty much useless - it is the faculty which is the make or break in this decision.

Let me know if you need any specific questions answered on the institutes.

Arun