HELP PLEASE

[LSB]

Hi guys - After months of trying to work and study for the GMAT at the same time I have now officially given up. On both, Kaplan and MGMAT CAT tests I seem to be stuck at 600 (ish) and don't seem to find the time to focus on improvements as I just seem to lack some serious discipline in studying for an extended period. (see practice scores )

CAT Scores
3-Nov-07 Kaplan Free CAT - 600 (No V/Q splits)
10-Nov-07 MGMAT CAT - 600 V32 Q42
20-Apr-08 GMAC CAT - 640 V38 Q39
27-Apr-08 MGMAT CAT - 600 V32 Q41



The plan is as follows: 21 days of vacation - 10 hours a day - write on the last day. Test date is on Sep 2. Between now and Sep 2, I am also considering a prep course. I am currently trying to decide between Veritas & Princeton weekend classes (Kaplan and MGMAT are not an option due to schedule and location).

2 questions I am struggling with:
Does anybody have any experience with these programs and which one would you recommend?
Is a 100 point improvement possible in 2 months?

Greatly appreciate any insight you guys can offer. This forum has been tremendously helpful (thanks Eric). Good luck to everybody on the GMAT.

[VP_Tatiana]

Hi LSB,

Let me see if I am correctly understanding your predicament: you've plateaued after studying on your own, so you plan to sign up for a class and then study 10 hours a day? I just want to double check, since at first you said you've officially given up... but I think that is only with regards to preparing by yourself.

I've seen students in your very predicament come through our weekend class. Many have seen their score jump up immediately (one guy took it after the first day in the four day class and saw a jump). The reason is that many of the techniques and tricks that we teach are very easy to apply. Of course, there are also techniques (for instance, approaching DS questions) that are simple in theory, but that usually take students a bit of additional studying to master.

In short, I think the 100 point jump is COMPLETELY doable in two months. If anything, I think your study plan is a little too aggressive and possibly a recipe for burnout. There is a certain point of diminishing returns. Every person is different, but I think with something as brain-consuming as GMAT problems, something around 4 hours a day is a good cap if possible. (I understand this is not possible for everyone, such as people needing a large point-jump in a short time.) Also, it would be sad for you to use what is probably your whole year of vacation days just to prepare for the test. Use maybe a week of it, but save the rest to take yourself somewhere nice. Especially if you are planning on doing the MBA while working, you might not get a vacation for a while... so take a good one before school starts.

I actually studied for 2 months total, the whole time working 60 hour weeks at Microsoft. I studied about 10 hours a week. My case is a bit atypical, as I had gotten a 1500 on the SATs and worked as an in-home SAT tutor during college. But honestly, I can't imagine studying more than 4 hours a day, five days a week. It would drive even a problem-solving-loving girl like me crazy.

I've taught many weekend classes for Veritas, so if you have any specific questions about the curriculum, the format, etc. please let me know.

Best wishes,

Tatiana