Hi all,
I signed up for a Kaplan GMAT Advantage on-sight course. My course started late January, and ended in mid-March. I started preparing for the GMAT by going through my Kaplan book last October. I went through the entire book, and then took a diagnostic CAT. My first CAT was a 530 on Kaplan. I only used Kaplan materials to study for the most part. I dabbled in the OG ( I think I got around 20% through it), but I didn't like the fact that answers were not elaborated. I only used Kaplan materials (online Flex sessions, prerecorded sessions, practice questions, etc.).
I worked my way up from a 530 on the Kaplan CATs to a 650 on the CATs three weeks ago- I was beyond excited. In the last few weeks, my score went down in the Kaplan CAT to a 630, then two days before the test I got a 600 on a CAT. I thought this was just nerves, but I took the actual GMAT and got a 600 on test day! All in all, I took 9 CATs and studied for 6 months. I did take a few breaks in there however, and I didn't really ramp up until the final 2.5 months.
I was beyond mad. I have heard that Kaplan tests are much harder than the real thing, and I had reached a 650 on these CATs!!!! I am in no hurry to apply to business school- I just want to move my score up to a 700. I work full time (50 hours per week),
Study Schedule:
2 hours per week day, 4 hours per day on Saturday, CAT on a Sunday (another 4 hours)
Is it possible to move my score up 100 points? I just want to use the best strategy I can. Do I need to change what I am studying? Should I take it in exactly one month? Two months? Should I retake Kaplan? Do I need to review concepts or stick to problems?
I know the Kaplan strategies and what I am weak at, but I am honestly scared. I am scared that I can't increase my score, and I don't know the best way to change this.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I really need some guidance to revamp my study plan.
-nbauer
I signed up for a Kaplan GMAT Advantage on-sight course. My course started late January, and ended in mid-March. I started preparing for the GMAT by going through my Kaplan book last October. I went through the entire book, and then took a diagnostic CAT. My first CAT was a 530 on Kaplan. I only used Kaplan materials to study for the most part. I dabbled in the OG ( I think I got around 20% through it), but I didn't like the fact that answers were not elaborated. I only used Kaplan materials (online Flex sessions, prerecorded sessions, practice questions, etc.).
I worked my way up from a 530 on the Kaplan CATs to a 650 on the CATs three weeks ago- I was beyond excited. In the last few weeks, my score went down in the Kaplan CAT to a 630, then two days before the test I got a 600 on a CAT. I thought this was just nerves, but I took the actual GMAT and got a 600 on test day! All in all, I took 9 CATs and studied for 6 months. I did take a few breaks in there however, and I didn't really ramp up until the final 2.5 months.
I was beyond mad. I have heard that Kaplan tests are much harder than the real thing, and I had reached a 650 on these CATs!!!! I am in no hurry to apply to business school- I just want to move my score up to a 700. I work full time (50 hours per week),
Study Schedule:
2 hours per week day, 4 hours per day on Saturday, CAT on a Sunday (another 4 hours)
Is it possible to move my score up 100 points? I just want to use the best strategy I can. Do I need to change what I am studying? Should I take it in exactly one month? Two months? Should I retake Kaplan? Do I need to review concepts or stick to problems?
I know the Kaplan strategies and what I am weak at, but I am honestly scared. I am scared that I can't increase my score, and I don't know the best way to change this.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I really need some guidance to revamp my study plan.
-nbauer
