Prepping before taking diagnostic tests

[gimmeshelter]

a little background about me before I jump into my q:

I graduated at the end of 2014 with a BS in economics and a minor in accounting and finance, from a so-so school. My overall GPA was a tad over 3.0, and my major and minor GPA's were 3.31, respectively. I can't do anything with Econ because I know I can't handle the grad work. My plan was to do something finance-related, but times have been tough. I'm forgetting all of the technical skills I have learned with every passing day (not that there were many to begin with). I'm seven courses away from being able to take the CPA exam, but right now I couldn't afford to take those classes-though I'd love a career in accounting over finance.

What I plan on doing is getting a great GMAT score and getting an online MSF at UMASS Lowell, beginning in the Spring 2016 semester, or winter if they allow it. I actually applied like an idiot the other day, thinking I could prepare for a standardized test in a couple of weeks. But I'm not going to waste the GMAT fee. Plus, UML keeps your application on file for 2 years.

I haven't seen much basic math lately, and haven't seen geometry in a decade.
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It is recommended that I take the diagnostic tests to see where my weak spots are, before I begin to study the material. Although, I'm guessing, this method works for the majority of people, I want to take an online prep course before doing so. If I stare at a confusing problem that I am unprepared for and have no clue how to solve it, and then actually attempt to answer it, this wrong process gets ingrained in my brain (for lack of a better phrase).

Thoughts?


yikes, caffeine rush

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Hi gimmeshelter,

It's understandable that you might want to familiarize yourself with some of the content and question types that you'll see on the GMAT before you take a FULL-LENGTH CAT, but waiting to take a CAT until you've taken a full GMAT course is NOT a good idea.

For some light practice, you can use the Forums here and there are plenty of good books you can work with. For 'math review', I suggest that you visit Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) - it's a free site with plenty of math practice materials that you can take advantage of. You should stick to basic Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry.

Do you know what UMASS Lowell's average GMAT score is for an incoming class? It's helpful to have an idea of a specific goal score, so that you can measure your progress against THAT goal.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[MartyMurray]

The real "process" on the GMAT is something like, see question, come up with a strategy, get right answer. So my suggestion to you is that you be less worried about getting into wrong processes and more concerned with seeking to consistently come up with good strategies. As long at that's what you are focused on, you should continually improve your strategies and your game.

As far as practice tests go, they can be such a useful tool for getting a sense of what the test is like, learning to handle the timing aspect of the test, and assessing what one needs to work on, that really you should take practice tests regularly as part of your preparation.

Having said that, I am totally with you on preparing some before you take a practice test. I don't really see much sense in taking a test cold and flailing around.

[MartyMurray]

Regarding what you said about quant and doing things the right way, notice what this guy has to say about formulas and quant.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/i-just-beat- ... tml#747589

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

It is recommended that I take the diagnostic tests to see where my weak spots are, before I begin to study the material. Although, I'm guessing, this method works for the majority of people, I want to take an online prep course before doing so. If I stare at a confusing problem that I am unprepared for and have no clue how to solve it, and then actually attempt to answer it, this wrong process gets ingrained in my brain (for lack of a better phrase).

Interestingly enough, I wrote an article (https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/tak ... st-already) about people's reluctance to take a practice test early in one's studies.

My response (as quoted from the article):
Unless you have a remarkable history of mastering every activity (skiing, tennis, golf, guitar, piano, etc.) on your first attempt, you're probably familiar with the less-than-perfect outcomes that most mortals experience at the beginning of ANY new endeavor. The GMAT is no different.

cheers,
Brent