OG and Manhattan Guide Study Plan

[bnpelly]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and this is my first post. I'm writing to see if anyone has any advice on a study plan using the 3 OG and all the Manhattan books?

Background:
I plan on attending b school in the fall of 2017. I don't see any application deadlines posted yet for that year so I'm not sure on that just yet. (Unless I'm mistaken in which please advise). I was thinking late May/early June with a possible retake if necessary in July. I figure by the end of July I'll have the test done with plenty of time to write essays and apply before deadlines. I'm not sure on deadlines yet as I mentioned so I'm guessing I'll have plenty of time?

I took the MBA software practice CAT test completely cold and without any prep whatsoever. It was timed, without IR or the essay. Did HORRIBLE in quant (not a math person, and couldn't remember a single concept, trick, rule.. nothing). Verbal I scored average and rushed through it. Verbal I feel confident that with some good dedication I can be okay with. Quant scares the....out of me.

With all that being said, I figured I NEED to focus strictly on quant, learn the concepts (mostly from scratch), before even attempting speed. I figured best course of action is to go through the Manhattan quant guides book by book. Then, use the OG questions for practice. I know I need to analyze the practice CAT results I took but I feel with quant it is just so bad. So many lack of concept knowledge mistakes, that there's not going to be much substance there for me to really use as a baseline. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Also any ideas on when I should stop and take another practice test, study study study stop, stop, take a practice test? In addition should I mainly focus on quant until I get comfortable with good scores then move onto to verbal (doing some math review/practice as I go through the verbal)? Should I switch it up half way through quant?

Sorry for the long message... I know there's multiple points and questions in there but I figure I'd just throw it all out there and see what happens. I'm just starting out and not having anyone I can refer to for help and review a plan with is giving me anxiety lol.

Thank you for any advice or help!!!!

-B

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

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Hi bnpelly,

It sounds like you've given your whole situation a lot of thought before you begin your studies, which is good. You've given yourself plenty of time to work on the entire process though, which is very forward-thinking of you. Given your concerns, there are some things that you can do BEFORE you start formally studying for the GMAT.

For free math practice and help, I recommend that you set up an account at Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). The site is completely free and makes the learning a bit more fun and 'game-like' (as opposed to the dry academic approach taken by most books). While the site is vast, you should limit your studies to basic Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. After spending a little time re-building those skills, you can start your GMAT studies.

1) What is your score goal?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

[ceilidh.erickson]

The 3 OG's and the Manhattan Prep books are certainly plenty of material to get you prepared. Here's what you should do:

- Analyze the practice test you've taken in a lot of depth. Which areas were you weakest? Strongest? Fastest? Slowest? Decide which topics and question types need more of your time and attention. Be very aware of your timing as well.

- Study topic-by-topic, then practice each topic with OG problems. For example, read the chapter on SC subject/verb agreement, then go do a set of 8-10 problems in the OGs that relate to that subject. You can find problems by topic using GMAT Navigator: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/stor ... navigator/
Do this for each chapter in the Quant and Verbal strategy guides. Aim to do this in 8-10 weeks.

- Make sure you are tracking all of the OG questions you do, and timing yourself while you practice. Hold yourself to strict 2-min time limits per question! (I highly recommend using Navigator to track your OG problems)

- Alternate between Quant and Verbal. Don't just focus all on quant!

- Keep a record of any mistakes you make, so you can locate patterns in your errors: https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -studying/

- Once you've covered all of the topics, practice your skills with random timed sets out of the OGs. Set the timer for 20 minutes, for example, and do questions 1-10 (skipping any you've already done).

- Take a practice test after 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks after that. Increase to a test every week for the last 2 weeks before your real exam.

- Analyze your data from the random sets and practice tests, and go back to any topics that need extra work.

Good luck!

[frigidbar]

Hi bnpelly,

I am in exactly the same situation. I am looking to apply for Fall 2017, have just begun my GMAT adventure, and am also weak in mathematics.

I will be interested to follow your progress!

- F

[bnpelly]

Thank you both for your input!!!

- ceilidh.erickson Good stuff, I'll keep up with that plan. I'm making my error log based off the link you posted as we speak. Going to analyze the previous CAT as well to pinpoint areas of strengths and weaknesses. I'm halfway through the first MGMAT FPD guide. Going to go back and make note cards for the concepts for review. Going back as well to do the OG questions in reference to the chapters (should have done that already in the beginning). Tracking the errors of course on the spreadsheet. Since doing half of the one quant guide I definitely feel that doing the practice problems in OG and analyzing them is the only way to t know what you're doing wrong and to get it to stick.

Thank you for your help! I at least now feel comfortable moving forward knowing its a little more structured.

- Frigidbar good luck man. I plan on periodically posting in here my updates and progress as it goes. Feel free to chime if you or anyone has any questions or advice. Hopefully it can help anyone else staring out with similar questions.

Best

[ceilidh.erickson]

- ceilidh.erickson Good stuff, I'll keep up with that plan. I'm making my error log based off the link you posted as we speak. Going to analyze the previous CAT as well to pinpoint areas of strengths and weaknesses. I'm halfway through the first MGMAT FPD guide. Going to go back and make note cards for the concepts for review. Going back as well to do the OG questions in reference to the chapters (should have done that already in the beginning). Tracking the errors of course on the spreadsheet. Since doing half of the one quant guide I definitely feel that doing the practice problems in OG and analyzing them is the only way to t know what you're doing wrong and to get it to stick.

Thank you for your help! I at least now feel comfortable moving forward knowing its a little more structured.

Great! It sounds like you have a solid plan. Feel free to reach out with any other questions, or contact Student Services for help with any Mprep resources: [email protected]

Good luck!

[GMATinsight]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and this is my first post. I'm writing to see if anyone has any advice on a study plan using the 3 OG and all the Manhattan books?

Background:
I plan on attending b school in the fall of 2017. I don't see any application deadlines posted yet for that year so I'm not sure on that just yet. (Unless I'm mistaken in which please advise). I was thinking late May/early June with a possible retake if necessary in July. I figure by the end of July I'll have the test done with plenty of time to write essays and apply before deadlines. I'm not sure on deadlines yet as I mentioned so I'm guessing I'll have plenty of time?

I took the MBA software practice CAT test completely cold and without any prep whatsoever. It was timed, without IR or the essay. Did HORRIBLE in quant (not a math person, and couldn't remember a single concept, trick, rule.. nothing). Verbal I scored average and rushed through it. Verbal I feel confident that with some good dedication I can be okay with. Quant scares the....out of me.

With all that being said, I figured I NEED to focus strictly on quant, learn the concepts (mostly from scratch), before even attempting speed. I figured best course of action is to go through the Manhattan quant guides book by book. Then, use the OG questions for practice. I know I need to analyze the practice CAT results I took but I feel with quant it is just so bad. So many lack of concept knowledge mistakes, that there's not going to be much substance there for me to really use as a baseline. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Also any ideas on when I should stop and take another practice test, study study study stop, stop, take a practice test? In addition should I mainly focus on quant until I get comfortable with good scores then move onto to verbal (doing some math review/practice as I go through the verbal)? Should I switch it up half way through quant?

Sorry for the long message... I know there's multiple points and questions in there but I figure I'd just throw it all out there and see what happens. I'm just starting out and not having anyone I can refer to for help and review a plan with is giving me anxiety lol.

Thank you for any advice or help!!!!

-B

Hi bnpelly,

Without looking at your current score and status of preparation, it's difficult to suggest you any proper proposition of going further with your studies.

You mention that you are not a Quant Person but in what score does it translate to??? If your score is below or around 40 in Quant then certainly your observations are correct and in that case you need to really work hard for a month cause improving in Quant for a score of 45+ is very easy provided you study in right guidance and refer to the right source of material.

When It comes to verbal, ou strength or weakness in Verbal also seems ambiguous so if you could share more details then suggestion would be of greater value.

Looking forward to your posting more information on the same.

One thing that I can say with great confidence is that focussing on only one of the two sections (QUant and Verbal) is NEVER a good idea. You need to spend time practising everything. How much time to what section is a question that can be answered based on your current status but Don't leave one section completely to prepare for your weak section in Isolation.. That would be the biggest mistake.

Do a proper assessment of your strength and weaknesses. Capitalize on your strength and Work on your weakness.

Cheers!!!

[guddik]

Hi,

A lot of the colleges dont change application dates, so if it was last year 2016 October Round 1, it'll be 2016 October Roudn 1 and same 2017

[rahulzlpr]

Hi All,

I am also gonna start my GMAT prep with almost the same timeline as mentioned earlier in this post.

After going through some of the comments in the forums I have figured out some of the following material that will aid me in getting a good score (700+ and around 750). These are as follows:
a) GMAT OG REVIEW 2016
b) Manhattan SC guide
c) Aristotle SC,CR,RC Grails
d) Manhattan Quant guides
d) Manhattan advanced quant (please share your views on this)
e) For testing purpose using MGMATs, gmatpreps, gmatclub tests

Kindly let me know your views on this and how to go through these materials and if at all you could help me with a study plan of 3 months using these materials that would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
Rahul

[rahulzlpr]

Hi All,

I am also gonna start my GMAT prep with almost the same timeline as mentioned earlier in this post.

After going through some of the comments in the forums I have figured out some of the following material that will aid me in getting a good score (700+ and around 750). These are as follows:
a) GMAT OG REVIEW 2016
b) Manhattan SC guide
c) Aristotle SC,CR,RC Grails
d) Manhattan Quant guides
d) Manhattan advanced quant (please share your views on this)
e) For testing purpose using MGMATs, gmatpreps, gmatclub tests

Kindly let me know your views on this and how to go through these materials and if at all you could help me with a study plan of 3 months using these materials that would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
Rahul

[rahulzlpr]

Hi All,

I am also gonna start my GMAT prep with almost the same timeline as mentioned earlier in this post.

After going through some of the comments in the forums I have figured out some of the following material that will aid me in getting a good score (700+ and around 750). These are as follows:
a) GMAT OG REVIEW 2016
b) Manhattan SC guide
c) Aristotle SC,CR,RC Grails
d) Manhattan Quant guides
d) Manhattan advanced quant (please share your views on this)
e) For testing purpose using MGMATs, gmatpreps, gmatclub tests

Kindly let me know your views on this and how to go through these materials and if at all you could help me with a study plan of 3 months using these materials that would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
Rahul

[rahulzlpr]

Hi All,

I am also gonna start my GMAT prep with almost the same timeline as mentioned earlier in this post.

After going through some of the comments in the forums I have figured out some of the following material that will aid me in getting a good score (700+ and around 750). These are as follows:
a) GMAT OG REVIEW 2016
b) Manhattan SC guide
c) Aristotle SC,CR,RC Grails
d) Manhattan Quant guides
d) Manhattan advanced quant (please share your views on this)
e) For testing purpose using MGMATs, gmatpreps, gmatclub tests

Kindly let me know your views on this and how to go through these materials and if at all you could help me with a study plan of 3 months using these materials that would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
Rahul

[GMATinsight]

Hi All,

I am also gonna start my GMAT prep with almost the same timeline as mentioned earlier in this post.

After going through some of the comments in the forums I have figured out some of the following material that will aid me in getting a good score (700+ and around 750). These are as follows:
a) GMAT OG REVIEW 2016
b) Manhattan SC guide
c) Aristotle SC,CR,RC Grails
d) Manhattan Quant guides
d) Manhattan advanced quant (please share your views on this)
e) For testing purpose using MGMATs, gmatpreps, gmatclub tests

Kindly let me know your views on this and how to go through these materials and if at all you could help me with a study plan of 3 months using these materials that would be highly appreciated.

Thanks
Rahul

The choice of study material looks apt. So the only word of caution is "Don't practice anything in isolation, i.e. keep practicing both Quant and Verbal"

Also keep in mind that working on strength is as important as improving the weaker parts so keep working on them both and exploit the best of your strength.

Start from the basic understanding of concepts EVEN IF YOU KNOW THEM.

Solve as many questions to practice as needed to get you confidence.

All the best!!!

[bnpelly]

So everything is going well. I really needed a lot of work on quant and understanding the basic concepts. The MGMAT books are great but it skips or doesn't go into detail on a some of the basic principles and/or concepts. It assumes you know them already which made it difficult for me at least to follow. I've been using the Gmat Prep Now videos to learn the concepts and applying them to the MGAMT books. Using the MGAMT strategies once you know the fundamentals and a few tricks just opens everything up.

I would recommend the gmat prep now videos for learning the basic quant concepts if anyone is having trouble following the MGAMT or OG guides explanations. Its a solid tool to go back and use if you're getting stuck.

Food for thought....

B