Strategy - am I doing this right?

[itobean]

Okay - some background on me.....I've been working full time for 14 years, graduated last year with my undergrad in psychology, so I'm accustomed to working full time and studying. I'm applying for grad school for fall 2008.

I have tried to do the online Manhattan GMAT classes twice. The first time I was taking online classes through UCLA and working full time and just didn't dedicate the time I needed to it. So I pretty much gave up on it. The second time around my dumb butt took on even more classes online and once again the GMAT went to the wayside.

NOW....I'm not taking classes this quarter so I can concentrate solely on the GMAT. I am able to access the recorded classes (awesome by the way) and I've been working through the workbooks. I study for 2-3 hours every night after work. My first score was 400 and I just took another practice test Sunday, 2 weeks after I started this and it only jumped to a 430. Granted my verbal went up considerably. The last 2 weeks I mainly concentrated on my verbal. I've been using a ton of the resources and downloads here on this site and they've been great.

Is it possible with how I'm studying now - to get a decent score on the GMAT when I take the test May 5th? I still have 25 days left - is a 680 at least achievable? Or am I setting myself up for more failure????

[beatthegmat]

Okay - some background on me.....I've been working full time for 14 years, graduated last year with my undergrad in psychology, so I'm accustomed to working full time and studying. I'm applying for grad school for fall 2008.

I have tried to do the online Manhattan GMAT classes twice. The first time I was taking online classes through UCLA and working full time and just didn't dedicate the time I needed to it. So I pretty much gave up on it. The second time around my dumb butt took on even more classes online and once again the GMAT went to the wayside.

NOW....I'm not taking classes this quarter so I can concentrate solely on the GMAT. I am able to access the recorded classes (awesome by the way) and I've been working through the workbooks. I study for 2-3 hours every night after work. My first score was 400 and I just took another practice test Sunday, 2 weeks after I started this and it only jumped to a 430. Granted my verbal went up considerably. The last 2 weeks I mainly concentrated on my verbal. I've been using a ton of the resources and downloads here on this site and they've been great.

Is it possible with how I'm studying now - to get a decent score on the GMAT when I take the test May 5th? I still have 25 days left - is a 680 at least achievable? Or am I setting myself up for more failure????

Hi itobean:

Nothing is impossible--but I will set some expectations. I've never heard of a person improving from a score of 400 to 700. By all means, it is acheiveable, but it is going to be really difficult to do.

It sounds like you are using some solid resources, but you didn't provide much detail around your study strategy. How are you studying? Are you systematically identifying your weaknesses? Are you doing timed problem sets? Are you taking your practice GMATs in simulated settings?

How you study is much more important than the amount of study. This is the only way to achieve your goal. If you want to see some good self study resources check out:

The Beat The GMAT Blog: https://beatthegmat.blocked
The Beat The GMAT Resource Wiki: https://www.beatthegmat.com/wiki/

Best of luck!

[GCHall840]

This is my take on the right way for me to study for the GMAT, given that I have gone through several different GMAT prep courses. I mentioned the fact that I took several courses that were supposed to help me prepare to take that GMAT, but they didn't. It was a combination of several factors that made things not work for me. First, I couldn't come up with a good study strategy in relationship to the GMAT prep course that I was taking at the time. Then, it seemed as if I got lost in all the prep course material because the instructors never explained anything properly. That was when I realized that those prep courses must have been designed for the people who would and could score over 650 or better. I did not fit into that category at all.
My point is what I have learned since that time. It is that you shouldn't bite off more than you can chew. That means that learning the content material and doing all the practicing problems, taking tests, etc..require a whole lot of time and patience. It shouldn't be about spending hour after hour doing problems. What is should be that you do a set of practice problems using a timer, then it is very important to go over each question and answer explanations before you move on to anything else.
My last thing is that I am glad that I am taking the Manhattan GMAT virtual online course because their content material and problems sets give me the perfect foundation to move on to the Official Guide problems.
I still get frustrated a lot, but the more I practice doing things that way, the easier things become as I go along.
Greg

[itobean]

I'm using the schedule that Manhattan GMAT set up for us during the class. So I do the online recorded class and then all the necessary problems and "homework" for it. I have finished going through the sentence correction book and now I'm working on the Word Translation book. I do a chapter a night in that book, do the problems, and make sure I understand how to do them. Right now I'm starting to work on the diagnostic test in the OG Review book.

From my last practice test I know that I need to do a little bit more work on the Reading Comprehension stuff. My problem is that I'm rushing myself and panicing about what the end score is going to be. The Quant is what is really screwing up my score!! So I'm trying to really concentrate on that - hence going through the different math books through the course.

[beatthegmat]

I'm using the schedule that Manhattan GMAT set up for us during the class. So I do the online recorded class and then all the necessary problems and "homework" for it. I have finished going through the sentence correction book and now I'm working on the Word Translation book. I do a chapter a night in that book, do the problems, and make sure I understand how to do them. Right now I'm starting to work on the diagnostic test in the OG Review book.

From my last practice test I know that I need to do a little bit more work on the Reading Comprehension stuff. My problem is that I'm rushing myself and panicing about what the end score is going to be. The Quant is what is really screwing up my score!! So I'm trying to really concentrate on that - hence going through the different math books through the course.

If you're following the Manhattan GMAT schedule, then you probably have a pretty good study strategy in place. It's no guarantee for a top score however--that comes with a lot of practice and solid prep (through MGMAT, and also employing some strategies discussed in this community)

[GCHall840]

Hi Eric,
I know that there aren't any guarantees when it comes to taking a GMAT prep program..as I also know that things are up to me when it comes to doing all of the work that I think is necessary to be able to do an appropriate job when I take the GMAT. However, I know that I am repeating myself when I tell you that taking the Manhattan GMAT virtual online course has really been the first time that I have found the right kind of structure and the foundation that seems very important when it comes to taking a test like the GMAT. In fact, I work on something substantial every single day no matter how I feel. That means that I work on the strategy first and on practicing second. There hasn't been one day since I started taking the Manhattan GMAT course, that I haven't learned something new. I think that because I am taking the Manhattan GMAT course, I am starting to feel like I can take the GMAT this time because I am going to have a whole lot more to work from for the GMAT than I ever have before.
By the way, this online community seems to have some very insightful people who post comments and give advice about what kind of experience that they had or are having with the GMAT at the time. I think those kinds of things have helped me a whole lot, too.
Greg

[beatthegmat]

Hi Eric,
I know that there aren't any guarantees when it comes to taking a GMAT prep program..as I also know that things are up to me when it comes to doing all of the work that I think is necessary to be able to do an appropriate job when I take the GMAT. However, I know that I am repeating myself when I tell you that taking the Manhattan GMAT virtual online course has really been the first time that I have found the right kind of structure and the foundation that seems very important when it comes to taking a test like the GMAT. In fact, I work on something substantial every single day no matter how I feel. That means that I work on the strategy first and on practicing second. There hasn't been one day since I started taking the Manhattan GMAT course, that I haven't learned something new. I think that because I am taking the Manhattan GMAT course, I am starting to feel like I can take the GMAT this time because I am going to have a whole lot more to work from for the GMAT than I ever have before.
By the way, this online community seems to have some very insightful people who post comments and give advice about what kind of experience that they had or are having with the GMAT at the time. I think those kinds of things have helped me a whole lot, too.
Greg

Greg, you should work for Manhattan GMAT--you've got a lot of passion for what they do.

[GCHall840]

Eric,
You are right about how I feel about Manhattan GMAT. It is also true that when I like something the way I like that program, I like to tell everybody else about it, too. I am hoping that you don't find my making comments about my study plan and how that program is helping me, to be anything but a very good example of how I was able to find something as good as that, to help me at a time when I had almost given up on ever being ready to take the GMAT.
Greg

[beatthegmat]

Eric,
You are right about how I feel about Manhattan GMAT. It is also true that when I like something the way I like that program, I like to tell everybody else about it, too. I am hoping that you don't find my making comments about my study plan and how that program is helping me, to be anything but a very good example of how I was able to find something as good as that, to help me at a time when I had almost given up on ever being ready to take the GMAT.
Greg

Greg--I have no complaints about your comments at all. I love seeing your passion to help others through your own experiences. That's what this community service project is all about!

[Neo2000]

Okay - some background on me.....I've been working full time for 14 years, graduated last year with my undergrad in psychology, so I'm accustomed to working full time and studying. I'm applying for grad school for fall 2008.

Umm, if i may ask-Have you identified the type of program you want to do? 14years of work-exp is a lot and if you still want to o to graduate school it speaks volumes about you.

Again, if you've identified the type of program you want to do, maybe you can contact the school and ask them what would be an acceptable score given that you've already been working for 14years!! The more you work, the lesser the importance to your GMAT score though you will have to show some amount of proficiency. For e.g. INSEAD is a great place but i know somebody who went in with 8yrs work ex and a 660!! Its quite likely that you wont really be reqired to score as high as 700+.

Just a few thoughts

[itobean]

I did things a bit backwards. When I graduated from high school I was lucky enough to start off with a great corporate job that hired me on full time after doing a high school internship. From there I just went up in the company. I was saving money for some extra things and started waiting tables which led me to the field I'm in now. The accountant for the restaurant I worked at was looking for an assistant and the owner of the company recommended me because of my work ethic. Tom, the CPA, took a chance on me with no accounting background and hired me. I have loved numbers ever since. That was in 1996!!

Needless to say, I pretty much ran a payroll company for him that had over 150 clients, worked as his assistant with bankruptcies and also had my own small companies as accounting clients.

That's the way it has been with every job of mine. I start off with minor duties/responsibilities and BAM! I'm running the show!

I've been in the accounting field to some degree ever since. Right now I've worked for 7 years at a real estate appraisal firm and have been given the title of "CFO" 2 years ago.

I worked full time at this highly responsible position and went to school full time to get my undergrad because that was always a dream of mine - to have a college degree. I have certainly been blessed with a marvelous career thus far based on my knowledge and work experience.

But my ultimate dream is to be a CPA. Since I do not have a business undergrad degree (psychology) I'm finding it near to impossible to apply to a MACC program. I have found a couple of schools who will take non-business majors and I will also be applying there. But my choices are limited.

So right now, without looking at my hideous quant score/overall score, I'd like to apply to McCombs (Texas), University of Oregon, Georgia State, Chicago's GSB, and the University of North Carolina. I'm not only looking at programs but also job opportunities for my husband who has volunteered to work his butt off so that I can go to school for once in my life without having to work!!

So yeah - that's me in a nutshell!!! Sorry so long!

[Neo2000]

I did things a bit backwards. When I graduated from high school I was lucky enough to start off with a great corporate job that hired me on full time after doing a high school internship. From there I just went up in the company.
...........

Wow itobean! looks like you have an awesome story to tell. Honestly, I would definitely recommend talking to the admissions directors and seeing what they say. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

[beatthegmat]

I did things a bit backwards. When I graduated from high school I was lucky enough to start off with a great corporate job that hired me on full time after doing a high school internship. From there I just went up in the company. I was saving money for some extra things and started waiting tables which led me to the field I'm in now. The accountant for the restaurant I worked at was looking for an assistant and the owner of the company recommended me because of my work ethic. Tom, the CPA, took a chance on me with no accounting background and hired me. I have loved numbers ever since. That was in 1996!!

Needless to say, I pretty much ran a payroll company for him that had over 150 clients, worked as his assistant with bankruptcies and also had my own small companies as accounting clients.

That's the way it has been with every job of mine. I start off with minor duties/responsibilities and BAM! I'm running the show!

I've been in the accounting field to some degree ever since. Right now I've worked for 7 years at a real estate appraisal firm and have been given the title of "CFO" 2 years ago.

I worked full time at this highly responsible position and went to school full time to get my undergrad because that was always a dream of mine - to have a college degree. I have certainly been blessed with a marvelous career thus far based on my knowledge and work experience.

But my ultimate dream is to be a CPA. Since I do not have a business undergrad degree (psychology) I'm finding it near to impossible to apply to a MACC program. I have found a couple of schools who will take non-business majors and I will also be applying there. But my choices are limited.

So right now, without looking at my hideous quant score/overall score, I'd like to apply to McCombs (Texas), University of Oregon, Georgia State, Chicago's GSB, and the University of North Carolina. I'm not only looking at programs but also job opportunities for my husband who has volunteered to work his butt off so that I can go to school for once in my life without having to work!!

So yeah - that's me in a nutshell!!! Sorry so long!

That is a great story! I'm so impressed with your hard work!

[itobean]

Thank you!!! Let's just hope the admissions committees think so also!!

[Stacey Koprince]

I agree that you have a fantastic story and can possibly be admitted as an "unusual" candidate with different score requirements.

If you want some pointers about how to approach admissions officials, I'd suggest posting questions in Stacy Blackman's thread (if you haven't already).