I am worried about the GMAT

[GMATFanatic77]

I am planning on taking the real GMAT on Dec. 2008. I bought several GMAT prep materials to help me prepare for the test. I am worried that I will get on the real GMAT less than 400. The reason is because my first language is not English and I am weak at math. I have looked at several sample questions from the math and verbal GMAT and they are hard. Is there a possibility to end up with a score of say 500 on the real GMAT despite answering a lot of incorrect questions but having completed both math and verbal on the real GMAT?

[VP_Tatiana]

Hi Fanatic,

I think the best way for you to find out is to take a practice test. Once you know where you are now, you can start planning how you will get to where you need to be.

I have seen many test-takers who were not native English speakers do well on verbal (though they had to put more effort into it), and people who hadn't seen algebra and geometry for years do well at math (though they also had to put more effort into it.)

Anything is possible with preserverence. You will need to make sure that you can devote sufficient study time to the GMAT between now and December. Again, how much time you need will be based on where you are now.

Best wishes,

Tatiana

[freshmango]

I've been taking gmat courses recently which is going to end by mid november 08. basically I have te same problem as Fanatic does with math, except I dont find verbal that hard I'm better of with verbal than with math. I find gmat's math materials hard, thats mainly because I havent taken math for years and I've fogotten most of it. I'm planning on taking the GMAT as soon as possible (somewhere between end of december 08 up to Mid Jan 09). As of now I've still havent taken any gmat practice tests so I dont know where I currently stand. the reason for not taking any practice tests is because I still dont feel confident with gmat and I'm still pretty weak with gmat. I want to try be as confident as I can in gmat in the upcoming 2 months. So my question is: Whats the BEST way to beat the GMAT during these 2 months upto January 09??

I'm looking for a Gmat score somewhere between 500 to 550 (600 would be a better deal ofcourse).

Looking forward to your reply

Thank you

[logitech]

Hi Fanatic,

I think the best way for you to find out is to take a practice test. Once you know where you are now, you can start planning how you will get to where you need to be.

I have seen many test-takers who were not native English speakers do well on verbal (though they had to put more effort into it), and people who hadn't seen algebra and geometry for years do well at math (though they also had to put more effort into it.)

Anything is possible with preserverence. You will need to make sure that you can devote sufficient study time to the GMAT between now and December. Again, how much time you need will be based on where you are now.

Best wishes,

Tatiana

Tatiana, learn about me link does not work, so how am I supposed to learn more about you ?

8)

[Ossa]

I am planning on taking the real GMAT on Dec. 2008. I bought several GMAT prep materials to help me prepare for the test. I am worried that I will get on the real GMAT less than 400. The reason is because my first language is not English and I am weak at math. I have looked at several sample questions from the math and verbal GMAT and they are hard. Is there a possibility to end up with a score of say 500 on the real GMAT despite answering a lot of incorrect questions but having completed both math and verbal on the real GMAT?

Hi,
I agree that you need to identify which areas you need to focus on first. You can start by using the GMATPrep analysis and then Send me the log file and transaction file created by the testing software and I will try to help you with this.
Immediately after you finish your test, get ready to WRITE DOWN your Math and Verbal section scores (and should you be so inclined your scaled score). You will not be able to see these numbers ever again. WRITE THEM DOWN.

Assuming you take Test 1 of GMATPrep, send “Practice Test 1.log” (a text file) and “Practice Test 1.xact”

Another thing to keep in mind is that the GMAT isn’t straight math, so you need to understand the math itself, understand the test-makers intention for the question and approach it as a business person.

Good luck

[Bara]

I agree with Tatiana. We've worked with scores of non-native speakers, and in some ways you have an advantage - - you may (or may not) know several languages and therefore have an unbiased ear to spoken vs. written english - - you can study the rules without as much confusion. The rules are the rules. It is non-negotiable. Plus, you likely have studied grammar in other languages and can compare it to English.

There is no doubt a challenge but it can be met.

When Ossa, my colleage, spoke about approaching the math like a business person, I wanted to elaborate.

We view the math on the test as metaphoric. Not always, but sometimes. This means to do the math, you need to have a few things in mind.

1) the math really is 7th, 8th and 9th grade math (for the most part).
2) the math itself is easy, its just how its asked that makes it difficult
3) the math is testing how agressive, focused, out-of-the-box thinking, conservative, thoughtful etc. where you get things correct/incorrect, how you get them correct/incorrect, say as much about what you know as how you think...and this is a thinking test.
4) The more real questions you work with the better your 'gut' gets to recognizing what a right answer looks, and feels like.
5) don't underestimate working backwards to understand how a math question really works.

If you figure out short cuts, see if there are any complications to them.

Believe you can do it, and you can.

Yes. You Can.

Good Luck!