Best preparation for me

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Best preparation for me

by uetz » Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:09 pm
Hello everybody,
I have to ask for your advice on how to most efficiently prepare for the GMAT.

I did the first GMATprep two weeks ago and scored 650 (q42,v38).
Today I did the MGMAT #1 and scored 640 (q43,v35).
This time I did not finish the quant part and did not answer three questions. Since I am really unsatisfied with my result (especially the second one after some preparation), I have to ask you for advice.

The percentages of questions answered wrong in the MGMAT are as follows:
Critical reasoning 64%
Problem solving 59%
Sentence correction 47%
Data Sufficiency 31%
Reading Comprehension 25%

To be honest, and that's why I'm writing this post, these results totally confuse me.
When I usually practice with the OG, Problem solving is no problem (I get <10% wrong), and I make much more mistakes in the DS section.
Same for verbal. I know that CR is a weak point of mine (besides all the others ;)) but usually my reading comprehension is significantly worse than sentence correction.

I did the MGMT to determine on which parts to focus on and I am now really confused...

Could you help me and propose appropriate prep books?
I think that I will order these:
- Kaplan GMAT advanced
- Powerscore Critical Reasoning
- Manhattan Word Translation
- Manhattan Number Properties

Do you have any comments?
Thanks for your help in advance!!!!

uetz

//edit: correct # for the unanswered questions in the MGMAT inserted
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by DanaJ » Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:19 am
Your scores seem to be pretty consistent. The GMAT itself is designed to have a 30-point deviation, which means that if you score 650 your true level is somewhere between 620 and 680.

Anyway, here's my take on it: prep companies try really hard to replicate the feel of official questions, but that's not always the case. Of course, MGMAT does a pretty good job, but it's not perfect either. I say trust the OG and GMATprep when evaluating your weaknesses!

About the books you plan to order:
- Kaplan Advanced is really not that good, IMHO. I found their respective verbal and math workbooks to be much more helpful
- the CR Bible is worth every penny