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40hrs a week?

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40hrs a week?

by Skimbum01 » Sat Nov 15, 2014 4:56 pm
I have my GMAT Prep and OG ready to go. I'll have 100% of my time to devote to this exam. I'm planning on running through the 9 GMAT Prep Strategy books and working through all the OG for the next month and then attending the GMAT Bootcamp (via Manhattan Prep) for 2 weeks before sitting for this exam.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience/advice for me? Has anyone devoted 40-70 hrs a week for this exam (for approx 2 months)? Does my strategy sound like a good game plan? I may also spend a few hours with a tutor before my exam (after the bootcamp) to really nail this down. Thanks!
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Nov 15, 2014 5:01 pm
Sounds like you have enough resources.
To help organize your studies, you might consider signing up for Beat The GMAT's free 60-Day Study Guide (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide). Over 40,000 Beat The GMAT students have already done so.
Each day, you'll receive an email with a series of learning activities that guide you, step-by-step, from Day 1 to test day. This will ensure that you will cover everything that the GMAT tests.

Here's an outline of all 60 emails: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide-outline

Cheers,
Brent
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by [email protected] » Sat Nov 15, 2014 6:59 pm
Hi skimbum01,

My primary concern with this type of approach is that you'll run the risk of "burnout." If you want to study most days, then that's fine, but it's important to break your studying into "small chunks" (as opposed to studying for 5-6 hours straight). For example, you might find it beneficial to work for 2 hours and then take 1 hour off. Then you can come back and pick up your studies for another chunk of time and take breaks as needed.

What is your score goal?
Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH practice CATs to assess your current abilities?

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Rich
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by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Nov 16, 2014 5:31 pm
To be honest, as you move up in hours you will likely move down in return for your time invested. 70 hours per work is too much. That is 10 hours per day.

Rich mentioned burnout and this a big concern. But there is also the fact that with so much studying you may actually end up doing things that will undermine your score.

Most notably, you need to make sure that you keep up important parts of a healthy lifestyle that are crucial for the GMAT.

First, make sure you continue to exercise. If you stop exercising, after 3 weeks there will be noticeable (negative) changes in your brain function. The good news is that if you have not been exercising and you start exercising now, then after three weeks there will be noticeable (positive) changes in your brain function!

Please read the following articles.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/05/ ... e-the-gmat

https://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2013/12 ... mat-score/

https://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2013/12 ... t-anxiety/

Second, make sure you have a regular sleep schedule that maintains a consistent bedtime and wake-up time. Your brain actually does much of the "learning" in your sleep. And even one night of sleep that does not follow the schedule can make it more difficult for you to integrate what you are studying.

Please read the following article.

https://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... n-the-gmat

Honestly I would recommend more like 5 hours per day of studying. That is already longer than the entire GMAT exam (which people describe as a marathon). I would say do two sessions of 2.5 hours each. Do 75 minutes of studying (the length of a quant or verbal test section) and then take an 8 minute break. Do another 75 minutes and then come back later in the day and do it again.

You will find that 5 hours per day of real studying is a lot!

David
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

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by manyaabroadtpr » Mon Nov 17, 2014 5:00 am
Lot of people have already mentioned this before on this forum - You very highly run the risk of a burnout. When it comes to exams like GMAT, it is important to peak at the right time, not too soon, not too late.

Remember, GMAT is not just about working hard but about working smart as well.

We would suggest you to start with 2 hours per day for a week. Increase it to 4 hours per day for next 2 weeks. And gradually, make it to 6 hours. Just 7 or 10 days before the exam, you may want to go up even more.

Also, apart from all the preparatory material you have, make sure you are giving mock tests very regularly. And do spend maximum time in analyzing your performance. Typically if you spend 2 hours in a mock test, spend 6 hours in analyzing the same. Try to understand how could you have optimized your score to make it go higher. Take a note of these points and implement the same in the next mock test. Keep doing this repeatedly and you shall definitely be able to achieve your target.
In case, you have any other queries, please do let us know.
Wish you the best.
www.manyagroup.com
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