BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATBootcamp Starts Sep 21
Chris Peckover, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE BOOTCAMP

Live Online Bootcamp Class with Top GMAT Expert Chris Peckover

Sep 21 to Oct 9, 2026

Schedule
Mon to Fri · 7:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
Live classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class
  • 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included
View bootcamp & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Using Before

Expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:13 pm
Thanked: 1 times
by abhicoolmax » Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:14 pm
According to MGMAT SC,
The word before and after indicate the sequence of events clearly and emphatically enough to make the use of Past Perfect unnecessary.
eg. RIGHT: Laura LOCKED the deadbolt before she LEFT for work.

However, According to Aristotle SC,
RIGHT: Before John won the lottery, he had been a poor locksmith.
WRONG: Before John won the lottery, he was a poor locksmith.
also,
RIGHT: John had traveled to many different countries before he decided to settle down in New Zealand

I am now confused. What is the right usage? Should I use past perfect/past perfect continuous OR simple past when the sentence already has an emphatic preposition, such as before, indicating time previous to another past event?

Can anybody please help me understand?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2193
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members
Location: Vermont and Boston, MA
Thanked: 1186 times
GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:56 pm
Go with Manhattan on this one..."Laura locked the deadbolt..." is a good sentence.

I would say that both the "right" and (supposedly) "wrong" lottery sentences seem clear to me.

The past perfect works and the simple past works here.

Listen, we all want to know some solid rules that we can memorize but it is more a matter of what if clear and what is logical. Despite what we are constantly told, The GMAT is not really trying to force you to learn things about English that only English majors focus on. So if the sentence is clear that is usually a good sign.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:13 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by abhicoolmax » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:28 pm
David@VeritasPrep wrote:Go with Manhattan on this one..."Laura locked the deadbolt..." is a good sentence.

I would say that both the "right" and (supposedly) "wrong" lottery sentences seem clear to me.

The past perfect works and the simple past works here.

Listen, we all want to know some solid rules that we can memorize but it is more a matter of what if clear and what is logical. Despite what we are constantly told, The GMAT is not really trying to force you to learn things about English that only English majors focus on. So if the sentence is clear that is usually a good sign.
But what if I see 2 options as I listed above. Only ONE can be correct no? Aristotle book has these exact choices. You think they chose the wrong answer as correct?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2193
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members
Location: Vermont and Boston, MA
Thanked: 1186 times
GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:35 pm
No I don't think Aristotle's choice was wrong, I am saying that I think that it is a False Decision. In other words, both seem acceptable to me. No way and no need to decide.

It is like trying to make a decision between "probably" and "maybe" you really should try everything else first.

I would never want to make the decision that Aristotle mentions. Both seem good and there will be a different choice in the sentence that will allow you to not even consider this. That is why I like to see sentence correction In Context. Each answer choice usually has more than one way to distinguish.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1