Hello everyone,
Before I would dive in, I just want to say thank you to the community in this forum. I signed up for the site a while ago and never really utilized it, but as my test date was approaching I started to realize what an arsenal of information the site actually is (probably a little too late) and it has made an incredible impact on my GMAT experience in a very short time period.
Purpose: I am looking for advice from the GMATClub community on threads that they've found most effective in studying for the GMAT. Below, I've listed a few details about myself, including my scores and materials at my disposal. I came to the party late, in regards to GMATClub, and I want to make the best use of the forum as I approach my next test day. Are there any threads that would help cater to my situation as a college senior? What strategies would you recommend in trying to take a more structured approach, rather than the spontaneous approach that led to my first score? Based on my GMAT score, what strategies or threads would be best to read that were effective for you, or maybe helped you conquer a similar situation?
My target score is 720+.
My story: I am a college senior, majoring in Finance and Political Science, at a public state institution. I am the type of person that has always done well, almost naturally, in school. I'll graduate with a 3.9+ GPA. I have accepted a job and will work 2-3 years before attending business school.
My short-term targets: I am aiming to be accepted by two separate deferment programs in the Harvard 2+2 and Stanford. These are obviously VERY lofty goals, but I believe that anything that's worth doing should be difficult.
The GMAT: In early August of this year, I decided that taking the GMAT would be a good decision. I figured that taking the GMAT while I was still in college would be the most efficient use of my time, given that my senior year isn't that difficult. It was a very spontaneous decision and I think my entire test approach reflected the lack of preparation and structure that I wasn't aware the GMAT deserved. On August 17th, 2016, I took my first GMAT Prep Software exam. Yesterday, November 28th, I took my first GMAT. I have not set a retake date, and would love advice about what I should do to prep for my next attempt.
Scores (studying August to November, but mostly in November):GMAT Prep Software - 480 (28th percentile) - Q32, V24, IR2
MPrep CAT1 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 38Q, 32V
MPrep CAT2 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 37Q, 33V
GMAT Prep Software - 600 (62nd percentile) - Q37, V34, IR7
GMAT Attempt #1 - 620 (66th percentile) - Q44, V31, IR7
Materials:I made the most use out of the
Manhattan Prep Strategy Guides. I did not utilize the other materials as much, as I was trying to build a foundation for what knowledge is on the GMAT. One flaw for my score may be that I did not do enough practice problems. I also struggled in my attempt to study verbal, although I am a native english speaker. I thought it would be easy, but it obviously was not. Overall, I did not have a plan and I think that my score suffered because of that.
-
The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
-
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
-
The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- Kaplan GMAT Premier 2016 with 6 Practice Tests: Book + Online + DVD + Mobile (Kaplan Test Prep)
- The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
- Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set (
Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides)
Any advice that the community has for me would be greatly appreciated.
close
29 Nov 2016, 10:59
