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My battle for the 600+ started

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Todor
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My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   29 Dec 2010, 14:32
Hello nice people,

My name is Todor, I am 24 years old and I am from Bulgaria,EU. I need GMAT to get in a Master Programme in european business school. I've been reading the forum for months, learning from your experience. I am very happy that I found this place. Thanks.

I read the study plan thread and this month I started my preparation with a quant diagnostic test from the OG 12. I got 17 correct out of 48 questions, which is below the avarage level. I need minimum 600 points. Honestly, sometimes I don't think that it's possible for me. I have to do a lot of work in order to get 600+ points, and even then I am not sure if I can go there.
I have fogotten a lot of math knowledge. Also math wasn't my favourite discipline in school. So after the diagnostic test I started with a math textbook from 7th grade/geometry + algebra/. I plan to read the rest textbooks from school I have. What do you think about it?

I plan to take the exam in the mid April, so I have some 15 weeks. I can devote most of my day to the GMAT, but I can't focus more than 3 hours a day /break time exluded/. I try to study 2-3 hours everyday, but sometime I end up with 1h a day.

Also I have a lot of GMAT books- OG 12, Quant OG, Verbal OG, Kaplan 800, Critical Reasoning Bible, McGraw Guide, Manhattan books pack of 7 but 3 missing/Number Properties,Geometry,Equations&Inequalities/, Nova Prep course, ETS, ARCO, Petersons Ultimate Tool Kit, Manhattan Vocabulary List.

If you had similiar situation to mine, I would be very happy to give me clues what approach to use, which books to focus on. I will appreciate any advice from you. I really want to hit the 6XX, but i am not sure if can guide myself to the 6XX.

Thanks for reading
Kind Regards
T
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   29 Dec 2010, 14:45
Hi,
I would start with making a plan first. I actually sat down with a paper and pen and made a plan for myself. I think you should have an outline of what you want to cover in the following weeks. This will give you a reality-check on your progress.
In my opinion, I would say start with the Manhattan guides. They have a detailed and systematic approach. Go through their guides one after the other. If you don't have the time for all of them, I have heard that, number properties and word translations should be on your list. Once you develop a good understanding of Quant concepts,move on to solve questions from OG 12/11/10. Similarly cover MGMAT SC and RC books. For CR, I prefer powerscore Bible. Also, solve question in verbal.

Hope that helped.

Good Luck
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   29 Dec 2010, 15:25
Welcome to the club!

you are on a right path joining our 100k members community.

Please see this threads, they will help you to orient in your GMAT jorney:
Study plan: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html?highlight=ml301
Best books(review): best-gmat-books-77703.html
All practice tests: all-gmat-cat-practice-tests-links-prices-reviews-77460.html?highlight=ml502 One of the most realiable tests is GMATprep - download it from mba.com

Gmatclub tests: hardest quantative problems for 48+ score https://gmatclub.com/tests/

On-line courses from different companies: gmat-prep-course-reviews-discount-codes-78451.html

I think that with good study plan+15 weeks+determination >600 - so 6XX is pretty achievable.
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   29 Dec 2010, 16:43
Welcome European brother! :-) Which particular European schools are you looking at?

Fetch a couple of good classic english literature books to read when going to bed, it will help you improve both speed and familiarity with idioms.

I think you can do 600 with good verbal skills and improved quant skills. I got 620 on my first GMAT prep test and did a horrible attemp at the quant (only answered 29 out of 39 and got right on 16 only, afterwards I solved all the questions without trouble so I guess I was kinda nervous the first time :( ).
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   30 Dec 2010, 10:06
heygirl wrote:
Hi,
I would start with making a plan first. I actually sat down with a paper and pen and made a plan for myself. I think you should have an outline of what you want to cover in the following weeks. This will give you a reality-check on your progress.
In my opinion, I would say start with the Manhattan guides. They have a detailed and systematic approach. Go through their guides one after the other. If you don't have the time for all of them, I have heard that, number properties and word translations should be on your list. Once you develop a good understanding of Quant concepts,move on to solve questions from OG 12/11/10. Similarly cover MGMAT SC and RC books. For CR, I prefer powerscore Bible. Also, solve question in verbal.

Hope that helped.

Good Luck


Thanks for the advice. I started covering the material with a math textbook from school. I will start the Manhattan guides in the next few days. :)
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Todor
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   30 Dec 2010, 10:16
Mackieman wrote:
Welcome European brother! :-) Which particular European schools are you looking at?

Fetch a couple of good classic english literature books to read when going to bed, it will help you improve both speed and familiarity with idioms.

I think you can do 600 with good verbal skills and improved quant skills. I got 620 on my first GMAT prep test and did a horrible attemp at the quant (only answered 29 out of 39 and got right on 16 only, afterwards I solved all the questions without trouble so I guess I was kinda nervous the first time :( ).


Thanks :) I am looking at Rotterdam School of Management, Copenhagen Business School, and Stockholm School of Economics.

I absolutely agree with the english books. I read before sleep. They help me with the unknown words.

I hope in few months to do the the score like yours at the 1st try :wink:

Regards
T
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   30 Dec 2010, 17:53
Todor wrote:
Mackieman wrote:
Welcome European brother! :-) Which particular European schools are you looking at?

Fetch a couple of good classic english literature books to read when going to bed, it will help you improve both speed and familiarity with idioms.

I think you can do 600 with good verbal skills and improved quant skills. I got 620 on my first GMAT prep test and did a horrible attemp at the quant (only answered 29 out of 39 and got right on 16 only, afterwards I solved all the questions without trouble so I guess I was kinda nervous the first time :( ).


Thanks :) I am looking at Rotterdam School of Management, Copenhagen Business School, and Stockholm School of Economics.

I absolutely agree with the english books. I read before sleep. They help me with the unknown words.

I hope in few months to do the the score like yours at the 1st try :wink:

Regards
T


Nice, I'm applying for CBS and SSE as well. CBS does not require GMAT though, however, a good GMAT score might help you in the admission process. I'm hoping that my grades will get me into CBS if I fail in obtaining a good GMAT score (650+).

If want you want to start your MSc at SSE in the autumn of 2011 SSE requires your GMAT score before the 28th of february (I saw that you planned to take the test in april).

I think you need to score at least 650+ to have good chance for entry at MSc Finance, around 600+ for the other ones (marketing, management etc)
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   31 Dec 2010, 12:24
Hi Todor,
Though you have taken the Maths Diagnostic Test in OG12, I'd advise that you take a full length CAT before you start your preparation. Take a GMATPREP CAT(available for download on www.mba.com) and you'll get a better assessment about your competency level.
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   02 Jan 2011, 22:11
Expert Reply
By the way don't waste too much time (though you can) on some of the second tier books (ARCO is the one that jumps out right away). Check this thread out for some study plans and book suggestions: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html?highlight=ml301
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   03 Jan 2011, 03:27
bb wrote:
By the way don't waste too much time (though you can) on some of the second tier books (ARCO is the one that jumps out right away). Check this thread out for some study plans and book suggestions: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html?highlight=ml301



Yes, I know that some of the books are better than others, but i don't know exactly which. Thanks about that.
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   23 Feb 2011, 16:43
Hello again nice people,

I already had about 60-70 hours of studying since I started my preparation. I read Manhattan Word Translation,SC, CR and RC,FDP. Originally my plan was to cover those 4 Manhattan books, then to procced with all the qs in NOVA prep guide book, then all qs from ETS books, then qs from McGraw-Hills book, then OG Verbal and Quant, then Powescore CR Bible, and last Kaplan 800. What do you think about this arrangement?

1st time I took the GMAT prep software I got 380 points/Q 25, V18
2nd try after studying for two weeks 440 points/Q?, V17
3rd try after 4 more weeks of studying 510 points/Q31, V29 - I was very happy with this improvement , but yesterday I took the whole diagnostic test of the OG12 and I was avarage or below avarage scores on all the section, especially DS. I guess i was tired, but this is no excuse for me.

When I do quant there are still unfamiliar qs for me which is good in some way because when i cover the material from the guide books, probably i will do them right. But there are also qs that cover familiar aspects and I just guess answers.

My taget is 600+ and I have about two months before my GMAT date, which is up to 100 hours of studying/i hope more/, so i hope to be enough for me to get 600+. The question in my head is : I am doing the right thing?

What do you think? I am on the right way and should I try different approach, books, or whatever?

Thanks
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   23 Feb 2011, 20:03
The books that you are using seem to be fine except for the Nova and mc graw hill books(I've never heard of them). Try incorporating all the MGMAT books in your study plan. May be you could leave out CR since you have powerscore CR. 2 months is good enough to get to 600+. Do you do the in-action problems at the end of each MGMAT book chapter? these quest really help me to get my concepts cemented. I think you should definitely get the MGMAT number properties book;this book is one of the best of the MGMAT set.
spend the next 3-4 weeks carefully going through all the MGMAT books and then take a CAT again..see where you are..from there keep improving ur weaknesses and 600+ will not be far ! :-)

Good Luck
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   24 Feb 2011, 10:18
heygirl wrote:
The books that you are using seem to be fine except for the Nova and mc graw hill books(I've never heard of them). Try incorporating all the MGMAT books in your study plan. May be you could leave out CR since you have powerscore CR. 2 months is good enough to get to 600+. Do you do the in-action problems at the end of each MGMAT book chapter? these quest really help me to get my concepts cemented. I think you should definitely get the MGMAT number properties book;this book is one of the best of the MGMAT set.
spend the next 3-4 weeks carefully going through all the MGMAT books and then take a CAT again..see where you are..from there keep improving ur weaknesses and 600+ will not be far ! :-)

Good Luck



Yes i did the in-action problems. I already ordered MGMAT Number Properties, Geometry and Eq, Ineq and VIC's. I will study one more month and i will post my results.


Thanks for the advise
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Todor
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink] New post   24 Feb 2011, 10:19
Todor wrote:
heygirl wrote:
The books that you are using seem to be fine except for the Nova and mc graw hill books(I've never heard of them). Try incorporating all the MGMAT books in your study plan. May be you could leave out CR since you have powerscore CR. 2 months is good enough to get to 600+. Do you do the in-action problems at the end of each MGMAT book chapter? these quest really help me to get my concepts cemented. I think you should definitely get the MGMAT number properties book;this book is one of the best of the MGMAT set.
spend the next 3-4 weeks carefully going through all the MGMAT books and then take a CAT again..see where you are..from there keep improving ur weaknesses and 600+ will not be far ! :-)

Good Luck



Yes i did the in-action problems. I already ordered MGMAT Number Properties, Geometry and Eq, Ineq and VIC's. I will study one more month with them and i will post my results.


Thanks for the advise
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Re: My battle for the 600+ started [#permalink]
24 Feb 2011, 10:19

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