|
Author |
Message |
|
Director
Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 608
Location: The High Seas
Schools: Tuck, Yale (ding), NYU, Columbia, Duke (int)
Followers: 5
Kudos [?]:
22
[1] , given: 13
|
Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
 19 May 2008, 13:10
1
This post received
KUDOS
I'm taking the GMAT prep course Manhattan GMAT...and I've already kind of fallen behind in the studying (well...we only started last week). I keep trying to memorize all the little rules (odd/even, divsibility, prime numbers etc.). I know what it all is, it's just that I'm having a hard time memorizing everything like they suggest. In fact, I haven't even done a single problem yet! Should I just start doing problems, then refer back to the guides (the rules/theory) as needed? I'm beginning to get down on myself because I can't seem to remember all those little stupid rules, but I also want to actually get my hands into the real material
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Posts: 325
Followers: 3
Kudos [?]:
24
[1] , given: 0
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
19 May 2008, 13:24
1
This post received
KUDOS
VictoryMBA wrote: I'm taking the GMAT prep course Manhattan GMAT...and I've already kind of fallen behind in the studying (well...we only started last week). I keep trying to memorize all the little rules (odd/even, divsibility, prime numbers etc.). I know what it all is, it's just that I'm having a hard time memorizing everything like they suggest. In fact, I haven't even done a single problem yet! Should I just start doing problems, then refer back to the guides (the rules/theory) as needed? I'm beginning to get down on myself because I can't seem to remember all those little stupid rules, but I also want to actually get my hands into the real material Yes Of course , three things you should be doing for GMAT PRACTICE , PRACTICE and PRACTICE . More you practice less you need to memorize these rules because then it will become part of your quant skills .
|
|
|
|
|
|
SVP
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 2140
Followers: 2
Kudos [?]:
73
[1] , given: 0
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
19 May 2008, 13:25
1
This post received
KUDOS
The theory should be second nature. That way you can go through the problems quickly. If you forget a theory, such as odd times odd, you can just test it out. 3x3 = odd. No biggy. But, having those "tools" as second nature will make you not only better prepared, but also help you to control any anxiety.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 321
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Schools: Ross Class of 2011
Followers: 4
Kudos [?]:
60
[1] , given: 0
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
19 May 2008, 14:48
1
This post received
KUDOS
I think you should buy into whatever way they want you to do it! I've never taken the MGMAT course but I'm sure they have a lot of experience the highest score out of the students in the class. Buy into your teacher and the materials if at the end of the course you aren't where you need to be, you can reevaluate the situation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: 31 Dec 1969
Location: United States
Concentration: Marketing, Other
GMAT 1: 710 Q49 V38
WE: Accounting (Accounting)
Followers: 0
Kudos [?]:
32
[1] , given: 54251
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
23 May 2008, 17:13
1
This post received
KUDOS
Try note cards. Every day at the gym I bring my note cards like a huge nerd and study them while doing cardio - and at night I put in 2 hours of studying practicing problems. I'm not one of those super scorers yet (e.g., 700+) - but I've made a considerable jump in my score and really think it's helping. So basically, you have to do both 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manager
Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 51
Followers: 0
Kudos [?]:
4
[1] , given: 0
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
23 May 2008, 18:23
1
This post received
KUDOS
You won't learn anything if you're just trying to memorize formulas instead of applying them. To learn them, you've got to practice them. Pick one question type at a time and do several practice questions before moving on to the next type.
It's not a matter of memorization; it's a matter of understanding through doing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CEO
Joined: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 3594
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Other
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2011
GMAT 1: 750 Q50 V40
Followers: 230
Kudos [?]:
1299
[1] , given: 346
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
23 May 2008, 20:28
1
This post received
KUDOS
PRACTICE, PRACTICE and memorizing will be automatic. Look at this, just for fun: 11-t62631
_________________
iOS/Android: GMAT ToolKit - The bestselling GMAT prep app | GMAT Club (free) | PrepGame | GRE ToolKit | LSAT ToolKit
PROMO: Are you an exiting GMAT ToolKit (iOS) user? Get GMAT ToolKit 2 (iOS) for free* (read more)
Math: GMAT Math Book ||| General: GMATTimer ||| Chicago Booth: Slide Presentation
The People Who Are Crazy Enough to Think They Can Change the World, Are the Ones Who Do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SVP
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
Posts: 1689
Schools: Kellogg '11
Followers: 13
Kudos [?]:
175
[1] , given: 31
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
25 May 2008, 09:37
1
This post received
KUDOS
I've found that picking one theory, studying problems to reinforce it and then repeating for others works really well. For me, I learn by practice so a reinforcement of concepts via problems is always good!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Manager
Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 321
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Schools: Ross Class of 2011
Followers: 4
Kudos [?]:
60
[0], given: 0
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems? [#permalink]
25 May 2008, 10:28
I still think if you are going to take a prep class you should buy into the system. I've read that veritas and mgmat both believe in teaching the theory first, the idea is that most students mindlessly blow through a bunch of problems and don't learn anything and waste perfectly good problems they could use the methods to practice on. It's not like they are going to tell you to not practice ever they just want you to lean the methods first and then apply them to the practice problems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Should I be memorizing theory, or doing problems?
[#permalink]
25 May 2008, 10:28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
close
