Targeting Weaknesses : General GMAT Questions and Strategies

Targeting Weaknesses

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Targeting Weaknesses [#permalink]

10 Sep 2012, 18:25

Is the best way to target your weaknesses take tests and see which areas you perform poorly on?

Once you have found your weaknesses, is it best to start at the lowest level questions and build yourself up from there?

I am trying to figure out the most effective way to study and wanted to hear your thoughts.. any help is appreciated. Thank you!

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Re: Targeting Weaknesses [#permalink]

11 Sep 2012, 10:56

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dias17 wrote:

Hi Dias,

You're right about step 1. Take a diagnostic test (or two!) to get some statistical data on your strengths and weakness.

However, as for the most effective way to build up, that depends on what's giving you trouble. If it's content--grammar, number properties, geometry--then doing basic problems till you've gotten a handle on the fundamentals is a solid approach. But if you're having trouble with strategy, such as handling Data Sufficiency or Critical Reasoning, doing lots of problems is more likely to fossilize bad habits than to actually help you improve. Work from a strategy guide, such as Kaplan GMAT Premier, to make sure you're approaching such problems in the most effective possible way.

Best of luck studying, and let me know how else I can help!
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Re: Targeting Weaknesses [#permalink]

11 Sep 2012, 14:21

Practice tests can certainly expose one's weak points, but so can standard question practice. Feeling uncomfortable while reading a certain section (such as geometry) in a guidebook can also serve as an indicator. An important tool to identify weak areas is an error log.

KapTeacherEli makes good points about how to address any weaknesses, so I won't repeat what he mentioned. My approach included lots and lots of practice problems and multiple readings of math guidebooks. For questions, I started from the easiest and worked my way up.
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Re: Targeting Weaknesses [#permalink] 11 Sep 2012, 14:21

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Targeting Weaknesses

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