by Rich Cohen, Rich.C@empowergmat.com www.EMPOWERgmat.com
This series of emails and PMs focuses on situations that many Test Takers face during their studies. The names of the original posters have been changed to protect their identities.
Mixing Quant and Verbal Into Your Studies
Hi Rich,
Two days ago I downloaded the GMAT Software Prep from mba.com and passed the first unofficial test. My result was 560 (Q 43; V24). In Verbal part I have the same amount of mistakes in RC,SC,CR.
After reading many posts about creating individual study plans I'm a little bit confused. As far as I understand many people spend their first month for Quant part. Can I include preparation for IR in the first month too? Also, I’m worried a lot about my Verbal Part. Feel that it will take a lot of time for me to beat this section.
Lenny
Hi Lenny,
You mentioned that you have the same number of mistakes in each of the 3 Verbal categories: SC, RC and CR. If that's the case, then you have lots of work to do in the Verbal section. As such, you probably should NOT wait to begin your Verbal studies, since you'll clearly need more time to get comfortable with the various tactics for that section. You should plan on doing a mix of Quant and Verbal each week throughout your studies. This will allow you the flexibility to "move on" once you're comfortable with a subject or spend more time as needed. IR actually combines both Quant skills and CR skills, so you should probably plan on doing IR later on in your studies.
Rare Idioms on Test Day
Dear Rich,
However much United States voters may agree that
there is waste in government and that the government
as a whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to
find broad support for a movement toward a minimal
state.
I don’t get the correct answer (A). Shouldn’t the use of ‘much’ normally be for uncountable nouns which isn't the case for the "voters "
Maureen
Hi Maureen,
The phrase "however much" is a rarer idiom, but it is grammatically correct.
In this sentence, "however much" does NOT refer to voters - the phrase refers to how much they "may agree." As you pointed out, the word "much" would be used for "uncountable" nouns; "agreement" is an uncountable noun.
Longer Term Study vs. Short-Term Cramming
Hello Rich,
I met a guy who studied gmat in 3 months - 12 weeks all books and official guides, studying 4 hours a day on weekdays and 8 hours each on weekend so that 36 hours a week. 36 hours * 12 weeks = 432 hours and he got 730 in gmat.
I also met a student who studied gmat on a full time basis for 3 weeks - 21 days 18 hours a day, not working just studying.
My question is that if I follow the 2nd student option as I've my exam in 1 month will it produce result of 730?
Nick
Hi Nick,
The GMAT is not a test that can be "crammed for"; beyond learning the content, you have to learn multiple ways to approach questions (so that you're flexible enough to use the "best"/fastest approach for each prompt), you have to learn proper pacing and how to handle the physical and psychological hurdles that are built into Test Day. Having the extra time to review past subjects and take practice CATs is also quite helpful. Cramming doesn't allow for much of either.
While a small percentage of Test Takers can approach this process in a short time frame and score at a high level, the bulk of Test Takers need 3+ months of consistent study (and in many cases, professional guidance) to achieve their goals. A good place to start is to take a full-length practice CAT to get a sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses. You'll find that you'll learn a lot about this process by doing it; as you learn more about the GMAT, you can adjust your plans accordingly.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
