47 Year Old Newbie Needs Your Help! Where do I start?

Question

Hi everyone. I'm a 47 year old returning student about to take the GMAT. I have NO idea where to start! I have an OG and started reading it. The first Quant question I saw was like a foreign language to me. I had no idea how to solve the problem. What I decided to do is first review all of the basic math and English/grammar skills needed for the GMAT and, then return to the OG to start studying in earnest. (I'm dedicating 20 hours to review.) I have been out of college for at least 23 years. The last math class I took was Statistics and I barely made it out. (I won't tell you my grade but it was a "Doughnut".)

Some may ask why I would choose to go back to school at such a late age. Well, I have several reasons: 1) It has always been my goal to get my MBA, 2) I am making a pivot in my career and need the credibility of having the "book knowledge" of others in my field and, 3) I enjoy the challenge of stretching myself. I also know I can be an inspiration to others who are travelling down the same path.

The GMATClub has been such a great resource. In fact, it's been TOO good! I've downloaded the error log, read several study plans, and have been vociferously reading different topics in the forum. It's TOO MUCH! It's information overload. I need straightforward and solid ideas for a study plan. I'm lost and need help.

Can you please help me develop a solid study plan. Or, point me to the best resources. I've collected a bunch of links, websites, and posts but it's like a barrage of information with no rhyme or reason. It's like being hit with a scattering of buckshot. I have downloaded the practice tests but haven't taken one yet. I already KNOW that my score would probably be pitifully low.

I would appreciate any suggestions on where to start that you can give me. I'm looking for a simple clear plan. I'm willing to do the work. I just need help with preparing to study, how to review the basic concepts needed to do well on the GMAT, best practices, how to keep an error log (I'm horrible at spreadsheets but willing to learn), and strategies that can help an older test taker do well.

My target score is 730 and, my target school is Georgia Tech. (I know that's 50 points higher than their average MBA but I need to make myself competitive to get scholarship dollars.) I will be taking the exam on May 23. I already know the odds are against me. I'm hoping that someone will be able to help me develop a plan of action to ace the GMAT.

I'll take all suggestions into consideration. Just please take into consideration that I'm 47 and 20 plus years from having to do higher level math/critical thinking. Hopefully you will be able to give me positive insights in spite of circumstances.

Thank you in advance. I wish you all the best.

pushpitkc · Answer

Hi jbGMAT730

First of all, Welcome to GMATClub!

Since you are beginning with preparation, I would recommend you to do
the following things.

1. Take one of two free tests you get in the GMATPrep tests(Hopefully these
are the tests you have downloaded). Once you have a preliminary score, the
experts on the forum will be able to give you a clear idea on how to proceed.

2. It makes sense to clear your concepts for every topic and then follow it up
with some practice. To build your concepts, you could use Manhattan Guides
for Verbal and Quant.

Verbal Section Prep
You could use the PowerScore CR bible in order to get a basic understanding
of how the CR section works.
For RC, you could refer to the below given link
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-club-s- ... 83101.html

As for practice, you can find all the questions at GMATClub. You could use the
Timer here at GMATClub to time yourself while practicing questions.

Quant Section Prep
Link to GMAT Quantitative Mega-Thread(beneficial in understanding concepts)
https://gmatclub.com/forum/ultimate-gma ... 44512.html

Upon completion of the concepts pertaining to any particular topic, you could solve
questions and try to apply these concepts. Initially, you could start by working on
the following links(500 level questions)
1.PS Directory by Topic and Difficulty
2.DS Directory by Topic and Difficulty

As you attain comfort solving 500 level questions regarding the topic, you could move
to solving 600 level questions.

Follow Bunuel. Solve all the questions in his signature. They contain some awesome
questions that give you the true taste of GMAT(Baker's Dozen, 12 Easy Pieces etc..)
Even otherwise, make sure you solve each and every question he puts up on the forum.

Last but not the least, you could check out our study plan:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-study-plan-217827.html

Hope this helps you!

AjiteshArun · Answer

You could also take a look at  this post  for one possible way to get going.

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  jbGMAT730 , these are all valid reasons. However, before you embark upon your GMAT preparation, it might be a good idea to drop a mail to your target school (Gerogia Tech), explaining your profile to them and your reasons for MBA.

There is a school of thought that after certain experience, life has already taught you so much that MBA has little value to add. So, just make sure that Gerogia Tech is not from the same school of thought.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jbGMAT730,

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT.

Early last week, GMAC made a formal announcement defining some changes that will be taking place to the format of the Official GMAT (beginning April 16, 2018). These changes primarily impact the overall length of the Exam (meaning the number of questions in the Quant and Verbal sections as well as the amount of time that you’ll have to complete each of those two sections). In theory, a shorter Exam could make it easier for a well-prepared Test Taker to score higher. Unfortunately, practice CATs in the new 'format' don't exist yet - but once they become available, you should plan to take one (so that we can get a better sense of how you perform under these new conditions). Once you have that score, you should post back here and we can discuss the results.

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, but your current Test Date is only 6 weeks from now. Considering how 'rusty' you are in certain subjects, it stands to reason that you might actually need MORE than 3 months to hit your Score Goal. This is meant to say that you might need to consider pushing back your Test Date.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) Are you considering any other Schools besides Georgia Tech?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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