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30 Sep 2017, 14:01
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi All,
First post here in what will most likely be a proper and productive membership
I'm 32, native English, full time job, BA graduation ~10 years ago, and haven't taken a standardized test since 2002. While in school, I put 0 effort toward studying, so this is a new endeavor. Since entering the workforce, I've been a commodity trader and have worked client-facing jobs in fintech (read: I critically read and write about numbers constantly.) In my spare time I read quite a bit, both fiction and nonfiction.
Applications for the programs I'm looking at are due August 2018. I'd like to take my first (hopefully only) GMAT in February-ish. For the past ~5 weeks, I have been following Magoosh's 6 month study plan. It's good, but the frustrating part is that the OG and Magoosh assigned problems aren't tied at all to the videos I am watching. For problem solving I might be hitting a few simple integer questions that are familiar, but then I'll get decimated by geometry. It's really demoralizing.
At this point, I'm worried about just blindly following a set of weekly instructions. I'm a motivated self-studier, I have no problem putting in the hours and dedicating myself to the goal. However, I have never prepared myself for anything like this before, so I do not know how to create a study plan tailored to myself. There's a few posts here and there, but what I'm really looking for are study plans that are sort of adaptive. Something that keeps better track of my progress while giving me some instructions on what sections I should be studying.
I have all of the Manhattan Prep Books, OG2018 books, and Magoosh Premium. I enjoy Mike's Magoosh videos - he's a great instructor, but I worry that I listen to him and then quickly forget it. I think the Manhattan Books might be a good alternative, but just cracking open books and reading doesn't seem like a good study plan. Basically I would like my hand held for 6 months, but the thought of giving an instructor a few thousand dollars scares me.
I'll be taking my first CAT tomorrow (10/1) - I think it will tell me I stink across all of Quant and my Verbal is that of a native speaker that hasn't taken a test in a while. Any guidance about where to put my time would be appreciated!
First post here in what will most likely be a proper and productive membership
I'm 32, native English, full time job, BA graduation ~10 years ago, and haven't taken a standardized test since 2002. While in school, I put 0 effort toward studying, so this is a new endeavor. Since entering the workforce, I've been a commodity trader and have worked client-facing jobs in fintech (read: I critically read and write about numbers constantly.) In my spare time I read quite a bit, both fiction and nonfiction.
Applications for the programs I'm looking at are due August 2018. I'd like to take my first (hopefully only) GMAT in February-ish. For the past ~5 weeks, I have been following Magoosh's 6 month study plan. It's good, but the frustrating part is that the OG and Magoosh assigned problems aren't tied at all to the videos I am watching. For problem solving I might be hitting a few simple integer questions that are familiar, but then I'll get decimated by geometry. It's really demoralizing.
At this point, I'm worried about just blindly following a set of weekly instructions. I'm a motivated self-studier, I have no problem putting in the hours and dedicating myself to the goal. However, I have never prepared myself for anything like this before, so I do not know how to create a study plan tailored to myself. There's a few posts here and there, but what I'm really looking for are study plans that are sort of adaptive. Something that keeps better track of my progress while giving me some instructions on what sections I should be studying.
I have all of the Manhattan Prep Books, OG2018 books, and Magoosh Premium. I enjoy Mike's Magoosh videos - he's a great instructor, but I worry that I listen to him and then quickly forget it. I think the Manhattan Books might be a good alternative, but just cracking open books and reading doesn't seem like a good study plan. Basically I would like my hand held for 6 months, but the thought of giving an instructor a few thousand dollars scares me.
I'll be taking my first CAT tomorrow (10/1) - I think it will tell me I stink across all of Quant and my Verbal is that of a native speaker that hasn't taken a test in a while. Any guidance about where to put my time would be appreciated!
30 Sep 2017, 16:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi, I think here is what you need to do:
1) Assess 2) Plan 3) Execute 4) Evaluate 5) Reassess and go back to step 1.
1) Assess: Give official mock and see where you stand and how much you need to improve to hit target. You need to have a excel ready to list down everything for both Quant and Verbal :
1) areas you are totally uncomfortable for example, you said geometry, similarly when you are done with your mock you will have more such areas
2) areas you are moderately uncomfortable: you don’t need to spend a lot of time here
3) areas you are in the zone and can nail them time and again: you just need to brush them a little
2) Plan: based on your assessment in the above step for Quant and verbal each, have monthly,weekly and daily plan based on number of hours you have until exam date and add them to your excel.
3) Execute: work on your plan and see how much progress you are making on a daily or weekly basis. See that you are able to achieve your daily goals such as finishing a chapter in quant or doing your homework.
4) Evaluate: This could be based on accuracy in timed practice tests and also your confidence in solving them, use both statistics.
5) Reassess: Give another mock and see if you need to reassess and re-plan based on the progress you made so far.
I think you should be able to come up with an adaptive plan for yourself based on your assessment without needing any help from a private tutor, although you can do so if you like. Since you know your weaknesses and strength better than anyone, you are in a better position to do so. Also, gmat is more a methodical exam rather than test of skill, if you are able to be methodical in your practice, then there is nothing more that you need. Hope it helps, good luck.
Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum
1) Assess 2) Plan 3) Execute 4) Evaluate 5) Reassess and go back to step 1.
1) Assess: Give official mock and see where you stand and how much you need to improve to hit target. You need to have a excel ready to list down everything for both Quant and Verbal :
1) areas you are totally uncomfortable for example, you said geometry, similarly when you are done with your mock you will have more such areas
2) areas you are moderately uncomfortable: you don’t need to spend a lot of time here
3) areas you are in the zone and can nail them time and again: you just need to brush them a little
2) Plan: based on your assessment in the above step for Quant and verbal each, have monthly,weekly and daily plan based on number of hours you have until exam date and add them to your excel.
3) Execute: work on your plan and see how much progress you are making on a daily or weekly basis. See that you are able to achieve your daily goals such as finishing a chapter in quant or doing your homework.
4) Evaluate: This could be based on accuracy in timed practice tests and also your confidence in solving them, use both statistics.
5) Reassess: Give another mock and see if you need to reassess and re-plan based on the progress you made so far.
I think you should be able to come up with an adaptive plan for yourself based on your assessment without needing any help from a private tutor, although you can do so if you like. Since you know your weaknesses and strength better than anyone, you are in a better position to do so. Also, gmat is more a methodical exam rather than test of skill, if you are able to be methodical in your practice, then there is nothing more that you need. Hope it helps, good luck.
Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum
30 Sep 2017, 18:02
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi jsheppa,
That first CAT score is important as it will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.
Beyond that point, you've given yourself plenty of time to study - which is good. It would help if you could provide a bit more information on your overall goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
That first CAT score is important as it will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.
Beyond that point, you've given yourself plenty of time to study - which is good. It would help if you could provide a bit more information on your overall goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
