Best Study Plan for my Goal

Thanks for getting back!

I don't want to do an MBA (which requires professional experience of a few years). I want to do a normal master.

Regarding the books that you recommended: Those are on Amazon US. Is this the equivalent?

amazon.de/GMAT-Foundations-Math-Practice-Manhattan/dp/150624923X/ (can't post links)

Hi mario99,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, although you may need more or less time depending on your Score Goal and current Test-taking skills.

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 access 2 for free at 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. That score 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 3.5 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have that Score, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

yes these books will do ..

Let me share my 2 cents here. The answer to your first question depends on 2 things:

1. What is your target score? and
2. How many hours can you study weekly if you stretch your prep over 3-4 months?

If your target score is around 600-650 and you can devote only about 5-7 hrs a week at present, then it is better to prepare 3-4 weeks full time and get done with the test. However, if your target is around 700 or you can devote upwards of 10 hrs a week, it is better to stretch the prep over 3-4 months because to reach a high score, you need to focus a lot on the methodologies that you adopt to solve questions. Developing these methodologies is easier when you give yourself some additional time to practice.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other queries. With regards to resources, you can look at some online courses too as they also provide proper analytics to help you figure out where you're headed. To try out GMATWhiz, you can create a free account here: https://learn.gmatwhiz.com/?page=signup

Hi mario99,

I think studying for 3+ months is better than studying for just 3 weeks; however, you still should be putting in about 18+ hours a week, even over a 3-month period.

Regarding resources, in addition to seeking advice in this thread, take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for the best quant and verbal courses, and also read through some GMAT success stories to see what materials have worked well for other test-takers.

You also may find it helpful to read this article about how to score a 700+ on the GMAT.

Hi!

I think preparing over a stretch of 3 months would be a better idea because you will get enough time to build on your skills.

For quants, I can't recommend the Target Test Prep enough. The course is very detailed, so you need to be patient with it, but the content is worth the time and money invested.

Dear mario99,
I endorse the view of sakshi2022 and would suggest to try TTP course because its well structured study plan and unique approach already have helped me to ameliorate my Quant score form 35 to 44. I have not completed the Verbal part yet, but what do I say is that its curriculum, not only covers all general materials but also provides step by step guide to hone the acquired knowledge. Moreover, I have found some answers to SC questions that were not disclosed in the Manhattan guide such as inner and outer list, delayed subject etc.

So is the best way to start the following?

Freshn up basic math skills (high school level) and than take practice test to see weaknesses? Or should I just work through the official gmat guide?

Here is an article that will help you with getting started:

How to Start Studying for the GMAT: 5 Steps for Success