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23 May 2017, 08:19
Kudos
Bookmarks
So I started my prep work for the GMAT by jumping in with both feet and bought the Kaplan Self-Prep course without much thought. I didn't know about the OG or even try to look at free study materials and quizes. I beared down for 4 months studying the book and online material weeknights and weekends. I set my first exam two months out and the week leading up to the exam my last CAT practice exam was a 560. I bombed the exam with a 480.
I told myself maybe I was taking a big picture approach and not targeting specific sections. I set another test date for one month later. So I doubled my efforts to specifically work on my toughest sections and my last CAT practice before the exam was a 630. I felt confident going into the test, with a little anxiety, but ended up blanking on the quant section and ended up with a 480 again......AGAINNNNNNNNNN.
Since then I've been on this site every day reading what others have done to prep. The error log seems to be a good start to actually learning my mistakes. I also think that I've exhausted the Kaplan material I purchased.
I'm going to purchase the OG 2017 green book. Any suggestions on other study material? I've been reading that Manhattan is a huge help for the quant section. I really don't want to spend the money on a class, especially since I don't see many people raving about classes.
It seems like success comes from within on the GMAT. It's been a huge blow to the ego, but I really think I might be taking the wrong approach to effectively studying for the exam. Any help, suggestions and honesty opinions are welcome!
I told myself maybe I was taking a big picture approach and not targeting specific sections. I set another test date for one month later. So I doubled my efforts to specifically work on my toughest sections and my last CAT practice before the exam was a 630. I felt confident going into the test, with a little anxiety, but ended up blanking on the quant section and ended up with a 480 again......AGAINNNNNNNNNN.
Since then I've been on this site every day reading what others have done to prep. The error log seems to be a good start to actually learning my mistakes. I also think that I've exhausted the Kaplan material I purchased.
I'm going to purchase the OG 2017 green book. Any suggestions on other study material? I've been reading that Manhattan is a huge help for the quant section. I really don't want to spend the money on a class, especially since I don't see many people raving about classes.
It seems like success comes from within on the GMAT. It's been a huge blow to the ego, but I really think I might be taking the wrong approach to effectively studying for the exam. Any help, suggestions and honesty opinions are welcome!
23 May 2017, 13:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
Welcome to GMAT Club!
Sorry to hear about your experience but you in the right place for help.
It is interesting that you are so disparate in terms of your practice and official tests. Have you discovered the GMAT Prep Software yet? Is that what you have taken to get 630?
In terms of other overall thoughts/suggestions - Kaplan materials are not bad by themselves. I have used 3 of their books without OG to go from 540 to 750 but i was very methodical about each chapter and step - I made sure I got 90% questions correct in each section/chapter and if I did not, then I went back and saved each question I missed, trying to learn, figure out the concepts behind them. Something to consider. It may seem like you have a lot to catch up at 480, so take it one chapter at a time...
I noticed you did not post your score distribution so I am not sure which area to recommend but in terms of Quant specifically, yes, Books or cheap online courses (under $100) are sufficient for most. I am old school so i like paper and lack of distraction/interactivity but others may learn better with web experience. Anyway, MGMAT Quant books are great - there is quite a few of them. The whole complete package will cost ya $120-150 (including verbal ones) and they come with 6 tests if you buy the full package (so just get the full pack).
The only downside of this approach (using MGMAT books) is it is a LOT of material to cover again, so you have to be committed to going through it.
Sorry to hear about your experience but you in the right place for help.
It is interesting that you are so disparate in terms of your practice and official tests. Have you discovered the GMAT Prep Software yet? Is that what you have taken to get 630?
In terms of other overall thoughts/suggestions - Kaplan materials are not bad by themselves. I have used 3 of their books without OG to go from 540 to 750 but i was very methodical about each chapter and step - I made sure I got 90% questions correct in each section/chapter and if I did not, then I went back and saved each question I missed, trying to learn, figure out the concepts behind them. Something to consider. It may seem like you have a lot to catch up at 480, so take it one chapter at a time...
I noticed you did not post your score distribution so I am not sure which area to recommend but in terms of Quant specifically, yes, Books or cheap online courses (under $100) are sufficient for most. I am old school so i like paper and lack of distraction/interactivity but others may learn better with web experience. Anyway, MGMAT Quant books are great - there is quite a few of them. The whole complete package will cost ya $120-150 (including verbal ones) and they come with 6 tests if you buy the full package (so just get the full pack).
The only downside of this approach (using MGMAT books) is it is a LOT of material to cover again, so you have to be committed to going through it.
23 May 2017, 18:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Jedimindtricks,
You've described some of your studies and your overall GMAT scores, but before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information about your studies, scores and goals:
Studies:
1) How did you score on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (with the Essay and IR sections)?
3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each of your Official GMATs?
Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
You've described some of your studies and your overall GMAT scores, but before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information about your studies, scores and goals:
Studies:
1) How did you score on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (with the Essay and IR sections)?
3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each of your Official GMATs?
Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
