NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 06:45 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 06:45
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Dumb as a box of rocks, help??

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
User avatar
GmatFear
Intern
Intern
Joined: 30 Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 11:06
Well I took the gmat today and got a whopping 250. Receiving this score is probably one of the most painful things to experience when my other friends can study for a couple days and pull a 550.

I honestly feel like I'm a moron when it comes to this material, granted I studied off/on for a week then everyday the following week, but even when I go through a problem then move on to the next I'm instantly lost, like a deer in headlights. I barely know where to start and then I always get lost in the words especially in the quant section.

The score I need is at least a 500 but to me this seems nearly impossible. I read through the quant section of the Kaplan prep book and was still lost when it come to problems. The only ones I can really solve are algebra related ones, that do not include a bunch of descriptions in them.

I'm thinking of buying the Gmat official guide and going through that to see if it helps for the next exam I take. I really do not want to buy the classroom packages because I'm not looking to score in the 600's or above. I was also using the gmatprepnow online program but I feel that really didn't help.

Any suggestions would greatly help me out, as I'm at a all time low right now.
User avatar
L
bb
Founder
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Posts: 37301
Own Kudos [?]: 72866 [0]
Given Kudos: 18857
Location: United States (WA)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User CAT Tests Forum Quiz Mode
Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 11:10
Expert Reply
You took the real GMAT? Without any prep?


PS. Catchy title :wink:
User avatar
GmatFear
Intern
Intern
Joined: 30 Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 11:20
I studied roughly a month but it was off/on, until this last week where I spent about 4-5hours each day. First I used the Gmatprepnow online program, and then used a kaplan book (it was a 2012 edition).

This was all focusing on the quant section because our school really pushes for that. Honestly even studying for that much I thought I'd be able to see a problem and be able to know what to do but generally every problem I see I'm lost.

I'm not sure what the best approach for me is, when I go through practice problems I understand how to go about solution them but I cannot reciprocate that same logic to other problems I just get lost.

haha thank you, although it's exactly how I feel right now
User avatar
L
bb
Founder
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Posts: 37301
Own Kudos [?]: 72866 [0]
Given Kudos: 18857
Location: United States (WA)
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User CAT Tests Forum Quiz Mode
Re: Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 11:28
Expert Reply
Sorry for all the questions - you took any practice tests? Have you had a chance before taking the real test?
I think you may need to start with MGMAT Math Foundations and MGMAT Verbal Foundations books - those are good at plugging in holes that were created in high school when some of us took shortcuts and did not pay attention or simply forgot most of it. I would recommend those 2 books and spending a month or two with them (not more than that). You should get to 400-500 level....

FYI - 550 is 50th percentile, so that's average, at the same time means that half the people scored less. It is not a very easy score though many seem to chase the 700's.
User avatar
GmatFear
Intern
Intern
Joined: 30 Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 11:47
bb wrote:
Sorry for all the questions - you took any practice tests? Have you had a chance before taking the real test?
I think you may need to start with MGMAT Math Foundations and MGMAT Verbal Foundations books - those are good at plugging in holes that were created in high school when some of us took shortcuts and did not pay attention or simply forgot most of it. I would recommend those 2 books and spending a month or two with them (not more than that). You should get to 400-500 level....

FYI - 550 is 50th percentile, so that's average, at the same time means that half the people scored less. It is not a very easy score though many seem to chase the 700's.


I have no problem answering any questions, as this is helpful for me.

Yes the first practice test I took was one from kaplan that was held on campus grounds, I received a 460 on this test. The thing is I didn't study at all and just went in blindly and received that score. The next one I took was from the Gmat website when I purchased the exam test date, I mainly focused on the quant section here and just put answers in for the verbal section. (22Q 10th percentile)

On the exam for the last quant question I may missed the last question I wasn't 100% that when I submitted the answer it went through as time was about up.

Thanks for recommending those books, what kind of interval would you recommend studying in (2hours a day, 4hours a day weekend off, etc...) I just want to feel comfortable approaching a problem and knowing what to do instead of feeling lost. Should I transition into the official guide from here?
User avatar
GmatFear
Intern
Intern
Joined: 30 Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Own Kudos [?]: [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 15:44
Since I'm aiming for a score near 550 (assume 600 on prep tests), what additional books or book would you guys recommend? Per bb I've just bought the MGMAT fundamental books (Math and Verbal) and I'll use them to get a solid base on the basics. Is there a specific book that you guys feel addresses this range?

Thanks
User avatar
L
KarishmaB
Tutor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 14817
Own Kudos [?]: 64894 [0]
Given Kudos: 426
Location: Pune, India
Send PM
Re: Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink] New post   30 Jul 2014, 21:01
Expert Reply
GmatFear wrote:
Since I'm aiming for a score near 550 (assume 600 on prep tests), what additional books or book would you guys recommend? Per bb I've just bought the MGMAT fundamental books (Math and Verbal) and I'll use them to get a solid base on the basics. Is there a specific book that you guys feel addresses this range?

Thanks


I think you will need a thorough review from your high school Math books before you do any GMAT specific material. Go through Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry from high school books. Review how to handle fractions, decimals, ratios, quadratics etc. After that, go through a complete set of GMAT Quant curriculum. If you are ready to put in the effort, 550 should not be hard.
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Dumb as a box of rocks, help?? [#permalink]
30 Jul 2014, 21:01

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions