Last visit was: 20 May 2026, 13:21 It is currently 20 May 2026, 13:21
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
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
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 13 Jun 2010, 02:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I need advice of experienced test takers (i.e., those who have already prepared and taken the GMAT) on the best source of identifying weak areas in both quant and verbal.

The question is not on using an error log but on books/courses that are most representative of the actual GMAT requirements and that are able to test your ability in these areas (at least to some extent).

In order to save OGs for the latter stages of my preparation, I plan to start with Kaplan Premier 2009. Do you think that this source is good enough to identify blind spots and weak areas in both verbal and quant?

If not, what is in your opinion the best way to identify blind spots and weak areas (what courses/books are the best for that)?
User avatar
mohater
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Last visit: 03 Jan 2020
Posts: 1,823
Own Kudos:
1,165
 [1]
Given Kudos: 234
Status:Accepting donations for the mohater MBA debt repayment fund
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Operations, Finance
Schools: Ross '14 (M)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V38
GPA: 3.54
WE:Accounting (Manufacturing)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Ross '14 (M)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V38
Posts: 1,823
Kudos: 1,165
 [1]
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 13 Jun 2010, 04:24
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The best way to identify your weakness is through a diagnostic test and an error log.

You can see the reviews of practice tests here:
all-gmat-cat-practice-tests-links-prices-reviews-77460.html

As for best content, obviously OG is the best since it contains retired GMAT questions. Use the book review thread to determine what other books to purchase:
Overall GMAT books:
best-gmat-books-reviews-recommendations-for-your-prep-77703.html

Math books:
best-gmat-math-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-77291.html

Verbal books:
best-gmat-verbal-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-78094.html


Unless you maintain an error log and note your progress with a diagnostic test and follow up tests, you will be studying blindly (generally). Obviously, you will know some of your weaknesses without any type of practice test or error log.
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 13 Jun 2010, 04:37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
My question is not on how to determine weak areas by using an error log, but whether doing Kaplan 2009 Premiere and the accompanied tests is a good way to spot weak areas? And if it's not, which books/courses would serve the purpose?

I have already read the mentioned threads many times. Also, like I said, I do not want to use OGs (which I know is the most representative source of real GMAT questions) until the latter stages of my preparation.
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 15 Jun 2010, 00:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'll rephrase my question: If I do well or not so well on certain sections of Kaplan, does it imply that my knowledge is sufficient (or not) in the corresponding areas?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 15 Jun 2010, 10:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
username123, actually I haven't started studying Kaplan so I can't comment on it. But after reading various posts, I incline to think that no source except for OG will be a good indicator of your strengths/weaknesses. Which is really a shame.
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 16 Jun 2010, 03:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
The only problem is that MGMAT only give 15 problems at the end of each chapter. If you intend to save OG's, then you will need to combine resources. The hard part is that different companies breakdown math topics in different ways.
Show more

That's exactly the problem. I've done some research and found just very few resources for various parts of the GMAT math and verbal. To combine various materials seems like the only solution but even in this case you don't get that many sample sets.
User avatar
mohater
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Last visit: 03 Jan 2020
Posts: 1,823
Own Kudos:
1,165
Given Kudos: 234
Status:Accepting donations for the mohater MBA debt repayment fund
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Operations, Finance
Schools: Ross '14 (M)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V38
GPA: 3.54
WE:Accounting (Manufacturing)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Ross '14 (M)
GMAT 1: 710 Q48 V38
Posts: 1,823
Kudos: 1,165
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 16 Jun 2010, 03:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You're asking for a magic pill nonameee. If one source + practice tests is enough. It could be enough for you, but for most people who prep, that is not enough.

The point of an error log is to monitor progress over the entire prep process. If you simply look at practice exams w/o monitoring, you can have many false positives or false negatives when reviewing tests (you will not be able to identify flukes very well if you look at instances instead of treads).
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 17 Jun 2010, 06:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
username123, thanks for your the info you provided. Sackmann's material is very unreasonably expensive. Maybe I'll consider getting the LSAT book you mentioned.
User avatar
nonameee
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2010
Last visit: 30 Sep 2013
Posts: 475
Own Kudos:
413
Given Kudos: 7
Posts: 475
Kudos: 413
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 17 Jun 2010, 23:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
And what do you think of this source? Is it good?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
cebenez
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jun 2010
Last visit: 10 Mar 2012
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
22
Posts: 29
Kudos: 22
Experienced GMATers: Need advice on identifying weak areas 19 Jun 2010, 20:48
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You want to identify your weak areas? Take a prep test from Manhattan GMAT website. they offer one free CAT exam. Take it. they also give you an analysis sheet which give you a little picture on how you scored on different concepts of GMAT. Review each question and make honest assessment of your answers.
Moderators:
gchandana
203 posts
MBAACCOUNT2025
General GMAT Forum Moderator
474 posts