GMATT73 wrote:
Max, I am basically in the same boat as you. As a humanities undergrad major, naturally math presents a huge obstacle! I recently purchased the Kaplan Math Workbook and Project GMAT from Veritas. Both are excellent in different ways; Kaplan covers the basics well and PGMAT demystifies Perm/Comb/Stats.
Problem is, I am having a heck of a time crossing the Q40-45 gap (more like a canyon). Perhaps HS Algebra and Geometry texts ARE the best option?? The challenges in this forum are just too darn intimidating, yet it is virtually impossible to break into the 7XX stratosphere without a Q45+.
Please let me know if you come across any great intermediate+ algebra/geom/word problem resources. I doubt there is a PS1000 or DS1000 floating around out there as most members in this forum have exceptionally strong math skills.
Well, I was a finance major, so I did a lot of math that dealt with investing. My basic problem is that I went to a very poor elementary school, where I got straight A's despite the fact that I was never really taught the concepts I needed for middle school. I changed schools in 5th grade and struggled basically until 11th grade in math. My dad had to call to keep me out of the remdial program b/c I did so poorly in 7th grade. I got a great teacher in 11th grade and turned things around, getting an A in that course, and then in 12th grade, and then getting all As in calculus, prob, and stats in college. I'm still pretty good at probability questions when I have time, but my lack of basic upper level math concepts still hurts me a lot.
When I was taking the gmat, there were basically 2 problems. One is when I ran into a question and set it up correctly, but wasn't sure about the math to solve it. The 2nd is when I drew a blank (such as a geometry or word problem) and didn't know how to approach the question. I'd get frustrated and time would just disapear.
I've started looking at some old textbooks and will let you know if I find anything that might help. If you want to learn combination type problems, my HS book "Introduction to Probability" by Markley is pretty good.