GMAT help - I have no idea where to start

Question

Hello Everyone,

I am just having a hard time on where to start with GMAT Prep. I found some excellent self-study programs, but I don't know what one to choose (Magoosh, Math Revolution, Veritas.. I am open to others). I have tried to do a few practice tests to see where my score is but at some points I have no idea what the question is asking and I would end up rushing throw them and scoring 200 to 320. I don't know where to start and how... If someone can please help me

Thanks,

Dragonmaster

Wildflower · Answer

Hi, Dragonmaster248 ! Welcome to the GMATclub! This link will help you select a course -- https://gmatclub.com/reviews/gmat_courses?fl=menu -- these reviews should help you make a decision. To know more about courses, check out the marketplace -- https://gmatclub.com/reviews/gmat_courses?fl=menu Suggestion: You will receive a lot more replies/suggestions if you could add details about what books you're currently using; if you've taken a diagnostic test or not -- if so, what is it, etc. Hope this helps!

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
The courses that you mentioned are good and have good reviews on Gmatclub. Apart from these, you may also try Empowergmat, Egmat, Economist gmat. But make sure to take a free trial before you enroll for any course to see whether you are comfortable with the course material or not. Apart from this, if you are interested in self study then you can go for the Mgmat guides. They are comprehensive and cover all topics of the Gmat. After going through the Mgmat you can start practicing in a timed manner from the OG.
Hope it helps.

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi Dragonmaster248, Welcome to GMATCLUB. You should dedicate 4 months to study for GMAT. You should start by giving a GMAT Mock once. You can then know your weaknesses and work on them. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for 4 months, you are sure to achieve your goal. I believe you may benefit from taking a GMATPREP course. If you are willing, there are some great GMAT prep companies that can help you with your preparation. In order to make an informed decision I would highly encourage you to go to their websites and try on their free trial and decide for yourself which one do you like better. You try out free access to EmpowerGMAT, Magoosh and Optimus Prep as they have great reviews on GMATCLUB. Also for verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can easily track your progress in that you can identify your strengths and analyze and improve on your weak areas. You can also try out the MGMAT guides they are phenomenal and cover the entire syllabus really well. MGMAT foundation of GMAT Quant anf foundation of GMAT verbal will particularly help you solidify your base. I must add that if you are particularly looking to discover and improve on your weak areas in Quant; a subscription to GMATCLUB tests is the best way to do that. They are indeed phenomenal and will not only pinpoint your weak areas but also help you improve on them. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase the latest version of OG and the verbal review for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... 68383.html Lastly, you can check out a very interesting article by Mike McGarry from Magoosh detailing a 3 month study plan https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... -students/. You will find it very helpful as it gives out a study plan as per your needs. Hope this helps. All the best.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dragonmaster248,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials - if any - have you used so far?
3) You mentioned taking a few practice CAT tests. How along ago did you take those CATs?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Dragonmaster248 · Answer

Thank you everyone for the help.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?

I am planning to study for 2months plus

2) What study materials - if any - have you used so far?

So far I am using the free trails to see what program I like the best ((Magoosh, Math Revolution, Veritas)

3) You mentioned taking a few practice CAT tests. How along ago did you take those CATs?

I believe it was three or four months ago.. I rushed it and finished it in 45mins. At that point I had no idea where the questions asking.

Goals:

4) What is your goal score?

My goal score would be 640+

5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

I am planning to take the GMAT in June.

6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

I am planning to apply to school in Ontario, Canada.

7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management
York University - Schulich School of Business
Brock University - Goodman School of Business
Wilfrid Laurier University

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Best Books

For Concept Learning

Manhattan Quant Guides
Manhattan Verbal Guides
For CR: The Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
For RC: Aristotle RC Grail

For Pratice

The Official Guide for GMAT 2015-18
The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2015-18
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2015-18

You can start with Quant or Verbal which suits you. If you have started with Quant then Start with the Arithmetic but if started with verbal then start first with Sentence correction. One month for learning Quant concepts and one month for practicing question and same practice for Verbal. During you Practicing question don't forget to make an error log to track your weak areas after practice. Once you know your weak areas revise your Concepts related to those areas and do some more Practice. 6-8 CATs are enough for practice the real tests. Make your Stamina for sitting 3 hours in the test and don't study more than 2 hours in one sit and 4 hours per day

Top CATs for Practice

1. Official GMAC CATs
2. Manhattan CATs
3. Kaplan CATs
4. GMAT Club Quant CATs

Good Luck

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dragonmaster248,

Earlier this month, GMAC made a formal announcement defining some changes that will be taking place to the format of the Official GMAT (which began April 16, 2018). These changes primarily impact the overall length of the Exam (meaning the number of questions in the Quant and Verbal sections as well as the amount of time that you’ll have to complete each of those two sections). In theory, a shorter Exam could make it easier for a well-prepared Test Taker to score higher. Unfortunately, Official practice CATs in the new 'format' don't exist yet - but they should become available in the next week - so you should plan to take one once they are available (so that we can get a better sense of how you perform under these new conditions).

Given your prior CAT results - and your Goal Score - you will likely need at least 3 months of consistent, guided study to get to that level. Thus, you might need to consider pushing back your planned Test Date. When you take that new CAT, you should make sure to take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

Dragonmaster248 · Answer

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the help. I wrote the practice test and scored 380 (:S). Once again I started to rush the thru the questions and finished the test within an hour... I had no idea what the questions were asked in the Verbal and Quantitative. I believe I am extremely lost and don't know where to start...

I am planning to purchase the math revolution, and also I am reviewing Magoosh, Veritas Prep and e-gmat (I don't know which one to buy)

I have always done well in school, so this is a first for me....

I dont know what to do.. and where to start...

Any tips you guys have will help..

Thanks..

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dragonmaster248,

Based on everything that you have described, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led), so you should plan to look into the available options. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

GMAT help - I have no idea where to start

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