GMAT Material - Under budget

Question

Hello,

A collegue and I will be preparing the GMAT exam during the summer. I thought it may be useful to buy the preparation material now with the intention of getting familiar with the exam structure and in the meanwhile, if not do some specific preparation, at least increase my awareness towards details that may result useful for the GMAT exam. E.g. Phrase structures or obtaining the main argument of texts'.
English is not my mother tongue, and considering that even native speakers find it difficult to secure a high score in the verbal section, I understand I will need to put in a fair amount of extra effort in this section if I want to succeed in the GMAT. With no further delay, my questions are the following:

1) Is there going to be a new edition of any of the GMAT Prep packages? From what I've read so far, it seems like the MGMAT is the best preparation package at a reasonable price. To be more exact, of the Manhattan GMAT Set of 8 Strategy Guides.
2) For those who have studied with a partner; do you recommend us to buy two copies of the same book or buy different ones and exchange them?

My idea is to start by acquiring the following :
 - The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition
- Manhattan GMAT Set of 8 Strategy Guides
 
Then take a few mock exams and see in which sections I need to work on the most, and buy some specific material.

P.S. I am in the last year of a bachelor in Business Administration.

Thanks in advance, 
Guillermo.

bartthecartoon · Answer

From what I understand, anyone that takes the GMAT on or after June 5th will be required to take the new integrated reasoning section. You probably want to make sure that this new section is included in whatever materials you purchase.

gjrr4x1 · Answer

That's something I didn't know! Good call! According to the GMAT Website they will add a 30 minute, 12 question section about reasoning. However, the Quant and Verbal will remain the same, so I guess the prep material should be valid.

gjrr4x1 · Answer

Ok, after doing some research I found out that a new edition of Manhattan will be out in April. Since I will definitely take the GMAT after June 5th I will postpone my purchase and buy the new edition as soon as it's available.

Thanks for the info, bartthecartoon.

Thanks for the info,  bartthecartoon .

bb · Answer

Here is something I put a while ago in case you are trying to save money/stay on the cheap side: gmat-prep-on-the-cheap-side-how-to-save-the-most-money-82151.html

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Hi all,

Yes, the test is changing June 5, and yes, we are revising our curriculum in the spring. There will also be a new edition of the Official Guide around the same time.

However, bear in mind that only the first part of the exam is changing. The Analysis of an Issue essay will be removed in favor of the new Integrated Reasoning section.  The rest of the exam will remain exactly the same, and your performance on Integrated Reasoning will not affect your 200-800 score.  So if you're in no hurry to start your preparation, feel free to wait for our new improved books. We have revised and improved numerous aspects of the curriculum, most of which has nothing to do with Integrated Reasoning. Just keep in mind that any prep you do right now will be just as valid on the new test as on the current one. Unless you are staying up nights practicing the Analysis of an Issue essay . . .

gjrr4x1 · Answer

Thanks for the info DmitryFarber,

I will wait until the new MGMAT 8 Book edition is available to buy the material. For now, I have borrowed a version of the "Crack the GMAT 2010" to review basics and after going through it I will take a Practice Test to see what level I'm at.

Best.

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