GMAT NAVIGATOR

Question

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of buying the MGMAT GMAT navigator and I have a couple of questions for the people familiar with the tool, 
1) is the tool really usefull?
2) are the OG questions integrated in the tool or do I have to tag my books along. I have 3 editions of OG, 12, 13 and 14.
I also read somewhere that old editions of the tool did not have explanations for verbal other than SC. Have things changed by now?

Thank you very much.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Icecream87,

Before investing in any new resources, it would be worthwhile to describe your situation in a bit more detail - in that way, we'll have a better idea of what you really need.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What resources have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

4) What is your goal score?
5) When do you plan to apply to Business School?

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

Icecream87 · Answer

Hi Rich, thank you for answering.
1) I started studying mid september, then had a two weeks vacation (vietnam) i had to stop. I just finished the mgmat quant section yesterday. And I have done about 100 OG quant questons so far.
2) My ressources so far: OG 12, 13 and 14 and an additional quand review for GMAC, MGMAT 1-8 and the LSATs LR bible
3) I haven't done a CAT yet, I didn't want to use a test without reviewing all the material first (No idea if that's the good move)
4) I am hoping for a 700+ by march, so I can apply by May, for the class of January 2017 (INSEAD

!)
I can still push my application though if i need more time with my GMAT.

Thanks again for your time

800, impressive!

!) I can still push my application though if i need more time with my GMAT. Thanks again for your time 800, impressive!

Icecream87 · Answer

I just finished my first Quant, a test from Gmat club, i bought 6 months, I got Q39 (I have issues with combinatorics and probabilities). I will take a verbal test later.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Icecream87,

You've given yourself plenty of time to prepare for the GMAT, which is good. Now you just have to proceed in a strategic fashion.

Taking FULL-LENGTH CATs (including the Essay and IR sections) at regular intervals is an important part of the overall study process. While there are probably some content areas that you are not completely comfortable with yet, it's still important to establish a 'baseline' CAT score so that we can assess your strengths and weaknesses AND have a basis for comparison as you continue to study. As such, you should plan to take a FULL CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend). While the ClubTests are a useful practice tool, taking a one section Test is not the same as taking the FULL Exam under realistic and test-like conditions. Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can talk through your study options.

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

Dondarrion · Answer

I did not like the Navigator. It is a great idea but the software is clunky and limited.

You could use an excel spreadsheet + timer and have the exact same effect.

Icecream87 · Answer

Hi Rich, thank you. I will take one this weekend and get back to you.

Icecream87 · Answer

Thanks for the info Dondarrion,

I didn't may reviews on the tool so I wasn't sure what to do. I guess now I know, I won't be buying it.

Icecream87 · Answer

Hi Rich, so as promised I did a full CAT from MGMAT, and I pretty much bombed it. 
I got 590, Q40/V30
Although I am not surprised by the Verbal, I haven’t studied it yet. My quant note is a bummer. I didn't have time to finish, so I guessed my way through the 7-8 last questions. What study plan would you suggest for my hopeless case?
thank you again

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Icecream87,

A 590 is a solid score for your first CAT (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years), so you shouldn't consider your situation hopeless. You also still have plenty of time to study before you plan to take the Official GMAT, so I think that you have a good chance to hit your score goals.

From here, you can choose how you want to proceed. If you'd like to continue working on your own, then you can study as you choose. You should then plan to take a FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) in 2-3 weeks and we can track your progress. If you're improving, then it won't be hard to spot it. If not, then we come up with a more formal, organized study plan. If you'd rather start off with that plan in place, then you would likely benefit from investing in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

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

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

Icecream87 · Answer

Thanks for your answer Rich, it is rather reassuring. Isn't it true though that most of the people do close to zero quand review before doing their first CAT? As such, isn't the first score skewed by this?
Otherwise do you think its time to start working on my verbal or should I give myself additional practice in quant and try to hit the Q44s before moving on?
Thanks alot

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Icecream87,

While the first CAT score can sometimes make CAT-takers a bit unhappy, I wouldn't call the score 'skewed' - it's the score that they earned with the skills that they had at that time. That score IS important though - it points out some of the CAT-takers natural strengths and weaknesses and provides a basis for comparison (for later CATs).

I mentioned in my prior post how you have the benefits of plenty of study time - if you're not sure how best to proceed at this point, then you can opt for either of the options that I mentioned (study as you see fit - choose your own categories and get to work OR adopt a more Course-centric Study Plan). Taking that NEXT CAT (in 2-3 weeks) is essential though - it'll help to determine whether 'your way' of studying is leading to improvement or not.

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

Icecream87 · Answer

Thanks Rich, 
I will do another CAT in 2 weeks. Hopefully by then I would have finished Verbal

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