Forum Home > GMAT > Quantitative > Problem Solving (PS)
Events & Promotions
|
|
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
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Dec 1410:00 AM EST
-12:00 PM EST
Think a 100% GMAT Verbal score is out of your reach? Target Test Prep will make you think again! Our course uses techniques such as topical study and spaced repetition to maximize knowledge retention and make studying simple and fun.
Dec 1411:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this session to learn how to Deconstruct arguments, Pre-Think Author’s Assumptions, and apply Negation Test.- Dec 15
11:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease. 
Dec 1608:00 AM PST
-11:59 PM PST
GMAT Club 12 Days of Christmas is a 4th Annual GMAT Club Winter Competition based on solving questions. This is the Winter GMAT competition on GMAT Club with an amazing opportunity to win over $40,000 worth of prizes!- Dec 17
09:00 AM PST
-10:00 AM PST
Join Manhattan Prep instructor Whitney Garner for a fun—and thorough—review of logic-based (non-math) problems, with a particular emphasis on Data Sufficiency and Two-Parts. - Dec 18
10:00 AM PST
-11:00 AM PST
Here is the essential guide to securing scholarships as an MBA student! In this video, we explore the various types of scholarships available, including need-based and merit-based options.
rounder
Joined: 26 Jan 2016
Last visit: 13 Dec 2024
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 22
Location: United States (SD)
Schools: Harvard '23
GPA: 3.9
WE:Management Consulting (Finance: Investment Banking)
29 Nov 2016, 10:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello everyone,
Before I would dive in, I just want to say thank you to the community in this forum. I signed up for the site a while ago and never really utilized it, but as my test date was approaching I started to realize what an arsenal of information the site actually is (probably a little too late) and it has made an incredible impact on my GMAT experience in a very short time period.
Purpose: I am looking for advice from the GMATClub community on threads that they've found most effective in studying for the GMAT. Below, I've listed a few details about myself, including my scores and materials at my disposal. I came to the party late, in regards to GMATClub, and I want to make the best use of the forum as I approach my next test day. Are there any threads that would help cater to my situation as a college senior? What strategies would you recommend in trying to take a more structured approach, rather than the spontaneous approach that led to my first score? Based on my GMAT score, what strategies or threads would be best to read that were effective for you, or maybe helped you conquer a similar situation?
My target score is 720+.
My story: I am a college senior, majoring in Finance and Political Science, at a public state institution. I am the type of person that has always done well, almost naturally, in school. I'll graduate with a 3.9+ GPA. I have accepted a job and will work 2-3 years before attending business school.
My short-term targets: I am aiming to be accepted by two separate deferment programs in the Harvard 2+2 and Stanford. These are obviously VERY lofty goals, but I believe that anything that's worth doing should be difficult.
The GMAT: In early August of this year, I decided that taking the GMAT would be a good decision. I figured that taking the GMAT while I was still in college would be the most efficient use of my time, given that my senior year isn't that difficult. It was a very spontaneous decision and I think my entire test approach reflected the lack of preparation and structure that I wasn't aware the GMAT deserved. On August 17th, 2016, I took my first GMAT Prep Software exam. Yesterday, November 28th, I took my first GMAT. I have not set a retake date, and would love advice about what I should do to prep for my next attempt.
Scores (studying August to November, but mostly in November):
GMAT Prep Software - 480 (28th percentile) - Q32, V24, IR2
MPrep CAT1 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 38Q, 32V
MPrep CAT2 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 37Q, 33V
GMAT Prep Software - 600 (62nd percentile) - Q37, V34, IR7
GMAT Attempt #1 - 620 (66th percentile) - Q44, V31, IR7
Materials:
I made the most use out of the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guides. I did not utilize the other materials as much, as I was trying to build a foundation for what knowledge is on the GMAT. One flaw for my score may be that I did not do enough practice problems. I also struggled in my attempt to study verbal, although I am a native english speaker. I thought it would be easy, but it obviously was not. Overall, I did not have a plan and I think that my score suffered because of that.
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- Kaplan GMAT Premier 2016 with 6 Practice Tests: Book + Online + DVD + Mobile (Kaplan Test Prep)
- The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
- Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set (Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides)
Any advice that the community has for me would be greatly appreciated.
Before I would dive in, I just want to say thank you to the community in this forum. I signed up for the site a while ago and never really utilized it, but as my test date was approaching I started to realize what an arsenal of information the site actually is (probably a little too late) and it has made an incredible impact on my GMAT experience in a very short time period.
Purpose: I am looking for advice from the GMATClub community on threads that they've found most effective in studying for the GMAT. Below, I've listed a few details about myself, including my scores and materials at my disposal. I came to the party late, in regards to GMATClub, and I want to make the best use of the forum as I approach my next test day. Are there any threads that would help cater to my situation as a college senior? What strategies would you recommend in trying to take a more structured approach, rather than the spontaneous approach that led to my first score? Based on my GMAT score, what strategies or threads would be best to read that were effective for you, or maybe helped you conquer a similar situation?
My target score is 720+.
My story: I am a college senior, majoring in Finance and Political Science, at a public state institution. I am the type of person that has always done well, almost naturally, in school. I'll graduate with a 3.9+ GPA. I have accepted a job and will work 2-3 years before attending business school.
My short-term targets: I am aiming to be accepted by two separate deferment programs in the Harvard 2+2 and Stanford. These are obviously VERY lofty goals, but I believe that anything that's worth doing should be difficult.
The GMAT: In early August of this year, I decided that taking the GMAT would be a good decision. I figured that taking the GMAT while I was still in college would be the most efficient use of my time, given that my senior year isn't that difficult. It was a very spontaneous decision and I think my entire test approach reflected the lack of preparation and structure that I wasn't aware the GMAT deserved. On August 17th, 2016, I took my first GMAT Prep Software exam. Yesterday, November 28th, I took my first GMAT. I have not set a retake date, and would love advice about what I should do to prep for my next attempt.
Scores (studying August to November, but mostly in November):
GMAT Prep Software - 480 (28th percentile) - Q32, V24, IR2
MPrep CAT1 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 38Q, 32V
MPrep CAT2 - 580 (52nd percentile) - 37Q, 33V
GMAT Prep Software - 600 (62nd percentile) - Q37, V34, IR7
GMAT Attempt #1 - 620 (66th percentile) - Q44, V31, IR7
Materials:
I made the most use out of the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guides. I did not utilize the other materials as much, as I was trying to build a foundation for what knowledge is on the GMAT. One flaw for my score may be that I did not do enough practice problems. I also struggled in my attempt to study verbal, although I am a native english speaker. I thought it would be easy, but it obviously was not. Overall, I did not have a plan and I think that my score suffered because of that.
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2016 with Online Question Bank and Exclusive Video
- Kaplan GMAT Premier 2016 with 6 Practice Tests: Book + Online + DVD + Mobile (Kaplan Test Prep)
- The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
- Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set (Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides)
Any advice that the community has for me would be greatly appreciated.
29 Nov 2016, 12:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi dsantjer,
To start, you've made some really nice improvements to your score so far (raising your score 140 points is a significant achievement).
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your last few CAT scores, along with your Official GMAT Score, show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and it's possible that this has happened to you. Thankfully, you still have plenty of time to study and improve. With this next round of studies, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book resources. With your score goal, you will likely need at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to get up to that level - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections.
1) How many hours do you think you can study each week going forward?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
To start, you've made some really nice improvements to your score so far (raising your score 140 points is a significant achievement).
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your last few CAT scores, along with your Official GMAT Score, show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and it's possible that this has happened to you. Thankfully, you still have plenty of time to study and improve. With this next round of studies, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book resources. With your score goal, you will likely need at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to get up to that level - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections.
1) How many hours do you think you can study each week going forward?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
rounder
Joined: 26 Jan 2016
Last visit: 13 Dec 2024
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 22
Location: United States (SD)
Schools: Harvard '23
GPA: 3.9
WE:Management Consulting (Finance: Investment Banking)
29 Nov 2016, 15:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi dsantjer,
To start, you've made some really nice improvements to your score so far (raising your score 140 points is a significant achievement).
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your last few CAT scores, along with your Official GMAT Score, show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and it's possible that this has happened to you. Thankfully, you still have plenty of time to study and improve. With this next round of studies, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book resources. With your score goal, you will likely need at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to get up to that level - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections.
1) How many hours do you think you can study each week going forward?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
To start, you've made some really nice improvements to your score so far (raising your score 140 points is a significant achievement).
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your last few CAT scores, along with your Official GMAT Score, show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and it's possible that this has happened to you. Thankfully, you still have plenty of time to study and improve. With this next round of studies, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in some new, non-book resources. With your score goal, you will likely need at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to get up to that level - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections.
1) How many hours do you think you can study each week going forward?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Hi Rich,
My tentative plan was to start studying around mid-December so that I can pay attention to my last two weeks of school this semester. Once they are over, I have free reign up until mid-January. So, for about a month, I can study about as much as I'd need to. From mid-January into late-February I'd be able to put in probably 15-20 hours a week. I was hoping that I'd be ready to take another stab at the GMAT by the end of February.
