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Anshulmodi
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... Updated on: 05 Oct 2013, 09:59
Originally posted by Anshulmodi on 04 Oct 2013, 14:19.
Last edited by Anshulmodi on 05 Oct 2013, 09:59, edited 3 times in total.
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Hi There Everyone,

I just started with my GMAT preparations from 1st October and I am planning to give the exams in mid January.

After some extensive research over the Gmat club topics regarding the prep books that i should refer to or start with for my long GMAT journey. I decided on using the following books for my preparations for GMAT:

Must Have Book :

The Official Guide for GMAT Review - 13th Edition

Verbal :

Foundations of GMAT Verbal Edition - Manhattan

Sentence Correction - MGMAT CR
Reading Comprehension - MGMAT RC
Critical Reasoning - Powerscore CR

The Official Guide for GMAT® Verbal Review, 2nd Edition (will buy it after completing with the above mentioned books)

Quant :

Foundations of GMAT Math 5th Edition - Manhattan

OR

The GMAT Club Math Book (Free for GMAT Club Member)

Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GMAT Strategy Guide - Manhattan
Algebra GMAT Strategy Guide - Manhattan
Word Problems GMAT Strategy Guide - Manhattan
Geometry GMAT Strategy Guide - Manhattan
Number Properties GMAT Strategy Guide - Manhattan

The Official Guide for GMAT® Quantitative Review, 2nd Edition (will buy it after completing with the above mentioned books)

Integrated Reasoning :

The CD received with the The Official Guide for GMAT Review - 13th Edition has IR Q's
Will refer to posts regarding IR that are available on GMAT Club.

Tests/Question Packs :

The 6 free online tests that I will receive with the purchase of MGMAT Books.
2 Practice test available on GMAT Prep Software + 2 more can be accessible by installing earlier version of GMAT Power Prep (The links on how to get those are available in the gc forums)
Diagnostic Test available on The Official Guide for GMAT Review - 13th Edition & on GMAT Club.
Other free test and question banks available on different websites.
GMAT Prep Exam Pack 1 (If I feel the need for that)

Highlights :

I Took GMAT Practice Test (GMAT Prep Software) on 3rd October 2013

Total Score - 430 :(
Quantitative - Q18 | 16th Percentile
Verbal - V31 | 26th Percentile

I have just started with my journey and thought of taking the practice test to know my level (which is not so good according to me). I am planning for a score around or above 680.

I am not a native english speaker and I am little weak in quant as my academics or work did not require that.


I have 3 questions regarding the above post:

1. Are the the prep books that I have selected for GMAT are covering all my needs to reach 680+ score ?

2. The timeline that i am planning (October Start to January Mid) is enough to get thorough with the above mentioned books and GMAT as a whole to get a good score?

3. Regarding the prep books for Quant that I am planning to start with, I am confused between :

Foundations of GMAT Math 5th Edition - Manhattan
or
The GMAT Club Math Book (Free for GMAT Club Member)

I searched for posts relating to distinction between them but I didn't find any.

It would be an immense help to get answers to these questions.


Thanks and Regards,

Anshul
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prateekbhatt
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 05 Oct 2013, 07:45
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Anshulmodi



I have 3 questions regarding the above post:

1. Are the the prep books that I have selected for GMAT are covering all my needs to reach 680+ score ? Yes you chosen prep books are enough to get that score.

2. The timeline that i am planning (October Start to January Mid) is enough to get thorough with the above mentioned books and GMAT as a whole to get a good score? Sufficient (Though you have to study productively).

3. Regarding the prep books for Quant that I am planning to start with, I am confused between :

Foundations of GMAT Math 5th Edition - Manhattan (start with the foundation, it will help you to clear the rusty quant portions)
or
The GMAT Club Math Book (Free for GMAT Club Member)

I searched for posts relating to distinction between them but I didn't find any.

It would be an immense help to get answers to these questions.


Thanks and Regards,

Anshul
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Looks like you have extracted the juice out of GC club :lol:

ATB
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Anshulmodi
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 05 Oct 2013, 10:03
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Yes I actually did :lol:

I would love if you could answer my questions

Thanks anyways,

Anshul
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 05 Oct 2013, 10:49
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Anshulmodi
Yes I actually did :lol:

I would love if you could answer my questions

Thanks anyways,

Anshul
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Check the bold part in my earlier post.
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Anshulmodi
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 05 Oct 2013, 11:38
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Hey sorry I missed that.

Many Thanks.

Will start with the foundations tomorrow itself.
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 06 Oct 2013, 08:50
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Great Research work done!!

Bottom Line: these books are TO BE PRACTICED FOR ONE TO GET A GOOD SCORE IN GMAT.
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 14 Oct 2013, 20:38
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Hi Anshul,

I really appreciate the elaborate research that you have put in. Study material that you have listed is more than sufficient for GMAT preparation. What you need to do now is plan and prioritize. Given that you have just about 3 months, you may not be able to finish all material that you have listed here.you may end up giving more time to topics you begin with and may rush to finish other topics later on.

My advice will be to choose only one theory book/any coaching material each for verbal and quants to learn concepts, solve OG 13th edition in full and go with 6 Manhattan mock tests and 2 gmatprep mock tests. Thoroughly learn and analysis this material. If time permits than only go for any additional material.

And not to forget, being regular in your study for next 3 months is the key.

You may also download this GMAT Test tool https://bit.ly/TZTs51 to gauge your preparation.

Let me know if you need to know more. Will be glad to help you.

Cheers!
Neha Singh
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Anshulmodi
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 14 Oct 2013, 23:47
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Hi Neha,

Thank you for the advice and for the link of GMAT Test tool.

I would like to mention that I don't have a stringent timeline for the prep. I can give in a month or two more for that matter if I feel the need for it. But i want to get the best score in my 1st shot as I am not planning on retaking it (as of now :lol: )

I plan to finish off with both of the Manhattan Foundation Books by end of October + The online question banks on Manhattan website.
(I am not finding the Math Foundation book that helpful as 80% of the concepts were already known to me. But still it was a quick recap)

Reading of Newspapers and Novel (Currently Reading - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck) is done on regular basis to be more thorough in Vocabulary and English Language as a whole.

After completing with my Foundation Books + Online Question Banks + Vocab List & R.C Idioms in Manhattan Verbal Foundation Book..........I am planning to take a full practice test (1 from the 6 online test by Manhattan) in November 1st week to see what is the improvement in my prep.

Should I also solve the whole of OG book than take the test or should I just take one in November 1st week to check the level ?

Will I be able to solve 80-90% of questions in OG book after completing with both of the Foundation Book or should I also complete few or all of the Manhattan supplement guides and than jump to OG directly?
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GMAT Prep books to go from 400's to 680+ in 3 months... 18 Nov 2013, 23:27
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Hi Anshul,

Sorry could not reply earlier. it's mid November and I guess you are done with foundation books. My suggestion for you is to give more and more full length tests now..secondly, solve OG completely if not done so far. If you face issues in any particular question types, go back to basics in that area..questions in OG are mostly arranged in increasing order of difficulty, so even if you are short of time,go with solving last 30% or 40% OG questions.

Let me know if you need any assistance. For online GMAT preparation visit https://bit.ly/XKxOPd

Cheers!
Neha Singh
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