GMAT PREPARATION

Question

Hello everyone..

I am a beginner and will need your kind suggestions to take my decision.

I am mechanical Engineer (2009 batch) and working in an Automobile from last 5+ years in program management.

If going back to the academic,not very impressive(scored 50% 12th,58% 10th ),Engineering 68%.I would not give any excuses that there were some unavoidable reasons but was just my bad luck.

Finally i have recollected myself last year and earned PMP certification in Aug'15.

I am planning to give GMAT in first week of Aug'16,Need some suggestions how should i go ahead as my past performance is not something which can add much value to my profile,I really need to work hard and score good.

Please suggest me.

Thanks
Neha

AjiteshArun · Answer

Your schools are not going to worry too much about those earlier scores, though they will be interested in how you did when you were in that engineering program. By the way, have you already thought about which schools you want to apply to? That could be a good starting point (it will help you plan for your GMAT). With a target date sometime in August, you do have time to prepare well.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Your best bet is to start off by doing some review, maybe for a week or two, covering some of the GMAT basics and refreshing your memory regarding the question types and how to handle them, Then once you are basically comfortable with the test again, take a GMAT Prep practice test, all four sections, and see how you do.

In doing that you will have generated results that you can use to assess where you stand at this point and what you need to do to hit your target score.

From there, hitting your target score becomes a matter of filling the gap between how your skills are and how they need to be in order to hit that target.

Once you have done that review and taken that practice test you could come back here armed with more information and get some more specific answers regarding how to proceed.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Neha,

It sounds like you're just starting out. Is that true? Have you done any studying so far?

If you're just beginning, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from https://www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a bit of practice first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the general content and question types first, then that's fine - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

With an August Test Date, you have plenty of time to study, but you still need to be efficient with that time. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a high level.

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

Neharair · Answer

First of all i would really like to thank you each one you for your valuable suggestions and giving a positive feedback.

Yes,I have just started and have collected some of the study material(Kaplan,GMAT guides) etc,I am targeting SP JAIN,Mumbai for which as i have gone through some of the feedback need to score at least 650-670(As i do not have any overseas exp anything out of the box achievement).

I am planning to give Exam in Aug'16 first week as interviews start in SP Jain in 3rd week of Aug,want to have my score out before that.

Right now my plan is to refresh my concepts once,give a full length test and reevaluate.

Am i going right or need to change my strategy.

Please suggest.

Thanks
Neha

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Neha,

Given your score goal and timeframe, your plan is absolutely doable. The specific advice that I'll offer will be based on that first FULL-LENGTH CAT score (with the Essay and IR sections), so it's important that you take that CAT sometime soon. Once you have that score result, you should report back here.

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

PavaniRaghunath · Answer

I am also a beginner like Neha. I am in Information Technology field (IT) and have around 3 years of work experience. Going by the available information, it looks like this might be a good time of the year to start.

Can experts recommend some very specific course material that I can start with, to develop the concepts systematically. I used to be decent in Mathematics in school, but it has been many years and my current job does not require any Mathematics "intervention":).

As for English, thankfully my medium of Education has been English, though I have by no means been a voracious reader. So, that might be an issue I think.

If you can direct me to a source with specific study plan, timeline suggestions, and resources for reference, that will be great.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PavaniRaghunath,

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

Hi

Disclaimer: I am not an expert but just want to help a fellow GMATCLUB community member!

From the little I know:-
1) Official questions are like a gold mine. Solve them and learn from them. Analyze even those questions which you have got right. Analyze the wrong options why they were wrong. Maintain an error log.
2) Develop a clear strategy on how to tackle each and every question type. This will help you in saving time.
3) For relaxing yourself try doing some meditation on daily basis and eat very healthy food till exam. Some physical exercise on daily basis should also be helpful. Dont study too much just 1-2 days before the exam.

Wishing you all the very best!! I hope you get your dream score!!

Regards,

Manish

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
Your past exam scores will not be a big game changer if you can score a 700+ in GMAT. Although schools may ask about the marks but it is not an admission criteria. For your Gmat preparation, I would suggest to appear for a Gmatprep test. It will give you your current level and based on that you can start working on your weaknesses. You can study from the Mgmat guides for quant and Verbal. Alternatively you will find lots of resources on Gmatclub. Then you can start solving from the OG. Remember to analyze each question thoroughly. If you have any doubt in the explanations, search the question in the forum and you will find detailed explanations for all questions. Then you can appear for another test and track your progress.
Hope it helps.

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