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bb
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RN091991
Hi all,

i'm in a different position than most of you. For the university i'm applying for, I need to get a minimum score of 550.

I want to do the GMAT at the 30st of December. In the next 4 weeks I can spend two days for studying, and I can follow four lectures in these 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks I have 7 days left to prepare the GMAT.

Because it's hard for me to find people with experience on this matter, I would like your advice.
So do you think that 72 hours in the next 4 weeks + 50 hours in 1 week is enough to score 550 on the GMAT?

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

With only a month to go, forget about watching any lectures. Just grab all the mock tests available in the market and start attempting them one by one. However, please note that more than giving the mock test, what is important is how much time you spend in analyzing your performance in the same. Typically if you spend 2 hours on a mock test, spend atleast 4-5 hours in analyzing your performance in the same. Go through each and every question, spend as much time as you want on each one of them. Try to figure out a better, smarter and a faster way to do the same question. Take a note of all the points and make sure you try them all in your next mock test. Keep doing this consistently and you will see your score going up.

A score of 550+ in GMAT is not difficult provided you are well versed with your basics, have identified your strong and weak areas and can adopt the above strategy as a part of your preparation. With 72 hours in 4 weeks, it gives you 18 hours in 1 week and assuming you will study for all 7 days, it leaves you 2.5 hours per day. Assuming your basics are in place, this is good enough time to prepare well considering your target score of 550. Hoping that you can spend more time during weekends, it gives you enough time. Just believe in yourself and go for the kill.

Wish you all the best. If you have any other queries regarding gmat, please do let us know and we would be happy to guide.
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hi bb,

I have written the GMAT once in September. Scored a 710. Planning to improve it by writing it up again in November.
The problem is that I have exhausted almost every good content in the market - OGs, Powerscore CR, MGMAT Guides, 1000 SC.


I plan to write 10 tests in this period - 6 Sim tests by Economist, 1 GMAT prep, 2 MGMAT and 1 Veritas Prep. I have a OG 12 and that I would finish. I need three books (one each for SC, CR & RC) or one big verbal resource (practice books, no concepts) - which I can use in sync with my economist course & test! Can you suggest something?
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I have a strange issue. When I work normally on weekdays and weekends I get most of the questions right.
But when I give the exams I make silly mistakes.Though I don't repeat the same mistakes I had done earlier but I do new set of mistakes.

Is giving more tests going to help me.

bb
thescrappyone
BB,

Just wondering, why do you recommend tackling SC first? I'm actually debating right now whether to go through the Powersore CR or the Manhattan SC book first, since both will cover the last half of my prep. I was planning on tackling SC last so that the rules will be fresher in my memory. Thanks!

Good question - it does not matter which section per se you start with.
What matters is that You tackle the EASIEST section first and then dedicate the remaining time to the one you have the most issues with.

SC was the easiest for me, then CR, and RC was the hardest, so my "recommendation" follows that path.
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mathurvarun
I have a strange issue. When I work normally on weekdays and weekends I get most of the questions right.
But when I give the exams I make silly mistakes.Though I don't repeat the same mistakes I had done earlier but I do new set of mistakes.

Is giving more tests going to help me.

bb
thescrappyone
BB,

Just wondering, why do you recommend tackling SC first? I'm actually debating right now whether to go through the Powersore CR or the Manhattan SC book first, since both will cover the last half of my prep. I was planning on tackling SC last so that the rules will be fresher in my memory. Thanks!

Good question - it does not matter which section per se you start with.
What matters is that You tackle the EASIEST section first and then dedicate the remaining time to the one you have the most issues with.

SC was the easiest for me, then CR, and RC was the hardest, so my "recommendation" follows that path.

Hi,

Giving more tests is definitely helpful. Now, the key is that whenever you give a a practice test, spend more time in analysing the same than in giving it. Typically, if you spend 2 hours in taking the mock test, spend at least 4-5 hours in analysing your performance. Go over each and every question and find out better, smarter and faster way to do each and every question. Take a note of all the points and then apply the same in the next test.
Keep doing this consistently and hopefully you will see the desired results coming in soon.
Wish you the best.
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I am starting off with my GMAT journey from today. For the past 5.5yrs I have been focused on my work and have been completely out of touch from academics. I took a raw diagnostic test without any prep with GMATPrep free software and scored a 540 (Q39; V25). I want to improve my score and time is not a constraint, I can attempt the test anytime in 2015. What should be the ideal approach for me and target test date? Many of you have suggested spreading the study schedule too much is not recommended, so I want to prepare a study plan accordingly.

Will 700+ from here be a realistic target?
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Hi friends,

Hope you all are doing well. I am just starting out with my GMAT preparations and have some doubts on how to start the prep.

Let me know if this thread is not the right place to put my questions, and i would delete/move it to some other thread.

I have 'The Official Guide to GMAT Review 2015', 'Veritas Prep GMAT Lesson Books' and 'Manhattan GMAT set of 8 Strategies' ( I have the 2014 version of these books as I got them from a friend).

1. Are the above books sufficient for the preparation? If not, please suggest which material should I buy to complete the study materials package.
2. How should I start from the above set. As far as I could make out, the Official Guide doesnt have the theory for maths and english. It just has introductions and then directly questions.
3. I think i would need more attention to English/Verbal section. Which one out of Veritas or Manhattan is better for Verbal? Is there any other book which is specifically good for Verbal section which I should refer?

Finally, I work in financial advisory area and have to spend around 12-14 hours a day at office. Any tips on how can i plan my study schedule with my office commitments?

Thanks a lot for helping!!
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Diagnostic Test Result
PS,DS, CR: Excellent
RC: Above Average
SC: Average
I am having trouble with SC as i am not a native English speaker,

I need someone to review the GMAT study plan I have decide for myself.

Month 1:
I plan on studying verbal ability for 15 days from MGMAT, then the next 15 days studying Quant(& IR) from MGMAT while practicing verbal from Gmatclub/e-gmat.

Month 2:
During Month 2, the first fortnight I will solve all 3 OGs and then after that I will start giving 2 tests every week and practice from possible online sources.

Month 3:
I am keeping the last month for doing the OGs once again, reviewing error log and continue giving 2 tests a week till the last week when I will giving GMAT.

Should I also consider writing 3-4 every week for AWA?

I am not working (graduate student) so I have ample time every day so I should be able to study 25-30 hours a week. Is the plan stated above feasible?

Please advice what should I do.

Thanks :)
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Hi Priyanshu

I read your post in connection with your prep of GMAT.

May i know which colleges you are aiming?

Your preparation schedule seems fine but i would suggest you to give one month per subject like one month for verbal and one month for quant instead of giving 15 days each to both the subjects.











priyanshu2808
Diagnostic Test Result
PS,DS, CR: Excellent
RC: Above Average
SC: Average
I am having trouble with SC as i am not a native English speaker,

I need someone to review the GMAT study plan I have decide for myself.

Month 1:
I plan on studying verbal ability for 15 days from MGMAT, then the next 15 days studying Quant(& IR) from MGMAT while practicing verbal from Gmatclub/e-gmat.

Month 2:
During Month 2, the first fortnight I will solve all 3 OGs and then after that I will start giving 2 tests every week and practice from possible online sources.

Month 3:
I am keeping the last month for doing the OGs once again, reviewing error log and continue giving 2 tests a week till the last week when I will giving GMAT.

Should I also consider writing 3-4 every week for AWA?

I am not working (graduate student) so I have ample time every day so I should be able to study 25-30 hours a week. Is the plan stated above feasible?

Please advice what should I do.

Thanks :)
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I am trying to get into Sloan, Wharton, HBS etc. I am keeping ISB Hyd as my backup option. I know its a long shot but still worth a try, hoping it turns out well.

And about the 15 day thing, I was wondering about that. I'll target verbal first as that is definitely my weaker section and I might not be able to cover all the concepts in 15 days.

Thanks for your advice. :)

mystiquethinker
Hi Priyanshu

I read your post in connection with your prep of GMAT.

May i know which colleges you are aiming?

Your preparation schedule seems fine but i would suggest you to give one month per subject like one month for verbal and one month for quant instead of giving 15 days each to both the subjects.

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Priyanshu: I think ISB avg GMAT is super high
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I'm a new member.I'm planning to take the GMAT in the next 3 years.my goal score would be something above 700
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Halina
I'm a new member.I'm planning to take the GMAT in the next 3 years.my goal score would be something above 700

Hi,

3 years is a lot and lot of time to even think about preparing for GMAT. If you are sure about giving GMAT, in these years focus on your profile and try to add certain distinct features and achievements to your CV.

A time frame of 3 to 5 months is sufficient to prepare for GMAT and also achieve the score of 700+.

Do refer to the link below to understand more on how to create effective strategies to prepare for GMAT:

https://blog.manyagroup.com/detail.html?authorid=56
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Hi,
I am planning to write GMAT in 3-4 months. I am first time going to start the preparation. Can you guide me in selecting which books i should buy.

Way long time back my strength was math and analytics (10 years back). Its long time i have taken any test. so, no idea on math and analytics type of questions these days

My weakness is english that time.

Considering all these, please suggest me good books i can buy and any free links. I dont want to buy and get worried that i didnt cover all.

I want to take your suggestion and prepare in the right direction.

Please also suggest me if i need to buy anything for taking practice tests (once i am ready after preparation for 2 months) or anything available online for free


Thanks
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Hi Radd3,

There's a thread on this forum that lists books: best-gmat-books-latest-update-118706.html. Hope you find it helpful.

If you find that you need to take a course to help you prepare for the GMAT, there are various courses that can help. Be sure to sign up for free trials to see which suits your needs. You can sign up for the Economist GMAT Tutor here: https://econgm.at/freetrialoffer.

Jessica

radd3
Hi,
I am planning to write GMAT in 3-4 months. I am first time going to start the preparation. Can you guide me in selecting which books i should buy.

Way long time back my strength was math and analytics (10 years back). Its long time i have taken any test. so, no idea on math and analytics type of questions these days

My weakness is english that time.

Considering all these, please suggest me good books i can buy and any free links. I dont want to buy and get worried that i didnt cover all.

I want to take your suggestion and prepare in the right direction.

Please also suggest me if i need to buy anything for taking practice tests (once i am ready after preparation for 2 months) or anything available online for free


Thanks
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Hi bb

I am new to the club (active now) and I have gone though some of your posts. I have just spent 4 to 5 hours and I already feel great.
I am just writing to convey my thanks (many more to come) for:

> Providing an excellent real-time platform
> Narrowing the google search ' ALL ABOUT GMAT' to one dynamic website
> Brilliant strategies on How to prepare for GMAT, increase scores in quant and verbal, etc.
> Loved the concept of error log (had done this in 2010 while preparing for Indian MBA exams)
> Discounted marketplace enabling comparison of GMAT resources via real reviews
> Quality free downloads (Your Grammar and Math books)
> Platform for engaging with many of the top admission consultants

Your posts have really helped me narrow down my study material and plan my study strategy. I will continue reading the posts here. And soon will start contributing to the discussions. My major obstacle is that I work in an investment bank (avg. 12 hours a day) with no access to this website, hence only find time during the weekends. But will surely contribute in the coming time.


Regards,
Gaurav.
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Nice post bb hatsoff.I have started studying and its good to see that i still remember many concepts now.i will try to stick to these study pattern for the next three months:)
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Hello BB,

I am a mediocre student having around 65% in all exams. I am preparing for GMAT and targeting score of around 730. Currently i have MGMAT guide for Quant, SC, RC & CR. I also have 12th and 15th adtn of Official Guide. This is enough or i should go for any thing else. I am not good in verbal and i am from India.

I am working since last 7 years and can not give more than 2 hrs. every day and 5-6 hours on Sundays.

Please advice me regarding study plan and books to be followed..

Himanshu Savarn
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