GMAT Study Strategy: Would Love Your Feedback

Question

Hi All,

I would appreciate any thoughts on this 3-4 month study strategy:

1) 9-week Manhattan GMAT Course 
- MGMAT 8 Guides 
- OG 12 
2) PowerScore SC 
3) PowerScore CR 
4) LSAT RC

Other Options Considered: 
1) OG Verbal - I hear this lacks 700+ difficulty questions. My thinking is that the Manhattan GMAT guides are fairly comprehensive and that the PowerScore/LSAT books would be a good follow-up go get into that 700+ arena. 
2) OG Math - Is this really necessary after the MGMAT 8 and OG 12? I'd rather not overload myself with medium difficulty level math questions. Please let me know if you suggest an additional Math guide to get those 700+ questions, or if it is even necessary at all.

Thank You to all who took the time to offer me advice!

Regards, 
OD

BM · Answer

The Powerscore CR Bible and Manhattan SC guide are the top performers for verbal. There is no need to buy two books for each category. Pick just one. The Powerscore RC Bible is much tougher than the Manhattan version, so this was a good choice (assuming that you need help in RC).

The three OG books are necessary items in one's GMAT preparation, so definitely purchase them! For extremely difficult math problems, look into the GMATClub tests.

The three OG books are necessary items in one's GMAT preparation, so definitely purchase them! For extremely difficult math problems, look into the GMATClub tests.

AmrithS · Answer

I don't think even the Official Guide for Verbal Review and Quant Review are essential

desiaggie1980 · Answer

Good info bmillian! I was on a lookout for verbal books other than OGs, mgmats and kaplans, think I am going to buy the powerscore CR for sure! I am undecided between RC99 and powerscore RC,please guide.also mgmat SC seems sufficient, I will not buy aristotle sc grail.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

The Powerscore and MGMAT Guides are either or most of the time - you only need one or the other. Most folks recommend MGMAT SC and Powerscore CR but you can try going through both sets of books and see if it helps.

heygirl · Answer

I don't know about powerscore RC but I think Rc 99 is a waste of money. The passages are a little off and so are the questions. The book is over-rated. The OG RC passages are pretty representative of the Real GMAT. Moreover, RC99 does not have any strategy, if you are looking for any. I used the Powerscore CR book for my GMAT prep and felt that the book Quality was VERY high - which is great. So, may be Powerscore RC is like that too, I'm not sure though. Just my opinion.

BM · Answer

Thanks for the input, heygirl! Kudos.

I actually submitted a review on the Powerscore RC Bible some time ago. It can be found here . As with all GMAT guidebooks, the book has its pros and cons.

AmrithS · Answer

Interesting Tip: Increasing your proficiency in CR will have a direct positive impact on your performance in the RC section

orid · Answer

Thanks everybody for your input! I'm going to use all your suggestions and begin next week! Very much appreciated!

csolares · Answer

I'm about to start my GMAT prep. I have 7-8 months to prepare for the test (I'm aiming at international top-10 and want to take the test BEFORE the next-gen GMAT comes out in June 2012). According to your comments, the MGMAT bundle + OGs are the way to go. I'm planning on going through this material up until the end of this year.

That being said, I have two questions:
1) Would it make sense to take Kaplan's (only the Advantage course is avl. where I live) on-site course after I've gone through MGMAT's material? I've been saving money for a while now and I'm willing to invest as much as needed to get a high score, but it is one thing to invest and quite another to throw money and time away.

2) Since my aim is to send my application on Q3 2012, am I choosing right by taking the test before the next-gen GMAT comes out?

Thanks in advance!

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