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06 Dec 2016, 15:06
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Studying for CFA or CAIA was pretty straight forward... get some review course like Kaplan and just hammer through the books a few times and do practice tests online. Primary course of action though was getting through the material, studying formulas, etc. It made self study pretty easy, regardless of the tests being difficult. (the CFA was tough, not CAIA) Anyways my question is -- am I correct in that the idea behind the GMAT exam is just practice exams? All the guides are just massive bunches of questions. Which is fine, I am just new to this and was curious if I am reading the study process the right way in that cranking through as many questions as possible to cover as many different types of questions at different complexities is the idea here. Sorry I didn't see a direct answer to that question soon enough, I am sure its been covered before, but found it easier to just ask and get input. Thanks.
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06 Dec 2016, 15:16
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gmatg01
Studying for CFA or CAIA was pretty straight forward... get some review course like Kaplan and just hammer through the books a few times and do practice tests online. Primary course of action though was getting through the material, studying formulas, etc. It made self study pretty easy, regardless of the tests being difficult. (the CFA was tough, not CAIA) Anyways my question is -- am I correct in that the idea behind the GMAT exam is just practice exams? All the guides are just massive bunches of questions. Which is fine, I am just new to this and was curious if I am reading the study process the right way in that cranking through as many questions as possible to cover as many different types of questions at different complexities is the idea here. Sorry I didn't see a direct answer to that question soon enough, I am sure its been covered before, but found it easier to just ask and get input. Thanks.
Hi Mate,
welcome to GMAT Club. As practice has demonstrated, quantity doesn't beat quality on GMAT. To excel at a specific type of questions, you need to know how to approach the question. Majority of questions, by the way, do not test knowledge of the formulas. GMAT rather tests your logic; how you can eliminate the wrong answers by applying it. As a person who took way too many practice questions, I strongly advise that you first try to look at the type of questions you would see on GMAT. There are a lot of guides on how to approach each type of questions. By mastering the fundamentals, you sure have a good chance to score in the highest percentiles.
Good luck with your studies!
06 Dec 2016, 23:22
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Hi gmatg01,
Each practice CAT test is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to put in the necessary practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not.
Most GMAT questions can be approached in more than one way, but at their core they're all 'critical thinking' questions. One of the difficulties in just doing lots of practice questions is that "your way" of approaching the question might involve some inefficiencies that you're not aware of. Those same inefficiencies would likely impact how high you could score on your practice Exams (and on the Official GMAT). This is all meant to say that beyond just doing a lot of practice, you also need to focus on learning the Tactics, patterns and little 'secrets' to the GMAT - since the Exam is consistent and predictable, you CAN properly train to score at a high level. Investing in the proper resources can help you to raise your score and save time.
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?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Each practice CAT test is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to put in the necessary practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not.
Most GMAT questions can be approached in more than one way, but at their core they're all 'critical thinking' questions. One of the difficulties in just doing lots of practice questions is that "your way" of approaching the question might involve some inefficiencies that you're not aware of. Those same inefficiencies would likely impact how high you could score on your practice Exams (and on the Official GMAT). This is all meant to say that beyond just doing a lot of practice, you also need to focus on learning the Tactics, patterns and little 'secrets' to the GMAT - since the Exam is consistent and predictable, you CAN properly train to score at a high level. Investing in the proper resources can help you to raise your score and save time.
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?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
