Hello Friends (GMAT Study Strategy Review)

Question

Hello!

Was wondering if I can get a review of my study strategy.

Currently doing Bloomberg's GMAT Prep and knocking out a little bit every couple of days but I don't know if it is working as I'm still getting things wrong. 
I have not taking a GMAT test or a practice test as I'm relearning grammar and algebra and waiting till I finish a prep course to take a test.

Do you guys have any advice?

Thanks!

poojakhanduja3017 · Answer

To check your level or whether you are really learning, you can start doing different levels of questions on GmatClub. 
For example, you studied about Assumptions in CR. Then you can go to Forum -> CR -> Assumption questions -> 600-700 level and then 700-800 level.

This way, you will be able to benchmark yourself against the best questions.

Russ19 · Answer

You can go through the Manhattan prep strategy guides to master concepts for verbal. Then, you should try OGs with the timer at the GMAT Club and see the solution of experts such as GMATNinja, mikemcgarry, AjiteshArun and EMPOWERgmatRichC. The MGMAT official guide companion for sentence correction is extremely useful for SC. This link below lists the video explanations to all the quantitative problems in the Official Guide to GMAT. It will immensely help you to resolve quant problems.
https://gmatquantum.com/official-guides/

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  antserd . I agree with what has been written above. Neither do I advise students to rush into taking CATs, although to be honest, you will never feel entirely ready to take the exam, even in practice, so set realistic goals for completion and stick to them. Since you mentioned it, how far along are you in the Bloomberg program? What do you think about it?

One caution flag for me while reading your post was when you mentioned  knocking out a little bit every couple of days . That is one of the best ways to get the  least  out of your prep work. You have to prioritize your studies to see measurable gains. It is not as though perfection lies just around the corner, but consistency and persistence are key ingredients to success on the GMAT™. It is a tough test, but it is also a standardized test, and as such, you can learn how to break down questions in a methodical way and set yourself on a path to a higher score.

To add a little more to the earlier suggestion about benchmarking your proficiency, you might find it useful to keep track of your percent correct/incorrect questions across each difficulty level within each of the major categories of the exam: PS and DS in Quant; RC, CR, and SC in Verbal. You can even include sub-categories, such as  boldface  questions in CR, or weaken/strengthen questions, to work on identifying areas of concern. To reach a 700, for example, you might want to shoot for 90 percent accuracy or higher among Easy questions, 80 percent or higher among Medium questions, and 60 percent or higher among Hard questions. It sounds simple enough, but trust me, a lot of hard work goes into hitting those guidelines.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck in your studies. If you need further guidance, you know how to reach out to the community.

- Andrew

antserd · Answer

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll look into Manhattan more and make a tracker as to what questions I am getting correct. What has been frustrating to me is that I do not have a breakdown of what I will study everyday. Therefore I rely on bloomberg's ease of use to kind of pic topics for me.

ANDREW .
My review of bloomberg is that it is ok. I signed up for their free trial and their moneyback guarantee made their program pretty much free if I meet the conditions.

What it like is the user friendliness however, it is frustrating when they jump from topic to topic. I would rather focus on lets say quant:geometry:area for couple of days to make sure I master it instead of jumping from verbal to quant in the same session.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Might be helpful to check out the gmat inhouse grammar and math guide. (Free online pdfs)

antserd · Answer

I'm still not familiar with this website - mind linking me please.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-math-bo ... 30609.html https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-grammar ... 02387.html Here you go

AndrewN · Answer

Hello again,  antserd .  Here  is a link to the downloads portal, where you can find the aforementioned ebooks and plenty of other useful resources. Also, thank you for providing an assessment of the Bloomberg course in your earlier response. Although I have been tutoring for several years, this was the first I had heard of the program, and I am always looking to point students in the right direction when it comes to course recommendations, even if that direction is opposite some program or another.

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

antserd · Answer

These are great resources!

ANDREW 
What program would you recommend that has a good structure and flow, starting from basic concept and building upon them for more difficult question. I would also like a program that uses video instruction as Bloomberg is only text based and I find myself getting tired of reading. Lastly, a program that tracks my competence in different areas so I can use my time wisely in my weak areas not not waste time in strong areas.

Thanks again!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi antserd,

I know that you don't want to take a practice test right away, but I think that it would be a good idea to take a practice exam to get a baseline score. Would you be able to take one and report back with your score breakdown? In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following articles:

How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success

The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT

AndrewN · Answer

Hello again,  antserd . I am glad to hear that those resources are of use to you. In the way of choosing an online, module-based prep course, you may want to check out the Marketplace for reviews. If you are going through the OG and looking for expert guidance, then I know several companies (including EMPOWERgmat, Manhattan Prep, Magoosh, and eGMAT) that provide question-by-question video tutorials; if you are seeking something more in the way of a practice-side-questions-for-mastery type of course, then again, you might want to check out the Marketplace. I can only say from client feedback that all my students who have used Target Test Prep for Quant have found its structure and content quite helpful, regardless of testing level. The jury seems to still be out on Verbal modules, though (even if I have read that Target Test Prep is in beta testing with a Verbal course).

Good luck, whatever direction you decide to take your prep work in.

- Andrew

antserd · Answer

....I just discovered about the R1/R2 system. I though people apply in spring for fall semester. So realistically I have 4mo to score a 700.....with out even knowing my baseline score...this anxiety is....motivating.

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