MGMAT subject books: "Fractions" and "Algebra" useful? Too basic?

Question

I am retaking my GMAT in about 6 weeks and want to work through a few MGMAT books. I was wondering whether people had experience with these and thought volumes (1) and (2) were useful.

On my official GMAT, I got a Q47. My math score on all of the GMATPrep exams was either Q47 or Q48. I feel comfortable with the basics and can usually handle the first several quant questions with ease. However, once I get those quirky questions or obscure number property ones I drop the ball. I'm looking to improve my score to a Q49.

Due to limited time I want to focus on the most important areas. On the one hand, algebra/percents/ratios make up a major part of the quant section (see  here ) but I'm worried that the first two MGMAT books may be more helpful to those struggling with the lower-level questions. Anyone find these subject books useful or should I focus on something else?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jz4analytics,

I'd like to know more about how you handle the Quant section in general:

1) Do you find that you're more likely to take a 'tactical' approach to answering or a question or that you just 'do math.'
2) Do you ever have to rush just to finish the Quant section (and guess on some questions at the end)? Did this happen on Test Day?
3) How often do you find that you do some of the math 'in your head?'

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

jz4analytics · Answer

I try to understand the problems before I do them. Some of the higher number properties and counting problems hurt me, though.

I actually had 5 minutes left at the end of the quant section, so I could have taken more time.

And I do most basic math in my head.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jz4analytics,

Do you still have access to the old CATs that you've taken? I ask because if you're consistently scoring Q47 or Q48, then you're likely consistently making the same little mistakes. I have an idea of what those mistakes are, but I'd like to see the specifics before I suggest how you might adjust your studies.

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

jz4analytics · Answer

Yup! I have all the old CATs. Am I allowed to post questions from the GMATPrep CATs?

04/08/2015: GMATPrep1 - 650 (IR7, Q48, V32)
06/14/2015: GMATPrep1 Retake - 680 (IR7, Q47, V37)
07/12/2015: GMATPrep2 - 700 (IR8, Q48, V38)
07/19/2015: GMATPrep3 - 710 (IR8, Q47, V40)
07/27/2015: Real GMAT - 700 (IR7, Q47, V38)

Notice that my verbal has improved over the course of study, but my IR has always been 7/8 and Q has always been 47/48.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jz4analytics,

Yes, you can feel free to post questions from any source that you like (EXCEPT for actual GMAT questions that you have seen on the Official GMAT). You might find that some of the questions that you've faced have already been discussed in these forums. That all having been said, even if you come across questions that have already been discussed, I'd still like to know all of the questions that you've gotten wrong in the Quant section on each CAT. You don't have to list every question just yet, but posting the ones from GMATPrep3 would be a good place to start.

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

jz4analytics · Answer

Thanks! Incorrect Quant questions on my last practice CAT -

10) If 5^x - 5^(x-3) = (124)(5^y), what is y in terms of x?

20) The ratio of the number of women to the number of men to the number of children in a room 5:2:7, respectively. What is the total number of people in the room?
 (1) The total number of women and children in the room is 12
 (2) There are fewer tan 4 men in the room

24) If a rectangular region has perimeter P inches and area A square inches, is the region square?
 (1) P = (4/3)*A
 (2) P = 4*(sqrt(A))

25) Which of the following has a decimal equivalent that is a terminating decimal?
 I. (1/12)
 II. (1/(10^2))
 III. (1/(2^10))

27) From Leland's gross pay of p dollars last week, t percent was deducted for taxes and then s dollars was deducted for savings. What amount of Leland's gross pay last week remained after these two deductions?
 (1) p - s = 244
 (2) pt = 7,552

30) Quick Sell Outlet sold a total of 40 televisions, each of which was either a Model P television or a Model Q television. Each Model P television sold for $p and each Model Q television sold for $q. The average (arithmetic mean) selling price of the 40 televisions was $141. How many of the 40 televisions were Model P?
 (1) The Model P televisions sold for $30 less than the Model Q televisions. 
 (2) Either p = 120 or q = 120.

31) What is the remainder when the two-digit, positive integer x is divided by 3?
 (1) The sum of the digits of x is 5. 
 (2) The remainder when x is divided by 9 is 5.

36) The vertices of a rectangle in the standard (x,y) coordinate plane are (0,0),(0,4),(7,0) and (7,4). If a line through (2,2) partitions the interior of this rectangle into 2 regions that have equal areas, what is the slope of this line?

jz4analytics · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC - any advice on the material I should focus on the most? I want to order the books this week so I have at least four solid weeks to study. Thanks!

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MGMAT subject books: "Fractions" and "Algebra" useful? Too basic?

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