My GMAT strategy - Please Advise

Question

Hi All,

I have OG 13 , Manhattan complete material.

My Goal GMAT 790 score, exam date is 25-Sept-2016.

My plan is :

1) Should complete each and every bit in OG 13, Official Guide For GMAT Verbal Review (English) 2nd Edition
2) Manhattan Verbal material
3) Manhatton Mathematics complete material
4) Daily read and understand any 2 articles from The Economist, HBR magazine, Washington Post (I have been reading them since more than 3 years)
5) Every month practice 2 CAT exams.

Please advise/correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks in advance.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi btgsnt,

Unfortunately, a 790 score goal is not realistic, so a bit more research and studying will be required for you properly answer that question.

Since you're planning to apply to Business School at the end of this year, do you have an idea of which Schools you want to apply to? Once you have a list of potential Schools/Programs, you can research each in a bit more detail to determine what a competitive GMAT score would be for each. From there, you can probably also find the 'range' of scores that each School finds acceptable. THAT data should help you to better define your score goal.

Have you considered enrolling in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led)? The structure, consistency and guidance would likely help you a great deal as you work through this process.

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

AjiteshArun · Answer

Have you already taken the date? I would suggest that you schedule the exam when you feel that you are "peaking". And with this kind of a timeline, you'll probably not be able to predict the timing of that peak. It would also be a good idea to be open to a retake (schedule your first exam at least 20-30 days before you need to send your scores in).

btgsnt · Answer

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC,
790 score won't be provided by GMAC orvery difficult to get the score?

My idea is if I get top score I can get the admissions in any top B-School.

btgsnt · Answer

Hi AjiteshArun,
Thanks for your advise. I revise my exam date. I will be master in GMAT all the section in 60 days of my preparation.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi btgsnt,

A goal of 790 is not a reasonable goal at this point. To give you context, only about 1 in every 10,000 Test Takers can score an 800; since a 790 is essentially the same score, the 790+ goal is something that most Test Takers will never be able to accomplish in their lifetimes.

Your actual score goal should be one that would satisfy what your chosen Business Schools are looking for in an applicant. This is one of the reasons why I asked if you knew which Schools you were planning to apply to. It's important to remember that the application process involves several 'pieces' - and the GMAT score is just one of them. Beyond having a competitive GMAT score, you need a strong OVERALL application AND you need to effectively present yourself in each of your applications.

1) Have you done any studying yet?
2) Have you taken any practice CATs yet?

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

btgsnt · Answer

Dear EMPOWERgmatRichC, I got your point. I want to be at merit level with GMAT score which will help me for any top B School. Still my GOAL is 790.

1) Have you done any studying yet? I am doing now. 2) Have you taken any practice CATs yet? I will take in next month by this time. And let you know.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi btgsnt,

Your 'next steps' are logical, so you should study as you see fit for the next month, then take that CAT as planned. It's important to make that experience as realistic as possible, so you should make sure to take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections), take it away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc. Once you have those results, you should post back here and we can talk through your study plan.

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

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