My journey begins here (Goal - April - May 2010 Test Date)

Question

I've been lurking mostly and soaking up as much information as I can from the forums over the last week. I plan to apply for admission next year to a local private, well ranked in state / region MBA program for admission in Jan 2011.

I'm a "non traditional" student, meaning that I am 29 and still finishing up my BA in Marketing Management next year and would like to continue on to get my MBA.

I will end up with a rather average GPA would like to score a 600 or so on the GMAT to make up for it. The school I'm looking at had average GMAT scores of 530 last year. I also will have decent work experience and I believe excellent recommendations.

Baseline Practice Exams

Last week I took a non CAT Kaplan practice GMAT and scored a 520 (Q23, V40). I'm obviously weak quantitatively.

Today I took a MGMAT practice GMAT and scored a 450 (Q24, V29). I really wasn't feeling it today and should have put off taking the practice test till tomorrow, my concentration was totally off.

The breakdown was:

PS - 45% Correct
DS - 40% Correct
SC - 47% Correct
CR - 57% Correct
RC - 58% Correct

Study Materials

I've ordered the following supplies and am waiting for them to arrive:

Powerscore SC Bible
Powerscore CR Bible
The 9 MGMAT Guides (CR, Equations, Inequalities and VICs Guide, Fractions, Decimals and Percents Guide, Geometry Guide, Number Properties Guide, RC Guide, SC Guide, Translations Guide and Foundations of Math)
Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
OG 12th Edition

Study Plan

My first goal is to increase my basic math knowledge. I’m going to work through both the Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook and the MGMAT Foundations of Math book. Because I’m not really looking at taking the GMAT for real until April or May, I plan to spend a good month brushing up on basic math concepts.

At the same time, I plan on reading the intro information contained in the OG but saving any of the actual problems until later in my studying so I don’t waste the questions. Likewise, I’m going to hold off on taking any more practice GMATs until I’ve gotten further into my study plan.

I’m also still considering taking a prep course and will take advantage of any free sample sessions the various prep companies offer to see if they are a good match. I’ve signed up for the sample MGMAT class tomorrow night.

I plan on continuing to update this thread as I move through my studying. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on my plan and good luck to all you in your studying and test taking!

hopefullymbabound · Answer

Update 1 -

Today I sat in on a free trial of the Mannhattan GMAT prep class. Mannhattan GMAT, unlike Kaplan allows students to sit in on the first class of a 9 class GMAT prep series.

Kaplan holds more of a demo class in which students spend most of the time taking a practice GMAT test versus actually seeing how a class is run.

Based on this alone, I'm leaning towards MGMAT should I choose to take a prep class over Kaplan. I also want to take advantage of the 7 day trial of the Knewton GMAT prep program to evaluate it.

MontrealLady · Answer

Hi,

were you in the session that was from 6-9 EST?
I\m registered in that course...really loved the teacher and his way of teaching!!

I did lots of search on Manhattan and Kaplan...I can say 90% of ppl prefer manhattan over kaplan

anyways, I'm also writing my updates and keeping the members posted on my progress...I think this way keeps me motivated

Good luck

hopefullymbabound · Answer

Hi MontrealLady, Yes I was in the 6-9 EST class. I also liked both of the teachers. They really seemed to know their stuff and had good personalities which can be important in a class like that. I'm holding off enrolling most likely until late december / january due to my crazy work life. I saw in your post that you've been working through the MGMAT Fundamentals book. How have you found it? I'm planning on working through that and the Kaplan Math Workbook before enrolling because I'm seriously weak in math. Good luck in your studies too

...I think posting here will help me keep accountable, which is a good thing. Randi

MontrealLady · Answer

the fundamental of math book is excellent!!
I had difficulty with factors and divisors, but no more now...I highly recommend the book.

klusener · Answer

Hey randi , 
 our approach is similar.

late last week i got my math workout and verbal workout book.

i am going to do the math workout before joining the mgmat class.

i am based in boston and they have a center very close to my house , so i will be probably going for the in person class.

thanks.

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