Need a little advice on prep materials

Question

I am new to this forum and I have to say I am pretty impressed with the quality of the information, I've looked around for about 2 or 3 hrs before signing up. This will probably be a question that has been asked before but I wanted to get an answer for my specific situation.

So I am looking to go to qrad school like many people taking the GMAT, however I am a little worried about what study material to choose. I've taken pre-calc and discrete math and received B's in them both. Here is where it get crazy, when I was in high school I never cared about math and because of that I never learned the basic stuff like Geometry formulas, number properties, developing algebraic equations for world problems, basically highschool level math. When I got into college I was taught college algebra, mainly dealing with functions, how was I able to get this far in college math you might ask? I am the type of who learns based on their environment. If I was put into a calc 1 class I could learn a lot of things just for that class, if I was put into a discrete math like I was I can learn how that class and the material works. I want to point out that my way of learning I don't particularly like but it is what it.

What I am looking is a set of GMAT prep books that will help me learn the structure of the GMAT, give well written explanations so I know what it is I did wrong and why the answer is what it, I need something for first time GMAT takes. What I don't want is a book that provide shortcuts, I've taken enough of those in high school and when I got to college I changed for the better and I don't want to go back every again.

I've become a little overwhelm with sheer number of prep books out there and since I have 3 1/2 months to prepare I want to do it right. I am worried more about the math than the verbal and my goal score is 600-650+.

All I have so far for my first book is Kaplan GMAT 2011 Premier with CD-ROM (Kaplan Gmat Premier Live)  
I was thinking about some of the MGMAT books, but I don't know what I need, Is the MGMAT(quant) books just for in-depth explanations of how to solve the types of problem you will face? Cause I was just going to get those(5 quant) book along with the OG review 12 edition. As of right now I don't plan on study as hardcore for the verbal as I will for the quant section but I still want a decent book verbal study book, so what book could I get if for verbal? keep in mind my first language is English. I want well in-depth books, no shortcut books or improve best possible guest stuff.

I have not taken any practice test yet so I don't know what I stand, but I would probably say I need a LOT of work. Sorry for the rant and thanks for everyone's time.

zerotoinfinite2006 · Answer

Welcome to the club. Hope and wish you will enjoy the learning.

Here are some links which will help you in deciding the prep books

best-gmat-books-77703.html

GMAT Verbal books

best-gmat-verbal-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-78094.html

GMAT Math books

best-gmat-math-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-77291.html

Hope this will help.

NEURON · Answer

First off,thanks for the response and your time. I was looking for more of recommendations for the specific situation I mention. As I am probably in the category of needing LOTS of practice, which won't do me any good if I don't have explanations that help the "thickest minded" of people. I was told that the Official GMAT review guide and the kaplan GMAT primer w/CD would server me well, not sure though. Like I mention I was thinking about the MGMAT(5 quant book) with the official GMAT review 12ed.

rockzom · Answer

If you feel that you are the thick-headed type, sign up for a course led by an instructor.

NEURON · Answer

Yeah I might have implied that I might be "thick headed" but I assure I am not. That was just an example of what type of books I am looking for. Beside, I heard those courses are a waste of time as well as money anyway hence the reason for the books instead.

mohater · Answer

I'm not sure "thick headed" is the right phrase.

Some folks need a bit of instruction, some do not.

If self studying is not working, it might be worth it to look into taking a class. I took a class and after the class figured out I did not need the class, BUT the class was what helped me figure out how to overcome certain obstacles. It's possible I would have done that on my own.

Regardless of how much practice you need, maintaining an error log is what will get you through this task. BLindly studying/blindly doing problems will get you no where.

NEURON · Answer

Yeah you probably right, I apologize for that wrong phrase. You've been through this so you know more than I do that for sure. Let me take a look around on that error log link and if I have some questions I'll posted back. In the mean time can you recommend some prep books for my specific needs/goals. Thanks for your response and time.

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