Need guidance with preparation

Question

Hello clubbers,

I need some quick suggestions as to what should be my next course of action.
I started preparation for GMAT at the start of January and focused on Quant with MGMAT strategy guides. I completed 4 guides smoothly, while with the Word Translation Guide, I got stuck at probability and combinations (my uncomfortable areas). I think its the lack of interest or may be I drained myself in last one month with regular 2-3 hour study each work day and long hours on weekends with hectic work schedule, that I am losing interest and motivation in between to continue further.
I had initial plan to start Verbal by 7th Feb which is this Saturday by completing Quant guides which is all but one left.

Do you suggest I start Verbal and take an intermediate break with Quant for 1 week and then pick it up alongside, or somehow make myself complete Quant first before diving in Verbal.

I am a first time test taker and plan to give the GMAT in April aiming for 700+ score.

May be motivation is something which I need at this moment,can someone please suggest.
Thanks.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi gmat2015DM,

Since you do not feel like studying quants, it will be futile even if you pushed yoursefl into it.
It would be better if you start off with your Verbal preparation and then try to take both the sections along.
Ideally you should have done this from the start of your preparation.

With your GMAT in April, you have plenty of time to prepare well.

1. Have you taken any mock CAT? If yes, what were your scores?
2. Are you solving the official guide questions?

If you have not taken a mock CAT yes, I would recommend you to take one ASAP and see your current standing. This would help you in focussing on the weak areas. In addition to the preparatory material, buy the Official Guides too and the 4 official mock CATs. They should be an indispensable part of your preparation.

GmatDM2016 · Answer

Thanks Janielle for answering to my query. I actually wanted to listen to the same response, may be just from some one else :-)

With mid April as my planned GMAT date, I feel I have less time at hand mainly cos of the fact that my long working hours take most of the time. I am trying my best to stick to it , however haven't booked the test date yet. yes I am referring OG12 as of now for MGMAT guides , I had a previous edition of the books. Also have bought new set of OG. Which OG you suggest , 2015 or 2016 version, I assume there will be minimal differences in the two and both should be 13th edition or 2016 may be the 14th edition?

AjiteshArun · Answer

The OG2016 does have new questions. Unfortunately, there was no 14th edition (13th -> 2015 -> 2016)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gmat2015DM,

Study plans that are built around an 'all Quant, then all Verbal' approach tend to be less effective than 'mixing' categories throughout the course of your studies. This is meant to say that switching your studies to focus more on Verbal (while still getting in some Quant work) would probably be a good idea.

Since you've been studying for a month, have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs (including the Essay and IR sections)? If you have, then how did you score? If you have not, then you should plan to take one soon (maybe this weekend). That initial score is important as it helps to define your current strengths and weaknesses and provides a basis for comparison as you continue to study.

With an April Test Date, you still have plenty of time to study. We need to know that you're focused on the proper materials/Tactics/etc. though, so we need that CAT score for reference.

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

GMATinsight · Answer

As you have been rightly suggested that you, at first, should have started both Quant and Verbal together but if you have finished Quant to some extent then don't wait till you finish it completely.

The two sections and the preparation of both sections should ideally be done together.

You comment "Lacking Interest from Quant at the moment" is concerning and you should immediately handle this and find a better source of new problems which you can enjoy.

GMAT Preparation is not just about working on your weakness but exploiting the complete potential of your strength is greatly important to get a deserved score.

Don't stretch preparation for so long. As I see that you are targetting April for taking test which looks fine, The best plan woul be that you finish the conceptual building part about a month before the test date and in last month just focus on taking CATs so that you can understand pattern of your mistakes (if any).

I hope the strategy does well for you too as it works good for everyone else.

Prosper!!!

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

The latest OG has 25% questions that are new. So if would be beneficial to go for the latest OG 16.
However, the more official questions you solve the better it is. Make sure you solve the questions that do not overlap from the old OG too.

GmatDM2016 · Answer

Thank you all for your time to respond. I will now start with Verbal and get back in case of further queries.

Thanks !

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