Need Some Advice

Question

Not good at math. i am in 5 out of 10 scale. Pless give me some adice to improve. Can you also tell me which book should i buy that will help me for quantitative sec?. I am planning to take on june,2006.

SpongeBoob · Answer

I am surprised you haven't gotten a reply yet!

Can you afford a GMAT math tutor? That would probably be your best bet, because if you're scoring 5 out of 10 on math, you definitely want to work on the fundamentals, and having help learning those would be best.

MA466 · Answer

Hi Spongbob,
Thanks for your response. Do you mean to take Kapaln GMAT preparetion course? I had science background all through my life but i avoided math as much as could. Now i understand what a big mistake i did. I understand concept on OG but still i silly mistake in practice test. However,
i do not have good basic on math. I do not know whether i should deserve for MBA admission or not. Wish your good luck and take care.

ywilfred · Answer

Hey MA466, 

Are you having problems with the verbal section of the gmat? I think if you're just struggling with the quant section, then you just need help in that area. Taking a class won't be worth the money if you are going to just attack one weak problem. There are only a couple of reasons I can think of why someone would do a course:

1) Weak in both quant and verbal and seriously need help in both
2) No commitment to sit down and do self-study. In this case, a class is perfect as it forces you to take out a number of hours in your life just to prep for the gmat

I'm not saying a class is bad, I'm just saying if you're just weak in quant, you might be better off just getting a book and doing some intensive self-study.

There are some books which I think are pretty good for brushing up your basics:

1) Kaplan maths workbook - Touches only on quant subjects tested in gmat.
2) Arco maths workbook - It's thick and really goes back to basics
3) Princeton maths workbook - Same thing as Kaplan. Some people prefers Kaplan's approach, some prefers Princeton's approach. It really depends on the individual.
4) Manhattan GMAT's guide - Depending on which one you need help on, you can just purchase the strategy guide for that subject, or you can purchase the entire series for quant.

However, if you're keen on a class, then you need to consider whether you want to do it online, or you like a classroom setting. There're a number of gmat prep courses available, so you can really take your pick. So far, I have read in the forum:

1) Veritas - seems pretty good judging by the response
2) Kaplan and Princeton - Been around for ages. Some say they're great, some say they're not so good. Guess it depends on the individual.
3) Manhattan GMAT - Online course and their guides are highly touted.
4) GMAX Online - Online as well, but last I read, they are coming out with CDs. I also read that you can just purchase the cds that touch on the quant, or just the cds that touch on the verbal section, or the cds for the whole course. Seems to be the least costly of the four I mentioned here.

Meantime, I suggest you visit the maths forum and participate in the discusions. Don't be afraid to ask and don't be afraid to make a mistake. We all make mistakes and the purpose of this club is to help one another learn.

MA466 · Answer

Ywilfred,
Thanks for your response in detail. I am better in verbal than quantitive but that does not mean i will be able to correct 40+ in verbal. I already have bought Kaplan math workbook and i am just wondering whether i should buy OG math workbook too.Do you think it is a good book?
ma466

SimaQ · Answer

I have OG math workbook... I can say that if you have OG GMAT review 10th or 11th edition, you do not need that book... Kaplan math book is very good, but i feel that OG math complements Kaplan... you get real GMAT-like questions + very good intro to what you need to know about GMAT math (wrote this in bold on purpose

) I guess you do not need a personal tutor, because GMAT tests rather basic knowledge of mathematics and as i wrote earlier you get a very good introduction of that in OG book.....

MA466 · Answer

Hi Simaq,
Thanks for your suggestions. I like this website because of some great advice from all of you guys. God bless to all of you. Take care.
ma466

SpongeBoob · Answer

I personally have no experience with Kaplan's course and can't recommend it, but I would say that you're actually better off taking some math courses at a community college if there's one near you. An MBA program can be quant-heavy and you will want to be prepared for that, not just GMAT math. 

Since you're past the deadlines for Fall 2006 admissions I would look at taking at least one math course this summer, and one or two in the fall if you can. If you're still struggling with GMAT math after a course, then a math tutor might be worthwhile.

But b-school will be tough if you really don't have good math skills. So plan on spending time improving them -- it will make life easier all around for your b-school plans, even if it means delaying b-school a bit longer.

I have not taken accounting or finance, or even statistics, and would definitely do so before starting b-school.

leanna · Answer

Hi,
You say that you are better in verbal than in math, but not yet at 40 for the verbal and about 50% in the math. Have you tried the demo lessons for gmaxonline on this website? Look in the review of the course, and scroll down to the live links. There you will find several demo lessons- at least one in each subject. Many students with weak backgrounds in math and grmmar have gotten top scores on the GMAT by taking the GMAXONLINE course and carefully studying everyting taught.
Good luck.
Leanna
https://www.gmaxonline.com

positive soul · Answer

I also recommed GMAX online. I can honestly say I have improved a lot in the math section after taking half the course.

MA466 · Answer

Thanks positive soul. I am thinking about enrolling in GMAX online.Thanks.

willget800 · Answer

princeton math workout
kaplan gre/gmat math workout
og 11th edition
manhattan math series..

this is all i have done.. its got to me to 9/10

hope it helps.
manhattan word translatin is good for probability,combinations.. this is where i had problems..

MA466 · Answer

Hi Willget,
Thanks for your suggestions. I will try to do whatever you guys suggests because i need to imrove in math. Thanks and have a nice weekend.
Ma466

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