GMAT Prep advice for a 39 year old person!

Hi upgmat,

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can take 2 for free at www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if your schedule is limited to just 2 months, then there might be a limit to how high you can Score in that time.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) Do you have an Official Test Date scheduled yet (and if so, then when is it?)?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hi upgmat

Welcome to the land of GMAT prep

Fact that you are 39 old, doesn't disqualify for anything or work as your disadvantage, except that you need to refresh some basic concepts, that you forgot because you have being out of school for some time.

2 Months can be enough.


1. That isn't special disadvantage, it is quite common for almost all GMAT takers, except for recent graduates.

You will catch up and refresh in your prep, for every concepts and theories you need to know, usually in math.


2. It is possible.

However you are overly ambitious, and you would been even if you had 6 months allowed for prep.

That is true, not because of the time frame, but because 770+ is quite premium score.

That being said, overly ambitious is actually a good thing with one caveat, since you are willing to work hard, just be prepared mentally that is not easy and not common to score that high.

Also, you don't need 770+ score to get admitted even at best schools in the world, around 750 is more than enough, so that are good news.

3. Yes, you should take mock ASAP to see where you stand, and if you think you need that psychological trick, work on question for several days before you take it, but no more than week.

It is ok to have low score at beginning of the prep, actually you should expect that and laugh about it.

That low start score is just screening of your current state, where you should invest more time, where are your current weakness etc. and it means nothing beside that.

Really nothing.

No matter how low it would be, you can score your dream goal after prep and you will be proud of the difference.

So low score actually should motivate you and inspire, since you can boost that more easily than somebody who is not that rusty in terms of foundations, recent graduate for instance.

You should also take mocks every two weeks to see how you progress and where to invest extra focus.

4. 25-50 questions per verbal and quant are enough per day.

Or per section you can go like, RC 5-10, CR 10, SC 10 and for quant like PS 10-15 and DS 10-15.

If you currently work then half of that is ok, since you don't have all day to devote to prep, however if you can then this should be measure if you want intense 2 months prep that would reflect on your final score.

This 5-6h that you mentioned per day for study should be enough.

For 99 percentile, go for best prep materials on market, especially if money is not issue for you, then invest only in the best.

If you can afford online course, that would be very beneficial in your case, they will guide you, give you all videos and lessons you need and devise your study plan for two moths.

You will also get mock tests that you need, with prep company you choose.

Best ones are Manhattan, Veritas and Target test Prep, but read here in GMAT Club reviews and choose based on your preference.

You can take trial to see if it fits you.


Hope this helps, happy prep !

You ask many great questions; however, I agree that you should take an MBA.com practice exam so that we can provide you with the best possible advice. Could you please familiarize yourself with the GMAT exam and then take an MBA.com practice exam. The results of that exam will give you a good idea of what to expect on the GMAT as well as a baseline GMAT score.

Once you get that score, please report back with your breakdown and we can provide some tailored advice.

Hi pushpitkc bb EMPOWERgmatRichC billionaire ScottTargetTestPrep

Thank you for taking the time out and guiding me. I have made a note of your points. Your help and guidance is much appreciated.

Thanking you once again!!

I scored a 540 in my first mock.

I managed to revise few concepts during the past two weeks. I solved the Quant & verbal OG 2018. I am planning to study 3-4 hours daily. I have succeeded doing this from past two weeks.

I gave my first mock yesterday morning. Around same time slot which have registered for the real exam on 1st sept, i.e. 10: AM (I started around 10:20 AM)

My performance was pathetic. I scored a V18. I was screwed up with my first RC. I just did not connect with it. I spent too much time on it. Subsequently I ran out of time & had to guess on last 8-10 questions. The break up is as follows:-



My performance on CR was ok. As you can see the performance in RC and SC is not worth mentioning further. The figures speak for themselves that I need to improve on accuracy and timing. I have decided to do 20 SC questions daily from today and in a months time I should have completed 600 questions. I will solve 2-3 RC passages daily for a month and lets see how it goes?

My quant score was Q47. (PS - 6 incorrect: DS-7 incorrect ; total 13 incorrect). When I reviewed I could have got 6 of this 13 questions correct if I had been more careful. For others I think I am lagging behind in understanding of concepts and will have to improve in the coming few weeks by doing a thorough conceptual review. I must add that in the past two weeks I had more time on Quant, revising basic formulas & concepts, than in Verbal. But now I will spend more time doing Verbal, specially SC & RC.

I got 3 on IR. Just was feeling too bad after Verbal and less motivated. But I have realised that I will have to focus on IR too.

AWA was ok. Tried to do a decent job. I want to get the essay reviewed I am unable to see my submission.

I also wanted to review my timing for each question of this mock but I am unable to find these details? Are these details available?

Yes, without thinking & before I gave a mock, I had registered to give the exam on 1st Sept 2018, 10:00 AM slot but not feeling confident after seeing yesterdays performance that I will be able to crack 760+ in one and a half months.
I am planning to apply during December-2018-Feb 2019 admission deadlines (Aiming to get into research masters with full scholarship & living stipend into top programs)

Please let me know if you realize any gaps in my understanding.

Thanks bb - I am aiming to get into research masters (top programs) with full scholarship & living stipend. Standout application packet would require a standout score!! But I guess I am far away from my goal. But I think I will give my best shot at it and hope for the best!!

Thanks once again for your comments and guidance. I have made a note of your points. Your help and guidance is Much appreciated.

I have shared my first practice test results for every ones comments. I also need to improve by 200+ points to reach to my goal. Congratulations on having a wonderful score and thank you for starting GMATCLUB!!

540 is a great start for your level of being out of college and high school. 540!is actually slightly above average.

It is possible to improve 200 points but it takes a lot of commitment. It will be something only 1-2% will achieve. That should give you an idea of commitment and pursuit it will take.

Since most of your weakness is in Verbal, it tends to be trickier to improve if you are not a native speaker.

Good luck!

Posted from my mobile device

Hi upgmat,

To start, a 540 is a solid initial CAT Score (the average Score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years).

Since you're interested in a rather specific type of Scholarship/Grant, you'll want to learn as much about those potential opportunities as possible (there will likely be a number of different 'conditions' that must be met - far more than just a high GMAT Score). In addition, if that Scholarship is the specific result that you're trying to get to, then you have to allow yourself the time to learn the necessary content and Tactics - and properly practice them - so that you can be in position to earn that Score when you take the Official GMAT.

With a September 1st Test Date, you have less than 7 weeks of potential study time, but you will likely need at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study to hit 760+. While you don't have to reschedule your Exam just yet, you will almost certainly have to consider doing so (or you can plan to take the GMAT more than once). You would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led), so you should plan to look into the available options.

1) You didn't mention it earlier, but what Schools do you plan to apply to?

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