First off, good job! Your determination is impressive and I am sure you'll be able to achieve what you wanted. My comments are below. I am not really an expert or anything, but I just thought I'll tell you what I think anyway.
Dear GMAT Club members and Experts,
I have created my study plan for a 750 score and need your comments. I have already given the GMAT twice and scored a 540 (V26, Q38) first on Jan 4, 2009 and a 460 (V24, Q30) on March 19, 2009. I have now set to down to score a massive increase through a determined study plan. I am currently out of a job and so can devote a lot more time but also am spending time in my job search and other part time jobs. Current plan is to attack the GMAT in 10 weeks from now.
Target Score: 540 to 750
Time Period: 1 Sept 2010 – 15 Nov 2010
Primary Concepts Review & Practice- 7 weeks
Comprehensive Practice Review- 3 weeks
Books:
1. Kaplan 2011 Premier Live Online -
I don't think this is necessary at all. I'd say dump this2. Manhattan Sentence Correction Guide
Excellent Study Guide - Definitely worth it!3. Manhattan Critical Reasoning Guide
Once again, there are varying opinions on this, but I'd advise you to get Powerscore CR. MGMAT's CR method involves drawing this CR tree which a lot of people I've talked to felt to be extremely time consuming. Powerscore gives you a better understanding of how to approach the topic4. Manhattan Reading Comprehension Guide
Once again, there's only so much you can improve upon on your RC by reading books, but yes, get one book and stick to it.5. Manhattan Number Properties Guide
6. Manhattan Geometry Guide
7. Manhattan Equations, Inequalities, & VICs Guide
8. Manhattan Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
9. Manhattan Word Translations Guide
10.
The Official Guide for GMAT 12TH Edition
The
MGMAT books are excellent for Quant and you should definitely get them.
Practice Tests:
6
Manhattan GMAT online
5 Kaplan CAT online
2
GMAT Club test2 GMAT Prep
Phase 1- General Overview & Diagnostic
I plan to study an overview of all sections before giving my Diagnostic test and am planning to use Kaplan Premier for doing that. This will entail going through all the sections of the GMAT using this book to give me a good overview. And then I plan to do a diagnostic from either Kaplan or
Manhattan GMAT. I am choosing to do this, as I want a higher diagnostic start for my mental preparation since I don’t have much time.
• Kaplan Premier- Introduction & overview of all areas
• Diagnostic Test (
Manhattan GMAT or Kaplan)
• Setup of
Error log• Schedule of Study and Timer
Phase 2 - Verbal Preparation Plan
I know I want to start my study with verbal and will vary the weeks of preparation based on the diagnostic test. The planned study order may change depending on the results.
1. Sentence Correction
2. Critical Reasoning
3. Reading Comprehension
I plan to work through each section one by one methodically [highlight]by going through all books[/highlight] explaining that particular verbal subsection and practicing questions at the same time for them.
Don't do this. One book will be good. Stick to one strategy. I think that picking one strategy and sticking to it is better than going through a lot of books, since these books will have different tactics to approach the problems. Like MGMAT does the tree, Powerscore is more elaborate, Veritas has SWIMMER and so on. Don't waste your time on multiple books for the same subject, unless you already have them, in which case you can use them for practice. Books Used
• Manhattan Sentence Correction Guide
• Manhattan Critical Reasoning Guide
• Manhattan Reading Comprehension Guide
•
The Official Guide for GMAT 12TH Edition- Verbal Practice qs
• Kaplan 2011 Premier- Verbal Practice qs
Partial Verbal CATs
• Use verbal sections of CAT once all 3 areas are completed.
Phase 3-Quantitative Preparation
I plan to follow a similar methodical pattern for my quantitative preparation and go through specific areas starting with the Manhattan guides.
Quantitative Preparation
1. Problem Solving
2. Data Sufficiency
Books Used
• Manhattan Number Properties Guide
• Manhattan Geometry Guide
• Manhattan Equations, Inequalities, & VICs Guide
• Manhattan Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
• Manhattan Word Translations Guide
•
The Official Guide for GMAT 12TH Edition- Math Practice Qs
• Kaplan 2011 Premier- Math Practice qs
Phase 4-Practice CAT tests
Initially I would have used a few of these tests for section specific practice rather than completing entire tests. But as soon as I am comfortable I will be practicing complete tests with essays.
2 GMAT Prep- taken multiple times
6 Manhattan CATs
5 Kaplan CATs
2
GMAT Club testsOther recommended CATs.
I would like the opinion of members on this plan of execution. What would you recommend to change for each of the phase I have highlighted and if the time is realistic for a 750 score. Thanks for taking the time to offer your comments and advice.