Please crituqe my GMAT plan

Question

Hi, I'm Tyler...and I'm here to admit I completely messed up planning my GMAT...until I read the newbie stickies.

Anyway, here is my slightly updated (and still rather generic GMAT study plan).

Goals:  670
 Academic:  B.Comm (~3.0), CHRP 
Work:  2 years as an Organizational Effectiveness Consultant (designing HR programs, and some mid-level business analytics work)

Timeline:  68 Days
 Study Time:  ~2 hours/night weekdays, ~4/Sat,Sun. Additionally I've taken some time off work on the days leading into the final test. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and the test is Tuesday (12:30PM)

My Study Plan 
 - Extensive use of the Cornell method of note taking (this has always been quite effective for me)
 - Beat the GMAT flashcards
 - Manhattan GMAT flashcards
 - My own personal set of flashcards, created at the end of each major section
 - A slightly modified version of the error log I liked best on this site

Phase 1: Acquaint with GMAT (13 days)
 - GMAT Official Guide Diagnostic Test
 - Princeton Review Book
 - Princeton Review (1/2 tests)
 Notes: Although it seems widely disliked here, I have the book and "Beat the GMAT" considers it a good starting point to become familiar.

Phase 2: Manhattan GMAT (6 weeks)
 - 8 Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides
 - Final 2 weeks and entering phase 3 doing MGMAT tests

Notes: Before reviewing this forum I was going to do a mix of other materials, but these seem to be quite well reviewed and will be extremely useful.

Phase 3: Extensive test taking
 - Remaining Princeton Review Test (2/2)
 - OG tests
 - MBA com Tests (I want to use them towards the end as they should best mimic the actual environment)

Additionally I will be working through Peterson's Writing for the GMAT for AWA work. I'm not very worried about this portion at all.

I'm hoping this should give me a thorough understanding of the GMAT, and a good start toward my 670 goal. I've always tested quite well, and like everyone here have had my fair share of final exams, and tests for professional credentials etc.

I appreciate any and all comments, as just reading the posts for about 2 days straight has really provided me a lot of direction.

Thank you,

Tyler

walker · Answer

Welcome aboard!

I would recommend to start with one test and retake it a couple of times, than start another test and also retake it for a few times. You are right that they are the closest tests to real exam but using them only at the end is not the best strategy.

BM · Answer

I would skip the Princeton material. Go straight to the Manhattan series; it's better.

If you want extra quant practice, then GMATClub Challenges and Jeff Sackmann's Math sets are the best out there. Manhattan also has a good bit of online practice questions for free (after you purchase the guides, of course). For verbal practice, all you need is on the GMATClub forums.

Your study time is good, but just make sure you do something everyday. It was also a wise move to secure a few days off just prior to the test. Just relax a day or two before the exam.

keps · Answer

Yeah.. I will also say skip the princeton but 'CRACK THE GMAT' from princeton is must.. 
Meanwhile, go for kaplan tests. They will give you good practice. Though they are tough and it may demotivate you, but it will surely help in the final GMAT.

bb · Answer

Welcome to GMAT Club!

Agree about skipping the PR.

See this plan for some thoughts: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html and this list of books for recommendations: top-gmat-prep-books-guides-reviews-comments-77703.html

Also, would not put too much emphasis on flashcards; they are a good way to learn a few things but not systematic/complete enough to nail the test.

OG diagnostic is fine but would recommend that you take a GMATPrep actually - a much better score and result than the diag.
Don't spend much time on AWA - see this post how to handle it in a day or two: how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html

ekinwang · Answer

BB - is there a reason you recommend spending the first month concentrating on math first? I am weaker on Verbal, and was thinking of focusing on that aspect first.

Thanks!

BM · Answer

I agree with bb about the flashcards. They're better than nothing, but it might be more helpful to use that time practicing some CR and SC on GMATClub.

FAPhoenix · Answer

Revamped and restarted

And, feeling ever more confident.

bb · Answer

No big reason at all - but here is my thinking (I am better in math as well):
1. Get quant out of the way (though you will still review/practice/etc, but at 20%; the other 80% is spent on verbal)
2. Get some confidence with GMAT to energize you for the Verbal section
3. Sometimes you don't want to fight the toughest opponent first.

chambax · Answer

I must say that flashcards were absolutely key in improving my math from 30 (2.5 mths agos) to 43 (now). my goal is 45+ but my leap from 30-43 was fueled significantly by the use of flash cards.

If your math is under 43 then there are basic concepts that you don't quite get, or there are things that don't quite pop out at you when reading the question prompt (special 90 degree triangles, pythag triples etc). Also, it could be that your mental arithmetic is not up to par.

so I used flashcards to hammer in certain things quickly, and I must say it worked really well!

For example I have flash cards for common powers, square roots, fractions --> decimal conversions and vice versa, certain number properties, Geometry formulas, Pythagorean triples, special 90 degree angles and their sides etc.

I have noticed that now that I am at 43, my flashcards are too easy, but that was exactly the point, now it is second nature for me to look at a 90 degree triangle and think about the sides in terms of x or x s.q 2 etc.

So if you feel like there are basic building blocks that you need to improve on then I totally recommend flashcards! But of course how effective they are is different from person to person...!

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Please crituqe my GMAT plan

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