naeln wrote:
Hi everyone,
I am a 33 year old non-native female. I have longed dreamt about studying in the US. Some months back the project I have been working on ended. At first I was pretty excited since I thought that now I would have all the time I need to study for the GMAT. It might be worth mentioning that I come from a non-technical background and last time I sat for a math test was in high school (some ten year back). After my first diagnostic OptimusPrep test (score 330), I realized that I have my work cut out for me.
For a couple of months I have applied myself to studying first the verbal section and then the quant. I used the following resources:
1.
OG 13, and Verbal and Quant Supplements
2. GMATPrep Now 3-month study plan course
3.
MGMAT Study Guides
4.
E-gmat verbal
5. OptimusPrep On-Demand-Course
By May 21st, I took my second CAT and my first official one. They were as follows:
1. GMATPrep (my first GMATprep test), May 21st, Score 550, (Q34, V32),
2. GMATPrep, May 28th , Score 620 (Q45, V30)
3. OptimusPrep CAT 1, May 31st, Score 750 (Q49, V44)
4. OptimusPrep CAT 2, Jun 1st, Score 700 (Q48, V38)
5. OptimusPrep CAT 3, Jun 3rd, Score 650 (Q42, V32)
6. OptimusPrep CAT 3, Jun 8th, Score 690 (Q50, V33)
7. OptimusPrep CAT4, Jun 10th, Score 640 (Q47, V31)
Most my verbal mistakes are in SC and most my quant ones are either due to silly mistakes or due to timing issues. It might be worth mentioning that the 700+ score tests in the aforementioned list were not taken in the timed conditions that simulates the test environment. On another note, I still have the 2 exams from the GMAT Exam pack 1, which I have not used yet.
Please help. I thought by now I would have mastered the GMAT considering the amount of time and effort I have put into it. I barely have a social life, I have spent a considerable amount of money (which is especially painful since I don’t have a source of income right now), and I fear that I am wasting my life, since my sole purpose for the last months was to prep myself to sit for the exam, which I am still not ready for and which I have not scheduled yet.
Can anyone please help? I really want to schedule my exam as soon as possible but I don’t know when that could be given my performance. Can I pull this off in two weeks or do I need more time? What would be a recommended study schedule either way? Do I need to re-do the official SC questions? What is recommended number of questions that I should be doing in timed set on daily basis? I never felt so stupid.
Hi
I am not an expert but I guess we all can help and advice each other on this forum.
I think that most 30+ non-technical guys/gals have to put in a lot of effort and time in regaining the speed and mental agility .So, I do not see any problem when you say that you have put a lot of time and effort.This is exactly what was required from someone who is in your shoes.Besides, it takes a lot of effort and power to stay focused especially when you do not have any job/income.You need not get disheartened but should make more concentrated and planned efforts.
Remember Desperate time need desperate measures.
1. GMAT is all logic and time game. Timing is an outcome.You need to practice , practice and practice.
2. It is always better to revise the same stuff twice or thrice than to attempt new questions .More benefit is received by revision .
3. I think that OGs and GMATPrep must be done at least twice ( timed or un-timed) .These questions are goldmines and every time one attempts the questions and patiently reads explanations,one will discover something new.Make notes.
4. I am not sure about the quality of Optimus Prep CATs but GMATPrep results are true indicators.If the score on GMATPrep exam is 620, it means it is 620.You have to take it with a pinch of salt.
5. You need more time ,at least a month to be sure of your performance. Consistently performing in CATs and GMATPrep is a sure indicator of your true performance.You do not have any other way to correctly judge your performance.
6. 700+ is not easy but manageable.
7.Timing is an outcome and not a target.You can always make smart guesses and skip questions. There is thread on this forum which discusses the GMATPrep software timing etc.
8. Re-do questions to know your weaknesses . Self evaluation of questions is very important.
9. You must know not only why a right option is right but also why a wrong option is wrong.
10. Make thorough use of Scholarinium in
e-gmat.
Do not loose hope.
Remember-
"Far too many people have lost not because they did not try enough but because they quit just when they need to try little more."
So keep up the tempo and keep practicing diligently and intelligently.
You will get the desired results.
And do not give up.
You have pushed it hard and now you need to push it harder.
_________________
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.-Mohammad Ali