Requesting an appraisal of my list of study materials

Question

Hello everyone.

I've created the following shortlist after having gone through the recommended study materials across various threads on this forum. Please provide me with an appraisal of the quality and the quantity of prep materials in this list. Please feel free to recommend additions/subtractions to the list as you see fit.

1. Official GMAT
2. Kaplan GMAT 800
3. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
4. Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook
5. Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus 2019
6. Manhattan Prep GMAT complete set (10)
7. Nova GMAT Math Prep Course
8. PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
9. PowerScore GMAT Reading Comprehension Bible
10. PowerScore GMAT Sentence Correction Bible

If I'm not wrong, these will, at the least, provide me with an introduction to everything within the GMAT syllabus EXCEPT Integrated Reasoning. Recommendations on material to learn and practice IR would be appreciated.

I've only just started exploring study materials for GMAT so I'm open to any and every suggestion. Books/resources that will help me learn the basic concepts as well ones that will allow me to get plenty of practice would be really helpful.

I plan on attempting the exam for the first time in December, but I'm very much open to sitting for it again a few months later if I'm unable to achieve the required score (~750) on my first attempt.

Please do not hesitate to ask for further information should you require it. Thank you.

Posted from my mobile device

nigina93 · Answer

I would rate Manhattan books higher than Kaplan, also, Veritas books are as good as Manhattan ones.

akela · Answer

Hi  ahnafakeef ,

Manhattan prep textbooks are among the best. Some users prefer Powerscore critical reasoning bible for CR prep:
 Top & Best GMAT Math Books 
 Best GMAT Verbal Books

You'll need a study plan to use your time effectively and efficiently:
 The Definitive GMAT Study Plan

Hope this helps!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ahnafakeef,

The list of materials that you've put together is 'book heavy'; unfortunately, many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. With a Score Goal of 750+ (which is a Score that 98% of Test Takers will never earn, no matter how many times they take the GMAT), you might actually make it tougher to hit your Goal by focusing on all of these print materials. This is meant to say so you would likely benefit a great deal by investing in some non-book resources.

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.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

lostboy · Answer

i found manhattan prep to be very useful

bb · Answer

You technically have three sets of books for the same thing. I’m going to venture out and say that it will be a challenge to maintain focus and feel a sense of progress with so much stuff.

I would sell at least half of it and only purchase additional stuff if you do not see progress after first 4-6 weeks.

I started with a Princeton book but within a month, realized it was not working for me I only bought three books, Kaplan Gmat, Kaplan Verbal workbook and Kaplan Math workbook. I did not even have the official guide (in retrospect, it was a mistake and I paid for it with a Q49 instead of Q50). The point is that people have achieved great scores with much fewer resources than what you have but nobody had succeeded riding three bicycles at the same time, let alone beat a person riding a single bicycle.

Sometimes the challenge is also around having too much materials. I see many people buying a course and 2 sets of books plus whatever else they can find, believing that the act of a monetary transaction and ownership of material, results into increase and in knowledge. Don’t repeat that mistake.

Posted from my mobile device

AjiteshArun · Answer

You've got a lot of material there. I suggest you pick one provider and just get started. Preferably theory, not practice questions (so not the OG either). Once you develop a feel for how much (or how little) additional material you need, you can come back to this list and pick another set of books (or not).

GmatDaddy · Answer

My 2 cents,

I spent almost a whole year collecting the resources: books, free tests, online blogs, videos.
Honestly, I have not used even 50% of it.

You have to understand the fact, that the theory remains the same in all the books, subject, verb, pronouns etc for SC, premise, conclusions etc for CR and likewise for RC. the only thing that will differ is the strategy to approach the questions.
But if you look at the debriefs of the top scorers, you will find that no specific strategy suited everyone. 
there's no " successful strategy " that guarantees success, most of the people(me included) have to tweak it.
See, what strategy suits you better and practice with it.

My honest advice would be to single down on a publisher and stick to it. 
but practice from all the reputed sources(with special focus on official material).

and attempt Gmat prep exams.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi ahnafakeef,

Although I can’t say what will work best for your GMAT prep, the important thing is to objectively evaluate your progress so that, in the event that your prep books aren’t meeting your needs, you don’t end up overinvesting time in resources that aren’t working for you. Thus, if after four to six weeks you find that you are not making the improvement you need, you should perhaps think about using additional resources.

As mentioned already, you may consider using a self-study course. Self-study courses typically provide detailed study plans and have granular analytics, so you can easily track your progress as you move through the course. The ability to track your progress will keep you more engaged, and you’ll be able to more accurately forecast when you’re ready to take your real GMAT.

If you decide to go that route,  GMAT Club has reviews on the best courses for GMAT prep .

Also, you may find it helpful to read this article about 
 how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

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Requesting an appraisal of my list of study materials

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