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Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise

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abhi758
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Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   30 Aug 2009, 12:19
Hi,

I have been preparing for my GMAT full time as I am not currently working after losing my job given the worse market situation. Following has been my progress in the past 2 months:

Diagnostic Kaplan CAT: 400 (Q24 V20) - (Mid last month)
Princeton Review Free Test (1st Attempt): 470 (Q31 V24)
Princeton Review Free Test (2nd Attempt): 530 (Q33 V30) -- Very few questions were repeated
GMATClub Free tests: Quant (12 corrects) Verbal (24 corrects)
Kaplan CAT 1: 460 (Q21 V21) (20 days back)
Kaplan CAT 2: 520 (Q30 V23) (Yesterday)

I am aiming for a score in the 680-700 range and intend to apply for the schools this year-end, but I guess I'll have to substantially improve on my verbal and quant skills to achieve my target score. Given the situation and prep status, should I continue my GMATprep or apply for a job..get one.. and then continue with my prep again.. Would appreciate any suggestions that would help make a better decision..

Also is it possible to improve your quant skills within a short span?? any strategies are welcome..!!
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   30 Aug 2009, 12:55
abhi758 wrote:
Hi,

I have been preparing for my GMAT full time as I am not currently working after losing my job given the worse market situation. Following has been my progress in the past 2 months:

Diagnostic Kaplan CAT: 400 (Q24 V20) - (Mid last month)
Princeton Review Free Test (1st Attempt): 470 (Q31 V24)
Princeton Review Free Test (2nd Attempt): 530 (Q33 V30) -- Very few questions were repeated
GMATClub Free tests: Quant (12 corrects) Verbal (24 corrects)
Kaplan CAT 1: 460 (Q21 V21) (20 days back)
Kaplan CAT 2: 520 (Q30 V23) (Yesterday)

I am aiming for a score in the 680-700 range and intend to apply for the schools this year-end, but I guess I'll have to substantially improve on my verbal and quant skills to achieve my target score. Given the situation and prep status, should I continue my GMATprep or apply for a job..get one.. and then continue with my prep again.. Would appreciate any suggestions that would help make a better decision..

Also is it possible to improve your quant skills within a short span?? any strategies are welcome..!!


Hi abhi758,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but for self studying, you need a LOT of work.

How are you studying? The varying scores show inconsistency in your approach to the tests.

Have you read the various debriefs of people's GMAT journeys? I think this will give you insight on progress people made.

Don't not apply for jobs. Always keep your options open. You never know what might pan out. Studying can take a part time role.

As for strategies, please see the strategy master and discussion threads in my sig.
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   30 Aug 2009, 21:49
Thanks so much Mohater for the reply and suggestions.. Have PMed you..look forward to your reply..

Thanks again!!

- Abhi
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   31 Aug 2009, 00:09
I would say to keep looking for a job. GMAT can be handled on a part-time basis.

Also, looking at your test scores, I think the target you have set is reasonable. When I started my preparation, I also used to score 520, 540 kindda score in Kaplan tests. But with around 2 months of preparation my final GMAT score was 730 :)
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   31 Aug 2009, 00:26
Thanks for the reply Bigoyal, its really encouraging to know that 520 to 730 is reachable.. :o I had read in your debrief that you have practiced a lot using Kaplan tests..and you were really persistent with your efforts... how many months did you take overall for your prep? as I have reached a score of 520 after couple months of prep..
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   31 Aug 2009, 01:13
abhi758 wrote:
Thanks for the reply Bigoyal, its really encouraging to know that 520 to 730 is reachable.. :o I had read in your debrief that you have practiced a lot using Kaplan tests..and you were really persistent with your efforts... how many months did you take overall for your prep? as I have reached a score of 520 after couple months of prep..


It took me a total of 3+ months. After around 1st month, I started attempting Kaplan tests.

Anyway, believe me Kaplan tests are way different from actual GMAT tests. So, just use these tests for practice purpose and don't get dishearten with the scores. You can try attempting GMATPrep tests (may be both the tests) to see where you stand and what are your weak areas. These GMATPrep tests can be repeated 3 to 4 times, after regular intervals, when you think you have made some improvement.

Also, I notice there is good improvement in your kaplan scores. That means you are certainly improving. You just need some more time.
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink] New post   31 Aug 2009, 06:36
Thanks so much Mohater and Bigoyal.. you guys have been really supportive and made me feel that I am not headed in the wrong direction.. will definately bear in mind the advise given and plan my actions accordingly..

Best of luck to both of you for your apps..

Thanks again..

- Abhi
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Re: Should continue to prep or look out for a job.. pls advise [#permalink]
31 Aug 2009, 06:36

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