Should I Wait for MGMAT 5th Ed.?

Question

Hello,

I'm planning to take the GMAT roughly around the 3rd week of July 2012. I'm about to start studying and just ordered the OG 13th Edition and the verbal and quant OGs. I was about to order the MGMAT 4th edition set but then noticed that the 5th edition set is coming out in 3 weeks (April 24, 2012). So I'm wondering: should I sacrifice three weeks of studying and wait for the 5th edition? Or should I just buy the 4th Edition now and then buy the IR MGMAT Guide separately once it comes out?

Thanks very much!

EDIT: Another obvious possibility is that I could just buy a different book (Kaplan looked good) and use that to study for the next 3 weeks until the 5th Ed. MGMAT comes out. Is it alright to study from different companies like that? I thought I heard that different books use different strategies and it's best to just stick with one company the whole way through... thoughts? Thank you!

jazzman · Answer

If you bought OG 13, I would wait for the 5th Edition. Problem sets in MGMAT 4th Edition are linked to OG 12, which wouldn't do you much help since you have OG 13.

BCMN · Answer

hmm ok- I mean, I could always buy OG 12 in addition to OG 13. That book was only like $23. I just don't want to buy both MGMAT editions. And as I understood it, only 17% of problems in OG 13 are new- so I'm hoping that MGMAT 4th Ed. would still be pretty relevant even if I was using it with OG 13? Or wouldn't that necessarily be the case?

GreginChicago · Answer

Hi, The Verbal & Quant OGs are not changing. For the OG 13th edition, I would refer to: official-guide-13th-edition-initial-assessment-129154.html#p1059362 and MGMAT's analysis which is particularly detailed https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ial-guide/ I am guessing that the 8 study books are not going to change much except for the list of reference to OG questions. and that they are going to list the question numbers for both OG 12th and OG13th (in the same way they reference Quant OG / Quant OG 2nd Edition). Ref. posts on MGMAT's blog: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/MGM ... 15208.html https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pos ... 5cc#p63926 It's a tough call, especially since once the 5th edition hit the market, the price for any used set of the 4th edition is going to drop quite a bit. Maybe buy a set of used strategy guides? buy-sell-books-and-find-study-groups-4/

mohater · Answer

It's really up to you. MGMAT made HUGE strides from 2nd to 3rd edition and 3rd to 4th. I'm not saying it won't be better, I just don't know how much better it can become.

BM · Answer

As long as you think that there's enough time, then waiting a few weeks shouldn't hurt. I'm not sure what improvements to expect from Manhattan's fifth version, but you can opt for the Powerscore CR Bible while you wait. The CR Bible is currently the top performer for that subject, so you can work on that now to replace Manhattan's CR guidebook.

I wouldn't purchase OG 13 and OG 12, however. There's simply too much overlap. The OG Verbal and OG Quant would be a better bundle. But if you want another comprehensive OG book, then I suggest OG 10. I think there is some overlap with OG 10 and the the GMATPrep software, but now there's new version for that too.

udvranto · Answer

MGMAT generally offers discounted price for students. I bought the GMAT Roadmap for $10. GMAT Roadmap was not available when I enrolled. While I agree with others that you should wait for the latest version, I also believe the sooner you start working on the test the better.

Another option would be to enroll now for a course that will start after the new books are released. In the mean time you can start working on your preparation using the online content available in the MGMAT student section.

Most importantly, I suggest you to  contact the MGMAT student services  and tell them about your concern. They may provide you a better option.

Good luck.

BCMN · Answer

Thanks for the responses, everyone. To clarify- I'm not considering taking a class right now, they're too expensive for my budget and I think I can study on my own just as well.

The more I think about it, the more I think it makes sense for me to buy the most recent Kaplan Premier book, use that to study for the next three weeks, and then switch to the MGMAT books once they come out. Thoughts on that?

Thanks!

wallstreetbarbie · Answer

The Kaplan book will keep you entertained for 3-4 weeks max... and it is a nice and quick refresher for quant. In your case it makes sense to get it. 
However, in the book SC coverage was disaster there I think the chapter is only a few pages long... I did like their RC and CR stuff though.

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