Some advice from an old pro...

Question

There are good ways and really bad ways of studying for the GMAT. Let me give you an example of a BAD way.

The worse way is too take a lot of tests, answer a lot of questions, but not REALLY study. I have seen time and time again people who think that by buying the next best book, they can suddenly gain the insight needed to do better. I have also seen time and time again people who try to do a problem, give up or guess, look up the answer, then say "oh yeah, i got it" then move on. BAD!!!! Worse is people who got it right, but weren't sure, then confirm it is right, then move on as though they somehow now understand it. 

If you really want to learn, buy an OG, do ALL of the questions SLOWLY over time, and do NOT move on until you can explain why the correct answer is right AND why the incorrect answer is wrong CLEARLY and PLAINLY in your own words. This is a long and painful process, but this forum is the best place to practice. (For Q questions, try to be able to solve any problem from multiple points of view. Do NOT rely on memorizing equations, but focus on understanding the underlying concepts). 

Once again, when you answer a question here, you should spell out EXACTLY why you answered it the way you did. Moreover, you should not be satisfied until you truly understand backwards and forwards every question you come across. 

You will not see as many questions this way. But the ones you do, you will truly understand and that will build your thinking process. 

JMHO

enigmatic007 · Answer

HI AKAMAIBRAH...

THANKS ! The inputs were really helpful and very thought-provoking too, now I understand why we don't actually do as good as we think we
should....

I have few doubts regards the Quant ...if U have time ...please do let us have some enlightenment...

#1 the D.S I believe is the more tricky aspect and it is in here that the test gauges our strenghts or weaknesses... anyway to get a firmer grip on these apart form the A or B / AND the D C , E METHOD...

#2 there are some problems which take a lot of time 9( I would try posting them later if U don't mind!) I know there is a simple way of solving that particular problem but then that way is masked by the complexity of the given question... is thr anyway to have a smart-guess involved at this point ...thr must be some simple and ease method...

#3 I have some real problem with ''probability'' in fact the probability that probability can probably get into my head it very less probable... :-D

the reason is quite simple though -aversion for math and anything related to math from my childhood.... :roll:

also the permutations and combinations... cud U help me by giving me a work-out( even advice) so that I would do it with some seriousness and get a grip so as to feel more
Confident AND STRONG !

hope I have not asked U too much...

Have fun :-D

the reason is quite simple though -aversion for math and anything related to math from my childhood.... :roll:

also the permutations and combinations... cud U help me by giving me a work-out( even advice) so that I would do it with some seriousness and get a grip so as to feel more Confident AND STRONG ! hope I have not asked U too much... Have fun :-D

lphiekickmydog · Answer

Hey AkamaiBrah,

I keep seeing this OG terminology referenced to in a lot of forum posts? What exactly does is stand for? And where exactly can i obtain past practice GMAT tests from (i.e. the ones that are actually administered by the ETS)?

Thanks for you help, and Berkeley is an amazing place,
Vivek

Praetorian · Answer

its the Official Guide for GMAT Review . Official Guide you can logon to mba.com . The past practice gmat tests are avaliable for sale there.

BULLdoser · Answer

Hi AkamaiBrah,
 I'm a hapless chap from India who could score only 510 in 1st attempt.
 42Q,19V
 This time I did not get time to focus OG but did KAP & PR books.I think they can prepare you for 550 max.
 As an expert can you suggest me any support book alongwith OG.
 Going by different threads I believe Manhattan offers good materials.
 But again they are too costly.The irony is $30 may not look much but it translates into INR 1400 which is of big value.And as you understand I've already invested enough in GMAT.
 Secondly how long it will take to reach India.

nickdawg · Answer

Hi Akamai:

Wanted a honeset opinin from you as to how good are the CATs provided by manhattan GMAT, I took their 9 week course last year, could not take the exam last year for some personal reasons, am aspiring to take the exam at the end of this month. I have taken three practice tests from the Manhattan GMAT CAT CD and have consistently scored 690-700 range. I would really like to hear your opininon about my performance so far. Can you shed some light on this?

Thanks for all your input

ArvGMAT · Answer

Seems like you read my mind!!! 
I tend to do exactly like the first paragraph says, the answer always is simple when I look at it, get satisfied and move on. i don't realize why I got the answer wrong the first time. 

Also, too many tests and not enough subject matter preparation is a huge mistake. 
Thanks for the tip.

wilbase · Answer

I agree your point about the "thinking process". I should try to draw a balance between that and time management for each question.

calvinhobbes · Answer

Cannot agree more. It reminds me to stick to the time limit during practice and only profound over the question afterward. Thanks!

adavydov7 · Answer

I've been familiarizing myself with this site for a few weeks now, not really commenting because most everything has been addressed. In that time I have come across a lot of posts by people begging OPs for detailed help with their "particular situation." This thread is no different, and I applaud the OP for not replying to any of these! However, this one question was just too much! When I read it, after the already laundry list of typical questions this guys asked for help with, I couldn't stop laughing for about 10 minutes (I am still chuckling).

The OP works at an IB, not the freaking post office!!! How the hell do you expect him to know or answer that question?! I am guessing CR wasn't your forte!

Well there it is, my first post! I will try refrain from asking stupid or repetitive questions, and vow to use search like a lot of the folks above hadn't.

PS I do know that this was posted quite some time ago, but it was just so ludicrous that I couldn't help myself:)

jazzman · Answer

Good advice. I sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to take too many practice tests but not actually study. The first time I took the GMAT using this method, and scored a 680. I'm hoping that by buckling down and actually using some of the strategies outlined here, I'll be able to go 700+.

wallstreetbarbie · Answer

The reference about wanting the newest best book is right on point... Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry has not changed in a really long time. Its either you have a great foundation on number properties or you dont. For the most part all the books will explain each concept in a similar way. However, until one spends time learning the concept it will never sink in. I used to tutor math and always made my students "teach" me how to do whatever we were working on. If you cannot explain how to solve a problem then you have no idea how to do it.

udvranto · Answer

That's exactly the mistake I made the first time I took the test.

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