Some questions on books and preparation

Question

Hi there,

thanks for supporting this wonderful forum, full of informative posts and helpful people.

As my thread at the mba section shows (I posted my full profile there), I am interested in taking the GMAT and in some years applying for a MBA program. As I have free time now, I would like to meet the GMAT requirement. My target score is something with a seven in front, better around 730. I would like to develope a structured study plan in order to sit for the exam in December 2011.

I read stories from the forum - some were bolstering, other not that much, but in the end I hope that with dedicating several months ti preparation I will be able to meet my target. Without any preliminary preparation or any specific knowledge of the type of questions (I knew the GMAT structure, but not the specific type of questions) I took just a few minutes ago the Diagnostic test of GMATClub and score meager - only 15 out of 45 correct. Nevertheless I felt that questions were not that hard and can be answered correctly if one is well prepared and knows the tricks and techniques for answering.

Being a non-native speaker and having forgotten some maths I would like to start with a in-debth revision of the basics. And afterwards really study on a 700 level with books which offer harder questions. I have read many reviews, especially BB's books review (Thanks - its really helpful) and therefore my suggestion, which I would like you to comment, is:

Buying the full MGMAT Collection of 8 books analyzing the different parts of the exam together with the Manhattan Math foundations book and really use them with the OG12 as a first source of revision and basic GMAT knowledge. Afterwards, I thought to choose the Kaplan package (Kaplan Premier/Kaplan 800), as those are claimed to provide you with more difficult 700+ level questions. Together with the Manhattan and Kaplan Books I would receive also around 10 CAT Test, which will be good for practicing. Additionally I tend to order also the Powerscore Bible for CR. 
Is this ehoung or too much?
Would you add something to the list?
Would you recommend Aristotle SC Grail? Do I need it, if I have the MGMAT SC, which is said to be also very good?
And generally - Do I really need the whole MGMAT package or should I take only individual books?
I still have in my mind also the Veritas Prep collection. Would you take it instead of one of the other packages?

Thank you for the help!

nammers · Answer

Everything is time dependant but in my opinion the OG Guide is the basis of any study plan without you will be lost, so definitely buy it. Secondly, in terms of MGMAT the best books are number properties, word problems and sentence correction. Kaplan is a very hit and miss book, I would rely upon gmatclub tests ahead of it as some questions are unlike GMAT and can cause unnecessary stress. Also, Aristotle is a good guide, like a condensed MGMAT SC.

I would buy:
Manhattan Number Properties, Word Problems, Sentence Correction (If you are very weak at maths you might buy them all)
Cliff Notes Math Review (Great beginners book)
Powerscore Critical Reasoning
GMAT Club Tests + use the forums
RC99

I would buy:
Manhattan Number Properties, Word Problems, Sentence Correction (If you are very weak at maths you might buy them all) 
Cliff Notes Math Review (Great beginners book)
Powerscore Critical Reasoning
GMAT Club Tests + use the forums
RC99

bgpower · Answer

Thaks nammers!

I will definitely buy OG12. Would you suggest buying the OG Verbal and OG Maths books as they do not receive very good ratings here? Regarding MGMAT - I will note these three books and will think it through if not to buy the entire package. Will have to look what the price difference will be. Powerscores CR Bible seems is on the list.

Do you think I need Aristotle, if I have MGMAT SC? About Kaplan I have read some positive reviews, saying that it does contain many hard questions, but on the other hand, they seem to prepare you very well for the actual exam. What would others suggest regarding Kaplan Premier and Kaplan 800?

Thanks!

nammers · Answer

If you have time Aristotle lays a great foundation for MGMAT SC which is slightly more complicated to understand. Taking the exam in December you probably have the chance to review both.

bb · Answer

Sorry for a delayed reply. The newsletter kept me busy the last day.

1. I think the 8 MGMAT Guides + OG 12 should be sufficient - you can drop Kaplan
You can see my review of Veritas here: veritas-prep-books-vs-manhattan-gmat-books-96701.html

Finally, see here: sc-grail-review-104794.html

bgpower · Answer

Hi bb and thanks for the reply,

I have read your Veritas vs. Manhattan review and it seems to me that you recommend Manhattan as the more complete package. That's why I wanted to stick with it.

As I read more and more debriefs (2 samples:  1  and  2 ) I realize that all people really use one and the same books. And the only question, which remains unclear to me, is whether one can be focused enough with that many sources. Can you provide inside on that?

I am tempted to prepare myself with:
Manhattan 8-package - mainly for Quant
Powerscore Bibles CR and SC Bibles
Aristotle SC (good beginning)
Aristotle RC99

And practice and test with:
OG12
MGMAT CAT's
GMATClub CAT's

Kaplan would provide me with additional practice CAT's (800) and a general strategy book (Premier), but are those CAT's better than the above-listed and is it really worth it?

Regards,

bb · Answer

I don't know if you have enough time to cover all of that really.
It is a great arsenal but I would pick and choose what you really need. That's plenty.

You can drop the Kaplan books.

You have plenty of materials even without it. I would suggest starting asap to cover it all.

bgpower · Answer

Thanks, bb!

I will drop Kaplan and order the package. Though I won't need the entire Manhattan Series as I have some specific verbal books, I will order this too, because there will be now reduction in price ifI order only the 5 Quant books. If it is available, I might order the MGMAT Math Foundations

Regards,

bgpower · Answer

Just wanted to drop a messege what books I decided to buy:

General:
OG 12

Quant:
OG Quant
MGMAT Quant Package - 5 books

Verbal:
OG Verbal
MGMAT Verbal Package - 3 books - SC, RC, CR
Aristotle SC - prior to MGMAT SC
Aristotle RC99 - will gauge which book to use more intensively - MGMAT or Aristotles
Powerscore CR Bible - primary source for CR (MGMAT is secondary)

Tests:
MGMAT CAT's
GMATClub CAT's

I have ordered the entire Manhattan package, just to use the discout. I might not use their CR and RC that much. Once I have received the books (hopefully next week), I will decide if I need any of Manhattan GMAT Foundations Books for Quant and Verbal.

If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them

Now let's see what study plan I will apply ...

bgpower · Answer

Hi all,

again me with a couple of questions. I will try to incorporate also both books from Aristotle - SC and RC99.  But would you generally suggest me buying a grammar book (GMATClub Ultimate Grammar / Doing Grammar by Max Morenberg) as I already have the MGMAT Verbal Foundations book?  I just want to build a strong foundation for the remaining MGMAT verbal books?

My GMAT journey will start in December with both Foundation books (will open an separate diary thread). I have already prepared an error log, but I do have some questions regarding my general strategy.

1. Would you recommend taking notes when going through all strategic guides?
2. Should I do OG12 questions or the MGMAT online questions banks alongside the MGMAT Strategy guides, or both right with the first reading?
3. When is the best time to do the problems from OG Quant and OG Verbal - again together with the strategic guides, or afterwards?
4. Assuming I decide to read the MGMAT guides only once and then try to improve myself based on more practice questions, which CAT's would you recommend me? I have heard good things of Jeff Sackmanns Quant questions, as well as the GMATClub's tests (already decided to use them), but are there other?
5. And generally, when is the best time to incorporate a more strategic approach - time strategies; start working with the test simulation booklet?

I am pretty sure those questions seem a bit stupid, but it is always that way, when you are at the beginning! Thank you in advance for you informative posts and your time!

Regards,

bgpower · Answer

I deleted some questions, as I already found an answer in the forum, but would be extremely grateful if you could help me with the remaining ones.

Regards!

born2win · Answer

1. personally i do
2. usually i do OG 12
3. haven't used them yet
4. most of the forum members suggest to focus more on gmatprep, which is the only official cat available out there. you can also use mgmat CATs. 
5. no idea.

bgpower · Answer

@born2win: Thanks you very much for your response! Good luck with the exam!

Regards,

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