Started Diagnostic - Immediately discouraged

Question

So I started the diagnostic, I couldn't believe how out of touch I was with my basic math principles. Conceptual questions on concepts I haven't studied in years, and the GMAT books I purchased from the website are not good at all for refresher's on basic principles.

At this point now I have no idea where to even start on this. Is there anything out there that provides you with a refresher on concepts and progressive levels of difficulty as you refine your knowledge of the concepts?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rahman1986,

Many Test Takers are a bit "rusty" when it comes to math that they haven't seen in years, so you're not alone. If you're looking for free math-centric help, then I recommend that you spend some time at Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). The site makes the learning process a bit more fun and 'game-like' (as opposed to the dry, academic approach that most books use).

When are you planning to take the GMAT?
What is your goal score?

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

Rahman1986 · Answer

Hi Empower,

I had planned on taking the GMAT in September. I need over a 700. Now I believe I need to give myself more time. I thought 5 months would be long enough, but perhaps it isn't. Thoughts?

EgmatQuantExpert · Answer

Dear Rahman Please do not be discouraged! We all start somewhere and starting the Diagnostic was only the first step that you took! The good news is that you have made up your mind that a score of 700+ on the GMAT is your goal, and can any difficulty survive before a persistent mind? No! :-D

Here's what I would suggest you to do: 1. Don't take any mixed bag tests (such as the OG Diagnostic or any mocks) right now. Just to be very clear, by 'mixed bag tests', I mean tests that include questions from multiple concepts - for example, an Absolute Equations question followed by a Distance and Speed question etc. You will come to these tests in due course of time. 2. Decide on a conceptual module that you want to start with first - Number Properties, Algebra, Geometry, Word Problems or PnC and Probability. A factor that may help you to decide the order in which you want to do these modules is: your current level of comfort with these 5 modules. It'll be a good idea to start with the module that you feel relatively more comfortable with. Studying a topic that you already somewhat remember and feel comfortable with will help you enjoy your early days of Quant prep. And, as your confidence improves, you'll be ready to take on the modules you deem to be more challenging.

3. Once you have decided on what your first module will be, make a list of all the concepts that you'll need to study for that module, and the order in which you'll need to study it. For example, for Number Properties, your list will look like this: i) Even-Odd numbers ii) Prime numbers iii) LCM-GCD iv) Units Digit v) Divisibility vi) Remainders vii) Estimation and Rouding viii) Statistics The order of these concept files is decided as follows: a) Easy to difficult b) A concept that is required for another concept should be done first. For example, prime factorization is required in some LCM-GCD questions. So, you should do prime numbers before you do LCM-GCD 4. When you start studying a concept, here's the process that you should follow: a) Study the basic properties - from OG Math Review (it's not very detailed there though) or whatever study material you're referring to. Stick to the basic properties at this stage. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much knowledge/ advanced knowledge at this stage. b) Apply the basic properties on easy questions in your study material. Analyze all mistakes you make. If there is any conceptual point where you're not feeling so sure at this stage, revise it from your study material or from the solutions of the questions that you're practicing. c) Progress to the more difficult questions in your study material as your confidence increases. Keep analyzing your mistakes all the while. d) After you've exhausted all the questions for that concept in your study material, do the OG, OGQR2 and GMAT Prep questions for that topic (and for that topic alone). Or you may leave only the most advanced questions in your study material to be done after you do the official questions. e) Revise - the concept and the mistakes that you'd made in the questions of that concept- periodically. Lather-rinse-repeat this process for all concepts.

5. You're now ready for Mixed Bag tests! As you can see, the essence of my advice to you here is to break the GMAT Quant syllabus into bite-sized units (which I labelled as concepts) and to master one concept before you move to the next. Should you want to start your preparation with Number Properties, I can actually share with you our own content since we offer our Number Properties concept files as a Free Trial of our course. Our course is designed on this same principle of progressive difficulty that you mentioned in your post. Our concept files give a basic refresher of a particular concept, and are immediately followed by questions that go from easy to difficult. We then list the Official questions for that specific concept. At the end of each module, we offer Rapid Fire tests to check your conceptual understanding and mixed-bag quizzes that go from Medium- Tough. You can access our Free Trial concept files simply by clicking at our signature below this post and doing a free registration. Once you have gone through our concept files, you can then write to support@e-gmat.com to get access to a recording of our Number Properties Live Classroom. We provide this session also for free. This 2 hour classroom session will take you from beginner to advanced-level questions in Even Odd numbers, Primes and LCM-GCD. I do hope my reply here was useful to you. Wish you all the very best for an enjoyable journey through GMAT preparation! :-D

Warm Regards Japinder

Rahman1986 · Answer

Wow thank you for this comprehensive answer! It was perfect. I have two more questions for you:

1) Study Material's - I assumed the GMAT website would provide enough, boy was I wrong. It almost feels like they stole my money. I prefer to study old school text book style - Concept - > Questions - Intermediate Concept - > Intermediate Questions - >Advanced Concept -> Advanced Questions - where do I go? Is there a one book meets all that covers the five modules of the Quantitative section for the GMAT?

2) Your example was perfect - that's exactly how I always chose to study via textbook - learn a concept - quiz myself - re-do those I got wrong. This always led me to test successfully. But, what I don't know is how advanced I need to get in those five modules. The GMAT books likes to say that the questions aren't impossible and that a basic understanding of math principles and concepts is all you need, but that sounds like a flat out lie after my experience last night. How do I know when I've learned enough about Geometry to be successful on the GMAT for example?

I will definitely look into your Number Properties guides tonight and see how that works for me from beginning to end! Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rahman1986,

When you mentioned the "Diagnostic" in your prior post, it's not clear what you're referring to. Were you working out of a book or were you taking a CAT?

If you have not taken a FULL CAT yet, then you should plan to take one soon. You'll probably come across some material that you're not comfortable with, but that's okay. This first FULL CAT is meant to establish a 'baseline' score and give you a sense of your current strengths and weaknesses.

Since we're already into May, you wouldn't really have 5 full months of study time if you still intend to take the GMAT in September. As it stands, 4+ months of study is plenty of time for you to prepare, but we're not going to know if it's enough time for YOU to score 700+ until you get into your studies and we can track your progress. In that way, taking FULL CATs on a regular basis (1 CAT every 1-2 weeks) is a good idea.

What resources have you purchased so far?

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

Rahman1986 · Answer

Well today I got the 2014 Kaplan review material's including all of those recommended Manhattan Books. I also originally purchased the official GMAT study materials - essentially the "Official GMAT Review" - Official Verbal - Official Quantitative and that's it.

If there is anything specifically you recommend please let me know.

I started taking the tests at the beginning of the GMAT book to learn where I stand and establish my baseline, and that's the test that really discouraged me. So I should probably just take my best crack it it, rip the band-aid off, and determine where I need help after checking my scores on that?

I'll do that starting tomorrow night and update you on my progress ASAP. You all have been such a great help, it's amazing, I'm already feeling excited and confident again.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rahman1986,

While book resources can be reasonable sources for practice questions, the Diagnostic tests in a book are NOT a realistic way to establish a 'baseline score' - those Tests are on paper, they don't adapt, they don't necessarily follow the typical ratios of question types, the questions themselves are not 'jumbled', etc.

The only real way to establish that initial score is to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT. You can download 2 for free from www.mba.com; a FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to do so in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here.

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

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi Rahman1986,

Definitely agree that the best way to get a baseline score and shed a great deal of light on where your problem areas are, is to jump right in and take a practice exam.

We actually shared a few tips on how to get started with your GMAT prep recently, which you can check out here: https://bit.ly/1EkVHQu

Best of luck,
Rich

dabral · Answer

Rahman1986,

The diagnostic test in the beginning of the official GMAT guide is on the hard side and it typically discourages a lot of my students. Take it with a pinch of salt. A good diagnostic test would have questions with increasing difficulty so you can see where you are falling off. I would suggest reviewing the basics first, then doing some easy questions from the OG to warm up, typically the first 30 questions in each section are the easiest. Then only move on to take the full length CAT, actually at this stage you may still not be ready so doing some more preparation before hitting an official CAT may be required.

Cheers,
Dabral

Started Diagnostic - Immediately discouraged

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