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sgcfivegm
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sgcfivegm

Studying using only practice problems works if you are already strong with underlying concepts. In this scenario, you will pick up the holes as you go through practice problems. However, if you are lacking a strong foundation in concepts, then you will not gain much from doing practice problems because you will not have the necessary tools to tackle them.

Dabral

Ok I understand. So with firm foundations in place I can then use the practice problems to notice weaknesses? Thanks.
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Hi sgcfivegm,

Since you've been studying for 3 months (albeit inconsistently), have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet (with the Essay and IR sections)? If you have, then how did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
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Hi sgcfivegm,

Yes, there are many students who have a fairly solid foundation on the core concepts and all they need to do is to get a handle on the way the GMAT questions are structured. In those cases, you can plug those weaknesses by practicing with official GMAT questions. Just make sure you use official GMAT questions for practice, with enough practice you will start to see the pattern and style of the GMAT.

Dabral

Ok thanks for the advice. It has been very helpful.
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Hi sgcfivegm,

Since you've been studying for 3 months (albeit inconsistently), have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet (with the Essay and IR sections)? If you have, then how did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

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

No I haven't yet. I feel my approach is maybe a little awry and needs to be tightened and fine tuned if I am going to have any success. I don't think I am not taking it seriously, but a stricter structure and efficient learning is required.
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Hi sgcfivegm,

It's important to take FULL-LENGTH CATs at regular intervals during your studies. Beyond the fact that there are certain aspects to taking the GMAT that you can ONLY learn by taking those CATs, the score results will help to point out your strengths and weaknesses (and provide a basis for comparison so you can track your progress).

As such, it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend); you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can talk through the scores and how to adjust your study plan (if necessary).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Ok, I'll make the full length practice cat my main next priority. Thanks for your insight.
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