Suggestions on taking GMAT current vs GMAT Focus

Hi. Unfortunately deprication of the current version of the test has been accelerated to January 31, 2024. Previously people were allowed to register all the way until March 31 but GM came back and is switching those appointments to GMAT focus or allowing free changes, either way Jim classic is going away on January 31 next year.

As the result, I would say take the gym at focus and plan to take it so you have fewer disruptions

Final piece of advice, I would recommend targeting three months to study in prep. Tying yourself into GMAT prep for six months is frankly unthinkable to me. It’s a huge effort that will burn you out if you maintain intensity necessary to improve it. What happens more often people don’t maintain the intensity in they stretch it out and they get very mediocre results so avoid that mistake, make it into a sprint not a marathon. I would say plan to take it no later than February perhaps.




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Hi GMATAimer,

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you will actually "need" your Score - is a smart choice. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and since the current version of the GMAT is supposedly going to be available until January 31, 2024, you have 3.5 months before that date (and afterwards, the only GMAT option will be to take the GMAT Focus Edition). A 100-point improvement in that timeframe is reasonable, but if you're actually 150-200 points away from your Goal Score, then there might be an issue with achieving that type of improvement in that timeframe.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week - and will you be able to maintain that schedule going forward?
2) What study materials do you currently have access to? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com
www.empowergmat.com

Hi GMATAimer,

I do think you have enough time to prepare for the classic version of the GMAT successfully. However, have you made a decision either way?

[quote="bb"]Hi. Unfortunately deprication of the current version of the test has been accelerated to January 31, 2024. Previously people were allowed to register all the way until March 31 but GM came back and is switching those appointments to GMAT focus or allowing free changes, either way Jim classic is going away on January 31 next year.

Hi bb,

Thanks for the advice! I had initially factored in 6 months as I have quite a hectic work schedule till the end of December and will not be able to study regularly for the next 2.5 months.
I thought about your point of considering the prep as a sprint and have decided to block out January-March and study with high intensity during that period and will be giving the Focus edition at the end of March.

Thanks and Regards!

[quote="EMPOWERgmatRichC"]Hi GMATAimer,

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you will actually "need" your Score - is a smart choice. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and since the current version of the GMAT is supposedly going to be available until January 31, 2024, you have 3.5 months before that date (and afterwards, the only GMAT option will be to take the GMAT Focus Edition). A 100-point improvement in that timeframe is reasonable, but if you're actually 150-200 points away from your Goal Score, then there might be an issue with achieving that type of improvement in that timeframe.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week - and will you be able to maintain that schedule going forward?
2) What study materials do you currently have access to? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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


Hi Rich,

1. 20-25 hours/week is achievable.
2. Official Mock
3. 2nd October 2023 - 650 (Q47 V32)
4. 760 was my goal on the GCE, thus on GFE it will be 705 - basically I want to hit the 99th percentile score.
5. I actually have 12 schools in my mind for now and would pick the schools based on how well I score and how good the overall readiness of my profile is
Bucket 1: Stanford, Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Columbia
Bucket 2: Haas, Stern, Anderson
Bucket 3: Tepper, Marshall, Jones, Kenan Flagler

Hi Scott,

I have decided to go ahead with the Focus Edition.

Regards!

Since GMAT focus edition and GMAT classic scores are not on the same scale, wouldn’t Bschools prefer a 700 candidate vs a 655 to boost their average GMAT in marketing materials??!

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