Need more material! Should I get Kaplan 800 and Princeton review?

Question

I've finished with the OG, Verbal review and Quant reivew. I've completed the 2 tests of Gmat prep (1st score 470, 2nd score 550) and have purchased 2 more for additional practice. Inspite of this, my score is still stuck in the 540-590 range. I'm unable to cross the 600 barrier and my target is for 700+. With only a month remaining for the test, should I purchase extra material like the Kaplan 800, Princeton review or the Manhattan advanced quant book?

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi wannabemba28,

All the resources you have listed here are for solving the problems. Yes, you learn a lot in the process of solving the problems, but you need to build your concepts first before you start solving the problems. 
Just solving more problems and CATs will not help

1. What preparatory material are you following?
2. When are you planning to take the GMAT?

If you are not following any preparatory material, I would recommend you to do so. You can opt for:

1. Private tutor
2. Study from books
3. Enroll for an online course. Many companies including ours give you a weeks trial. You can opt for this and see if the course suits your needs.

Seeker2802 · Answer

I'm currently following Manhattan Prep's strategy guide set. My Gmat date is 2nd December 2015. I think I'm more or less thorough as far as concepts go; my main frustration being the fact that I'm just not able to cross 600.

roym · Answer

Hi Wannabemba28

Since you seem to be unable to cross the 600 mark barrier i feel rather than practicing new material you need to figure out where you have been going wrong. 
Maintain and analyze your error log.
This shall help you identify which question types/ areas are your weak points. You can then work towards strengthening these weak points.

All the best to you

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi wannabemba28,

Many Test Takers who use a 'book-heavy' study approach tend to get 'stuck' at a particular scoring level, and it's likely that this has happened to you. As such, doing more book-work is not likely to provide the solution that you're looking for.

To make the proper use of your time, we need to better define your current strengths and weaknesses:

1) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) Have you taken the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi wannabemba28,

Since you are following a study guide, I would recommend you to go back to the guide again. 
Take it one chapter at a time and again solve the official guide questions.

Make sure to read the explanations of all the options even if you have got the question correct.

The best way to get out of this situation would be to go back to the basics and not go for solving new questions.

All the best!

TIMEBBA · Answer

But Sir Majority of the TIME say 70% is spent on Solving question from the books . And rest on the online CAT . Would you not count on that.We do not spend 70% of time on just giving CAT. But Majority of our time goes on Solving Question from OG ( all 3 of them) and the books that we buy up either Veritas or Manhattan.And i guess they are not just 2-3 books 9-12 books will ultimately take more time.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TIMEBBA,

It all depends on the type of study plan that you're following. Since you'll be taking the GMAT on a computer, spending the bulk of your time doing practice questions out of books can be problematic to your overall studies and improvement - and that's one of the reasons why people who study in that way can get 'stuck.'

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

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Need more material! Should I get Kaplan 800 and Princeton review?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards