Seeking Guidance: OLD GMAT vs. GMAT FOCUS - Which One to Opt For?

Question

Hello GMAT Club members,

I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community, hoping for some advice regarding a pivotal decision related to my GMAT attempt. I plan to give an attempt before  mid-January 2024 .

A bit about my background: 
I had studied the Verbal and Quant lessons from Magoosh during one bout of preparation some time back (couldn't appear for the test, unfortunately). I'll start preparing for the test again. I am quite confident about the Quant section, but the Verbal Section remains a challenge. I perform decently at Sentence Correction (if not the best).

My Dilemma - OLD GMAT vs GMAT FOCUS:

OLD GMAT: 
Pros: Plenty of   resources   and study material, including Magoosh's specific study plans. Clear benchmarks for what qualifies as a  "good score" .
Cons: I'm unsure about the importance/relevance of the score, especially since I plan to apply to B-Schools  later after some work experience.

GMAT FOCUS: 
Pros: No need to  spend time tackling Sentence Correction  (and AWA), which is tempting. Additionally, the option to  revise answers  for specific questions might help with my test anxiety.
Cons: The benchmark for a  "good score" is still unclear . There's also a scarcity of comprehensive resources.

A little about me: 
I'm a recent IIT Bombay graduate with a CGPA of 9.52/10.00. Currently, I work as an Analyst at American Express. My target is to apply for top-tier US B-Schools, as well as institutes like INSEAD and HEC Paris.

Given my scenario and goals, I'd love to hear thoughts from those who've faced a similar crossroads or have insights on the topic. Additionally, if anyone knows about impending resources tailored for GMAT FOCUS, that would be a bonus!

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Ultimately, at a certain point, the current version will not be available to take anymore. If you have the flexibility, one option could be to take the current version and, later on, decide whether you want to take the Focus Edition in case you feel you're missing out for any reason.

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EducationAisle · Answer

Go for the Focus edition Aryan. Your strength in Quant will more closely align with the Focus edition. Also, since you would be applying perhaps in the next couple of years, Focus edition is the way to go.

Lastly, whatever score you get, is just an outcome of your ability and preparation. Whatever is the "benchmark of a good score" in the Focus edition, it not going to change that.

pintukr · Answer

Depends on the preparation levels for SC and Geometry.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Aryan1811,

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you will actually "need" your Score - is a smart choice. In that same way, since you are interested in some highly-competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement (and the more time that you have to implement those suggestions, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

Based on your timeline, either option would clearly be fine - but there is something to be said for taking whichever version of the GMAT would help you to perform at the highest level. Right now, if you don't have any big 'weak spots', then sticking with the current version of the GMAT (since you are familiar with it's format and function) would probably make the most sense.

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:

1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours did you typically study each week?
2) Have you used any other study materials besides the course that you listed? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) When was the last time you took a CAT/mock? 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)?
4) What is your overall goal score?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

bb · Answer

Welcome to GMAT Club. Good question.

There are many trade-offs and it’s going to be a little confusing.

Here are some of my impression about the two tests and differences:

1. Sentence correction was the easiest section on the GMAT. There was no logic, no racking your brain, you just had to spot the mistake. As the result, the new verbal section is harder since there are no more sentence correction questions that would allow you to save time and re-directed towards other question types such as reading comprehension. However, don’t underestimate the amount of times saved on sentence correction. That time can be redirected towards reading or critical reasoning or data insights.

2. we do not have good materials for data insights at this time. Business schools did not care about this section and never considered the score. This is changing significantly with the new GMAT focus. Some people like these questions and others hate them. If you like these and you think you can do well, it makes sense to take the new test.

3. If you’re good at Quant, Verbal is now only a third of your score. Data insights is heavily quant-based. So as international, it could be very tempting to take the test.

There are some elements and play. Data insight resources are fairly unavailable at this time. Practice tests are also going to be imperfect. There is a chance that percentiles in the new GMAT will shift which I expect to be normal after a few years. However, that’s not a reason to throw away the focus.

I would start studying for the new test. You can always switch into the old format in case you hit a wall invertible or you hit a wall is data insights. It’ll take four weeks to master sentence correction. You don’t need to worry about the AWA essay. Nobody cares about it.

Bottom line:  see how you do on the data insight section and if that section proves to be a tough nut to crack, take the old format. Otherwise, if you can ace quant and data insights, that should compensate for the harder verbal section.

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Aryan1811,

It's safe to say that if things don't go well for your January GMAT, then you'll have to retake the exam sometime in late January or early February?

egmat · Answer

Hi

You can refer to this article and make your informed discussion-  https://e-gmat.com/blogs/gmat-focus-edition/ .

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Seeking Guidance: OLD GMAT vs. GMAT FOCUS - Which One to Opt For?

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