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20 Dec 2023, 11:00
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Hope this is allowed. I've been looking forward to posting it because this forum has helped me a lot. Here are resources I used for GMAT studying and general advice:
Progress: Low 700s -> 780
Total studying: 80+ hrs across a couple months
Format: Old GMAT format. Took one online, took one in-person. Preferred in-person to avoid tech issues.
Resources:
*Quant*
- TTP by far. I consolidated my studying hours to avoid paying more than 1 month. Still pricey, though.
- GMAC official tests. Took the 2 free and paid for a few more.
- Kaplan. Don't know that I'd recommend this brand in particular, but whatever gives you a few more adaptive tests to practice on (maybe just pay for all the GMAC ones instead)
- Manhattan Prep. Their free online questions and that one free test they offer.
- Gmat Club. The free forum especially Bunuel's posts. Thanks to whoever on Reddit referenced these. Hardest problem sets by far.
*Verbal*
*Caveat here that I started strong in verbal (big reader) so recommend relying on others' advice here. That said, I basically used the same resources as quant except GMAT Club -
- TTP
- GMAC Official
- Kaplan
- Manhattan Prep
IR, if you care:
- Manhattan Prep, free problems
- Kaplan actually was helpful here. Not sure I'd recommend the brand just for IR, but if you have it, I found their IR problems to be hard.
AWA:
I did not practice this because I don't think schools care, but I basically tried to create our grad school 5-paragrpah essay with thesis, three main points (point 1 and 2 were breaking down their argument and creating counterexamples, point 3 was what further information I would need).
My strategy:
*80% problem sets, 20% notes + reading guides*
- Every study session, I made a list of where I still needed to improve and the best resources (according to reddit and gmat club) for each area. Then, I got to work crossing them off.
- I also took notes as I learned, both on concepts and on tips specific to me (ex. "Need to improve timing, tend to take too long on rate problems"). Then, I took notes on my notes (concepts and tips only). And then I took notes on my notes on my notes. I think this really helped me move from understanding things to memorizing/applying.
- So. Many. Problem. Sets. This was my main mode of studying.
- I also taught concepts out loud to other friends also working on the GMAT. This helped me understand them also.
- Main test-day strategy besides knowing the material was improving my timing (lots of practice sets and building an internal "clock"), improving my careful reading (really focus on question stems and writing down all restrictions, question information), and guessing well (be able to move on when a problem stumps you)
My random other tips:
- I moved my sleep + eating schedule in the last few weeks to match with GMAT day.
- I studied for 45 min, rested for 15. There's a name to this method but I forget. This made sure I didn't burn out. Also I made sure I spent one hour total every day on seeing friends, working out, or errands. And I never studied for more than 3 hours a day. And I took 1+ day a week completely off.
- I found it motivational to hear from people who scored high. Less for technique but more as a, if they can do it, so can I. Posts on this sub/gmat club where someone progressed a lot helped similarly. Some of GMAT is mental - knowing that there were normal people who could break a particular score helped. Conversely, I avoided talking the test with people who tended to complain about things or encourage me to take things easy. No offense to them. Nice people but I realized these conversations made me set my bar lower.
If you are on a budget:
I gave myself a big budget for GMAT. If you don't have one, I would recommend GMAT Club, free Manhattan Prep, and the free GMAC official tests above all. That will give you almost endless quant problems and strategy. I know verbal resources less well. If you have a bit more moolah, TTP was the best investment but I think it was $200 (a month). So maybe only do the free trial or pay for a month at most.
*Good luck everyone! If you don't think you can meet your goal score or don't know anyone who has, I believe in you, and I believe you can do it.*
I am not a frequent redditor (made this account to post) so sorry for any delay in response
Progress: Low 700s -> 780
Total studying: 80+ hrs across a couple months
Format: Old GMAT format. Took one online, took one in-person. Preferred in-person to avoid tech issues.
Resources:
*Quant*
- TTP by far. I consolidated my studying hours to avoid paying more than 1 month. Still pricey, though.
- GMAC official tests. Took the 2 free and paid for a few more.
- Kaplan. Don't know that I'd recommend this brand in particular, but whatever gives you a few more adaptive tests to practice on (maybe just pay for all the GMAC ones instead)
- Manhattan Prep. Their free online questions and that one free test they offer.
- Gmat Club. The free forum especially Bunuel's posts. Thanks to whoever on Reddit referenced these. Hardest problem sets by far.
*Verbal*
*Caveat here that I started strong in verbal (big reader) so recommend relying on others' advice here. That said, I basically used the same resources as quant except GMAT Club -
- TTP
- GMAC Official
- Kaplan
- Manhattan Prep
IR, if you care:
- Manhattan Prep, free problems
- Kaplan actually was helpful here. Not sure I'd recommend the brand just for IR, but if you have it, I found their IR problems to be hard.
AWA:
I did not practice this because I don't think schools care, but I basically tried to create our grad school 5-paragrpah essay with thesis, three main points (point 1 and 2 were breaking down their argument and creating counterexamples, point 3 was what further information I would need).
My strategy:
*80% problem sets, 20% notes + reading guides*
- Every study session, I made a list of where I still needed to improve and the best resources (according to reddit and gmat club) for each area. Then, I got to work crossing them off.
- I also took notes as I learned, both on concepts and on tips specific to me (ex. "Need to improve timing, tend to take too long on rate problems"). Then, I took notes on my notes (concepts and tips only). And then I took notes on my notes on my notes. I think this really helped me move from understanding things to memorizing/applying.
- So. Many. Problem. Sets. This was my main mode of studying.
- I also taught concepts out loud to other friends also working on the GMAT. This helped me understand them also.
- Main test-day strategy besides knowing the material was improving my timing (lots of practice sets and building an internal "clock"), improving my careful reading (really focus on question stems and writing down all restrictions, question information), and guessing well (be able to move on when a problem stumps you)
My random other tips:
- I moved my sleep + eating schedule in the last few weeks to match with GMAT day.
- I studied for 45 min, rested for 15. There's a name to this method but I forget. This made sure I didn't burn out. Also I made sure I spent one hour total every day on seeing friends, working out, or errands. And I never studied for more than 3 hours a day. And I took 1+ day a week completely off.
- I found it motivational to hear from people who scored high. Less for technique but more as a, if they can do it, so can I. Posts on this sub/gmat club where someone progressed a lot helped similarly. Some of GMAT is mental - knowing that there were normal people who could break a particular score helped. Conversely, I avoided talking the test with people who tended to complain about things or encourage me to take things easy. No offense to them. Nice people but I realized these conversations made me set my bar lower.
If you are on a budget:
I gave myself a big budget for GMAT. If you don't have one, I would recommend GMAT Club, free Manhattan Prep, and the free GMAC official tests above all. That will give you almost endless quant problems and strategy. I know verbal resources less well. If you have a bit more moolah, TTP was the best investment but I think it was $200 (a month). So maybe only do the free trial or pay for a month at most.
*Good luck everyone! If you don't think you can meet your goal score or don't know anyone who has, I believe in you, and I believe you can do it.*
I am not a frequent redditor (made this account to post) so sorry for any delay in response
20 Dec 2023, 11:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi gritandgrace,
Thank you so much for sharing your debrief
This is some great advice!!
Congratulations on the absolutely amazing score and all the very best for your applications! Your hard work and dedication will be a source of inspiration to many here on GMAT Club, myself included. Take care
Thank you so much for sharing your debrief
This is some great advice!! Congratulations on the absolutely amazing score and all the very best for your applications! Your hard work and dedication will be a source of inspiration to many here on GMAT Club, myself included. Take care
21 Dec 2023, 08:51
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi gritandgrace! Congratulations on scoring an incredible 780 on the GMAT, and thank you for choosing Target Test Prep for your test prep!
