Sharing the GMAT Journey from the trenches -- I'm still WIP! Dailylog

Question

Hello! I'm, to your great surprise, a GMAT aspirant

I've been at it for quite some time, and now I've some major miles to go in quant and I can seal the deal, hopefully *fingers crossed* Again, to your great surprise, it is tough; really, really, tough. And as I sit here, me and my laptop and my notes against all the material and wherewithal of GMAT, day after day, I've realised I need to find some time to reflect. To that end, I'm hoping share my journey with everyone, and find solace in getting through this together, while also hearing perspectives. This week I'm completing the Manhattan Prep Quant Strategy Guides, and they're such a boon. After, all the harrowing hours spent just getting through the topics earlier, and coming up against the same pitfalls; these guides are helping me address the patterns of mistakes. It is like they've been watching me getting stuck in silly methods through my mocks. Also, I started following Bunuel and it is helping me meet these Quant questions from across materials and difficuly levels that I didn't know existed! And oh man, the no. of questions he addresses everyday! are we quite sure he's not a bot? just asking.. Anyway, so that's what I'm planning to do, share everyday hassles, struggles and steps taken to get better at GMAT, if admin so permits. Just one thing, please don't ask me when I'm planning to take the test, I don't know! I'm going to wait till my mock score starts to look decent enough. Happy studying

P.S. Pretty please admin, let me maintain this log?

bb · Answer

Welcome! It’s a great idea to start some kind of a log and tracking your per preparation and forcing yourself to be accountable 👍

Be critical and suspicious of yourself and always look for ways to improve!

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Prakruti_Patil,

I'm happy to support you in your journey! Please keep us updated, and let's get it done!

Su7sH · Answer

Hey Prakruti,

I think it's fantastic that you're sharing your GMAT preparation journey on GMAT Club!

I have a small suggestion: it would be incredibly helpful if you could specifically mention the name of resource you're using—like the books, online courses, and practice tests whenever you post. Sharing these details will give others valuable insights into what's working for you and might help them in their own studies.

This is such a great idea because every GMAT aspirant will find your experiences and strategies very relatable. Keep up the great work!

All the best. 🖖

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hola,

It's just my second log and I'm already behind. This was going to make me hide in great shame, however, the support from you guys, made me come back and share. In the end, isn't that the whole point of my accountability and reflection log -- to see how far I am or not.

I wanted to complete the Algebra and Word Problems MGMAT guides today, however, my brain is fatigued after completing 90% of the Algebra module. So I'm parking it for tomorrow. A lot of good info and strategies in these texts as usual.

Also, solved some DI questions from the forum, I keep fumbling on the median questions when there's immense tabular data, got to revisit that too!

In CR today, a double negative slyly inserted in the question caught me off guard -- Note to self: read very very carefully, don't jump to the answers unless you fully comprehend the question.

Very upset about not meeting targets today. Hopefully, will be able to complete the strat guides (Word Problems and Number Properties) over the weekend.

Hope you're continuing prep, happy studying!

GMAT695 · Answer

Hi, don't forget to do 3 RCs per day. It will surely help you in your journey.

bb · Answer

I would suggest for double negative, just be on the lookout for it. You don’t need to be on high alert every single second. You should be but it’s not possible, instead it’s easier to spot and recognize traps.

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Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

For RC’s - 3 Per day is probably at least 30 minutes and I don’t know that everyone has 30 minutes just to dedicate to our seat. I would instead suggest reading books that are interesting and captivating that you can read instead of watching YouTube or playing games or watching movies. You can do it as entertainment and it will gradually build up your R.C. skills

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Posted from my mobile device

QQum · Answer

A great approach to track your progress and develop self-confidence - something we all need in conquering GMAT. Wish you the best for your journey!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hi again!

The gaps in my logs suggest this should probably have been a weekly log! I'm sorry, last week was difficult because of a lot of work..

So I'm behind my MGMAT strategy guides' plan + a mock in the interim completely threw me off. It has made me appreciate the need for proper nutrition, hydration and sleep before before a test. Equally as important as studying, and perhaps even more so on the GMAT.

I've finally completed the Word Problems textbook, and have gone through the Co-ordinate Geometry section from Geometry (don't forget it.. it's still very much part of syllabus). Hugeee shout-out to the 'Quant question of the day' chat, someone always helps out with a doubt, very patiently, and with the simplest shortcut; it's helping me not get stuck on any problems/concepts.

Double negation keeps throwing me off in CR, so I'm going to slow down each time I see it. Also, even as I've started spending more time on the passage than the answer choices in RC, I'm spending less time on the questions. That is making me vulnerable to questions purposely worded to confuse -- so I need to take a deep breath, slow down and process the question before moving to the answers.

bb yes, fiction is my best friend and I love that GMAT demands it too! or atleast appreciates it. I've been through GMATNinja 's amazing list of fiction to read, which made me finally stop postponing The Fountainhead -- and what a blessing that was! Beautiful, beautiful book - just read it, even if not for GMAT, simply for the writing, the critical thinking and clarity, and immense depth in every character. Next I'm diving into Atlas Shrugged, and also am currently reading Siblings by Brigitte Reimann.

DI is getting neglected, and I must, I must, I must find time for atleast 1-3 DI questions of different types everyday.

Wish me luck for completing the Number Properties module today, and beginning Advanced MGMAT!

Happy studying, and holler with any thoughts please!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Just here to share that my Number Properties MGMAT strategy guide is done and over and completee! With this I am done with the strategy guides, now tomorrow I will revise and go through the questions the book outlined, and specifically asked to be parked for revision (super helpful!).

Also, I was getting confused with Weighted Averages from the Word Problems textbook earlier, so I went through this MGMAT prep hour with Jeff Volmer -- https://youtu.be/7gKt618JoF0?si=i53vd_vYKDGoz8kg So simply and beautifully explained.

For these books, I've taken an online quant lecture series from QDS Pro - which also gave me access to the OG, MGMAT + Veritas books. The strat guide was sort of confusing with anagram method for combinations -- however, the QDS lecture on basic permutations and combinations is a lifesaver! I'll be revising that one again tomorrow.

As for RC, came across some videos, that keep pushing to skim and not read completely, but I don't find that too helpful. Especially, because I'm stuck on higher difficulty inference questions. So I'll be going through the passage, and trying to simply slow down.

DI - need to double down on this tomorrow, hope the section doesn't take revenge on the limited time given to it later when I take a mock *fingers crossed*

Also, today I went through a video for school kids on what exactly is a factor; and I think it's really cool to simply go through the basics wherever confused. So if you're struggling like I was to exactly understand factors while being able to solve some questions, here's what might help -- https://youtu.be/LMFRooY1eag?si=zN-fF52zfQTIX5zb

Happy studying!

Purnank · Answer

Nice initiative. Keep up! All the best!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Thank you, just trying to hold myself accountable

Also I've learnt to reply here now! D

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hello,

Today I've been properly smashed by prep on all counts, but hey, better now than on the actual test, right?

Started Advanced MGMAT Guide, and more than any conceptual difficulty or even the tricks, it's helping me see the silly mistakes I make in deploying in these methods usually. And it is soooo difficult facing up to that, that I'm pausing for today.

CR was kind, RC on the other hand threw me an intense passage that seemed like social sciences + science put together -- very tough. Got to review it again tomorrow, not sure I understand all my mistakes yet.

DI is still being ignored, however, there are DS sections in the Adv MGMAT book next, so that is some solace. However, I've got to atleast get in some graphs + MSR tomorrow.

I'm also looking at debriefs to stay motivated -- heard this one today -- https://www.youtube.com/live/SKaNEhd9_5 ... Jj9t9xEnkJ

Let me know if you've any tricks to sneak in DI in my day or tips to just simply plan better or pull through!

Happy studying!

GMAT695 · Answer

Just stick to GMATPREP and official questions for DI.

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

hey, I've found all the IR sources useful .. infact GMAT Ninja has a fantastic series of videos on their channel for DI - check it out

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hi,

Took too much on my plate when I decided to complete the Adv MGMAT guide in a day.. it's a lot to process so I'm slowing down. Feel completely beaten up by it though, and at the same time, love the explanations that dwell into the workings of the brain and internal conversations. It is simply too cool!

Also, did a complete revision - CR + RC + quant + DI - 1 question of each type.

Felt quite demolarized by a certain brisk rudeness today, and also because I was struggling to understand some explanations given in the book. But hey, how much power can I let these things hold over my future? none, right? working on it

Happy studying!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hi,

Yesterday was a bit good because I saw some progress in quant, still far away from the goal but atleast getting there. And a lot of silly mistakes in my quant practice test, which is better than not knowing some topics at all. I guess, it's the habit building that is taking some time.

Will be continuing with the Advanced MGMAT textbook, a little behind on timelines here, it's taking longer than I anticipated. Trying to complete it by tomorrow though.

RC - I still made some mistakes on inference questions -- 1 in stated inference which was an oversight, and 2-3 in deriving inference, which a) I need to slow down for and b) a question was worded in a tricky way, which again I need to slow down and read.

DI - need to, need to practice everyday, because not practicing is costing me accuracy.

Also need to build overall stamina, so will be trying to put in focused work in consecutive hours.

Fingers crossed, I might actually be able to take the test and do a decent job, maybe!

Happy studying!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hello,

Ending the day early today. I wanted to finish off the Advanced MGMAT guide, but couldn't get past the DS section. This book is so interesting, it wakes me up to my mistakes and it makes me cry that I'm making them all at the same time D anyway, shall try again tomorrow!

DI - looked at graphs today. RC - need to slow down further on certain passages. CR - need to trust myself more and make peace with the 4 wrongs make 1 right mantra!

Targeting atleast the chapters from the adv MGMAT book tomorrow, and then worksheets day after. Wish me luck

Happy studying!

Prakruti_Patil · Answer

Hello!

Finally got done with the Advanced MGMAT guide, need to complete the worksheets tomorrow! It has been an uphill battle with this one, with so many questions needing processing time even with the solutions right in front of me.

CR -- I'm processing answer choices a little too much, need to address the surface level argument structure + 1 layer of implications. RC - laziness - of not going back to the passage cost me accuracy today! need to absolutely double check and reference from the passage for inference questions, esp those with trickily worded questions or very close answer choices.

DI - amazing, the amount of data sneaked in, in the crevices of all the graphs, good fun + need to practice more!

I'm beginning to worry that I've slowed down a bit, will focus on bringing back momentum to the quant targets.

Happy studying!

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