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kpoong
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Help 500 :( 29 May 2009, 20:25
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Hey all,

I wrote today after 3 months of studying. I scored 27 Q and 31 V
Here was my prep books I covered:

Manhattan RC
Manhattan SC
Manhattan CR
Kaplan Math Workbook
OG 11
OG Verbal
OG Quant
----------------------
Did both mba.com download CATs

Writing the gmat today -- and even when I was doing the CATs --- I suck at number properties, fractions and exponents. My strengths lie with word problems & geometry BUT I BARELY SAW ANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS, because I couldn't answer the basic questions first. This has taken a toll on me!! I know I should do more practice tests. My timing was of course off for Quant too.

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve my Quant? Books? Keep doing practice tests? Especially understanding of basic number properties, exponents, fractions? Please any help would be appreciated.. I am so ready to give up, but I can't! I rewrite June 29th.

Thanks in advance :P
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Help 500 :( 29 May 2009, 20:33
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Looks like your weakness are the funadamentals.

I am a big proponent of Kaplan Math Workbook and the Verbal books you have listed....
It almost sounds that you need to take a step back and really nail the basics in both Math and Verbal. I would take one at a time and just work on one area and every few weeks take a test (just one math or verbal section) to check how you are doing.

Would recommend you start with Math since it is usually easier to get traction on (two types of questions vs 3 on verbal). I have not yet tried this book, but I have seen 47 positive reviews - looks very thorough; give it a shot - Cliff's Math Book.

You can also get the Manhattan GMAT Number Properties book - many swear by it.

With your scores, would spend at least a month on Math and then another Month on verbal (this is the minimum amount of time to get a 650+ score)....

Are you ready for that kind of a commitment?
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Help 500 :( 30 May 2009, 19:29
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Hi bb,

When you say you need a month for each - what is your definition of a month? Every day for 5 hours? Shorter? Longer? I'm asking cause I've got the exam on the 23rd June and I'd really like to improve (in such a short time) and would like to know some successful techniques others have used. My verbal marks in the preps have been ok - around 40-42 but my math is absolutely shocking (around 25) and I'm barely exaggerating when I say I have problems with even the simplest problems. I've been studying for a while now but can't seem to crack the math. 600 is around where I want to score...

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
cheers,

sezza
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Help 500 :( 30 May 2009, 19:37
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Sezza - there are no "tricks' but definitely tips :)

Basically spending 2 hours 4 days a week and 4 hours on weekends got me approx 50 points per month. I went from 540 to 750 in 3-4 months.

Of course it is easier to improve from 500 to 600 than from 600 to 700 or 700 to 800, so potentially you can make 100 point leap but I would say it would be hard/very hard to get there if have already studied for 3 months and got 500.

You may need to change your study pattern - possibly study in the morning or study in a locked room/airplane/hotel room - somewhere where you are not distracted and can spend a few hours uninterrupted. You also need an error log and spend a lot of time reviewing your results.

Basically, unless you are shooting for 600, you will be wasting your money and should move the date. If not, spend time on the area you feel can be improved the easiest.


P.S. I thought you said your exam was on the 29th of June? Did you change it?
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Help 500 :( 30 May 2009, 20:33
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Wow you're quick at responding! Thanks a lot for the help/advice - it's nice to know there are people out there who have experienced it themselves! I think I was playing around with dates for a while but it's definitely the 23rd now (10:45am in Sydney, Aus to be precise :) ) I need 500 to be accepted into this degree but I'd rather boost that a little bit so that it's not just scrapping by- even to 550! It's possible - I'll just be nose down bottom up for the next few weeks. Damn full time work!

Maybe next week I'll score a bit better - I'll let you know!

ps. do you remember everybody you've responded to!?!
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Help 500 :( 30 May 2009, 21:05
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sezza61
Wow you're quick at responding! Thanks a lot for the help/advice - it's nice to know there are people out there who have experienced it themselves! I think I was playing around with dates for a while but it's definitely the 23rd now (10:45am in Sydney, Aus to be precise :) ) I need 500 to be accepted into this degree but I'd rather boost that a little bit so that it's not just scrapping by- even to 550! It's possible - I'll just be nose down bottom up for the next few weeks. Damn full time work!

Maybe next week I'll score a bit better - I'll let you know!

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550 is definitely within your range:
Spend 2 weeks on just getting basics/theory down - don't do tests really.
Then, the last 2 weeks, spend taking full 4 hour tests. Save/print out all the questions you get wrong.

This alone should boost it 50 points.

Quote:
ps. do you remember everybody you've responded to!?!
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It takes a few interactions to register in my memory - I remember most of the active folks and those who stood out with their contributions.
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