Using 4th Edition Manhattan GMAT and 12th Edition Official Guide

Question

Hello,

I have not yet started to prepare for the GMAT and was just given a set of old books from a friend that took it a couple of years ago. He gave me all of the 4th edition Manhattan GMAT books as well as the 12th Edition Official Guide and some supplementary material from that time frame. Obviously, I'm happy to have this material for free, but I don't want to start studying outdated material. I understand that this may not contain the IR section, but can I use these old editions to guide the majority of my GMAT studying or should I just get rid of these and buy the latest editions? Has anything else changed drastically besides the addition of the IR section?

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jdb5ad,

The practice problems in the books that you mentioned are still relevant to the current version of the GMAT, but taking a "book-heavy" study approach might not be enough to help you to hit your goals. Since the GMAT is a Computer-Adaptive Test, you'll benefit by preparing in the same "format" (and practicing the same "mechanics") that you'll face on Test Day. As such, you'll probably need to invest in some additional materials.

I'd like to know a bit more about your goals/plans, so that I can offer you the most specific advice possible:

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

jdb5ad · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for replying. I'm pretty early in the process here, but I'll try to give as complete an answer as possible.

1) My goal is to get into a Top 10-15 school, so I suppose I need a 700+ GMAT score. I have yet to take any sort of diagnostic test to see where I stand, but I've tested fairly well in the past (I think I got around a 1390 on the SATs). I figured that a diagnostic test could help me decide whether I am fine just doing a self-study program (if so, am I fine using these older edition books?) or looking into alternative options. I graduated in 2011 from one of the top rated undergraduate business schools in the country, and have been working at a pretty well respected "consulting-type" company (although I'm not in a consulting role, more of an internal sales strategy one with a strong quantitative focus). Again, I'm fairly new to all this so any advice/comments about my prospects of getting into a top school would be appreciated.
2) I can take the GMAT at any time. I read here that about three months of studying is what it takes, so I could probably take it in the next 3-5 months.
3) I'd like to have the opportunity to apply next Fall, but could end up waiting another year or two as I know scores are good for 5 years. I think that taking the test and getting a score will help guide my decision of when to apply (i.e. if I am able to take it and get a 740, I'd apply in the Fall... if I get a 520, I'd either continue to improve my score or consider alternatives to Business School altogether).

Thanks again,
Josh

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Josh,

I think that you've got the right mindset to succeed - you've clearly done some research and have a pretty good handle on the possible outcomes (and contingencies). Since everything hinges on your GMAT score, we should start there. Until you take a FULL-LENGTH CAT, we won't have any idea of your strengths and weaknesses, so you should plan to take that CAT sometime soon. If you want to spend a bit of time familiarizing yourself with some of the content first, then that's fine (Data Sufficiency is the one question type that is unique to the GMAT and it takes some repetitions to understand how the question type "works"). Once you have those scores, you should report back here.

Most Test Takers can't hit a 700+ score with a 'book heavy' approach, so you'll likely need (or even want) to invest in some additional computer-based resources.

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

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