Practicing from multiple OGs

Question

Hi, I have been advised to practice from multiple OGs e.g. OG 15 and any other earlier version. Is this beneficial or I should look at other materials before jumping to earlier versions of OG?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AriesDamsel9,

Consecutive versions of the OG have a lot of questions in common, so if your goal is to find lots of *new* questions, then there are better ways to go about it.

From your post, it sounds like you're early on in your studies.

1) What is your score goal?
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

AriesDamsel9 · Answer

Hi,

Yes, it's been only a month since I started preparing for GMAT. I am aiming for a 700+ score and plan to take the exam mid-Aug after which I shall apply to B-schools.

Could you please suggest me where to practice quant questions from? Also, a book for quant concepts?

Kind Regards,
Rashi

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rashi,

With a score goal of 700+, you're probably going to need MORE than just books to help you hit that level.

Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet (including the Essay and IR sections)? If so, then what were your scores? If not, then you should plan to take one soon (possibly this weekend). You can download 2 for free from www.mba.com; a FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to do so in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here. Those results will provide valuable information about what you should focus on and whether you've given yourself enough time to study or not.

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

AriesDamsel9 · Answer

Hi Rich,

I took a full-length CAT before starting my preparation and got a score of 610 with Quant as 47, Verbal as 27 and IR as 7.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rashi,

Using this first CAT score as a 'baseline' score, and with your overall score goal, you actually need to spend far more time improving your Verbal skills than improving your Quant skills. Also, since this CAT score is from a month ago, it would be a good idea to take another FULL CAT to see how your skills have improved. If you're 'stuck' at this scoring level, then some adjustments to your study plan will have to be made.

Other than the OGs, have you been using any additional study materials?

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

AriesDamsel9 · Answer

Hi Rich,

I took the full CAT again and got a score of 580. Now this can be due to the fact that I was out of practice for a while (due to some reaosn) before taking it again but I am back on track now. Could suggest some adjustments to my study plan? Currently I am practicing from OG 10 after which I plan to do advanced questions on both verbal and quant which I have from a coaching institute called CrackVerbal. Also plan to practice from 1000 SC and 1000 CR. I plan to practice Quant from MGMAT Advanced Quant.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rashi,

Since these two CAT scores are so close together, I'm concerned that you're not really changing your test-taking "approach" enough to hit your score goals. Doing lots of practice problems is NOT the solution - learning the proper tactics and then practicing THOSE tactics on enough practice problems IS what you should be working on. Test Takers who use a 'book-heavy' study approach often get 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and it's possible that this is what's happening to you.

With a mid-August Test Date, you still have plenty of time to improve, but if your next CAT score is close to these 2 scores, then you'll have to consider changing your entire study plan.

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

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

If you're fairly new to the test, you should get the latest set of OGs and stick with those (in addition to actual study/prep material). If you are reviewing thoughtfully and repeating problems that you still have something to learn from, you shouldn't need any additional OGs. If you also have the OG10, then you'll have a source of extra problems in case you run out, but most people who feel they've run out of problems are not studying thoroughly enough!

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