Have the Materials - Now What?

Question

Hey GMATclub - Been a lurker in 2017, but finally want to take this step and take the GMAT in 2018. I'm in no-rush, but I would like to take it by June 2018.

I currently have these materials: Manhattan Prep Books and Magoosh account. I just ordered the 2018 OG.

Now with these materials - How and where should I start? Should I go through the Magoosh videos first? I took a practice test and scored ~500, so I definitely know I need some practice.

prince00113 · Answer

Just follow a single strategy and start preparing. There are many strategies on gmat club with insight on the study material and practice question bank. Just stick to a single study plan. Usually people start dangling to different strategies once they start preparing. So avoid that. And practice official questions only. Their are tons of questions which are way higher than gmat level or not correct. Kudos if found helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hloong99,

With a June Test Date, you have plenty of time to study for the GMAT - which is good. Depending on your Score Goal and your availability to study, you might be able to 'play around' with your studies at first. If you'd prefer to be 'efficient' right from the start though, you would likely need a more formal Study Plan.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on your timeline and your goals:

1) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 500?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
3) What is your goal score?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hloong99 · Answer

1. Q32 V26 - I have a lot of work to do.
2. I am committing ~15 hours a week to studying
3. I would like to be 650+, with a goal of 700
4. I am in no rush to apply to Business School. I would most likely aim to apply for 2021 or 2022. I am just trying to get my score now so I can focus on improving my overall application.
5. My goal schools would be UNC, Duke, UVA, etc.

Thank you for taking your time to respond.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hloong99,

Working on the GMAT now - when you're not facing an immediate application deadline - is another smart choice. Raising a 500 to a 650+ (700+) will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Overall, I think that you've put yourself in a really good position to hit your Score Goal, so the immediate question is really about how you would like to proceed with your studies. You already have some study materials, so there's something to be said for working with those materials first (at least for the immediate future). I suggest that you study as you like for the next 3 weeks, then take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections). Once you have that score, you should report back and we can discuss how best to succeed.

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

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