haven't used math in more than 15 years, how should I start preparing?

Question

Hello. I have not used pre-calculus or algebra in a long while due to the nature of my work (Media). I would like to sit for the GMAT but I forgot most of my math rules. How can I go about preparing for the GMAT. I know I should not start with mangoosh or keplan just yet. I should refresh my math skills first but how can I know which math skills I am lacking that I need for the GMAT. Should I start with Khan Academy? but where from exactly? Any suggestions or advice for a person who forgot his math? Thanks.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi FaresTheMillenial,

I have a great article you can check out regarding your GMAT quant prep.

GMAT Quant Preparation: Top 10 Tips

bb · Answer

You are correct. If you forgot a lot of the basics, you don’t want to jump into a course or any kind of serious prep. You get the GMAT math foundations from Kaplan or MGMAT to refresh your quantitative skills. And it is not uncommon to forget a lot 😱

Posted from my mobile device

MBAGuide · Answer

FaresTheMillenial Back in the day (2017), for my GMAT preparation I used a lot of the concepts PDFs that were available for download from Bunuel . After brushing up on the basics, I attempted the 26 sets of GMATClub mocks and revisited the mistakes, and areas on which I did not do so well. Those tests, in my case, were the game changer. I am hoping some version of those tests is available now as well for the focus edition, but honestly, I used the resources here on GMATClub for most of my quant preparation Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) Founder, MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

playthegame · Answer

Go back to basics first, focus on simple arithmetic and algebra then move into the other topics. Read a lot of more in parallel, good luck.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Most prep courses begin with the assumption that students have forgotten all the math they learned (ours certainly does). 
So, choose a course that best suits your learning style, and get started. 
Here are some articles to read along the way:

-  GMAT Quant Syllabus 
-  How to Increase Your GMAT Quant Score: Top 25 Tips 
-  Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT 
-  How to Get Faster at GMAT Quant Questions

Note: Although some articles were written during the GMAT Classic era, the tips still apply to GMAT Focus.

IVYCRACKERS.COM · Answer

Hi! I think you should just pick up the OG first and go through the concepts. Try to understand the topics that feature in GMAT. Then identify the topics you feel you will struggle with (if it's all the topics, then that's fine as well) as the point is you should know your weak area. Another way is that if you haven't taken a diagnostic test, take that first and analyze it well to understand your weak areas. These should be your starting points. If you need help in analyzing the test, feel free to reach out to us for a complimentary 30 mins call here: https://ivycrackers.com/general-assessment/ or drop us a mail at hello at ivycrackers.com. In this call, the focus will be on guiding you to analyze the test, then identifying your areas, and eventually help you come up with a strategy.

Heidi_Lee · Answer

Hi 
This is quite common and most of the GMAT courses teach from the basic level. Of all, I found e-gmat to be very good. They focus on the structured approach in every problem   Applying this skill without using shortcuts will give us the necessary expertise to apply the same in hard questions. solving hard questions is very easy once you master this skill. Do check out their course content and most importantly their approach to any question. I was able to score 100 percentile in Quant only with their help

nova_jones · Answer

Starting with Khan Academy is a great idea! Begin with their pre-algebra and algebra courses to refresh your foundational math skills. As you progress, you can move on to more advanced topics like geometry, trigonometry, and pre-calculus. Once you feel comfortable with these basics, you can then consider more GMAT-specific prep materials like Mangoosh or Kaplan. Good luck with your GMAT preparation journey!

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

You should assume a couple of things as you start your GMAT journey:

1. Relearning / rebuilding your quant skills takes a lot of focus, energy and time (away from work, family, friends, life in general). 
2. The GMAT ultimately isn't a Math or English test -- it's a test of executive reasoning skills (which speaks to your potential as a future business decision maker). Ultimately, they don't care about your math prowess -- the GMAT uses math as one way to test your reasoning skills.

With that in mind, you want every minute of your time spent to be precisely directed to a great GMAT score.

I wouldn't suggest spending more than a bit of time on general math resources like Khan Academy. (don't get me wrong it's a great organization and resource). You'll spend way to much time and energy building quant skills you don't need. Like Scott said, most GMAT resources assume you are rebuilding your core quant skills (but only the ones related to the GMAT).

I'd strongly suggests getting some support in the form of a coach for both diagnostics and keeping you on track. That doesn't mean your prep can't be primarily self study. You just need an expert who can maximize the ROI on the limited amount of time, energy and effort you can spend on this.

laborumplaceat · Answer

Probably quite late in replying - but maybe this helps someone else who is facing the same issue. I would say that you can filter the sub 500 level problems or 500+ level problems on gmat club, and they also have a topic & difficulty wise directory - from there you can check that for which topics you are able to solve which level questions.

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haven't used math in more than 15 years, how should I start preparing?

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