40 day prep suggestions?

Question

Hi !

Could you suggest me a 40 day plan for preparing?
I have already taken the gmat. i got a 660( 49 quant and 31 verbal).

I basically want to focus on verbal. Also would you recommend anything to reach from 49 to 51 in quant?

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi arushij,

Before we suggest a study plan, I'm curious to know more about how you've prepared in the past and the materials you've used to get ready for the GMAT. Additionally, how long did you study prior to your first attempt at the GMAT? This will help us all out in advising you on how to prepare this go around.

Best,
Rich

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi arushij,

First off, a 660/Q49 is a strong score (it's right around the 80th percentile overall), so this score might be enough to get you into Business School.

1) Which School(s) are you planning to apply to?
2) When are you planning to apply?

If you do plan to retest, most of the missing points that you're after are clearly going to found in the Verbal section, so I'd like to know more about how you studied for this first attempt:

3) How long did you study?
4) What materials did you use during your studies?

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

KarishmaB · Answer

So here is the thing about standard study plans: they work for very few people. Most people would need to majorly modify them to suit their needs but by the time they are done with modifications, they realise that they have completely revamped it and would have done a better job had they started out from scratch. Don't look outside for a plan - create one. It takes just half an hour and is perfect for you. There are guidelines that you should keep in mind while making one: Here are some tips for making the ideal study plan for yourself: - Make it as detailed as possible - each day the time to be put, area to work on, how many questions, from where etc - Decide on the time that you can put in during weekdays and during weekends. Don't plan anything for the last day of the week since you would need it to cover up in case you fall behind during the week. - Jot down your strengths and weaknesses. Allot majority of the time to weaknesses and some to strengths (for practice). Decide the resources you will use in each case. - Allot your most productive hours to actual "learning of the concept" phase i.e. theory of weak areas. - Allot a day for a practice test every 15 days and then 2 days for complete analysis - including revision of concepts in which you faced problems. - Thereafter, revise your strengths/weaknesses list if required and repeat. Here is the link to my blog: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/categor ... er-wisdom/ It is often useful to people targeting Q51. Which resources are you using for Verbal? Of course, the official guide is a must. In addition, you might need to look at the verbal curriculum of a prep company. Here is a four part SC video you will find useful: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/free-gmat-lesson/ Also, check out this post: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2015/01 ... tudy-plan/ It talks about study plans. Here is an excerpt from it: (1) You can fit in to your lifestyle so that you can keep to it. This means that you factor in your hobbies and, yes, limitations. If you’re not a morning person, you won’t keep to a schedule of studying every morning before work. If you thrive on a good workout, giving up your soccer league or gym regimen completely won’t work either. And friends, family, work functions, etc. are always important. 2) You can build on. The best study plans are those that start a bit smaller and build into something more robust, like a “Couch to 5k (or marathon)” training program. If you want to run a marathon, you start with a couple miles and build up to 18-20 milers as your body is ready for it. If you want a 700 on the GMAT, you start with a handful of study sessions per week and build into longer sessions when they’re more purposeful and you know what you’re using the time to work on. 3) Focus on achievement, not activity. Veritas Prep emphasizes the famous John Wooden quote “never mistake activity for achievement”, meaning that simply spending 4 hours studying Sentence Correction, for example, isn’t going to get the job done; it’s the quality of study that helps. So hold yourself accountable for goals, not time spent. Think in terms of “I want to do 25 SC problems focusing on major error categories first, then thinking of logical meaning second”

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey arushi Here is a customized one month study plan that can help boost your score: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... tudy-plan/ Use this as a guideline. You don’t have to follow it exactly but the structure of the study plan should be the same structure that you take in your approach. This helps to optimize your retention and learning. To help with your verbal score, we recommend 5 days on nothing but SC -- before moving onto CR and then RC. Following that, we recommend 3 days on nothing but DS before moving onto PS to improve your quant score. Best of luck!

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi arushij,

I'd also like to follow up and let you know that Economist GMAT Tutor would be a great option for you. It uses adaptive technology similar to what you'll experience on the GMAT to cater a study plan to your specific needs, timeline, etc. Here's a link to try it free for 7 days: https://bit.ly/1aKYX0U

Best,
Rich

arushij · Answer

Thank you for getting back.

I prepared for 2-3 weeks. I used Princeton material for practice but did not find it that useful.
I'm considering to use Manhattan for SC and RC. Where else do you recommend to take practice material?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi arushij,

We really need to define your goals so that we can make sure that you're approaching this whole process in the most effective way possible. You haven't provided much in the way of information, so I'm really hoping that you'll answer these questions:

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you considering?

4) Why did you take just 2-3 weeks to study for the GMAT (and how many days did you ACTUALLY study during that stretch)? Were you on a deadline of some kind?
5) Why are you planning for a 40 day schedule now?

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

KarishmaB · Answer

For practice material, there are lots of options. Most prep companies have some free material that you can check out before you invest. Here is a link to ours: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Here's one possible plan that can be achieved in 30 to 40 days:

Week 1-2 
-Take a full length practice test. Review the results, taking note of the question areas and types that you missed. Begin a notebook or make flash cards of these concepts. Build on these throughout your studies if you determine other weak areas. 
-Learn the question types and strategies for quantitative and verbal components. 
-Use an appropriate guide to review any concepts (GMAT math and/or grammar) with which you aren't familiar. 
-Begin practice questions in the OG to apply your new knowledge.

Week 3-5
- Take a full length practice test per week. Log and categorize your errors.
- Continue creating flashcards/building on your notebook based on the most recent test and reviewing previous notes. Go over any necessary concepts again.
-Review previous practice questions in the areas where you have weaknesses

Week of test
- Do light, daily practice from each section.
- Review your notes/flashcards.
- Don't take a full length test.
- The night before (or even the day) take it easy. Don't do anything related to the GMAT. Instead perhaps visit the test center so you can find it easily the next day. The morning of the test you could review your notes very lightly or look over a few problems just to feel focused.

In terms of study hours, aim for 5 hours Monday to Friday and 10 hours spread between Saturday and Sunday (5 and 5, or 6 and 4, etc.)

I hope that helps anyone else looking for a plan.

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