Strategies for Total Newbie?

Question

OK, so I'm just starting preparation for this test and I really would love some advice to get me to the next level. I just took the MBA.com practice test and ended up getting a 650. I have never studied for the GMAT and I wanted to see where I was at in terms of the bottom. After looking at the percentile rankings it's a good enough score for me to get into a school nearby, but I may consider some better options with this score. If I actually study this stuff I should be able to hopefully improve my score.

Does anyone have any recommendations or strategies for getting to that top-10/15 level scorewise? I ended up with a 41 quantitative and 40 verbal. I'm totally new to this, so thanks in advance for all of your help!

Does anyone have any recommendations or strategies for getting to that top-10/15 level scorewise? I ended up with a 41 quantitative and 40 verbal. I'm totally new to this, so thanks in advance for all of your help!

suyashjhawar · Answer

M83 this is a good score indeed since you are taking it for the first time.V 40 is pretty cool...and if you work on quants,you can easily get 48-49 which should get you in the 700 club.For quant challenges are pretty good.Time yourself and get to the basics.Manhattan books are also pretty cool.This should be good enough provided you maintain your verbal strength.Happy Gmatting! :lol:

redstripe · Answer

Yes, that's a great start. You probably don't need to do a ton of prep or get a bunch of books. I would get Cracking the GMAT for the overview of the test, strategies and the practice tests, the Official Guide for practice questions, and of course the GMATPrep tests you already found.

Kotu · Answer

Get the big orange book... Original Guide 11th edition or so. Go through the book twice.

Bit of practice and I'm sure you can score 700+.

Pay a lot of attention to details.

From my experience... sometimes the best way to have get a fast answer for the data sufficiency questions(or even some problem solving questions) is to plug tentative numbers in the formula... and see whether something always works or if it only works for a few numbers. Try to extremities, obviously.

Tarmac · Answer

I scored 660 on my first practice, 770 on the real thing

M83 · Answer

I appreciate all of your advice. Thank you so much! :-D

ko · Answer

I would also strongly recommend keeping a spreadsheet or log of all the practice problems that you do. Whenever you miss something, mark it down, and more importantly, mark down the concept/error. This makes your review a breeze when you get close to test time.

M83 · Answer

A spreadsheet is a fantastic idea. I just created one logging how much time I spend, what I'm focusing on each day and any issues/weaknesses I see (DS, word probs/numbers were killing me). This is great advice and very much appreciated.

StartupAddict · Answer

Tarmac, wow, very high starting score : )

My best advice, if you can afford it, is find a tutor who scored extremely high. Do a few hours, to get the right idea... it will save you a lot of time in the long run.

My advice, stick to OG. Write 2-3 practice tests a week, do about 50-100 questions a day, and make sure you attack your weaknesses. Do that consistently, and you'll make rapid gains.

The #1 factor as to how you do is the dedication/effort you put in. That's it.

Best of luck.

M83 · Answer

Great advice! Thanks!

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