Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 15:39 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 15:39
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
588
 [2]
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
DAYNE
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
Last visit: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
19
 [1]
Given Kudos: 16
Posts: 150
Kudos: 19
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
DAYNE
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
Last visit: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
19
 [1]
Given Kudos: 16
Posts: 150
Kudos: 19
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vwjetty
DAYNE
The Princeton Review is garbage

definitely agree with you. Thanks for the link for sure.

Please introduce yourself here: knowing-club-members-introduce-yourself-here-6987-460.html

and go here to navigate through out the forum: nink-s-guide-on-how-to-navigate-through-gmatclub-for-newbies-76938.html
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
588
 [1]
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
cool deal. thanks.
User avatar
vannbj
Joined: 18 Sep 2009
Last visit: 04 Oct 2015
Posts: 245
Own Kudos:
283
 [2]
Given Kudos: 17
Status:Yeah well whatever.
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 660 Q42 V39
GMAT 2: 730 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.49
WE:Analyst (Insurance)
GMAT 2: 730 Q48 V42
Posts: 245
Kudos: 283
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
It's good to see another ram up here on the forum. I went to VCU for undergrad also. I only felt I began to master the material after I looked at the manhattan gmat books. The orginal guides are good for examples but the mgmat books are awesome for breaking down methods of solving problems. Kaplan & Princeton Review are "garbage." I can't reiterate that enough. Good luck and if you practice and focus you'll probably be surprised at how well you can do.
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
588
 [1]
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vannbj
It's good to see another ram up here on the forum. I went to VCU for undergrad also. I only felt I began to master the material after I looked at the manhattan gmat books. The orginal guides are good for examples but the mgmat books are awesome for breaking down methods of solving problems. Kaplan & Princeton Review are "garbage." I can't reiterate that enough. Good luck and if you practice and focus you'll probably be surprised at how well you can do.

sweet dude. vcu undergrad is ok i guess at least my friends in the school are getting decent jobs. my prof told me that their grad is ok but they would suggest elsewhere if i could make it. yeah I just went out and purchased the OG 12th edition and the OG Quant Review 2nd Edition. They had a sale at borders :-D . I'm pretty determined to hit/break 550 next time I take it. At least that will make my application a little more competitive for W&M and GWU.
User avatar
Hussain15
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
Last visit: 07 Jul 2021
Posts: 1,075
Own Kudos:
3,541
 [2]
Given Kudos: 157
Status:The last round
Concentration: Strategy, General Management
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V34
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V34
Posts: 1,075
Kudos: 3,541
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Well, I can gaurantee you, if you spend atleast 3 months here, you can cross 600 very easily. Be here, just check the diff forums. & for study material, Manhattan GMAT (MGMAT) is the best package. You will feel the change when you will have MGMAT guides with you. Again, be here!! ;)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
588
 [1]
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
will do :-D I've already started to check out some of the problems people have posted and started to make head way on some of the stuff. Definitely studying at a whole never different level for my next gmat than before, I can feel it.
User avatar
drew031482
Joined: 05 Nov 2009
Last visit: 30 Sep 2020
Posts: 137
Own Kudos:
9
 [1]
Given Kudos: 4
Location: United States
Concentration: Real Estate, Finance
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
GPA: 3.14
WE:Architecture (Other)
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
Posts: 137
Kudos: 9
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You got a 1330 on your SAT and only a 430 on the GMAT? Something is definitely wrong, but the way I see it (and anyone else can chime in) there is a huge potential for you to get much higher than a 600.

Personally, I got a 1230 on the SAT (no studying), but I got a 680 on the GMAT after studying(and I feel like I could do even better if I study and take it one more time). I absolutely agree that you need more (and better) study materials. Like everyone has suggested, get the OG books first, though I would also suggest you get the Manhattan GMAT (MGMAT) books. Before I went through the books, I got a 500 on my first practice test and my scores steadily rose.

The way I see it, if you can get a 650+ score, which I believe is completely reasonable considering your strong SAT score, your chances will increase greatly of getting into a strong program. For one, I believe it will help offset poor grade performance in your first two years. Also, the "struggles" you have been going through and the resilience you have shown (maybe?)could be a great thing to discuss in your essays and interview. Personally, I've been laid off for a year, and a career placement guy at Darden told me I should reflect what I've learned from the experience and discuss it in my interview. Specifically, through your critical reflection you could talk about how it made you become more resourceful or changed you so that you don't take anything for granted anymore.

I hope this could be inspirational for you. Honestly, with a little bit of hard work, I think your fortunes could change.
User avatar
GMATPill
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Last visit: 17 Sep 2020
Posts: 2,260
Own Kudos:
3,852
 [2]
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,260
Kudos: 3,852
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vwjetty,
Sorry to hear that. However, what were you thinking just studying out of a Princeton Review book?

Fellow posts mention the Official Guide--that's a must! I don't think I saw you mention the GMAT Prep software either. This is critical as the actual exam is in front of a computer. Practicing with the software gives you familiarity with the interface. The questions from these two sources are most similar to what you will see on your exam.

I wouldn't necessarily say Princeton Review is "garbage"--however, I have seen a lot of misprints and errors in their material that may actually further confuse students. Stick to a variety of resources to maximize your understanding.

If your actual exam is in front of a computer, why would you spend all your time studying from a book? I'm afraid you probably wasted some time adjusting to the computer interface while taking the actual exam!

Some blog posts that might be relevant for you:

How to "DO" GMAT Questions - https://www.gmatpill.com/practice-questi ... questions/ GMAT questions are kind of weird. They make you think in an awkward way that most people don't naturally feel comfortable with. However, a disciplined approach to doing GMAT questions can help solidify this thought process into your mind.

GMAT Psychology and TIming Strategies that may have affected you during your exam: https://www.gmatpill.com/about/studying- ... trategies/

To reiterate, here's the magic formula:
1) go to https://www.mba.com and download the GMAT Prep software
2) get a hold of the Official Guide
3) Find some additional resources that match your style of learning. If you are a visual learner (rather than a textbook learner), we recommend you take a look at the free material from the GMAT Pill Study Method to see if it's for you.

Hope that helps!
User avatar
DAYNE
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
Last visit: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 16
Posts: 150
Kudos: 19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatpill
drew031482,
Sorry to hear that. However, what were you thinking just studying out of a Princeton Review book?

Fellow posts mention the Official Guide--that's a must! I don't think I saw you mention the GMAT Prep software either. This is critical as the actual exam is in front of a computer. Practicing with the software gives you familiarity with the interface. The questions from these two sources are most similar to what you will see on your exam.

I wouldn't necessarily say Princeton Review is "garbage"--however, I have seen a lot of misprints and errors in their material that may actually further confuse students. Stick to a variety of resources to maximize your understanding.

If your actual exam is in front of a computer, why would you spend all your time studying from a book? I'm afraid you probably wasted some time adjusting to the computer interface while taking the actual exam!

Some blog posts that might be relevant for you:

How to "DO" GMAT Questions - https://www.gmatpill.com/practice-questi ... questions/ GMAT questions are kind of weird. They make you think in an awkward way that most people don't naturally feel comfortable with. However, a disciplined approach to doing GMAT questions can help solidify this thought process into your mind.

GMAT Psychology and TIming Strategies that may have affected you during your exam: https://www.gmatpill.com/about/studying- ... trategies/

To reiterate, here's the magic formula:
1) go to https://www.mba.com and download the GMAT Prep software
2) get a hold of the Official Guide
3) Find some additional resources that match your style of learning. If you are a visual learner (rather than a textbook learner), we recommend you take a look at the free material from the GMAT Pill Study Method to see if it's for you.

Hope that helps!
The GMAT Prep software is a practice test from the people of gmat, which I mentioned.

I'm sorry but the Princeton Review is garbage:
-their strategies will make you do worst on the test - compare the RC of Princeton to Manhattan RC strategies
-it gives you just an overview of concepts, yet they preach it to you like its the real deal
- its only good for introducing the basics of the exam on how its structured and the AWA section
-their organization is crap
User avatar
drew031482
Joined: 05 Nov 2009
Last visit: 30 Sep 2020
Posts: 137
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
Location: United States
Concentration: Real Estate, Finance
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
GPA: 3.14
WE:Architecture (Other)
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
Posts: 137
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatpill
drew031482,
Sorry to hear that. However, what were you thinking just studying out of a Princeton Review book?

Fellow posts mention the Official Guide--that's a must! I don't think I saw you mention the GMAT Prep software either. This is critical as the actual exam is in front of a computer. Practicing with the software gives you familiarity with the interface. The questions from these two sources are most similar to what you will see on your exam.

I wouldn't necessarily say Princeton Review is "garbage"--however, I have seen a lot of misprints and errors in their material that may actually further confuse students. Stick to a variety of resources to maximize your understanding.

If your actual exam is in front of a computer, why would you spend all your time studying from a book? I'm afraid you probably wasted some time adjusting to the computer interface while taking the actual exam!

Some blog posts that might be relevant for you:

How to "DO" GMAT Questions - https://www.gmatpill.com/practice-questi ... questions/ GMAT questions are kind of weird. They make you think in an awkward way that most people don't naturally feel comfortable with. However, a disciplined approach to doing GMAT questions can help solidify this thought process into your mind.

GMAT Psychology and TIming Strategies that may have affected you during your exam: https://www.gmatpill.com/about/studying- ... trategies/

To reiterate, here's the magic formula:
1) go to https://www.mba.com and download the GMAT Prep software
2) get a hold of the Official Guide
3) Find some additional resources that match your style of learning. If you are a visual learner (rather than a textbook learner), we recommend you take a look at the free material from the GMAT Pill Study Method to see if it's for you.

Hope that helps!

I'm assuming you meant to address that to the original poster and not me?
User avatar
GMATPill
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Last visit: 17 Sep 2020
Posts: 2,260
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,260
Kudos: 3,852
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Ah yes, edited to address vwjetty. Thanks.
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
588
 [1]
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Haha...

Man, I didn't know there was so much support for this! I feel really confident that I can definitely do this now. Thank you! I'm definitely hitting the ground running now. I just went out about bought the OG 12th edition and going to crack it open tonight. Also I just bought the Verbal and Quant OG 2nd Edition just to help me out. Because I think I don't really understand the fundamentals of the Sentence Correction and Critical Reading that well.

As far as the SAT's, It might have been a fluke or something b/c I took it twice and the first time I got a 1190 and didn't study a whole lot. Bought a book or two, did a few practice sets and took it the second time. Good guessing?! :roll: :roll:

My advisor at the university told me to just focus on my core classes because I was going to go back and retake some of those darn chem and bio classes but was swayed around from it. My dream would really be to go to W&M for grad not that my current university is bad but I've been here 4 years and growing old of the environment and want some new challenges.

So I'm planning my study to be about 2-3 hours a day. Given that I graduate here in about 2 weeks I should have a lot of time on my hands (with no job) to prepare for this full-time without burning myself out after the first week. Just out of curiousity, how heavily do you think they weight the GPA and academics? I'm kind of embarassed to say this but I've actually been called on for academic probation not once, but twice given my low medical track GPA, and that was when I decided I need to make it or break it. Found math to be somewhat of a strong point for me, and came to do business track (runs in the family) and did financial technology.

I also plan on registering for a rerun of the GMAT's sometime in about 4 month's time. Given that I have pretty much till the end of the year to apply for Spring Grad Applications I think if I did one in spring and worst case scenario, if i did bad, i would just go back and take it again for my last time in october.

Sorry for asking so many questions but how do some of you guys find the courses offered for the GMAT prep? I know they're ridiculously expensive and my folks are kind enough to offer my some kind of aid because they know how important this is to me. I've slacked off pretty hard and played video-games day and night my first two years but now I got my head screwed on right so I'm pretty much full out on this. Hopefully, one day in the future I can look back at this moment today and make it a success story like so many other people on here.
User avatar
DAYNE
Joined: 26 Mar 2010
Last visit: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 16
Posts: 150
Kudos: 19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
vwjetty
Haha...

Man, I didn't know there was so much support for this! I feel really confident that I can definitely do this now. Thank you! I'm definitely hitting the ground running now. I just went out about bought the OG 12th edition and going to crack it open tonight. Also I just bought the Verbal and Quant OG 2nd Edition just to help me out. Because I think I don't really understand the fundamentals of the Sentence Correction and Critical Reading that well.

The OG isn't meant to help you with the fundamentals, its their to reinforce them and for you to learn the pattern of traditional OG problems.

Fundamentals for verbal you need either Powerscore SC, CR, RC Manhattan or Manhattan CR, SC. RC

I suggest as I've read on here and experienced on my own, hitting up the OG questions before learning the fundamnetals is a waste.
User avatar
drew031482
Joined: 05 Nov 2009
Last visit: 30 Sep 2020
Posts: 137
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
Location: United States
Concentration: Real Estate, Finance
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
GPA: 3.14
WE:Architecture (Other)
GMAT 1: 680 Q46 V37
GRE 1: Q46 V37
Posts: 137
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MGMAT offer's online classes. It's an 8 week class - 3 hours per class. I believe the cost is somewhere around grand, if that's not out of your price range. Just FYI if you sign up for a MGMAT test - the OG books are included in the price (including the Math and Verbal books), in addition to all of the MGMAT books. Also, you are allowed to use their online tests for 6 months.

I had a pretty good experience with them. The first two times I took the GMAT I only got a 610, though I had gotten a 660 on their MGMAT practice tests. I e-mailed them and they followed up with an e-mail asking for a good time to set up a phone call with me. During the conversation the woman asked about my habits and where I thought I did poorly. She gave me some great advice...

Basically, I was having a little trouble with endurance, especially when it came to the last part of the test, verbal. Regarding sentence correct (SC), she told me to break down how I looked at problems; specifically, she told me to look at a problem and identify first what they were testing me on (idioms, parallelism, subject/verb agreement, etc.), then write down the rule. If I didn't know the rule, she told me to look it up and memorize them. Obviously, it must have helped, but I really liked the fact that they helped me after my class was up.
User avatar
GMATPill
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Last visit: 17 Sep 2020
Posts: 2,260
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,260
Kudos: 3,852
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Agree with Dayne regarding OG.

Regarding your comment on exorbitant test programs--well, that used to be true but no longer is!

It used to be almost not fair---only those who were willing to fork over thousands of dollars would have access to quality GMAT Prep. In fact, I was part of the problem as I charged a lot of money to help privileged rich kids get into top business schools--distancing myself from the average test taker. Great money, but it wasn't meaningful for me.

My students eventually convinced me to create the GMAT Pill, which now strives to level the playing field by offering top quality GMAT test prep at affordable rates to as many students as I can---not just the privileged rich kids.

Anyway, my point is---you no longer have to choose between cheap books and $1,500 prep programs. Resources like GMAT Pill are here to help!

If you haven't noticed yet, GMAT Pill (https://www.gmatpill.com/preview/) offers great material when it comes to understanding fundamentals of SC and CR in the context of GMAT questions. It focuses on 10 core frameworks that are vital in any test question and the moves onto how to apply those frameworks to test questions. Focus is on maximizing study efficiency and concept absorption.

Resources mentioned by other fellow posters here are also good--if you learn best by reading a book.
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 588
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
cool deal. this is great info. thanks a lot.
avatar
cecelia
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
Last visit: 12 Nov 2010
Posts: 6
Given Kudos: 12
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
On the main page I found several links and book reviews must haves. Failure sometimes is the key to success most schools offer alternate testing types for grading purposes (you pay test fee) without having to wait the prescribed time between tests so you wont miss your admission deadline. On the bright side you know what to expect and where to focus.Good luck friend.
 1   2   
Moderator:
Founder
43156 posts