You are all so smart!

Question

Actually. I have to confess that I feel more intimidated by this site than it helps me. It feels like I am only surrounded by people, who do not need real help, because their gmat-scores are only between 620 and higher. Give me your 620 and I will be fine. This is my second post. I really would like to get an answer about the difference in the scores from Kaplan and the actual tests. My time is running away and I really need to get into grad-school or I have to go back.So BB, I appreciate your side a lot, but it would be nice, if people would leave their big egos at home and start acting like real leaders and help the people, who do not pretend to be so smart. Thank you.

tzolkin · Answer

12

bb · Answer

I failed to notice egos but I agree with you on a general point of being helpful and not being segregated - one of the goals of this site is to be friendly and helpful and I am sorry if we are failing. Nobody gets paid here and the site is run for free (it actually costs me $$$), but I hope we can do some better service than bweek with a bunch of arrogant folks. The only way we separate people here is by active/non active. If you participate, regardless of your score, right/wrong answers, you get promoted and get access to some premium content. This is a way to encourage people to participate and to reward the people who are active. This is not the best way but it works for us. Perhaps there is some core society formed here that seems closed, but anyone is welcome to enter. All you need to do is to post 20-40 message and show some commitment :wink:

Anyway, have to run, and appreicate your frank opinion!!!! Bogdan.

tzolkin · Answer

22

mikey · Answer

Hi Malek, I too am somewhat new to the site also. I will also take the gmat soon. But I will have to respectfully disagree w/ you when you say this site is intimidating. I find this site very comforting for me. I am very anxious about my upcoming exam also. But coming here helps me w/ problems that i cannot solve and also for preparation help. But then again each person is different.

I believe most of the people here are willing to help, all you have to do is ask. And when people post there personal scores of the gmat , I think it is because they are proud of there score ( and rightly so)and mostly thanking people of this site for helping achieve that score. 

But anyway thats my two cents. I hope you will find this site as comforting as I do. Good luck on your test. Let us know how it went.

toujours28 · Answer

Hi Malek,

I'm new to the site (and new to GMAT as well, actually, since I just began preparing for it) and I wanted to say that I know what you mean when you say "intimidating," but that I don't think it comes from the egos of members at all! 

It is intimidating to find a group of clever people who bring up such interesting, difficult questions, but we all have the same goal! And I think it is amazing that people are actually here to help others! 

I've been working back on all the maths problems I can find on the site, for roughly 1hr the last couple days, and I think it's really helping me. I'm definitely going to stick with the site and hope you will too. And I hope I'll be able to do more than just benefit from it, I hope I'll be able to contribute too! 

Paz

pmarkgabe · Answer

I do not know if intimidating is the correct adjective. I agree that I am often dissapointed in some of my approaches when compared to others. Having said that, it is helpful to see how others approach these tough problems. The difference of a 700 to a 750 is often how someone breaks down and uses logic to solve confusing problems.

AkamaiBrah · Answer

YOu are absolutely right. The GMAT Quant is NOT above knowing advanced, or even intermediate math. It tests the ability to be able to creatively solve a large variety of problems with only a few basic mathematical tools plus a large dollop of imagination and critical thinking. 

Good luck!

lazerbud · Answer

Hi Malek,

I can understand your frustration to an extent. I'm retaking the test in October this year, my last attempt yielded a 550, and I'm not expecting a quantum leap this time, I guess I'm being realistic more than anything else. Yes, it would be comforting, and I would be able to relate to, if there were more people who posted experiences of tests yielding scores in a lower score range.

But I try to take away as much as I can from the various posts on here, I find it interesting to read other peoples experiences and I believe one can learn a lot that way, even if you've taken the test once!

I'm sure there's a LOT more I can learn from the folks on here, it's pretty comforting to know I can always get on here with any questions/problems I might have and I could get help. More than anything else, I look forward to posting my own improved test experience on here in October!

So, I'd suggest you not to be disheartened by the massive scores ppl r generating on here, it's important to know one's weaknesses and limitations as much as his or her own strengths and take it from there. All said n done, I'm sure in the end you'll benefit in some way from this wbsite

bb · Answer

Actually, I think there is a small group of people here who are so bored with coommon GMAT math, that they are inventing new hard problems that are much harder, which his good for practice, but does have a repelling effect. I in way say it is bad, but it is just one of the consequences that we face - it is hard for new-comers who are not yet fed up with the simple math and have just regular/normal questions about absolut values, square roots, and just DS rules. 

One way to avoid this is just to be proactive for those who are new - which is not very logical since new people tend to be more intimidated than the old sailors. 

I can guarantee that in the past life of this site, nobody was made fun of because of a stupid question or a silly comment. There were hardly any of those, and if there was one or two, things were always properly explained. I actually admire that, and don't think anyone should hold back just because their level is not 50+ on Quant yet.

Look at Curly for example (I know he does not care if I use him as an example) he just asks everything. A few times people got irritated with him posting the same question twice after it was answered, but other than that, it has been very smooth. I would really hate to create an impression as though new members are not welcome or are not worthy. 

We try to create a helpful learning environment here where teamwork benefits everybody. I hope this is clearly communicated. 


-=-

Curly05 · Answer

I'm really blonde, and still available, that's why?

Thanks, BB.

baronharsh · Answer

I was intemidated too the first time i visited this forum

I took the study plan, worked for 2 months and now can contribute to the discussions in the maths forum 

So take your time and work out using the BB as a bouncing board

Jsteph9267 · Answer

I live in a world where everyone scores above a 700 - except for me. 

I would look at this site as a chance to learn a few tricks that might get you 10-30 extra points.

bb · Answer

Well, everybody is at your resort - the motto here is contributing to each other's learning. Whatever you need, we hope you can find something for your needs and if we don't have it - demand it!

If you have problems locating things, drop me a Private Message. (Click PM under my message). See you around, and welcome,

Bogdan.

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