Advantages/Disadvantages to retaking now vs. later

[ErikaM156]

Hi Stacey!

I took the GMAT for the first time this morning after 2 months of studying (usually 1-2 hours a day). I scored a 700 (Q41, V45).

This was right around where I expected to score, but in practice exams the split has been somewhat more even (though I'm always stronger in verbal). I hope to improve to a 730 minimum. To improve Quant, I'd probably need to reduce silly mistakes and get better at recognizing which strategies to use for certain problems. Improving on Verbal will be more difficult.

I'm not looking to apply to B schools for at least two more years, so I have plenty of time available. I'll be starting work soon (I graduated from undergrad last spring) and I'm wondering when I should retake the exam. I can see pros/cons for both sides. Forgetting some of the things I studied this summer, falling out of practice, lack of time given my new work schedule, etc. are some of the things I'm most worried about. Given my situation, what would you recommend?

Thank you!

[StaceyKoprince]

Nice work! Hope you celebrated after. (Yes, I know you want more, but you're already in a very good position.)

Yep, there are pros and cons. In general, I would lean towards continuing the push now (you're almost there!) unless there are certain reasons why that would be a bad idea. Things to consider:
- When exactly do you start work? (How long from now?)
- How busy are you going to be for the first 2 weeks? 2 months?
- How burned out are you right now?

I'm guessing you're at least a little burned out / sick of this, or you wouldn't be considering taking time off. And I'm also guessing you have at least a small concern about how busy work will be or, again, you'd just keep going.

If you think that you'll be able to "settle in" to work after a month or two—busy but not crazy so—then you might give yourself a solid 8-week break when work starts, then start again. Benefits:
- Focus full on work at first / get yourself immersed and up to speed on daily life
- Give your brain a GMAT break, which it probably needs by now
- Don't give your brain such a long GMAT break that you forget everything (as would happen if you waited 6 months)

If you're not starting work for a few weeks, consider continuing to push now up until work starts (so that you're not taking too long of a break).

Finally, if you do follow the path above, think about how you're going to make sure that you start up again in ~2 months (or whatever timeframe you decide). It can be very easy to procrastinate. Don't ask me how I know.

What do you think?

[ErikaM156]

Hi Stacey,

A 1-2 month break right after starting work sounds really appealing (but I hope that's not just my lazy side speaking).

I start work just under a month from now, but that time will be very busy (I'm house-hunting and moving across the country). I'm also trying to do as much reading as I can on the industry during these last few weeks, just so I don't feel like a fish out of water when I arrive. Work is definitely going to be very tough at first.

I'll do a handful of practice problems on weekends, perhaps, just to keep the concepts somewhat fresh before dedicating myself to a more rigorous study schedule after work settles down? It would be a 3-month break, maximum (a month now and then 2 months max to get settled at work). Do you think this is feasible, without me facing the risk of forgetting too much? If so, are there any particular methods you would recommend for keeping the material somewhat "fresh" beyond just doing the occasional practice problem set?

Thank you for your advice! This has helped a lot.

[StaceyKoprince]

A 3-month break will certainly require some time to get up to speed again..but just plan that into your overall schedule. With a regular study schedule, my guess is you'd maybe need a week per month, so 3 weeks to feel like you're hitting your stride again / remembering the things you used to know but forget.

In the next month, don't think of the goal as must doing practice problems to keep those skills up. What you are trying to keep up is your ability to (a) think your way through new problems, and (b) learn from what you've done.

So do a set of problems, but then make sure you're actually performing 2nd level analysis on them. One without the other is a waste of your precious study time.
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

And when your 2nd level analysis tells you, ooh, I need a little refresher on XYZ, put a half an hour on your calendar in the next week to give yourself that little refresher.

Also, make Know the Code flash cards (that article talks about those, too).

Good luck! Have fun moving to your new city and starting your new job!!