I Feel Lost!!!!!

[a.j.zobl]

I began studying for the GMAT a little over a week ago and have been making a lot of progress (I'm currently focusing on the quantitative portion of the test, more specifically the arithmetic) Everytime I study I feel overwhelmed at first because re-learning everything is harder than I thought. However, as I re-learn things I feel more at ease. My question comes here:

I've had the urge to look at practice tests/questions to see where I'm at but everytime I do I feel, for lack of a better word, dumb and lost. I go through my arithmetac section and I feel pretty good about my progress but I look at "real" GMAT questions and I feel like a 1st grader. Has anyone else had this and if so, do you have some words of encouragement for me?

I really want to get a good score on the GMAT so I can get into a good school but when I look at real questions I feel like I might as well be a 1st grader taking the test. I'm completely lost.

I want to enroll in a 9-week course but want to know how much that will help me as supposed to studying on my own.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[StaceyKoprince]

You are not alone! Everyone feels that way - especially just after they start studying! It just takes time (and practice, of course!).

Re: your question about score improvement via a course vs. studying on your own, I don't know of any study that calculates that data. Plenty of people are able to achieve the scores they want via self-study - it just depends on your motivation, ability to stick to a schedule, and ability to plan well and be smart about how you study (so that you are doing the right kind of study, not just a lot of study). Some people do that on their own and some people decide to take a course for the discipline and the greater access to experts - that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself.