Study and Strategy questions relating to the GMAT.
alexkosy
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Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2013 4:04 am
 

Took first diagnostic

by alexkosy Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:09 am

I just took my first practice exam using gmatprep. I haven't started any studying yet, so I took it to see my strengths/weaknesses/where to start/where to focus.

I scored a 730, 96th percentile
Quant 49/60, 85th percentile
Verbal 40/60, 89th percentile
Integrated Reasoning 8

I unfortunately exited out of the exam before reviewing questions, so I don't know what I got right/wrong. After a bit of research, this appears to be an issue with the newest software.

I read up a bit on recommended GMAT books/study aids and I'm going with Manhattan GMAT. Based on the forums I frequent (gmatclub), the recommendations are as follow:
General Strategy Books: 10 MGMAT Guides
Quant Books: MGMAT Math Foundations, MGMAT Advanced Quant
Verbal Books: MGMAT Verbal Foundations

I was hoping to get some insight into the differences between the base 10 GMAT guides and the additional quant/verbal books that are recommended. Are different/additional topics covered in the math/verbal foundations and advanced quant books?
StaceyKoprince
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Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

Re: Took first diagnostic

by StaceyKoprince Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:35 pm

Nice!

First, you don't need the Foundations Books - not with starting scores like those. :)

Second, you may want to take a test-prep-company CAT so that you can actually look at the data and see what your strengths and weaknesses are. You might decide not to buy all of the books but only certain ones. You can take one free test on our site; if you choose that one, then you can use this article to help analyze the results:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

You can also come back here and tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. We'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

Alternatively, you can just decide to go ahead and get the full regular set of books. The Advanced Quant book would also likely be good in your case - just FYI, this book teaches advanced solving skills, not advanced math. The advanced math is in the "Extra" chapters of the main strategy guides (in the set of 10).

Actually - just check the price on the 8 content books (5 quant, 3 verbal) vs. the set of 10, because you can probably skip the IR book (you don't need to score more than 6 on IR) and you could also probably get away with not using the Roadmap book (since you're starting at such a high score already).

And then of course you are going to need OG13 - but maybe you didn't list that because everybody already knows to get that book. :)

Check out this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/

It's a two-parter; pay most attention to the How Do I Learn section in the 2nd half.

Finally, yes, now you know for GMATPrep - when you're done taking a test or doing any practice questions in that software, go through and take screen shots of everything before you log out or go into any other sections of the software. (I found that latter part out the hard way. I went into another part of the software, then came back to my practice problems - and they were gone!)
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep