Any GMAT study tips?

JD159 · 06-02-2015, 07:29 AM

After graduating with a degree in Philosophy, spending a few years in a business environment, the only thing that is going to move my career forward is further education in something more tangible and with greater perceived value - an MBA.

Obviously coming from a non STEM background the Quant (math) section of the GMAT is going to be what needs the most attention

Luckily I did take some math in high school and am a quick learner, so my math skills are coming back.

I signed up for an online prep resource called Magoosh, really, really awesome resource. Hundreds of videos for each section and in depth explanations for anything math related. It is really helping me grasp the fundamentals.

I've been at it for about a month, first working through all the Quant resources on the Magoosh page to build my foundation. I've worked through a couple hundred of their practice questions and keep a journal / error log for anything I get wrong or concepts I find confusing.

I started tackling the problems in the Official Gmat Guide 15 and am doing fairly well throughout all the math sections, getting at least 75% of them correct, and the ones I get wrong it is usually a simple mistake or a trick due to the question complexity.

Any successful GMAT test takers on the board? Did you find the content on the test about the same level of difficulty as what was in the book?? Any other resources I should be using???

1990C4S · 06-02-2015, 08:06 AM

I bought a couple of books and did the questions for days on end. It worked for me.

Look into a serious course. My daughter taught the LSAT course, they teach strategies that improve your mark a lot.

Unless you think you're at the 90th percentile spend some time and money on a course. But the books will tell where you fall....

froggert · 06-02-2015, 10:45 AM

My GMAT experience is from eleventy-billion years ago, but I just bought a book, flipped through the different sections and took a couple of the practice tests. The book's questions were based on actual test questions from previous years, so the degree of difficulty was similar.

Do the resources you're currently looking at cover HOW to take the test? Not just content, but timing, when to take an educated guess, when to skip or move on, etc?

VincentVega · 06-02-2015, 11:20 AM

It's been a while for me too, but a class was very helpful. Other than basic accounting and finance I didnt do much math in college, without the class I would have been in trouble.

Typ616 · 06-02-2015, 02:03 PM

From long ago experience (and same deal as you), the books were helpful because this is a weird test of the "one answer is slightly better than the others" kind, and you have to get into that mindset.

Other thing is, once I got in the program I wanted, I realized the GMAT score mattered a lot less than they told me it would. Big discrepancy in scores among the accepted students, and that was a good school... experience, etc counts too for admission... I'd do my best with books but not go crazy, ultimately they want your $, even top schools.

JD159 · 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggert

My GMAT experience is from eleventy-billion years ago, but I just bought a book, flipped through the different sections and took a couple of the practice tests. The book's questions were based on actual test questions from previous years, so the degree of difficulty was similar.

Do the resources you're currently looking at cover HOW to take the test? Not just content, but timing, when to take an educated guess, when to skip or move on, etc?

They absolutely do! For 100 bucks (reg 399) this online prep resource is incredible. Goes through all that. Timing, when to burn the question, I haven't reviewed too much strategy just yet as I'm getting a better handle on the fundamentals but that will be the next step.

Quote:

From long ago experience (and same deal as you), the books were helpful because this is a weird test of the "one answer is slightly better than the others" kind, and you have to get into that mindset.

Other thing is, once I got in the program I wanted, I realized the GMAT score mattered a lot less than they told me it would. Big discrepancy in scores among the accepted students, and that was a good school... experience, etc counts too for admission... I'd do my best with books but not go crazy, ultimately they want your $, even top schools.

Interesting, I'll keep that in mind when selecting programs. As for schools I don't think I'll venture south of the border. I may just go back to where I did my undergrad. Local, no residence needed. Even has a co-op MBA program. For someone my age that may be the best route.

LWJ · 06-02-2015, 03:57 PM

Take a class. The GMAT is easier than the SAT. Business majors are generally somewhat stupider than philosophy geeks like you. Don't sweat this. Just do some preparation and you will be fine. I of course most likely took this before you were born so know how valuable my advice is!

Good luck!
Larry

pavulon · 06-02-2015, 04:41 PM

why an MBA?

JD159 · 06-02-2015, 05:25 PM

In my case more reasons for than not.

Gives me something tangible and universally recognizable, applicable to my current field, and opens the door for a lot more than what an arts degree will. I've been working with consumer level finance, sales training, including developing an entire finance sales web platform. Not just from a conceptual standpoint, but technical. Just some basic front-end development. I'm no a professional, but I can get pretty crafty with them internets.

Not exactly the track a philos major follows though.

My experience says I can be capable of things that my degree says I'm not. Usually it just gets a chuckle! So I'd like some more formal training.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 06:43 PM

Here's another tip- Don't lose your cool during the test
(This being from a person who's never taken a GMAT, but I have taken similar test)

During the middle of the test, your brain will be toast. You will feel on some pages you are getting no more than 10 -20% of the questions right. DO NOT LOSE CONFIDENCE!!!!

These test are calibrated to throw out certain questions based on results- so yeah- maybe you only got 50% right, but the guy next to you only got 30% right- so in the end, you will win. I took national boards in a certain subject-came out feeling like a dumbass- in the end scored higher than 97% of everyone else in the country.
Bottom line- don't get flustered.

recycled sixtie · recycled sixtie's Garage

I just got an email from my daughter re her GRE which is very similar to the GMAT. She suggests practice. She bought 4+ books just with practice questions which were very helpful. Hope this helps.