Search the Community

Hello everyone, Currently planning to take the GMAT in 2-3 months from now... I just started doing some basic research on the exam and found this website to be an extremely useful source of information... Many users have posted detailed explanations about their test day experience and preparation...but the question that I can't seem to find an answer for is.... Where to begin? Does anyone have any advice on how I should start preparing for the GMAT? I am contemplating if I should purchase the Official Guide for GMAT review, 13th edition or start off by taking a Kaplan course or Manhattan GMAT... What are your thoughts?

The best approach for using the GMAT Official Guides: I have noticed that most people don’t know how to make the optimal use of the Official Guide, and which other books to read. The OG is perhaps the best material you can get for practice, but only if you use it the right way. Reading the right book at the right time can make a world of difference. This is why it is so important to have a pre-planned strategy in mind. I have gone through many reviews and comments on different sites and following is my assessment. Review my suggestions and feel free to add or ask me any questions. Remember, the GMAT OG is a "must have" for everyone who intend to take the GMAT, so make sure to use it the right way. -First: --Skim through this book at the very beginning when you first start preparing for the test. --This will give you a good understanding of what you should expect to see when you take the actual test. -Next: --If you feel you are truly comfortable with all the concepts involved - go ahead and crack every question in this book and you'll be good to go. --If you feel you lack some if not all of the concepts involved - keep this book aside, go through some of the other study guides, and then at the end come back to this book and answer every question. -Next: --Buy the recommended books listed below. --Take the free official practice tests. -Finally: --To get additional practice - consider browsing the internet to find any free questions you can lay your hands on. --To get a final reinforcement - once again take the free official practice tests before your real test. -OG Positives: --Indisputably one of the best GMAT books if you want to know what types of questions can potentially pop up on the test. --Excellent source for practicing real GMAT test questions for all difficulty levels. -OG Negatives: --No conceptual knowledge of any topic whatsoever. --Answer explanations are fine but not that methodical. -GMAT Books: If you are serious about getting a high score, I'd recommend doing the following: --Get the latest edition of OG. --Get Barron's book as this is one of the best all-in-one review book (except the CD). --For Verbal Review - consider Kaplan/Arco, and Manhattan for SC. --For Verbal Practice - consider Kaplan/PR Workbooks, and Dummies book. --For Math Review - consider Kaplan/Nova if you need a basic refresher, or EZ GMAT Review Books if you want a more in-depth coverage of each and every math concept. --For Math Practice - consider Kaplan/PR Workbooks, or EZ GMAT Basic WB for medium-difficulty problems and Advanced WB for most-difficult problems. I am certain that if you follow the above steps, you'll be well prepared for the GMAT without the need to take any expensive prep course or private tutoring. I did a lot of struggle preparing for the GMAT, and that's why I know how painful it can be if one doesn't have the right guidance. You can consider me as someone who has been studying for the GMAT off and on for quite sometime and is very familiar with all the different available tools. If you have any questions or doubts about anything related to the GMAT, please feel free to ask me. I really hope that I was able to help at least some of you who are still trying to figure out the best approach to prepare for the GMAT. Thanks for reading and good luck with your preparation for the GMAT. I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught. ~Winston Churchill

Hello TM, I'm totally new to the GMAT world and need advice on where to start. My head is spinning with all the different test preps available. Can someone suggest the best preps to start?

Veritas Prep is offering a free online seminar to help prospective MBA students effectively prepare for the next generation of the GMAT. The instructional webinar will give test takers strategies to succeed on the new Integrated Reasoning section, which is being added to the exam in June. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 6 p.m. PDT. The free one-hour webinar will focus on how to: • Navigate the GMAT’s sortable charts to make quick decisions • Read and understand common Integrated Reasoning graphic types • Minimize wasted time spent on data-driven problems by prioritizing • Leverage question stems and maximize logic • Efficiently use relative math to avoid unnecessary calculations To register for the free online webinar, visit Veritas Prep's website. I hope this info is helpful! Crystal (Veritas Prep)

HIi everyone this is Stephen from India. I've planned to take my GMAT within 4-5months.MY Target Score is >750 & the top B-Schools in US:grad:. Iam a new member of the Great community. I [clap] Congradulate evryone who have already ACED GMAT. I invite all aspirants to join together with me & we shall share our startegies to crack the nut:grad:. Looking for Great Aspirants to buid Formidable Group ASAP [clap].

Hi! I'm a recent graduate and have decided to take up the GMAT for a b-school. I've been working through OG2011 and KAPLAN GMATPremier since the beginning of March. I have already finished the two books as I currently have a lot of time to prepare for it. However, I seem to be finding CR rather tricky. Also, I am unsure of how to efficiently prepare for AWA (it's essay based after all). I have yet to take any prep tests just yet, as I do not feel fully confident with these parts. Any tips on what practice books I could look into? I've read on a forum that Kaplan is apaprently not very helpful. Finally, the plan was to go into intense studying mode for this entire month, and sit for the actual exam by the end of March. This gives me 2.5 weeks left to go. I am still contemplating whether I should book in my time, or give myself another 1 or 2 weeks into April. Good/bad idea? Help!

Hi! I'm a recent graduate and have decided to take up the GMAT for a b-school. I've been working through OG2011 and KAPLAN GMATPremier since the beginning of March. I have already finished the two books as I currently have a lot of time to prepare for it. However, I seem to be finding CR rather tricky. Also, I am unsure of how to efficiently prepare for AWA (it's essay based after all). I have yet to take any prep tests just yet, as I do not feel fully confident with these parts. Any tips on what practice books I could look into? I've read on a forum that Kaplan is apaprently not very helpful. Finally, the plan was to go into intense studying mode for this entire month, and sit for the actual exam by the end of March. This gives me 2.5 weeks left to go. I am still contemplating whether I should book in my time, or give myself another 1 or 2 weeks into April. Good/bad idea? Help!

please suggest some good books to get better score in Gmat QUAN now i'm reading OG Quan review (green cover) but i think it's not enough In the real test, I got only 43 in QUAN part. Please share some books that work!!! Thanks

1. Given that x^2 - y^2 is a prime number and x, y are positive real numbers. Then x^2 - y^2 is equals to A. x - y B.x + y c . xy D. 2xy E. None of these