Search the Community

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