Advanced Topics: When to start?

[Milanproda1]

I have heard various suggestions, so I was wondering what anyone thought is best to do.

I have scored in the 63rd percentile of the Number Properties questions in the OG (according to OG Archer).

What is the best approach to take? Go over the material in the general section all over again? Wait a few days and go over the OG questions again? Do other types of work? Should I go over the advanced section, take notes and do the in action problems? Or should I go straight ahead and do all of the OG.

I have a very flexible schedule, and I can get a substantial amount of studying done throughout the week, so extra work is no problem for me.

[StaceyKoprince]

Are you taking the class? Or are you working on your own?

If you're taking the class, make sure to keep up with the class homework, and only do extra stuff when the homework for next week's class is done.

If you're working on your own, you do have more flexibility, but I still think it's better, *generally* speaking, to do the general material first and then go back to the advanced material later - that gives you a natural way to review the general material later, which you want to do.

So, here's what I'd recommend:
1) Write out some notes and / or make flashcards from the work that you've done so far. What are the things you need to study / remember? What traps or mistakes are you tending to make? Keep track of those things, and quiz yourself going forward. Make sure to keep doing that at all stages below.

2) Move on to the general material from another math book. If you are working through a particular chapter and you're already thinking "this is totally easy for me," then do some of the problems. If it really is easy for you, go take a look at some of the advanced material JUST for THAT chapter right away. (You can go back and do this for number properties too if you want.) Otherwise, save the advanced material for later.

3) After finishing the second book, do a MIXED problem set - mix up questions from all chapters of the first two books. Don't do so many questions, though, that you run out. Save some for later!

4) Keep repeating the above with the remaining 3 books.

5) When you're done with all of the general material (and maybe some of the advanced material), then start a review where you also move on to the advanced material in your stronger areas. In your weakest areas, you may not need to worry about the advanced material at all, depending upon your goal score and the frequency with which that material is tested.

For example, if you hate combinatorics (like me!), you can get away with ignoring most of the advanced material, especially if your goal score is about 720 or lower. If, on the other hand, you have a big weakness with manipulating algebraic equations or translating word problems to math in general, and you want a score higher than about 600, you're going to have to do more work because those areas are very commonly tested.

[Milanproda1]

Thank you for your reply. I will test the strategy right away.

My goal is 700, so I will work until I understand the material enough to get a 700.

Just a minor question..you mentioned mixing up problems. Do you mean OG problems, or In Action problems from the MGMAt strategy guides?

Thank you ahead of time!

[Milanproda1]

Also,

In terms or analyzing what questions I am weak at, do you suggest the IA problems or strictly OG?

Sorry!

[StaceyKoprince]

Mixed sets = OG problems. For the In-actions, do those one at a time and check your answers after each one.

Analysis:
- in general, use all sources of info (in-action, OG, practice tests, etc) to understand your strengths and weaknesses at a high level
- for the in-action problems that are NOT in GMAT format, do some analysis, but not a ton; there, your focus is mostly on whether you know the actual facts / material, so analyze to that extent
- for the in-action problems that ARE in GMAT format, yes, analyze thoroughly
- ditto for OG, analyze throughly

[Milanproda1]

Thank you very much for your insight!

[StaceyKoprince]

you're very welcome! good luck with everything!