Economist GMAT Tutor

[dsguerra]

Hi Guys,
I took the gmat twice a few months back (2013 - 4 month diff between each other) - first one I scored 700 (50Q36V), the second time around I scored another 700 (48Q38V). I am trying to raise my score by 40points, but it seems that my score has plateau. I have been thinking about signing up for the Economist GMAT tutor (I have completed the MGMAT guides and the OG a couple of times), but I wanted to get an opinion from the MGMAT experts. Three days before the second exam, I scored a 740 in the second gmat prep exam (In the mgmat cats I was never able to go beyond 710). The economist is not cheap, so maybe should I spend that money on a Tutor?

Any advice, will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

[StaceyKoprince]

I haven't used the materials of another company, so I can't tell you whether they're good or how good they are. (And I'm biased anyway - of course I think my company is the best!)

Tutoring is expensive, of course, so I can help you to think about what questions you should ask in deciding whether to do tutoring - but, because I have a conflict of interest (my company offers tutoring), I'll let you make the decision for yourself.

If you want to work with a tutor, you should definitely have access to a bio or other information that will let you know the tutor's experience before you officially agree to the tutoring. In other words, you should be able to check the person out and decline to work with that tutor if you don't want to for any reason. You should also be able to have a short email or phone conversation (perhaps 10-15 minutes) with the tutor before you officially meet for a paid tutoring session, and the tutor should ask you some questions about your strengths and weaknesses and / or give you some kind of work to do before the first meeting (for example, I ask my students to take an MGMAT test, if they haven't already, so that I can review their results before the session).

Finally, either before the first session or at the first session, your potential tutor should ask you enough questions to know your situation to a certain extent: how long have you been studying? what have you done so far? what do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? what is your goal score? when do you want to take the test? do you have any deadlines you have to meet? That is, the tutor should be developing a strategy for your specific situation, not just applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Okay, I have a question for you. :) You have a 700. Why do you feel you need a 740? (There are a few circumstances in which it would make sense for someone to push higher - but, for most people, a 700 is more than good enough.) Is it a personal goal? Or do you have a specific reason?

[dsguerra]

Hi Stacey,
Thanks for your reply. I guess it is a mix of both: challenge and necessity. I do like studying for the GMAT so I don't mind spending time for it. It has really helped me in various areas, i.e. grammar, become quicker with numbers, etc, so it will be great to continue improving. Also, my GPA is not great, and while I do have a strong profile (managing a team of >7 ppl, blue chip company, extra curricular activities, engineering background, minority) I really feel I need to make up for my grades in college - not that I was lazy or dumb, but I had major personal problems during those 4 years, and it really sucks that there is nothing I can do about it now. I do want to get into the Top 3 schools, since going to any other school would just cost me too much money (i.e. 2 years of giving up my salary + tuition is just a ridiculous amount money) . If I don't get in, I would just do a part time program, especially since I am planning to stay in my field, and I do enjoy what I do.

I read your post on the distinction between a 700 score and a 760 score, and I think I do need a tutor to help me polish my skills. Unfortunately, I do not have much time to study (work >+70hrs), so not sure what else to do. Do you think a tutor can help out? or do you think that reaching this target is more of a personal journey?


Regards,

[StaceyKoprince]

A tutor can help you with very targeted skills, yes, particularly for those areas where you just can't get over the hump yourself. Of course, hitting a 760 is really tough (only 1% of people ever score 760+), so there are no guarantees no matter what you do.

I have another bit of advice for you. You mention that you're planning to stay in your field. Can you identify anyone in your company or your field who is doing the job that you would like to be doing 10 or 15 years from now? Can you approach that person for a networking conversation and ask him / her what (in that person's opinion) are the most important skills for advancement and success, and also how that person views an MBA - a necessity, a nice-to-have, etc.

Also, ask that person: if you were hiring someone right now for a post-MBA position, what would matter to you most? The school? The GPA? The person's work experience?

It's sometimes the case that, in certain industries, they value the degree in general but don't really care whether it comes from Harvard. In that case, a part-time program might be way more practical (lower cost, don't have to stop working for 2 years, etc).

Would your company be interested in sponsoring you and even subsidizing part of the degree? If so, that could be a major boon. You'd pay even less, your company would be aware and giving you time to study, and you could tell future employers that your company invested in you in this way. And that would be a very good reason why you went to a local school instead of the top 3 - well, my company paid for me to do this and I kept working. I'm a go-getter, and they were really happy to invest in me. :)