How Long Should I spend on MGMAT GUIDES?

[shoumik]

Hi. I am very new to this forum. In fact, this is my first post. I just purchased the MGMAT Guides yesterday and am almost done the first book (number property, Advanced topics left). I would like to take the test on September 2nd. My quant is not too bad (43Q) on the gmatprep. However, I bombed verbal with 22V. I am an engineering student (19 years old at the moment). My question is that..in general..how long should I spend on MGMAT Guides? Especially the first five books since I am concentrating solely on quant at the moment.

I am asking this because I may need more than a month to prepare for verbal but at the same time I want to achieve 50+ Q. What should I do once I finish the MGMAT Guides...Should I get addition books like Kaplan and do their questions?

Thank you in advance.

[StaceyKoprince]

In general, it's a good idea to mix your study - that is, don't do only quant for a month or two and then do only verbal. Your brain actually learns better when it goes back and forth between topics - and you're going to forget a lot of your quant if you do only verbal for a month or more.

It sounds like you're working off of our materials, so you may want to follow our standard class syllabus, which you can find here:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/freegmatlearningforum.cfm
Under the highlights section, click on "Official Manhattan GMAT Course Syllabus [pdf]"

In terms of how much time to spend, there isn't a simple answer to that question - there are a lot of variables involved. What's your goal score? What's your starting score - that is, how far are you from your goal? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Generally, you're going to spend more time on your weaknesses to start.

Take a look at this article for more on how to develop your study plan:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/02/ ... study-plan

That article has a bunch of other links - follow the links and read the other articles as well.

Also, look at this one:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... your-study

Once you take an MGMAT practice test, you can use this article to analyze your strengths and weaknesses. If you want, you can share that analysis with us here and we'll try to advise you.

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

[shoumik]

Thanks again for your reply Stacey.

I can't seem to find the Syllabus on the link you have provided. I would like to think that Quant is my stronger point. I did the diagnostic and scored a dismal 500 (Q43 V21), SC and CR being my Achilles heel. I don't think my verbal score reflects my verbal capabilities (so I think). I had trouble staying focussed during the test. I basically burned out after the Quant section. I've finished two out of the five MGMAT quant books already with PS accuracy of 90%+ and I will be solving the DS today. In quant, my weaker point is DS as is for most people. At that time, I didn't know much strategies to tackle such questions.

Anyway, my goal is to cross the 700+ barrier. I am willing to put forth 5 hours each week day and up to 12 hours on weekends. I will take a look at other links you have provided and will take your advice of mixing up my study schedule. I appreciate the helpful advice you have provided me with.

I would also greatly appreciate it if you could find me the link for the Official MGMAT Course Syllabus.

Thanks.

[StaceyKoprince]

It disappeared! Our website team is looking into that; in the meantime, look here:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/gmat-course-gmat-book.cfm

Click on "view a sample of our course syllabus"

I am willing to put forth 5 hours each week day and up to 12 hours on weekends.

I don't actually want you to do that. This isn't about how MUCH you do. It's about how well you do it. Quality of study is more important than quantity - don't make the mistake so many have made and try to plow through thousands of questions without actually learning everything you can learn from each question you do.

Your brain can only take in so much new information and make good connections with it in one day. One study session = no more than 2h at a sitting. A break of at least 2h between study sessions. Max of 3 study sessions in one day and ONLY if you're not working that day or doing other things that take brainpower.

As I mentioned last time, take a look at these articles:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... your-study

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/02/ ... study-plan

In the study plan article, there are links to some other articles. For the "how to review a practice test" article, use this updated article instead:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

(I linked to that one last time too.)

Make sure to spend lots of time with the "how to analyze a practice problem" work. Most of what you learn will come from your analysis and review of problems, not from the time you spent doing the problem in the first place.

Good luck!