Is My Study Pattern Unstable?

[bharathdarsh]

Hi Stacey,

I have been now doing self study for 4wks using MGMAT 8 guides.

During this time, I covered the following:

1) Number properties guide including the OG 12 Qs referenced in the guide for the main chapters ( not yet read the advanced part).

2) Geometry guide incl. the OG 12 Qs.

3) RC guide incl. 50% of the OG12 Qs + the MGMAT Question bank.

Now I was thinking of moving forward to the next study guide, but I have a problem. I just couldn't remember what I read in my Number Properties(NP) and Geometry guides. So I felt that this was not a good sign and started to review the concepts of what I read in NP and Geometry guide. I am also planning to review & redo some of the MGMAT problems(in the 2 guides) and the OG12 problems that I got WRONG,SLOW & UNSURE for these 2 areas( NP and Geometry). This week I am going to devote for this purpose.

I felt that instead of starting a new topic, doing a review of my mistakes will help me to improve my confidence and get better grip on the basics of NP and Geometry.

1) I actually wanted to factor in some time for comprehensive review of my weak spots and content once I go through all the 8 MGMAT guides. But since I hit this problem, I started to review the content( NP and Geo) now. Is this a good way?

2) Or should I complete all the 8 MGMAT guides and then spend some 2-3wk on comprehensive review of all the 8 guides? But I fear I might forget things, that I read before. I understand that only through repeated review, we can enhance the retention capability.

3) Given the depth of content in MGMAT guides, can you please let me know how I should proceed further with my study:

a) How should I balance studying new content as well as reviewing the content already covered?

b) How should I spend time to review and redo the WRONG,UNSURE problems?

4) Given the density and the depth of content in MGMAT 8 guides, do you suggest any advice on how I can focus on reading the content, based on how the actual content are tested in GMAT : like for e.g which chapters/areas in the guides I should focus more, which areas I can afford to just skim through & which areas I need not study at all. This will help to re-orient my preparation.

5) I am targeting for a score of >=700, but seeing the way I go - I now feel that it would be much better to focus,review and improve the basics; rather than reading new advanced topics.

I am planning to take GMAT on May 23rd 2012.

Please let me know your views. As always many thanks for your support.

Best Regards,
Bharath S

[StaceyKoprince]

How have you been taking notes? Have you been making flashcards of concepts or rules that you need to remember?

If not, go back and make some now during your review, but in future, make flashcards all the way along. Then, you will be able to mix review in easily with learning new material - you pull out your flashcards and start quizzing yourself. When you know you know something, you can pull that flashcard out and set it aside (but don't get rid of it - quiz yourself on that again in 2-3 weeks to make sure you haven't forgotten!).

Flashcards could includes rules or formulas, actual problems, different techniques for solving certain kinds of problems, shortcuts that you want to remember for certain kinds of problems or content areas, and so on.

I've found that my most valuables ones are the ones where I write "When I see ______" on one side and "I'll think / do ________" on the other. In other words, I'm identifying the clues or triggers that should make me think of a certain rule, or solution process, or trap to avoid, or way to make an educated guess, or whatever.

When I see numerical answer choices that are really far apart, I can try to estimate.

When I see large parts of an SC sentence moving around in the answers, I'll think about modifiers.

And so on.

Answers to your questions:
1+2) Do some review as you go along, using your flashcards and any notes you want to take for yourself about things you want to review. Also do a comprehensive review at the end , likely for several weeks.

3, 4, 5) What is your current scoring level, both overall and for quant and verbal individually? Which do you expect to be better / higher for the real test: quant or verbal? If you're going for 90th+ percentile in either section, then you need to review the Advanced chapter material for that section. If you're going for 75th-90th in either section, then you need to review some of the Advanced chapter material - concentrate on your areas of strength. If you're going for sub-75th percentile in a section, then you don't need to review the Advanced material, or only in a couple of the areas of your greatest strength.

As a general rule, NP and Algebra are very commonly tested. In SC, modifiers, meaning, and parallelism are the most commonly tested. In CR, assumption-based questions (Find the Assumption, Strengthen, Weaken) and Inference / Draw a Conclusion questions are the most commonly tested.

[bharathdarsh]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks, yes I will start creating flashcards now. I did not do it so far, because I used the MGMAT study guides effectively to mark,highlight,underline and write down the important content,rules,problems etc. Infact I am now doing the review of Geometry again, by quickly reading my markings in the study guide.

Probably, I should have created some flash cards now...It would have helped.

1) You also say that I need to do some comprehensive 2nd review for some week, after I complete my 1st round of studying. How much time should I plan for this?

2) I am doing some OG12 problems along the way now. I was planning to do the remaining OG12 probs at the end once I finish studying. Should I do them before or after my 2nd comprehensive review?

3) Also so far I haven't taken a MGMAT CAT yet. I was planning to take it after I make a first pass of the SC and Word translations too( so far I have covered NP, RC and Geometry). I am apprehensive to take a MGMAT CAT without knowing some basic stuff of the content.

I am in my 5th week of study now; but I started to do some reviews this week, rather than spending time on new guide.

Do you think; I should take a MGMAT CAT now, this weekend or can I wait for another 2-3wks until I complete SC and Word Translations?

4) Based on the study guides that I have covered so far; do you think, I can cover the content ground before May 23rd(my GMAT date) or should I push it a bit depending on my progress?

Stacey, looks like its going to be tough, long haul ahead!

Please advice, I look forward for your guidance.

Best Regards,
Bharath S

[StaceyKoprince]

When you say you haven't taken an MGMAT CAT yet... does that mean that you have never taken a CAT?

If that's the case, then that's the first thing to do. Don't view taking a *practice* CAT as "this is my score, and what if it's terrible?" View it as: I need to know what my strengths and weakesses are so that I know how to prioritize my study. That's *very* important.

Your score doesn't matter (well, it does in the sense of just knowing that this is your starting point - but that's all). Go do it!

Use this to analyze your results and set your priorities:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Most people take 2-3 weeks for review, which will consist of a mix of taking practice tests or doing practice questions and then reviewing (which may include going back to books, etc.). Save these two articles for that time:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... game-plan/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... game-plan/

I can't tell you whether 23 May is enough time or whether you may need more - it's way too early for us to know that. Plus, we don't even know what your current CAT score is. :) As a general rule, when your CAT score starts getting into the range you want, then you know you're close, but ideally you don't want to take the real test until you're scoring at or above your desired score on the practice CATs.

[bharathdarsh]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks, I will take my CAT this week to assess my current strengths & weakness. I'll come back with my analysis to take your guidance - on how I can optimize my study plan & move forward.

As always, Many Thanks to you. You advice always gives me confidence.

Thanks,
Bharath S

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck!