Quant study plan

[Jaydog]

I've taken the online prep course and finished in February of this year and I can't seem to get a good score on the quantitative section of the test. My scores are ranging 20% overall and I'm thinking of reviewing the study guides all over again. I've also taken the Foundations classes 1 & 2 and still, I'm struggling.

Can somebody please recommend a study approach or plan to improve my math or how you improved your score?

Thank you

[StaceyKoprince]

First, you need to figure out why you're struggling - there are many different things that could hold you back from increasing your score.

The main areas to consider:
- content (the actual math being tested)
- technique (the different types of questions asked, both at a DS vs. PS level, and at a rates vs. number properties theory level, for example)
- timing

Are you struggling with all of these? Are you struggling primarily with one? If primarily just with one, which one?

If you're struggling with everything, then the place to start is the actual content being tested. You mentioned that you'd done the Foundations workshops, so I'm guessing that content is still an issue for you. How long has it been since you took math in school? How did you do with it the first time around - were you fine or did you struggle then too?

If you're still struggling 6 months later, you're going to need to take a different approach. You may need to take an algebra or geometry class at a local community college, or check out algebra and geometry textbooks from your local library. (I also like the Demystified series of books - Algebra Demystified, Geometry Demystified, and so on. Lots of libraries have them or you can go look at them at your local bookstore and see if you like them enough to buy them.) You could also get a local math-major college student to tutor you on the fundamental concepts - a student will know the material and won't charge as much as a specialized GMAT tutor. Once you get to the point where the content isn't a big problem, then you can see whether you might need to work with a GMAT tutor on technique.

Let me know whether you feel fine with the timing but struggle more with technique and timing - if that's the case, we'll address that instead.

Also, others, please do let us know what you did if you were in the same position; we'd all like to learn from you!

[Guest]

Stacey,

I can honestly say that I'm struggling with a little bit of everything on quant including DS and I understand the concepts on the Foundations pretty decently. It has been about 10 years since I've last taken a math course but I know I have learned a lot more now, then I did first starting my GMAT preperation.

One of my biggest struggles is with word translations and DS, I can't seem to understand it no matter how many times I go over the material. I also see that I end up making mistakes on every type of problem. So, I guess I do need a better understanding of the content.

My new approach will be to go back to basics and review all the work books, the foundations material and even look through my Algerbra Math book until I can feel comfortable. I have been drilling the quanititave section timed at 2 minutes per question and guessing when I have no clue how to answer it. I see now that it does me no good to drill timed if I don't fully understand the content. From here on out I can only improve from here on out, if any other students have suggestions please feel free to comment or explain your approach on quant. Thank you for your suggestions Stacey,

Jaydog

[StaceyKoprince]

It does sound like you may need some more work on the content side of things, but also on the "interpreting GMAT language" side of things, so it may be good at some point to work specifically with a GMAT tutor. But I'd start with the content and see how that goes before deciding what to do (esp. b/c working with a GMAT tutor is so expensive).