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Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
- Thread starter Zudnic
- Start date
FadeToBlack&Gold
Kettle Medallion
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I didn't. Signed up & paid online the night before, showed up at the test site a little before 8 AM, took it, and scored something like 600-650, which was in the Top 2/3s, so it was enough.
It's really not that hard, and unless you're shooting for a super-prestigious program, I wouldn't pay to take a full-blown prep class. Get a review book at most, and/or just work on whichever of the two main subjects (math and reading/language) you know to be your weakest.
I didn't. Signed up & paid online the night before, showed up at the test site a little before 8 AM, took it, and scored something like 600-650, which was in the Top 2/3s, so it was enough.
It's really not that hard, and unless you're shooting for a super-prestigious program, I wouldn't pay to take a full-blown prep class. Get a review book at most, and/or just work on whichever of the two main subjects (math and reading/language) you know to be your weakest.
Beer Pong Horn
soldier of fortune
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Yup - I had a similar experience when I took the GRE, though it's been some time since then.
There's plenty of GRE/GMAT review stuff in libraries and online - go there, and if you need a classroom environment to study, just find a friend or two willing to help you.
Yup - I had a similar experience when I took the GRE, though it's been some time since then.
There's plenty of GRE/GMAT review stuff in libraries and online - go there, and if you need a classroom environment to study, just find a friend or two willing to help you.
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I took vacation from the job at the time, bought several of the books and bunkered down for a week of studying...it was worth it.
I would suggest laying out a studying schedule that rotates topics vs. spending 10 hours studying one thing. Take a practice test early to identify where you are weak (it isn't always where you think) and then make sure you rotate through that more often than the others.
Whatever you do, don't fall into any of the 'here is the system' type of studying.
Good luck.
I took vacation from the job at the time, bought several of the books and bunkered down for a week of studying...it was worth it.
I would suggest laying out a studying schedule that rotates topics vs. spending 10 hours studying one thing. Take a practice test early to identify where you are weak (it isn't always where you think) and then make sure you rotate through that more often than the others.
Whatever you do, don't fall into any of the 'here is the system' type of studying.
Good luck.
unofan
Well-known member
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
If it's anything like the LSAT, just get some review books and do plenty of practice problems. I know Kaplan's LSAT course is a complete ripoff; not sure about it's GMAT one, though.
If it's anything like the LSAT, just get some review books and do plenty of practice problems. I know Kaplan's LSAT course is a complete ripoff; not sure about it's GMAT one, though.
wolverineTrumpet
not particularly bad
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I haven't actually taken the GMAT, though I've been flirting with the idea of B school for a few years. I suggest the free route: go to your local library and check out a prep book or two. Plenty of practice questions, practice tests and a breakdown of the format so you know what to expect (at least, I'm hoping it's accurate).
I haven't actually taken the GMAT, though I've been flirting with the idea of B school for a few years. I suggest the free route: go to your local library and check out a prep book or two. Plenty of practice questions, practice tests and a breakdown of the format so you know what to expect (at least, I'm hoping it's accurate).
ScottM
**** it feels good to be a bankster
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I've taken the GMAT, and LSAT. I never wasted my time/money with "courses". I felt more comfortable getting a few off-the-shelf study guides with practice exams. In my experience, if you understand the testing format and environment you'll probably do well. I recall spending more time on practice exams than going over the actual materials, which seemed redundant if you were even half awake during college.
I've taken the GMAT, and LSAT. I never wasted my time/money with "courses". I felt more comfortable getting a few off-the-shelf study guides with practice exams. In my experience, if you understand the testing format and environment you'll probably do well. I recall spending more time on practice exams than going over the actual materials, which seemed redundant if you were even half awake during college.
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
it's those last few words of your post that required me to take longer to prep...
I would say there is some formula for whether you were a business undergrad, how long ago that was, did you know this stuff when you graduated, do you employ much of it in your current gig and what kind of memory you have...from that you can approximate the length of time one should study.
total agreement on the format...I recall being thankful that I knew what to expect as the directions were not written for dummies.
it's those last few words of your post that required me to take longer to prep...
I would say there is some formula for whether you were a business undergrad, how long ago that was, did you know this stuff when you graduated, do you employ much of it in your current gig and what kind of memory you have...from that you can approximate the length of time one should study.
total agreement on the format...I recall being thankful that I knew what to expect as the directions were not written for dummies.
FadeToBlack&Gold
Kettle Medallion
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I would somewhat agree with this, considering I was a business undergrad, and I had just graduated about three weeks prior.
I would somewhat agree with this, considering I was a business undergrad, and I had just graduated about three weeks prior.
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I got a book that came with a CDROM that had a practice exam on it, took that before doing any studying and got a score plenty high to get into where I planned to go. Didn't bother studying beyond that. I would say find a practice test (takes maybe 2 hours) to judge if you need to invest more time or not.
I got a book that came with a CDROM that had a practice exam on it, took that before doing any studying and got a score plenty high to get into where I planned to go. Didn't bother studying beyond that. I would say find a practice test (takes maybe 2 hours) to judge if you need to invest more time or not.
Zudnic
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Thanks, everyone. I've decided to forego the class (I can't afford the deep-discounted $900 anyway).
I think what I need is some kind of structured approach. So a friend of mine pointed me to BeatTheGMAT.com. With this program, you go out and buy four books. They send an email every day with a study guide. It is supposed to take 2-4 hours a day and is free.
My wife has promised to force me to do the exercises every day
And I am not aiming for Harvard - I would if I could afford to not work for two years...
Thanks, everyone. I've decided to forego the class (I can't afford the deep-discounted $900 anyway).
I think what I need is some kind of structured approach. So a friend of mine pointed me to BeatTheGMAT.com. With this program, you go out and buy four books. They send an email every day with a study guide. It is supposed to take 2-4 hours a day and is free.
My wife has promised to force me to do the exercises every day
And I am not aiming for Harvard - I would if I could afford to not work for two years...Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
zudnic - as long as that program isn't one of those, "we'll show you how to use a system to answer the questions" type of thing. If the approach is teaching you what you need to know that sounds good, if it is any kind of scheme or gimmick I'd steer clear.
zudnic - as long as that program isn't one of those, "we'll show you how to use a system to answer the questions" type of thing. If the approach is teaching you what you need to know that sounds good, if it is any kind of scheme or gimmick I'd steer clear.
Zudnic
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Nope Basically it guides you through certain chapters and study questions in one of the four books (1 Kaplan, 2 Manhattan, and the official guide). Just gives you daily goals and mixes it up for you. Also throws in a few online videos and stuff.
Do you have an MBA yourself?
zudnic - as long as that program isn't one of those, "we'll show you how to use a system to answer the questions" type of thing. If the approach is teaching you what you need to know that sounds good, if it is any kind of scheme or gimmick I'd steer clear.
Nope
Basically it guides you through certain chapters and study questions in one of the four books (1 Kaplan, 2 Manhattan, and the official guide). Just gives you daily goals and mixes it up for you. Also throws in a few online videos and stuff.Do you have an MBA yourself?
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Sounds like a lot of work. If you passed the ACT/SAT, I think you can pass the GMAT
Nope
Do you have an MBA yourself?
Sounds like a lot of work. If you passed the ACT/SAT, I think you can pass the GMAT
Zudnic
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Heh, that was almost 15 years ago I could benefit from a refresher on this stuff.
Sounds like a lot of work. If you passed the ACT/SAT, I think you can pass the GMAT
Heh, that was almost 15 years ago
I could benefit from a refresher on this stuff.Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
This is good advice. The most important thing for me was refreshing the math skills I hadn't used, but going over everything in practice tests was helpful. I took it my senior year of college, so it was probably a little easier still being in academia, environment-wise. I used a study guide that came with a CD.
This is good advice. The most important thing for me was refreshing the math skills I hadn't used, but going over everything in practice tests was helpful. I took it my senior year of college, so it was probably a little easier still being in academia, environment-wise. I used a study guide that came with a CD.
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
I remember taking the GMAT.
#^ years ago. (man, some of you have a way of making some of us feel old).
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are cut out for grad schoo/law school- they are easy. I actually got a ticket on the way to the test- when I needed to take it, the closest school that was giving it was 2 hours away- so I made a deal with the parents of my friends to cut that distance in half.
Still had to be there first thing, thought, right?
Had my parents old car that my bro had, but BOTH main headlights were out, so just at dawn, a cop pulled me over for not lowering my lights. He made me go to a gas station to wait until sunrise before continuing.
Still passed, and am living with the consequence of going to Grad School. (and live in the same city as that).
I remember taking the GMAT.
#^ years ago. (man, some of you have a way of making some of us feel old).
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are cut out for grad schoo/law school- they are easy. I actually got a ticket on the way to the test- when I needed to take it, the closest school that was giving it was 2 hours away- so I made a deal with the parents of my friends to cut that distance in half.
Still had to be there first thing, thought, right?
Had my parents old car that my bro had, but BOTH main headlights were out, so just at dawn, a cop pulled me over for not lowering my lights. He made me go to a gas station to wait until sunrise before continuing.
Still passed, and am living with the consequence of going to Grad School. (and live in the same city as that).
French Rage
NICKERSON HAS [CENSORED]
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
All the cool kids take the GRE!
All the cool kids take the GRE!
ScottM
**** it feels good to be a bankster
Re: Prepping for Grad School Admissions Exams (GMAT)
Not a bad idea, since I have an extra 5-6 minutes of free time to spare.
Not a bad idea, since I have an extra 5-6 minutes of free time to spare.