GMAT Prep Material 2023

MBA GMAT
62

1) The general strategy is a gud one.
thanks bro


2) I wudn't keep OG for the end reasons? a) it is a gud book b) it is a representative book and so wud help in formulating crash strategies in the end c) it has a lot of questions - it often happens that plans go haywire and you never get enuf time to finish some material (happenend with me. and then you are under pressure to finish all that you have(again happened with me)

I booked my GMAT date after i was done with Kaplan 2006, Princeton 2006 and Kaplan 800. I gave myself 6 weeks for all 3 OGs put together. To the uninitiated, I wud like to mention that not many wud have this freedom to book their GMAT dates just 6 weeks before the exam (The GMAT calender is pretty free around this time of the year. Dates in July, August are already full. Keep that in mind.) So just verify stuff before u plan on anything.

My reasons for keeping OG for the end
1) It is the most representative - so i'd be doing similar problems before i take the exam. Jus the being-in-groove thingy
2) The same "crash strategies" thing nag said. By doing OG towards the end, i'd be using these crash strategies closer to the exam. BTW - the crash strategies we use for the other books arent any diff i'd say. So i practice them with the first 3 and perfect them with exam-like-problems in OG. so it sticks
3) The above explanation solves the "i wont have time to finish OG" i guess.

I'm not trying to contradict kunal here. I'd say we are presenting 2 diff view points. that clearly explains that GMAT does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. You need to device ur own plan based on what'd suit ur style

If someone is gonna take up the test later, when we cannot book a GMAT date before 6 weeks, and he is someone who thinks like me (to keep OG at the end) and the person uses all 3 OG books, i'd advice him/her to give a 6 week time for OG + a 1 week buffer. Come what may (i.e. if u do not complete the other prep materials by this time) shut shop and start OG. It is the single most imp book in the prep plan!!! period!!!

What say kunal!?!?

3) Avoid Princeton - haven't heard many ppl give their votes for the tests. there are so many others. why shy away ?

Okie - i havent given any princeton (or Kaplan) tests. My view of both the princeton and Kaplan tests are - PRACTICE. I'm not gonna give any importance to the marks I'll look into the % of correct Q's and other such stuff. Not the marks!!!


4) Kaplan scores are debilitating, demotivating, derailing, de-everything but are still to be taken - if for nothing else than to shake up your schedule and make you more focussed on your problems. and scores are not rep-tive - i never crosses 650 yet got 770 in the test itself.

Precisely. Princeton is no diff i'd say. Where princeton differs from kaplan is in the "de" part. I've heard it is quite the opposite


P.S. Iday your schedule looks gud but 1 thing that bothers me - you have been preparing for 6 weeks already. yet to start OG. still going thru other books. so the questions is : when do you plan to give your test? dont stretch it too far. inevitably the curve starts to dip after some time - work/life/weather/GF/BF/Boss etc being some contributors ;-)

ATB - hope you crack the damn exam


Hey kunal - i've booked my exam on June 6th. As i mentioned, i wanted to cover up hose 3 books before i booked my exam. As of today, i am about to finish the Q's in the Math section under OG (i've done 350 Q's in a week :wow:) Math has been a breeze - supposedly my stronger side I have exactly a month, and i have time to work on the verbal part starting from next week. I accept ur part abt the curve. That's why i took a break for abt a week once i booked my GMAT (which was around the time i completed those 3 books). Now i'm feeling more fresh and eager Guess i'll sustain this for 4 more weeks to come and, as u said, kill that damn exam

Any suggestions - i'd be really glad
63

Hi Iday,

Good Post! All the best for the D day. Keep us all posted!

64

Good post Iday and sensible discussion here in the last couple of pages...

I have some questions which I want to throw open to suggestions and answers;

1) JJ - I was under the impression that JJ are compilation of questions circulated by the editors of scoretop.com and are available to subscribers. Subscription is at a cost. but when I look at the material uploaded by Kunal ...I see that JJs have been translated from Mandarin....

Q) What is it that I don't know about JJs ?
Q) Is a JJ subscription worth it?

2) Prep Strategy and areas of opportunity:...
.... the biggest area of opportunity I see in my test attempts (GP1 and GP2 and ETS Papertest #14) is that I simply am not able to sit thru the tests and maintain my concentration during the second third and fourt hours of tests. Hence I end up with a very high ding rate for any questions taken during this time ( regardless of the genre). The dings are as high as 8-10 questions in quant and 6-8 questions in Verbal.

I score almost perfect when I try attempt questions in sets of 30 all answered within 1 hour.

Q) Are there any other Simulation CATs for GMAT available on the web. The one I know of is Gmatter (I have it installed).
Q) I know that I can reinstall the GMAT Prep and get a new selection of quesitons..but think the questions availble in a.rar file would not be unlimited and hence GP3 would end up throwing some of the questions from GP1and2 as repeats. Is there any way of increasing the number of questions in the GP bins. Something like a .rar refill which I can reload on the GP s/w I have installed.

3) GMAT CAT Simulation This one applies to all who have scored more than 750 in GMAT or GP.....

Theory says:: that the CAT adjusts to a test taker's level of competence.

Exploring it---the simulation takes into account the average handling time per question (AHT) and the supposed level of difficulty. Hence if I solve a question quickly and correctly I get a more difficult question. And if I ding a question I get another question of the same difficulty level before the CAT can either step down the level of difficulty or I spend more time on the same difficulty level (and increase my AHT)-then the CAT continues giving me the questions of the same level of difficulty till I reduce my ding-rate.

Q) So if I take more time to solve an easy question would I continue getting easy questions. Comments please.
Q) How much time do you take while attempting the first 10 questions. Hence the AHT on Easy. A ballpark number would do.

After you guys have read the post above what do you think about my starting a GMAT conspiracy theory thread

65
Hi Iday,

Good Post! All the best for the D day. Keep us all posted!


Thanks Astriex!!!
Will do!!! 😃
66
Good post Iday and sensible discussion here in the last couple of pages...

thanks Harsh!!!


1) JJ - I was under the impression that JJ are compilation of questions circulated by the editors of scoretop.com and are available to subscribers. Subscription is at a cost. but when I look at the material uploaded by Kunal ...I see that JJs have been translated from Mandarin....

Q) What is it that I don't know about JJs ?
Q) Is a JJ subscription worth it?

JJs - i dont think it is worth subscribing. Too much is gonna end up ur getting tired of the ehole thing Really, if u get all 3 OGs - u get around 1400 Qs. And then we have the sample tests we take!!! We'd also have Kaplan and, probably, Princeton. All in all, we might be doing some 2000 Qs as preps. Do we still need anything more!??! I dont think so. I dint subscribe to scoretop. May be the JJs are useful in some way (most recent Qs) - but getting Qs from the JJs is only a matter of chance. Will u pay for that??? I wont :)


2) Prep Strategy and areas of opportunity:...
.... the biggest area of opportunity I see in my test attempts (GP1 and GP2 and ETS Papertest #14) is that I simply am not able to sit thru the tests and maintain my concentration during the second third and fourt hours of tests. Hence I end up with a very high ding rate for any questions taken during this time ( regardless of the genre). The dings are as high as 8-10 questions in quant and 6-8 questions in Verbal.

I score almost perfect when I try attempt questions in sets of 30 all answered within 1 hour.

This - u just gotta grind it out man. Change ur strategy. Try attempting 60Q in 2hrs. Else try giving2 or 3 back to back tests of 30 Qs. Forget the 4th hour - it is only gonna be 3 hrs. you'll be done with Quant @ 2hrs and 15 mins after u start and then it is the grind with verbal for the last 75 mins. You should have done atleast 25 - 30 Q's when u'r done with the 3rd hr. That is all about it.

Try getting more sample tests (just google) and try taking full length tests as many as possible.


Q) Are there any other Simulation CATs for GMAT available on the web. The one I know of is Gmatter (I have it installed).


all i can say is "may be". Google hai naa!?!?


Q) I know that I can reinstall the GMAT Prep and get a new selection of quesitons..but think the questions availble in a.rar file would not be unlimited and hence GP3 would end up throwing some of the questions from GP1and2 as repeats. Is there any way of increasing the number of questions in the GP bins. Something like a .rar refill which I can reload on the GP s/w I have installed.


No idea reg this sorry :(


3) GMAT CAT Simulation This one applies to all who have scored more than 750 in GMAT or GP.....

Theory says:: that the CAT adjusts to a test taker's level of competence.

Exploring it---the simulation takes into account the average handling time per question (AHT) and the supposed level of difficulty. Hence if I solve a question quickly and correctly I get a more difficult question. And if I ding a question I get another question of the same difficulty level before the CAT can either step down the level of difficulty or I spend more time on the same difficulty level (and increase my AHT)-then the CAT continues giving me the questions of the same level of difficulty till I reduce my ding-rate.

Q) So if I take more time to solve an easy question would I continue getting easy questions. Comments please.
Q) How much time do you take while attempting the first 10 questions. Hence the AHT on Easy. A ballpark number would do.


Well i havent even appeared for the test.
My $0.02 anyway
I dont think it uses the time we spend in a particular Q. None of the books say so. They infact advice us to spend more time in the earlier Qs coz they are more important. They wudnt have said so if the GMAT CAT uses the time also. In my understanding, the level of diff changes when we answer a Q right or wrong.

Iday
67

A very good basic reference material website ... content online, split into sections, along with tests, test stats and all of it free.

http://www.gmatcram.com/

68

Hey Guys,

Wanted your opinion on the Manhattan set books on GMAT. Do you think they are qunitessential for our preperation. Nearly all the Blogs/websites quote Manhattan material to be the best in the market.

I am pln to give my GMAT in Sept and have plnd to cover the following in order as given:

Princeton Review
Kaplan Premier
Kaplan Verbal Workbook
Kaplna 800
OG Maths Work Books
OG Verbal work book
OG 11th edition
GMAT Powerprep

Added with material available on various web sites (Sectional Tests, CAT test etc)

Do you think with a through study of the above books, i shd be able to cover atleast 95%+ of the prep or do i need to add further material.

Cheers,
Astriex

69
Hey Guys,

Wanted your opinion on the Manhattan set books on GMAT. Do you think they are qunitessential for our preperation. Nearly all the Blogs/websites quote Manhattan material to be the best in the market.

I am pln to give my GMAT in Sept and have plnd to cover the following in order as given:

My 2 cents!!! Look if THIS is exactly why u want to use thse books. Others might dissect my views as usual

Princeton Review - Has more strategy, had more classification of Qs than Kaplan premier.
Kaplan Premier - As i mentioned above, lesser category of Qs explained. But the 50 Qs per section is of great help. Good book to start with.
Kaplan Verbal Workbook - No idea as i did not use this. I dont think u'd need this. Ur call anyway!!!
Kaplna 800 - One word. GREAT!!! The book is n a diff class altogether. Definite must
OG Maths Work Book - de facto 1
OG Verbal work Book - de facto 2
OG 11th edition - de facto 3
GMAT Powerprep - de facto 4

Added with material available on various web sites (Sectional Tests, CAT test etc) - as much as u can


Cheers, Do you think with a through study of the above books, i shd be able to cover atleast 95%+ of the prep or do i need to add further material.
U shud be able to cover enough ground with the 3 OGs alone in my view. The other standard books are, as harsh had mentioned a few posts earlier, are good BRMs. How u wanna use them is based on ur BIG strategy!!!

All the Best!!!

Iday
70

Hi Iday,

Thanks for your views! Guess you got it spot on!

Cheers,
Astriex

71

Hi Harshg, IDAY & Kunal,

Guys thankx for sharing your views. I need one more help from you ... I am not able to find Kaplan CD/Book in hyderabad... can you suggest me some places where I could find this including Delhi/Bangalore & Mumbai locations also is fine with me ....

Dhanyavaad

Azeem

72
Hi Harshg, IDAY & Kunal,

Guys thankx for sharing your views. I need one more help from you ... I am not able to find Kaplan CD/Book in hyderabad... can you suggest me some places where I could find this including Delhi/Bangalore & Mumbai locations also is fine with me ....

Dhanyavaad

Azeem

Hey Azeem,
Bangalore would be a good option. I was able to find all the books there.

Iday
73
Hey Azeem,
Bangalore would be a good option. I was able to find all the books there.

Iday


IDAY, what place in bangalore... ??
Azeem
74


Well i havent even appeared for the test.
My $0.02 anyway
I dont think it uses the time we spend in a particular Q. None of the books say so. They infact advice us to spend more time in the earlier Qs coz they are more important. They wudnt have said so if the GMAT CAT uses the time also. In my understanding, the level of diff changes when we answer a Q right or wrong.

Iday


I agree, time is not a critical thing here.

Kunal
75
Hey Guys,

Wanted your opinion on the Manhattan set books on GMAT. Do you think they are qunitessential for our preperation. Nearly all the Blogs/websites quote Manhattan material to be the best in the market.

I am pln to give my GMAT in Sept and have plnd to cover the following in order as given:

Princeton Review
Kaplan Premier
Kaplan Verbal Workbook
Kaplna 800
OG Maths Work Books
OG Verbal work book
OG 11th edition
GMAT Powerprep

Added with material available on various web sites (Sectional Tests, CAT test etc)

Do you think with a through study of the above books, i shd be able to cover atleast 95%+ of the prep or do i need to add further material.

Cheers,
Astriex


Hi asterix

If you hve all that. screw manhattan. this is more than enuf. trust me.

ATB

Kunal
76
Hi Harshg, IDAY & Kunal,

Guys thankx for sharing your views. I need one more help from you ... I am not able to find Kaplan CD/Book in hyderabad... can you suggest me some places where I could find this including Delhi/Bangalore & Mumbai locations also is fine with me ....

Dhanyavaad

Azeem


I didn't have the book. Got the CD from a friend who had bought it online.

so wont be able to help you on this one.

Cheers

Kunal
77

Excellent thread this.

Just started my GMAT prep a few weeks ago.
Wanted to know about the test dates availibilty in Delhi for the GMAT.

Ideally i plan to take the GMAT in mid july. But i have not booked the date as yet since i wanted to reach at a certain level (of prep) before commiting on a date.

What might be the farthest date i can go to book the GMAT test day. Would it be possible to book a Mid July test date in the first week of June ?(for ex).
How busy is the ETS center in Delhi. From the people who have taken(or are going to take) the GMAT..how many days before the actual test have you booked your test date.

Are there any other ETS centers in the north apart from Delhi.

Thanks.

78
Excellent thread this.

Just started my GMAT prep a few weeks ago.
Wanted to know about the test dates availibilty in Delhi for the GMAT.

Ideally i plan to take the GMAT in mid july. But i have not booked the date as yet since i wanted to reach at a certain level (of prep) before commiting on a date.

What might be the farthest date i can go to book the GMAT test day. Would it be possible to book a Mid July test date in the first week of June ?(for ex).
How busy is the ETS center in Delhi. From the people who have taken(or are going to take) the GMAT..how many days before the actual test have you booked your test date.

Are there any other ETS centers in the north apart from Delhi.

Thanks.


traditionally July and August are busy months. go on MBA.com. register yourself and check out the available dates. you dont need to register for GMAT actually to check the dates.
so keep on tracking the availbility on the site itself.

Cheers

Kunal
79
IDAY, what place in bangalore... ??
Azeem

Hey Azeem,
There are a string of shopd in MG road. I was able to see ALL the books i needed (guess u remember my list ) from one or the other of these shops. And yeah - this was some 2 months ago.

Iday
PS> dont say u dont know MG road in b'lore :wow:
80
Hi asterix

If you hve all that. screw manhattan. this is more than enuf. trust me.

ATB

Kunal


Hi Kunal,

Thanks for the input.:)

Just wanted to thank you and everybody like you on this forum who still take active part in ans quiries, post the accomplishment in various tests. You guys inspire us and help raise our targets, knowing that Nothing is Impossible and all it takes is effort and determination.

Kudos to all of you!

Cheers,
Astriex
81

Hey Guys,

Wanted to understand how to register for the GMAT.

I did check the mba.com site, created a profile, but came across the below difficulties:

1. undergraduation & First university degree: Are they the same? The site provide a common field.

2. undergraduation & first univeristy degree institution: The only options in the drop down are punjab and delhi??? any clue how to fill this.

3. GPA: I have done my Bcom. scored an avg of 75% in all the three years. Is 2.5 the correct conversion.

4. Graduation Management Degree: What is this?

5. The course looking for feild does not show MBA as stand alone. Its clubbed with either law or masters of science. Which one to select?

Once i selected the submit option, i got a message saying that i would be intimated in a couple of days time i.e after the profile has been reviewed. Is this normal?

How do i register for the test? Is there any centre in Bangalore where i can fill the form maunally or with some aide (boy i used to think online application were a life saver, untill today..).

Hope to get some reply soon!

Cheers,
Astriex