Beat The GMAT!

All right, I'm back from my long weekend trip. It was a lot of fun, but I had a few disappointing moments: my car got broken into and the thief took my car stereo and luggage; also, I have bed bug bites all over my legs from staying at a shitty hotel. In any event, I am glad to be studying again. To the GMAT prep folks out there: mini-disasters are bound to happen during your study--don't let them distract you! Eye on the prize!

Today I finally mustered the discipline to do something I've been avoiding for too long: making flashcards of important GMAT concepts. My plan is to make flashcards of ideas that I think are important for mastering the GMAT (strategies, formulas, etc.) and to review them every day--7 days a week--until test day. It's a time-consuming task, but it is also something that I'm sure I'll appreciate later.

Consequently, I started reviewing all my GMAT material from the very beginning and I was able to create about 50 flashcards just from my old Princeton Review notes alone. I'm hoping I can finish all the rest of my notes (Kaplan, Kaplan Math, Delta) tomorrow, but I think that's going to be a stretch. [Editor's Note: I should have started my flashcards from Day 1.]

For those of you who are just beginning your GMAT study, start making your flashcards from day one and incrementally add more cards as needed. Then you won't have to waste precious study time as I am doing now.

SUMMARY OF DAY 37 WORK:
1. Flashcards from Princeton Review notes.

RECAP OF DAY 37 INSIGHTS:
1. Start making your flashcards early.
2. The guy who broke into my car is an asshole.

Labels: Strategy

Reviewing my previous day's practice GMAT, I noticed that I got a lot of questions wrong. But the big difference between yesterday's test and the ones I took previously is that I didn't make any early errors. Almost all of the errors I made happened after the halfway point of each section. This goes to show that your performance early in the test determines to a great extent your final score. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Myth! Please see Day 21 Editor's Note]

So if you feel like you totally screwed up the end of one or both sections on the real GMAT, don't cancel your scores! You may still end up with a high score based on your early performance.

On another note, I'll be gone this Memorial Day Weekend. Blogging will resume Monday or Tuesday. Time for me to get some sun--I am one pale Asian man!

SUMMARY OF DAY 36 WORK:
1. Analyzed Princeton Review Practice CAT 3 using usual spreadsheet methods.

RECAP OF DAY 36 WORK:
1. I think that 70-80% of you score is determined by the first 10-15 questions of each section. Take the early questions seriously!

Labels: Practice Tests

At last--I finally popped my 700 cherry!

This afternoon I took my sixth practice GMAT: CAT 3 off of the Princeton Review CD. It was a very smooth test. Since I'm now at a point where I am familiar with the topics on the test, I felt very comfortable today. Moreover, since I've gotten a few full-length practice tests under my belt, my stamina was great during the entire test--didn't feel tired at all towards the end. I said it once and I'll say it again: you have to consistently do those full-length tests. You will notice the difference.

My score: 720 (45 Quantitative, 45 Verbal)

The sad thing about my performance today is that this score may be skewed upward. Princeton Review did a shitty job designing its practice tests. Today, it totally reused reading comprehension passages that I saw on two previous PR tests. Consequently, none of the RC passages were new to me and I probably got more of those questions right than I would have otherwise.

But for now I shall bask in my ignorance.

SUMMARY OF DAY 35 WORK:
1. Princeton Review Practice GMAT CAT 3, off of Princeton Review CD

RECAP OF DAY 35 WORK:
1. Keep taking those full-length tests.
2. Watch out for PR's badly designed practice tests.

Labels: Practice Tests

I finished up the Delta Course material this afternoon. Today I covered the last two lessons on statistics and counting methods.

The lesson on statistics wasn't very illuminating. It covered topics like mode, median, mean. I didn't get a single problem wrong on the statistics practice problem set that followed.

The section on counting methods was a little better. Delta Course provided some very neat tricks to several kinds of permutation and combination problems. Here's a trick that I learned for the first time today:

Let's say you have the following question: How many ways can the letters TRUST be rearranged?

This problem looks tricky because you can't use a simple combination equation, since there are two T's, which are indistinguishable. However, it's really easy to solve. According to Delta Course, "to find the number of distinct permutations of a set of items with indistinguishable items, divide the factorial of the items in the set by the product of the factorials of the number of indistinguishable items."

The answer would thus be 5!/2! = 60. The "5!" represents the number of letters in word, and the "2!" represents the the two T's that are indistinguishable. Not so bad, eh? As another example, MISSION would be 7!/(2!2!).

All in all, Delta Course was an okay purchase. For $27 bucks, it will do a good job of covering the really advanced material you may find on the GMAT, which will account for about 5% of the quantitative questions--if that. But I'm happy I did it. [Editor's Note: Nope--in hindsight Delta Course was a waste of money. See my Reflections Post.]

SUMMARY OF DAY 34 WORK:
1. Delta Course Statistics and Counting Methods lessons.
2. Delta Course Statistics and Counting Methods practice problem sets.

RECAY OF DAY 34 WORK:
1. Delta Course is an okay investment. It does have some neat tricks.

Labels: GMAT Math

I put my GMAT studying on hold this weekend--I was starting to feel a little burnt out from the daily grind, but after my little hiatus I now feel terrific. Three days is really the perfect mini-vacation from GMAT studying.

I finally got around to reviewing my Delta Course material. Today I covered Probability and Advanced Probability. The lessons are very brief, and sometimes too technical. I found that certain Kaplan/PR strategies--like picking numbers--are better at solving many GMAT math problems than Delta's formal mathematical strategies, using fancy sigma notation and other unnecessary shit.

I'm a bit peeved that Delta Course doesn't hold my hand enough in terms of helping me understand the material. In my opinion, Delta's lessons are too short and lack enough examples. But I have to say that after today I feel a hell of a lot better when it comes to thinking about probability questions.

Here's some good advice for GMAT prep folks: don't worry too much about probability/permutation/combination questions on the GMAT--at most you will see 1 or 2 of these types of questions on the real deal. Invest more time in learning the basics like arithmetic, which is seen a lot more frequently on the test. Don't be as paranoid as I am about learning the more advanced topics. [Editor's Note: See my Reflections Post. Delta Course was indeed a waste of money and time.]

If I were smarter, I would realize that I wasted my money investing in Delta Course. Unfortunately, I'm dumb and stubborn.

SUMMARY OF DAY 33 WORK:
1. Probability and Advanced Probability material off of the Delta Course website.
2. Delta Course Probability and Advanced Probability problem sets.

RECAP OF DAY 33 INSIGHTS:
1. Take mini-vacations from studying when you feel burnt out.
2. Delta Course is a bit too technical, but concise.

Labels: GMAT Math

This afternoon I checked out the math review on the PowerPrep software--it was very good.

For those of you that want to save money on books but still want a decent quantitative review for the GMAT, download the free PowerPrep software from MBA.com and study the material on this software. PowerPrep covered virtually all the material presented in the Kaplan Math Workbook, but in a more concise fashion. It even covered permutations and combinations!

Check it out, ya'll. Best bang for your buck, since it's free.

SUMMARY OF DAY 32 WORK:
1. Math Review section off of PowerPrep Software

RECAP OF DAY 32 INSIGHTS:
1. PowerPrep does a great job covering quantitative topics on the test!

Labels: GMAT Math, Practice Tests

I just realized today that my blog preferences didn't allow for public access comments. Well, that's changed--now anyone can make comments to my entries. Speak your mind!

I was pretty lazy with my Kaplan CAT 1 analysis today. Normally, after I take a full-length practice test, I spend the next day recording my errors onto an error log spreadsheet, and then copy all the problems I got wrong with explanations onto a Word document.

But today I looked at my crazy Kaplan test from yesterday and saw that I had got close to 30 questions wrong. I realized that it would take me about 4 hours to copy these questions and explanations onto a Word document (Kaplan doesn't allow cutting and pasting!)--it would be a pain in the ass, so I thought to myself--screw it!

Instead, I just recorded my errors onto my usual grid and broke them down by question type. I don't feel so bad about ignoring the review of the questions I missed because I plan to do very thorough work when I get to the Official Guide. Here, a thorough analysis pays off much more since the Official Guide uses actual GMAT questions.

Anyway, I'm excited to finish the book I'm currently reading, Into Thin Air. Very glad to put GMAT aside for the rest of the evening.

SUMMARY OF DAY 31 WORK:
1. Partial analysis of Kaplan CAT 1 practice test, off of CD, using this spreadsheet.

RECAP OF DAY 31 INSIGHTS:
1. It's never good to be lazy, but sometimes it's gotta happen.

Labels: Practice Tests

Now that I am officially taking my real GMAT in the afternoon, I'm happy that I no longer have to wake up to do practice tests in the morning (like I did that anyway). Anyway, I took the Kaplan CAT 1 test off of the Kaplan CD under simulated conditions today--I started at 2:00 PM and tried my ear plugs for the first time.

It was a pretty rough test--but I knew that it was going to be. Test prep companies tend to make the first practice test the hardest and then make each consecutive test easier as a way to demonstrate "improvement" by the student. How do I know this? Let's just say I have my sources...

I also knew to not freak out about this first Kaplan test because I've seen how many people on the Test Magic Forum score really badly on this particular one (500s to low 600s) and later do very well in the real GMAT (700s).

With that said, I got a 610 (39Q, 34V) today. I'm pleased with that score and I believe it translates to about 700 on the real deal.

On another note, if you plan on using ear plugs during the real GMAT, be sure to practice doing tests with them on. They felt weird at first, but after a while I really got to appreciating them.

Time for Chinese food.

SUMMARY OF DAY 30 WORK:
1. Kaplan Practice CAT 1 off of Kaplan 2005 CD.

RECAP OF DAY 30 INSIGHTS:
1. Do not freak out about the your first Kaplan practice test performance. It's okay if you are 80-120 points below your goal on this one.
2. Use ear plugs and practice with them on.

Labels: Practice Tests

I will be taking the GMAT on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Oh yeah. [Editor's Note: I later moved my test date back to August 16, 2005.]

Labels: Strategy

This evening I reviewed the rest of the Geometry chapter in the Kaplan Math Workbook--I'm done with the book!

Overall, I wasn't that impressed by the Math Workbook. It covered the fundamental topics very well, but I wanted to see more advanced topics like permutations and combinations. I feel like Kaplan is targeting the 400-600 GMAT scoring demographic with this book. Hopefully the Delta Course will do the job for the harder shizz.

I have a lot of prep material left to complete: the Delta Course, Kaplan 800, PR Verbal Workbook (downloaded for free) [Editor's Note: PR Verbal Workbook no longer available online.], and of course, OFFICIAL GUIDE. I'm going to try finishing off the Delta Course this week. I'll probably work through Kaplan 800 and PR Verbal as I practice with the Official Guide.

Time for TV.

SUMMARY OF DAY 29 WORK:
1. Finished the rest of Kaplan Math Workbook Geometry Chapter, pages 218-272.

RECAP OF DAY 29 INSIGHTS:
1. I thought the Kaplan Math Workbook was a bit too rudimentary for me. And I'm not even that smart.

Labels: GMAT Math

This afternoon I reviewed the first half of the Kaplan Math Workbook Geometry chapter. I was quite pleased. Kaplan seemed to do a good job covering the basics, and I also picked up a few nuggets of info about geometric shapes that I had lost since junior high.

I also re-read the data sufficiency chapter in the Princeton Review book today to brush up on PR's strategy for these types of questions. It seems like such a long time ago since I read through PR--I fear that I have lost some info from that book all ready.

Currently, I'm in the midst of changing my study plan once again. I need to do a better job of reviewing my errors from past practice problems, as well as create a system for reviewing difficult concepts. For the former, I think that I will devote one day each week for reviewing past errors--I plan to do so once I reach the Official Guide book. [Editor's Note: I didn't end up executing this plan to devote one week to review. I later worked out a system for doing review every day--you'll see as you read ahead] In terms of reviewing difficult concepts, I am going to start using notecards. Hopefully I'll develop a good stack that I can review every day, and eventually I'm sure these concepts will become my bitches.

Hey--wouldn't it be funny if I renamed "BeatTheGMAT.com" to "MakeTheGMATyourBitch.com"? I wonder if that domain is all ready registered...

SUMMARY OF DAY 28 WORK:
1. Kaplan Math Workbook - Part of Geometry Chapter - pages 183-217.
2. Review of Princeton Review Data Sufficiency Chapter - PR, pages 146-171.

RECAP OF DAY 28 INSIGHTS:
1. Keep in mind that it's important to review errors on past practice problems.
2. Notecards are a great addition to anyone's study plan.

Labels: Data Sufficiency, GMAT Math

Today I skipped ahead in the Kaplan Math Workbook to the Data Sufficiency Chapter. Completely worthless!

The lesson was only 2 pages long and had the following 3 points of strategy:
1. Focus on the question stem.
2. Look at each statement separately.
3. Look at both statements in combination.

This is all pretty intuitive all ready. However, I went on and did the two DS practice tests following the chapter and I got SPANKED! I'm a little freaked out by my poor performance.

I realized that no test prep book I have looked at has done a great job in advising me how to attack data sufficiency questions. Which leads me to believe that the only way to improve is to practice and develop a system that works for me.

With that all said, it's a nice spring day and I'm going to eat some BBQ now.

SUMMARY OF DAY 27 WORK:
1. Kaplan Math Workbook Data Sufficiency Chapter - pages 321-340.

RECAP OF DAY 27 INSIGHTS:
1. No test prep book I've seen so far covers DS well. You just have to practice.

Labels: Data Sufficiency, GMAT Math

If you have time, read this post by a guy who got a 790 a few days ago. It's very comprehensive!

I noticed that Kaplan puts special emphasis on word problems found on the GMAT, more so than any other test prep book I've seen. In my opinion, these word problem strategies are probably not useful to native-English speakers who have encountered these types of problems throughout junior high and high school. Perhaps it has some value for foreigners though.

Like I've advised before in previous chapters, I recommend test prep folks to skim this chapter and go straight to the problems. You'll learn more by doing and reading the explanations.

I'm currently visiting my parents for a few days. I've been home for just a day, yet I feel like I've lost 25 IQ points. Why is it so hard to study here?

--What was that? Oh, coming mother...

SUMMARY OF DAY 26 WORK:
1. Kaplan Math Workbook - Word Problems Chapter, pages 127-152.

RECAP OF DAY 26 INSIGHTS:
1. I beginning to suspect that this particular Kaplan book is not so useful in terms of developing new strategies.

Labels: GMAT Math

The Algebra chapter in the Kaplan Math Workbook is poo. Skim the lessons in this section and go straight to the practice problems.

Late last night, I had a mini-panic attack about my verbal abilities. I realized that on every practice test I have taken, I have consistently scored lower on the verbal than on the quantitative--my average is in the low 40s. As a result, I went on a spontaneous shopping visit to Amazon.com and purchased Kaplan 800, 2005-2006 edition. It should be here early next week--I'll let you know if it's worth the money.

FYI, for those of you out there who are serious about prepping for the GMAT (i.e., all of you), I advise you to consistently visit/contribute to gmat discussion forums. There are a lot of great contributors who have posted and attached a ton of useful resources regarding everything GMAT, including strategies and practice problems.

Be forewarned--it is highly addictive and may lead to loss of libido .

SUMMARY OF DAY 25 WORK:
1. Algebra Chapter in Kaplan Math Workbook, pages 97-125.

RECAP OF DAY 25 INSIGHTS:
1. Skim this Algebra chapter.
2. Visit the Beat The GMAT Forum!

Labels: GMAT Math

This afternoon I finished the rest of the Arithmetic chapter in the Kaplan Math Workbook, pages 36-71. Like I said before, it's a slow read but very comprehensive.

One lesson that I really enjoyed in this chapter was Kaplan's strategies for thinking about averages (arithmetic means). Kaplan advocates thinking about averages as balanced values--as an example, say you have the following problem:

The average of 3, 4, 5, and x is 5. What is the value of x?

Instead of delving into time-consuming algebra to solve this problem (maybe not so time consuming with this specific problem), think about how each number is positioned relative to the average of five:

3 is 2 less than 5. (-2)
4 is 1 less than 5. (-1)
5 is the average. (0)

==> (-3)

x must be 3 more than the average to balance the set of numbers at a mean of 5. This counterbalances the -3 value created by the set of numbers given in the problem.

Thus, x = 8.

Perhaps this balancing idea is intuitive to a lot of readers out there all ready, but I've never thought of averages in this fashion. Doing so has allowed me to speed through these types of problems dramatically. Heck yes.

SUMMARY OF DAY 24 WORK:
1. Finished Chapter 2 - Arithmetic in Kaplan Math Workbook, pages 36-71.

RECAP OF DAY 24 INSIGHTS:
1. Kaplan's strategy for dealing with averages is cool.

Labels: GMAT Math

I have a strategy: My goal is to finish the Kaplan GRE & GMAT Math Workbook in the next week or week and a half. Upon completion, I will be about halfway through my planned GMAT study schedule. I can then devote the rest of my time doing practice tests and problems off of the Official Guide. Sounds good?

Today I looked through the introduction and part of the Arithmetic chapter of the Workbook, pages 1-35. I'm quite pleased that I decided to buy this book because it looks like it will be a comprehensive review of GMAT math. The book's pace is pretty slow, with a ton of practice problems interspersed throughout the chapters, but I'm finding all the information useful.

Dammit, this is my third textbook I'm reading on the GMAT. I better rock this test.

SUMMARY OF DAY 23 WORK:
1. Kaplan Math Workbook - Chapter 1 Introduction - pages 3-9.
2. Kaplan Math Workbook - Chapter 2 Arithmetic - pages 13-35.

RECAP OF DAY 23 INSIGHTS:
1. Kaplan GRE & GMAT Math Workbook seems pretty good so far.

Labels: GMAT Math

This evening I went through the practice GMAT that I took last Friday to gather data for analysis. I discovered something that both shocked and relieved me:

PRINCETON REVIEW SOFTWARE SUCKS!

After double- and triple-checking the answer key, I found that the PR software made an error in scoring my test. On the quantitative section, PR scored question #2 as wrong when I had in fact scored that question right. Thus, my final result of 690 for this particular practice test doesn't mean shit. Getting a question marked wrong so early in the section brought my score down dramatically (the way the GMAT is designed, it's critical to start off strong to achieve a high score). [Editor's Note: MYTH--please see Day 21] My score is probably skewed down.

Anyway, discovering this error made me feel a lot better today. It's renewed my hope in the idea that I am progressing in my studies.

I only got a handful of questions wrong on each section: 3 wrong in quantitative, 6 in verbal. I've got a new goal: to make sure that I ALWAYS get the first 10-15 questions on each section correct. That's the way to get a 750+!

SUMMARY OF DAY 22 WORK:
1. Analysis of Princeton Review GMAT CAT Adaptive 2, off of CD.

RECAP OF DAY 22 INSIGHTS:
1. Beware of Princeton Review software! It does make errors.
2. All this studying may actually be paying off!

Labels: Practice Tests

Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!

I scored yet another 690 (43Q, 42V) today on a Princeton Review Practice GMAT. I don't know what the deal is with that score--I just can't seem to budge above that number! Granted, it's still early in my studying, but I was really hoping to poke past 700 today.

The interesting thing about my test today is that I only got a handful of questions wrong. What killed me is that on each section, I got question number 2 wrong. It's a powerful lesson: so much of your score is determined in the first 5-10 questions. BE SURE TO GET THOSE QUESTIONS RIGHT. [Editor's Note: This is a MYTH. After I finished my GMAT, I did some significant research on the importance of getting the first few questions of each section right, and I determined conclusively that it doesn't matter. You can screw up at the beginning of each section and definitely recover to end up with a great score.]

I'll do my usual analysis on Sunday. I need to get my mind off of this shit for one day.

SUMMARY OF DAY 21 WORK:
1. Practice GMAT - Princeton Review Adaptive 2, off of CD.

RECAP OF DAY 21 INSIGHTS:
1. BE CAREFUL ON THE FIRST 5-10 QUESTIONS OF EACH SECTION. GET THEM RIGHT!

Labels: Practice Tests

This afternoon I finished off the last chapters of the Kaplan book on Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Test Mentality, and Tips for the Final Week - chapters 11, 12 and 13.

The AWA chapter provided a decent overview on how to attack the essays on the GMAT. Princeton Review is slightly better on the subject. But I was struck by how Kaplan and PR contrast each other when it comes to the idea of essay length. PR makes the argument that you should write as much as you can for each essay. They say that through their research they found a strong correlation between high scores and long essays.

Kaplan, on the other hand, clearly states that length should not be a concern at all when you are tackling AWA essays. Essay structure should be emphasized most.

Which side is right in this mini-debate? My guess is Kaplan. I think that the GMAT essay graders would prefer concise and cogent essays over essays of quantity. [Editor's Note: I later decided that PR's strategy is correct after doing further research. Write as much as possible for your AWAs!]

The other chapters on test mentality and last-minute tips are pretty useful. I recommend folks out there to read up this section to find out how to manage test stress effectively. It's advice that we've all heard before, but it's nice to review again as a reminder.

SUMMARY OF DAY 20 WORK:
1. Kaplan Chapter 11 - Analytical Writing Assessment - pages 285-297.
2. Chapter 12 - Test Mentality - pages 301-305.
3. Chapter 13 - Tips for the Final Week - pages 307-310.

RECAP OF DAY 20 INSIGHTS:
1. Focus on structure in your GMAT essays. I don't buy PR's argument that writing long essays will get you a good score.

Labels: AWAs (Essays)

Today I looked at Kaplan Chapters 9 and 10, "Word Problems" and "Math Reference" respectively.

The Word Problems chapter was completely worthless--no useful information was provided at all. Don't even bother skimming it, in my opinion. On the other hand, I found the Math Reference section of Kaplan to be fantastic. In less than 30 pages, Kaplan clearly and concisely covers virtually all topics tested in the quantitative portion of the GMAT. Today I went through and checked off topics that I believe I need to improve. I am certainly going to review this chapter over and over again up until test day.

SUMMARY OF DAY 19 WORK:
1. Kaplan Chapter 9 - Word Problems, pages 241-256.
2. Kaplan Chapter 10 - Math Reference, pages 257-284.

RECAP OF DAY 19 INSIGHTS:
1. Kaplan's Word Problems chapter is crap.
2. EVERYONE should check out Kaplan's Math Reference chapter!

Labels: GMAT Math

Today I reviewed Kaplan's Data Sufficiency, chapter 8, pages 193-211. I also looked at the data sufficiency lesson on the Kaplan CD, and took a practice DS quiz at the end of chapter 8, pages 212-239.

Like yesterday's material, Kaplan didn't reveal any useful strategies for tackling data sufficiency. It hammered in only 2 main points: be sure to read each DS statement SEPARATELY, and don't waste time doing calculations. Just skim this chapter.

But man, I got my ass kicked when I attempted the DS practice quiz. I scored about 75% right, but made far too many careless errors. For some reason, I can't get myself to read the question stems carefully. I simply do not feel confident when I'm working through these types of problems.

But I'm glad that I'm identifying this area of trouble now. It will serve to guide my more targeted studying that will happen later.

SUMMARY OF DAY 18 WORK:
1. Kaplan Data Sufficiency Chapter, pages 193-211
2. Kaplan Data Sufficiency Lesson of of Kaplan CD
3. Data Sufficiency Quiz, pages 212-239.

RECAP OF DAY 18 INSIGHTS:
1. Skim Kaplan's DS Chapter.
2. I suck at data sufficiency.

Labels: Data Sufficiency, GMAT Math

Just wanted to let you all know, I'm always open to suggestions for improving this site. If you want me to change how I synthesize material, design my blog entries, etc., just shoot me an e-mail: beatthegmat [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thanks.

I decided to stop my harping over reading comprehension and move on towards finishing the Kaplan 2005 book. Today I covered Chapter 6 and 7 in Kaplan (pages 151-166), which focused on quantitative problem solving. I also did a problem solving practice quiz at the end of chapter 7, pages 167-191.

I advise folks out there to skim this material. If you want decent problem solving strategies, the Princeton Review book does a much better job than the Kaplan book. Kaplan provided nothing insightful on this topic.

The high point of the day for me was doing the problem solving quiz. Timing myself to make sure I wasn't spending more than 2 minutes per question, I was able to answer 48/50 questions correctly--results that I greatly desire to repeat on the actual GMAT test day .

On the quiz I found that the questions that gave me the most problems had to do with combinations and permutations. But I expect to master these topics once I get to my Delta Course reivew, which by the way, everyone out there should consider purchasing. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Looking back on my GMAT experience, it was unnecessary to purchase Delta Course.]

SUMMARY OF DAY 17 WORK:
1. Kaplan Chapter 6 - Quantitative Section Overview - pages 151-154.
2. Kaplan Chapter 7 - Problem Solving - pages 155-166.
3. Kaplan Chapter 7 Problem Solving Practice Quiz - pages 167 - 191.

RECAP OF DAY 17 INSIGHTS:
1. The Kaplan book does not tell you anything useful about problem solving. Skim that chapter.

Labels: GMAT Math, Problem Solving

Somewhat frustrating afternoon. Today I made the poor choice of sitting at the library (where I do most my GMAT studying) next to some loud and obnoxious jackass. He was conducting a study group with his buddies and sounded very pretentious. In any case, I got some interesting data from my analysis of the Kaplan CAT Diagnostic test. Namely, I really suck at reading comprehension.

Examining the results of my last three practice tests, I am finally able to perceive a pattern of poor performance when it comes to reading comprehension. 90% of my trouble is timing. I have not yet developed an effective way of reading the passages quickly and efficiently. I am consistently running out of time on these questions and often have to guess to complete these sections.

Realizing this serious weakness of mine, I studied the reading comprehension lesson off of the Kaplan CD today and went through a RC practice test from the Kaplan CD and another one from the PR CD. Again, I didn't do so well on either test because of my problems with timing.

On a positive note though, I found that Kaplan makes it easy on the user to perform a spreadsheet analysis of its tests. It has a great feature of summarizing your correct and incorrect answers to each question and categorizing each question into a specific type (example, "Data Sufficiency - Algebra"). Made my life just a little bit easier.

SUMMARY OF DAY 16 WORK:
1. Analyzed Kaplan CAT Diag using this spreadsheet.
2. Kaplan Reading Comprehension lesson off of Kaplan CD.
3. Reading Comprehension Practice 1 off of Kaplan CD.
4. Reading Comprehension Practice off of PR CD.

RECAP OF DAY 16 INSIGHTS:
1. Kaplan CD has nice feature of summarizing errors for each problem and classifying each problem type--good for analysis.
2. I really really suck at reading comprehension [Editor's Note: I later determined that I don't really really suck at RC--Kaplan just really really sucks at making RC questions].

Labels: Practice Tests