During the past two days, I have been studying the Data Sufficiency section of the Official Guide for GMAT Review, the 11th Edition. So far, I have reviewed the first 80 Data Sufficiency Sample Questions. I will continue to review 40 additional Data Sufficiency questions until I understand all 155 questions. In addition, on a daily basis, I will review all of the previous questions. For example, today, I reviewed the first 80 Data Sufficiency Sample Questions. Tomorrow, I will review the first 120 questions.
What is the point of this Data Sufficiency strategy? In previous posts, I had identified Data Sufficiency questions as hindrance to my future GMAT success. Besides, I am studying EZ Solutions: Basic Workbook: GMAT to help me to better understand the type of Problem Solving questions that I might see on the GMAT.
Believe me! Studying for the Verbal section is important, even if I do not mention Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, and Reading Comprehension in every post. To be honest, I am focused on studying Idioms, which is my number one mistake on Sentence Correction questions. I have found that studying the Idioms list of the Manhattan GMAT Prep: Sentence Correction book and Manhattan Review: Sentence Correction Guide to be helpful.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Day 67 to Day 74 GMAT Training – August 27, 2009 – September 3, 2009
One of my journeys is almost over. By the end of October, I will take the GMAT. Over the next 30 days, my life is going to be hell. I will ask myself to give more effort than I have ever given. I just want an opportunity to help me to get to the next level in the business world.
Since my last post, I have been trying to solve every problem in EZ Solutions: Math Practice: Basic Workbook: GMAT. I know I was stunned by my last Quantitative score on the Manhattan GMAT Cat 4, but I think it was fluke. Nevertheless, my challenge over the next 2 weeks is to become proficient in math. I do not want to rely on the luck of the draw when I take the GMAT.
I have not forgotten about the Verbal section. I am using the Manhattan Review as my main source of study. The practice questions are not easy. Actually, the questions are as difficult as the 600-800 level questions that you will find on the Manhattan GMAT Cats. Please be aware that Manhattan Review and Manhattan GMAT are two different companies.
Since my last post, I have been trying to solve every problem in EZ Solutions: Math Practice: Basic Workbook: GMAT. I know I was stunned by my last Quantitative score on the Manhattan GMAT Cat 4, but I think it was fluke. Nevertheless, my challenge over the next 2 weeks is to become proficient in math. I do not want to rely on the luck of the draw when I take the GMAT.
I have not forgotten about the Verbal section. I am using the Manhattan Review as my main source of study. The practice questions are not easy. Actually, the questions are as difficult as the 600-800 level questions that you will find on the Manhattan GMAT Cats. Please be aware that Manhattan Review and Manhattan GMAT are two different companies.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Day 62 to Day 66 GMAT Training – August 22, 2009 – August 26, 2009
Yesterday, I learned an important lesson. Do not force yourself to take a GMAT practice exam, especially at 11:30pm. But I wanted to keep my word. Last week, I stated that I would begin taking a GMAT practice test on a daily basis.
Now, I am faced with a dilemma. Will individuals that follow my blog distrust me if I stop taking practice exams until next week? Hopefully, the answer to the previous question is no. Yesterday, my Quantitative Section score on Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT #4 was dreadful. Actually, I scored at the 19th percentile. An undergraduate program may not accept me with that score. I honestly believe some graduate business schools would question my sanity if I sent them my application.
My overall score on the Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT was 540. My Verbal Section scored was at the 85th percentile. I made only three Sentence Correction errors. I completed Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT at 2AM; I would have started by 7:30PM, but I was at a Church meeting.
Until further notice, I will be reviewing all of the previous Manhattan GMAT Practice CATs that I have completed; in addition, I will be completing the EZ Solutions Basic Workbook (GMAT). Let’s pray that the EZ Solutions Advanced Workbook (GMAT) arrives tomorrow. Time is running out! Where did my math skills go?
Now, I am faced with a dilemma. Will individuals that follow my blog distrust me if I stop taking practice exams until next week? Hopefully, the answer to the previous question is no. Yesterday, my Quantitative Section score on Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT #4 was dreadful. Actually, I scored at the 19th percentile. An undergraduate program may not accept me with that score. I honestly believe some graduate business schools would question my sanity if I sent them my application.
My overall score on the Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT was 540. My Verbal Section scored was at the 85th percentile. I made only three Sentence Correction errors. I completed Manhattan GMAT Practice CAT at 2AM; I would have started by 7:30PM, but I was at a Church meeting.
Until further notice, I will be reviewing all of the previous Manhattan GMAT Practice CATs that I have completed; in addition, I will be completing the EZ Solutions Basic Workbook (GMAT). Let’s pray that the EZ Solutions Advanced Workbook (GMAT) arrives tomorrow. Time is running out! Where did my math skills go?
Friday, August 21, 2009
Day 55 to Day 61 GMAT Training - August 15, 2009 - August 21, 2009
Over the past week, I have not completed any practice tests. I know that my plan to “Beat the GMAT” sounds risky. I concur with you. However, I wanted to use this week to focus on the Verbal Section of the GMAT. I believe some of my poor performances on GMAT practice tests are a result of not understanding the scope of the questions, especially in the Verbal Section.
As a result of my GMAT malaise, I decided to review the GMAT Verbal Study Guide that I had recently purchased through GMATCAT.com. I found many helpful tips within the study guide. The Reading Comprehension Section was extremely helpful: Find the main idea, find the scope, and recognize the author’s tone. The Critical Reasoning Section dissected some questions using Deductive Logic, so I needed to pull out my truth table from my undergraduate years! The Sentence Correction Section identified a major weakness, understanding appositives.
Please be aware that I am not compensated by any of the GMAT study guide companies that I mention in my posts. Next, I will be studying the Math Study Guide that I had purchased through GMATCAT.com. By next Tuesday, I will start taking a practice exam each day, except for a few vacation days that I have planned in September.
As a result of my GMAT malaise, I decided to review the GMAT Verbal Study Guide that I had recently purchased through GMATCAT.com. I found many helpful tips within the study guide. The Reading Comprehension Section was extremely helpful: Find the main idea, find the scope, and recognize the author’s tone. The Critical Reasoning Section dissected some questions using Deductive Logic, so I needed to pull out my truth table from my undergraduate years! The Sentence Correction Section identified a major weakness, understanding appositives.
Please be aware that I am not compensated by any of the GMAT study guide companies that I mention in my posts. Next, I will be studying the Math Study Guide that I had purchased through GMATCAT.com. By next Tuesday, I will start taking a practice exam each day, except for a few vacation days that I have planned in September.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Day 54 GMAT Training - August 14, 2009
I woke up with a headache. I still went to work. Trust me; I probably needed to stay in bed. My body was aching from a slight fever. I hate having cold symptoms. However, don’t worry; I bought some orange juice, for it usually gets rid of my cold symptoms.
Last night, I was unable to review the Data Sufficiency practice quiz of Kaplan’s GMAT Premier Program 2008 Edition Book. I was too tired. Today, I felt sick, but I reviewed all 50 quiz questions. In my previous post, I mentioned that I had missed 20 questions out of the 50 question practice quiz. I legitimately missed 6 questions. I also missed 14 questions because of lack of attention. I make no excuses for my poor performance, but I was extremely tired. As a result, I will probably take a vacation day the day before taking the GMAT.
Things have to get better if I plan to “Beat the GMAT.”
Last night, I was unable to review the Data Sufficiency practice quiz of Kaplan’s GMAT Premier Program 2008 Edition Book. I was too tired. Today, I felt sick, but I reviewed all 50 quiz questions. In my previous post, I mentioned that I had missed 20 questions out of the 50 question practice quiz. I legitimately missed 6 questions. I also missed 14 questions because of lack of attention. I make no excuses for my poor performance, but I was extremely tired. As a result, I will probably take a vacation day the day before taking the GMAT.
Things have to get better if I plan to “Beat the GMAT.”
Day 53 GMAT Training - August 13, 2009
In my opinion, Data Sufficiency is the strangest form of math. In American classrooms, from the age of 5, students are taught to solve math problems. Data Sufficiency questions on the GMAT do not ask you to solve the math problem. Instead, Data Sufficiency questions ask if you have enough information to solve the math problem. Basically, do you have the baking ingredients to make a chocolate cake? That last comment was probably a bad analogy. The following is an example of a Data Sufficiency question that could appear on a GMAT Practice Test: Is M an even number less than 12? Then you will be presented with two statements - 1. M is also divisible by 4 and 6, and 2. M is also the square root of a positive integer. There are 5 choices for each question: Statement (1) is sufficient, but statement (2) is not sufficient; statement (2) is sufficient, but statement (1) is not sufficient; both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is sufficient; each statement alone is sufficient; or statement (1) and (2) together are not sufficient. Your job is to choose the correct answer among the 5 choices. Someone solve this problem and share the answer in the comments section, unless you want to e-mail me at president@financial-shopper-network.com.
Today, I completed the Data Sufficiency Section of Kaplan’s GMAT Premier Program 2008 Edition Book. This book provides several examples of Data Sufficiency questions; however, those explanations may not be understandable for everyone studying the material. I advise that you attempt each question a few times before reading the explanation, if you are struggling to find the correct answer. After reading the Data Sufficiency Section, I completed the 50 question practice quiz. I struggled to finish the 50 questions. My score reflected my poor performance.
Data Sufficiency Practice Quiz Score: 30/50 (60%)
Today, I completed the Data Sufficiency Section of Kaplan’s GMAT Premier Program 2008 Edition Book. This book provides several examples of Data Sufficiency questions; however, those explanations may not be understandable for everyone studying the material. I advise that you attempt each question a few times before reading the explanation, if you are struggling to find the correct answer. After reading the Data Sufficiency Section, I completed the 50 question practice quiz. I struggled to finish the 50 questions. My score reflected my poor performance.
Data Sufficiency Practice Quiz Score: 30/50 (60%)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 52 GMAT Training - August 12, 2009
I spent today reviewing the Problem Solving Practice Quiz of Kaplan’s GMAT Premier Program 2008 Edition Book. My understanding of Geometry appears to be improving; unfortunately, Geometry is still my weakest area of math. Nevertheless, my confidence in my math ability has improved. I approached each question with a hungry desire to master its logic. Furthermore, I realized that I made few mental mistakes while taking the practice quiz. However I missed 3 questions because of lack of attention to details. I really don’t have much more to say about problem solving.
Tomorrow will be a challenge, for I will do battle with Data Sufficiency, which in my opinion is the strangest form of math on the planet. Trust me; I will be explaining more about Data Sufficiency questions in my next posting.
Tomorrow will be a challenge, for I will do battle with Data Sufficiency, which in my opinion is the strangest form of math on the planet. Trust me; I will be explaining more about Data Sufficiency questions in my next posting.
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