How long does it take to prep for GMAT?

[MrNCG23]

I can't remember how much time I spent memorizing all those SAT flashcards back in high school. I took a few sample GMAT questions, and I think I'll need some cursory review on the problem solving portion, but the data sufficiency, and the other two verbal portions I'll need to start from scratch. I also need to fully prepare for the essays as well.

Has anyone taken this already, and have any recommendations on minimum, recommended schedules for prep time? Not to show off, but as background I got 770-790 math SAT I, 670-690 verbal SAT I, and I want to shoot for >700 on both math/verbal sections on GMAT. I don't know yet how essays are scored, but something comparable in that percentile as well.

Any recommended test prep courses (I went w/ Princeton Review back for SAT, are they still good for GMAT?) and recommended timeframes to study? # of hours a week would help too since I am working full-time, which is also different compared to high school. Thanks! :)

[cheshrcarol]

I didn't take the GMAT, but I did take the GRE last May which is almost exactly the same, except for the format of some of the math problems, if I remember correctly. I spent about 3 weeks to a month preparing for it. I basically had to re-teach myslef the majority of the math (don't really have much of a need for geometry or most algebra in my work) and I figured for the verbal I either knew it or didn't at this point. I could have practiced more on the essays (which I didn't do at all :redface: ) because it's not so much on how well you write, but how well your arguments are constructed.

I would start by downloading some practice tests and see you stand. I know there's a couple free GRE ones @ gre.org. I also highly recommend buying some practice CAT versions, because that's a totally different test taking experience than paper.

I didn't take any princeton review courses, or the one offered at the SUNY here because they are $500-$700 :eek: . I bought a Barron's book, used the free tests and bought a bunch of practice CAT tests from this site (http://www.800score.com/gmat-home.html) , which were great and about $20. My philosophy was just to keep practicing and every time I got a problem wrong, I would go over it and over it until I knew how to do it. And it worked pretty well because I did fairly well and am currently a grad student at a great school :huge: .

[dddork]

Well, I took my GMAT.. like 2 months ago or so.. Didn't do all that great.. 660.. I was very dissapointed since I was scoing > 700's in my practice tests.. Well, I have plently of resources and lot of advice.. just let me know what you need specifically..

[dddork]

AND PLEASE dont' do Barron.. too easy..

OG for GMAT.. is your best bet

[MrNCG23]

cheshrcarol: That's the thing, I thought the GMAT would be similar to the GRE ... I did the practice questions and was surprised at the difficulty of the GMAT. It isn't impossible, but the math portion at least was more difficult for me. I don't know about the verbal, but verbal is my weak spot anyways.

dddork: thanks, I think I will get the OG book/s. Any other supplementary material that you would recommend? Also, how long would you recommend studying for it (I am also working FT)? And lastly, are there any essay evaluation services or essay-specific prep that you would recommend?

Thanks all for any advice!

[politicaljunkie]

the GMAT isn't that important. just find out what the bare minimum is that you need to get into the school you want, take a couple of practice tests, and if you score reasonably above that minimum, take the actual test. you can always retake it if you want. this is what I did. I knew that I didn't need a high score. I got a 530 (47th percentile) and easily got into the school I wanted to get into. most schools don't care about the GMAT. they don't have the same kind of reputation to maintain as they do with entering freshmen. it is only the very top schools who care about the GMAT. most others see graduate students mainly as a source of revenue (vs revenue and reputation with entering freshmen), so they aren't too picky. if you could take the test today, get a 600, or study for several months and get a 700, while a 550 would be more than enough to get in, why bother with the extra studying?

[MrNCG23]

I appreciate everyone's responses and advice, but I still haven't gotten an answer to my original question: How long does it take to study for the GMAT if I am shooting for >700?

politicaljunkie: I understand, but I am shooting for the schools that care about the GMAT. They probably won't care between a 660 and 680, but I want to shoot for >700 just to be sure, and then work on the rest of my application.

[dddork]

it depends on your level.. 3 months should be suffice if you are decent with english to score over 700

[Honey418]

it depends on your level.. 3 months should be suffice if you are decent with english to score over 700

Yeah- 3 mos. sounds about right. I've been studying for one and am about 1/3 through (I'm not extremly dilligent though).