Preparation, strategies, resources, errorlogs

The following list is found in GMATPrep software availble in mba.com .

Here are some general suggestions to follow when taking the GMAT™ exam.

Read the directions carefully

Familiarize yourself with the directions for each section. The directions explain exactly what is required for each type of question. To review directions during the test, you may click the Help icon. However, the time you use to review the directions will count against the allotted time for that section.

Pace yourself

Pay close attention to the number of questions and the amount of time remaining during your test session so that you have enough time to answer every question. On average, you have about one and three-quarter minutes for each Verbal question and about two minutes for each Quantitative question. You may not skip questions and there is a significant penalty for not completing a section.

Consult the on-screen timer and be sure to note the time remaining. Try not to spend so much time on one question that it causes you to neglect other questions. Make an educated guess if you don’t know the answer to a question, or if a question is too time-consuming. You don’t want to have to guess randomly at the end of the test because you’ve run out of time.

Read questions and answer choices carefully

Read each question carefully and thoroughly. Before answering a question, determine exactly what is being asked. Avoid skimming a question or the possible answers; skimming may cause you to miss important information or nuances.

Plan your responses for the writing tasks

The best way to approach the two writing tasks in the Analytical Writing Assessment is to think about each question for a few minutes and plan a response before you begin writing. Take care to organize your ideas and develop them fully, but leave time to reread your response and make any revisions you think would improve it.

Be realistic about what you can do on the writing tasks

You will not know your topic in advance, and you must compose each essay within 30 minutes. To practice for the writing test, try to simulate test conditions as much as possible. Using the word processor in GMATPrep™ (the same one you will use when you take the test), practice responding to a sample topic within the 30-minute time limit. It is important to be realistic about what you can do within the time constraints.

It was announced this week that "The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition" is now available. It isn't available through Amazon yet. You can get it from GMAC for $36.95. (Plus $10-15 for shipping)

Here's the description of this new revision to the study guide.
The only study guide with 800 real GMAT® questions—and their answers—by the creators of the test.
In addition to the questions and answers, this guide features:
NEW diagnostic section that helps you assess where to focus your test-prep efforts
NEW organization of questions in order of difficulty to save you study time
a comprehensive math review covering the topics tested on the GMAT® exam (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems)
approximately 270 Analytical Writing Assessment topics
The Official Guide for GMAT® Review, 11th Edition contains 800 retired GMAT® questions, with thorough explanations. Answering questions that have appeared on the GMAT® exam before will give you experience with the types of questions that appear on the test. This Guide will help you learn what you need to know to answer the questions correctly.

Lacking information about energy use, people tend to overestimate the amount of energy used by equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that used by unobtrusive equipment, such as water heaters.

(A) equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that
(B) equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when
(C) equipment, such as lights, that is visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when
(D) visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate that
(E) visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate it when



Answer

Choices A and B incorrectly use the plural verb are with the singular noun equipment. In B, C, and E, when used by does not parallel amount... used by and nonsensically suggests that the people are used by the equipment. D, the best choice, correctly parallels the amount... used by with that used by, in which that is the pronoun substitute for amount. Moreover, D solves the agreement problem of A and B by omitting the to be verb used with visible and placing visible before equipment', the phrase visible equipment is also parallel with unobtrusive equipment.

I have almost restarted the preparation now. I have not picked up the pace yet but will definitely work more and more on GMAT. I took the PowerPrep test1 on Saturday. I have collected the no. of mistakes I committed after the exam. I could review the answers but have not really analysed the answers for verbal. Though I made few mistakes in quant, I am doing much better now compared to what I was the other day when I took the online test.

PS: 7/21 Incorrect
DS: 3/16 Incorrect
SC: 10/17 Incorrect
CR: 3/10 Incorrect
RC: 6/14 incorrect

This makes the total score 540.

Post-Martem:

PS: I could have reduced the count to 2/21 if I had paid little attention beforre confirming the answer. but, I should be cracking any damn question in this part after all I have solved all these types at some point of my career.

DS: I have to practice well and reduce the count to 0 in this area.

SC: Lot more needs to be done. This was the section I gave lot of importance and solved more than 150 questions from OG. But, it is all over. It is fresh start.

CR: This is all logical. I have to get evrrything right as I have been paid for being logical in my approach.

RC: I better do it after I am done with other sections.

Action Plan:

I have decided to become VIP member in scoretop after I complete OG. Started SC section in OG and I need to pick up pace from now. I plan to complete OG in 30 days from now.

Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, a greater proportion than it was in any previous election.

A. a greater proportion than it was
B. a greater proportion than
C. a greater proportion than they have been
D. which is greater than was so
E. which is greater than it has been
.
.
.
.
A was my answer but OA is C.

I have just completed the test on SCORETOP and feeling scary abt the resukts. I got 29 out of 37, which is not good enough if I have to get anything near what I have been thinking of. I got only one PS question incorrect, which could have been avoided. I was very impatient and was not comfortable completing the test last time I took. But, today I had lot of energy while taking the test. I could have continued if I had dinner to complete the verbal section on SCORETOP. That is a good sign. I went wrong in 9 DS questions out of 20, which is not good for any standards. I have to improve in DS this week. I would work on Verbal from next week.

I took challenge 17 and the experience was a good lesson. I was very good in Quant section at one point of time. Now, it was difficult for me to sit through the session. I made very silly mistakes and my quant skills need to be brushed up at the moment. I made mistakes in very basic questions. I think I will have to brush up my basic skills first. I am going to be on this for a week now. I will take the challenge once again next week. Let me see what improvement can I have in a week. I have to really rush up now. I have to give my GMAT in two-three months from now at any cost. Work hard is the only thing that I can tell myself.