AdmitMBA360 Blog formerly Journey to my MBA

Journey to my MBA

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

GMAT Study Update

I can't tell you how much this blog has been helping me gather my thoughts, process what I'm experiencing and to keep me focused. If you come across this blog and haven't started one yourself, I highly suggest you start one. Keep it private or share it, either way, it helps.

If my blog has been helpful to you, drop me an e-mail. I wonder if anything I write about sometimes has helped others or if it's mainly for my own benefit.

I had lunch with one of the guys who used to work for me today. It was really good to see him. He is starting his MBA program in September at University of San Francisco. You're going to laugh, but would you believe that they didn't require him to take a GMAT for admittance? They said that more than 6 years of work experience took the place of the GMAT. WOW! There was another school he was looking at as well. University of Santa Clara I think that didn't require a GMAT. These schools of course are in the bay area in California. Apparently he'll be meeting two nights a week for school. Tuesday is class time and Thursday is team time. As much as I'm happy for him, it doesn't sound like anything I'd do because the opportunity cost of it doesn't seem to have much of a payoff.

I know I said it before, but I'll say it again.. deltacourse math material is hecka helpful. It put formulas in my math that didn't exist before and cut my problem solving time WAY down.

I'm looking forward to my other books to come. I'm expecting them in two days. I ordered, "Business School Confidential", "GMAT Math Workout (Princeton Review)", "How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs", "GMAT 800, 2004-2005 Kaplan Edition", "88 Great MBA Application Tips". I'll provide a review of these books as I go through them.

So far I've gone through
Princeton Review 2004- I had the 2003 from a friend. I found that the only difference between the years was that Princeton added about 12-15 questions per sample GMAT test in each section. I did a pretty thorough spot check and the study guide sections of the books are EXACTLY the same. So I studied from 2003 and my wife borrowed the 2004 version from the library for the other questions. Really good book. The tips are amazing. Although, there is a bit too much emphasis on plugging in to solve. It doesn't always show you the concept behind the question to know why your plugging in vs really solving it. Weak on probability, combination, permutations, counting methods and factorial's. Essay prep guide is really good. The CD is really good. Although it's buggy and can freeze. Apparently, the problem has been ongoing for both the 2003 and 2004 version from what I've been reading on GMAT forums. Because I'm in IT, I figured out how to configure the application to run off of my hard drive as opposed to always expecting the CD when I run it and that helped the stability of the product a lot. Otherwise... really good book and CD. A must.

Kaplan 2004- Good. I liked the summary area of formulas they put together for you to see all the kinds of math problems you'll get. Problems are hard yeah, but I did see similar questions between Princeton and Kaplan. Hard to say which was harder. Everyone says Kaplan. ????

Barron 2003- SUCKS. From the get-go it had problems with it. For example, Question 4 in math had a major typo. Question had certain numbers, but the explanation showed you that the question had other numbers entirely. Quality Assurance sucks.... I dropped the book after a couple more sections of tests. I lost trust in the book.

Deltacourse-Math only. A must. No if ands or but's, you should get this. I hear Manhattan GMAT study guides may have similar info. I wouldn't doubt it.

GMAT Secrets-Found this ad for this 50 page Adobe Acrobat downloadable study guide. It was pretty much a repeat of the great tips from Princeton. There was one gold nugget I got out of it. It was that before you circle an answer, ask yourself, "Am I willing to bet $5.00 that this is the right answer?" Imagine the hurt of losing the $5 if you really do not get it right and it makes you double check your work.

My tracking of all questions and noting why I got them wrong has been an incredible help. It's completely changed me into an active studier rather than a passive one. See my other post about study tips and you'll learn what I mean. I'm so dumbfounded about the kind of progress I've been making and the growing confidence I have on certain types of questions. Still have problems with Data Sufficiency multiple variable problems where < or > is involved. I even find myself saying what kind of the problem is after having read the question. For example, I'll read a question like "A bag has 7 marbles with 3 red and 4 blue, what is the possibility that two randomly picked marbles are blue?" I'm automatically saying... COMBINATION problem and know the formula to use.

One more thing... I went to the Chiropractor today. The pressure and posture of my studying has gotten to me a bit. My neck was so tight that I had this nagging pain in my neck and occasional tingle in my left shoulder. Experienced this about a year ago, when I started this contract job I had and found the job to be the most stressful and politically enraged places I'd ever worked. I woke up one morning and had a neck pain. It went away after about 2 months. I feel like a wimp. I thought I was handling the pressure well. But I guess with the leaning over the table all day and the GMAT always on my mind thing... my neck went weird on me. I feel much better after the adjustment, but now I have to go get adjusted twice a week until I leave.

I guess I'm sharing this neck story with you to make it clear that I'm studying, but I'm also struggling which is a healthy posture to be in I think. It's been said that, "A goal that has been achieved is far more sweeter when the journey wasn't always easy."

Ok, I'm going to study a few more hours and then hit the sack.



1 Comments:

Blogger Dave for MBA said...

About the CD info, here is the explanation.

How to move the Princeton CD config to your computer in such a way that it becomes more stable.

1) Go to your Princeton CD and open up the folder called casts.
2) Copy all the contents to the following folder, C:\Program Files\The Princeton Review\GMAT Diagnostic
3) In the C:\Program Files\The Princeton Review\GMAT Diagnostic folder, look for the file called irunin.ini.
4) Find the line in the irunin.ini file called SrcDir=
5) Change this line to read C:\Program Files\The Princeton Review\GMAT Diagnostic


So you’ll still need the CD, but the program runs everything from the Hard drive. I’ve tried several methods to get the application to no longer required the CD, but was only able to do it by imaging the CD and then mounting the CD via a CD image application.

To do this, you’d create an image of the CD using a program like CD Creator. Save the name of the image, the same name as “GMAT Diagnostic.iso” (Don’t include the quotes)

Launch the CD mounting application, mount the CD and then run the installation from the CD and then use the application from then on like this. The mounted image will have a drive letter like Z: and that irunin.ini file will then have the cdsrc line showing something like Z:

I’m using a trial software called quasi disk, but you can find just about any CD mounting application on the internet by doing a key phrase search on “CD Mounting software”


About my GMAT practice exam results. I'm getting 680's to low 700's.

1:30 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Journey to my MBA Locations of visitors to this page
Stay up to date with this Blog
Monitor changes to links on the sidebars of this Web Site
Dave's E-Mail

Subscribe with Bloglines Subscribe with My Yahoo! Subscribe with Google Subscribe in NewsGator Online Subscribe in Rojo Subscribe with Pluck RSS reader Subscribe with Bloglines Add to AOL
Get Updates of this Blog via Email:

Powered by Squeet.com
Some Noteworthy Blog Postings
Cornell-Johnson Visit Experience-Dave
MIT-Sloan Visit Experience-Dave
Wharton Visit Experience-Dave
Darden Visit Experience-'04-Dave
Darden Visit/Interview Experience-'06-Dave
Darden Pictures-'06
HBS Visit Experience-'04-Dave
HAAS Visit/Info Session-'04-Dave
Columbia Visit/Info Session-'04-Axechick
Tuck Visit/Info Session-'05-Laser
Tuck Visit/Interview '06-Dave
Tuck Pictures1-'06
Tuck Pictures2-'06
--------------------------------------------------------------
Michigan Info Sess. Experience-Dave
Columba Info Sess. Experience-Dave
Tuck Info Sess. Experience-Dave
World MBA Tour Experience-Dave
Travel Guides-Dave
Columbia Open House I-Droodoggie
Columbia Open House II-Droodoggie
--------------------------------------------------------------
Application Essay Advice-Dave
Application Essay Advice II-Dave
MBA App advice-Consulting/Management-Dave
Good Essay question Prep-Uniqpath
The MBA Journey Begins-Dave
The MBA App Process-MarketWiz
Picking Target Schools-Sghama
Pre-App Tips-Bloghorn8
How to interact w/ B-School Staff-Dave
Managing Your Recommenders-ClearAdmit
Schools I Picked & Why-Anand
Import App Elements-Redwolf056
A Successful Essay(Chicago GSB)-PowerYogi
Why Chicago GSB-Paul Jan
Stanford GSB Dean on Essays
------------------ Application Process ------------------
Advice on Admissions Consultants-Dave
Why get an MBA now?-Dave
Why do I need an MBA?-Dave
Story of Tenacity-Dave
MBA App Advice-Dave
Maximize your MBA Info Sess. Exp.-Dave
Low GPA Stories-Dave
Introspect on being resolute-Dave
Why Attitude Matters-Dave
Wharton's Interview Policy-RedWolf
Dealing with a Low GPA
Tuck's App Review Process
UCLA's App Review Process
Wharton's App Review Process
Every Essay Tells a Story
Your Story is so Interesting
What is a great essay?
Am I too young to apply?
When is the best time to apply?
Applying and not sure where to start?
Is school XXX any good?
The B-School Admit Hate List
Hey Applicant, Lay off the Buggin
Should I interview on or off campus?(See comment)
MBA Tour/Info Session Tip
The Interview
------------------ GMAT ----------------------------------
Low GMAT Success Stories
GMAT Score Needed in Europe
GMAT Score Needed
GMAT Score Needed by Age
GMAT Score Needed by Country
GMAT Score Needed by Race
GMAT Score Needed by Major
Budgeting time for the GMAT
Breaking the 700 Barrier
--------------------------------------------------------------
The B-School Route to Career Change
Pre-MBA Resources
MBA Math Build math and spreadsheet skills
Article
MBA Resources show all
--------- Video Interview's of B-School Deans -------
Video Interviews of B-School Deans
------------ B-School Visit Experiences ----------------
Admin Director Interviews
Visit Reviews
------------ MBA Forums ----------------------------------
Business Week Forum
Wharton Student Forum
PagalGuy.com(India)
Chicago GSB Forum
Yale Forum


----------- B-School Articles and News-----------------
How B-Schools get their name
BusinessWeek(B-School Headlines)
The Economist(News from Schools)
The Financial Times(Business Education)
Wall Street Journal(MBA Center)
----------- Gen MBA Info ---------------------------------
MBAMap.com
MBABuzz MBA Blogs, Forum, App Stat Plotter
MBA Info
GMAC
MBAZone.com
MBA Studylink
MBA Jungle
MBA Game Plan
MBA Official Guide
MBA Depot
Top 10 MBA
Ivy League Admissions.com
MBA Podcaster
MBA Jargon
MBA School Directory
Admission411
MBA 4 Success
Military MBA


------------ MBA Program Summary for Applicants---
Accepted.com
BusinessWeek.com
ClearAdmit School Guides
MBAMap.com
TopMBA.com
TheMBATour.com
WSJ School Snapshots
WSJ Who's Recruiting Where?
MBAPrepAdvantage School Profiles
------------ MBA Foreign Related -----------------------
Canadian MBA
Infozee "Foreign MBA"
------------ MBA Conf/Foundations --------------------
Top MBA
The MBA Tour
The MBA Diversity Alliance
Forte Foundation
Catalyst Women
Knowledge@Wharton Podcast
Association of MBAs
------------ Resume Help ---------------------------------
Wetfleet.com
Resumeedge.com
Resumedeli
Darden Resume's
MBA Game Plan Resume Help


------------ Essay Help ------------------------------------
American Dream Project.org - (Dave's Pick)
Essayedge.com (Samples) (Getting Started)
MBA Essay Strategy(download)
MBA Game Plan Essay Help
Some Classic Advice from Wharton Boards
Clear Edit Automated writing editor
MBA Studio


------------- Interview Insight --------------------------
B-School Interview Braindump-Accepted
B-School Interview Braindump-Clearadmit
------------- Ethnocentric Assoc. ----------------------
P.R.I.N.A.
yKAN
LEAD Program for minorities
------------- Post-MBA ------------------------------------
MBA Concepts
------------- MBA Articles---------------------------------
If you want your application to B-School to stand out;first do your homework properly, and then apply early
Admissions Tip:HBS Essay #2
Writing good essays from an ADCOM perspective
Top 5 MBA programs Article
The Full-Time Advantage
Overcoming Procrastination
Why B-School is good for our Economy

MBA Ranks show all
Ranks by Industry Sector Show
--------------------------------------------------------------
Forbes ranking measures the graduates' return on investment
Economist ranking reports how students and alumni rated their MBA experience
BusinessWeek surveys students and corporate recruiters and measures intellectual capital
Wall Street Journal is a corporate recruiter based poll (21 criteria)
U.S. News & World Report evals student selectivity and placement data and gathers the perceptions of deans and program directors to develop the ranking
Financial Times poll measures career progression of alumni, program diversity and a school's track record in producing new ideas in management
--------------------------------------------------------------
BusinessWeek '06 Rank
BusinessWeek '06 Slideshow
Financial Times '08 (PDF) (Interactive)
US News&World Report 2009
Economist 2008 Rankings
------Wall Street Journal Rankings--------------------
WSJ 2006(US)
WSJ 2006(International)
WSJ 2006(Academic Discipline)
WSJ 2006(Women)
WSJ 2006(Ethics)
WSJ 2006(Minorities)
WSJ 2006(Industry)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Forbes Rankings 05' Results - 07' Results
MBAINFO.com Rankings
Beyond Grey Pinstripes 2009
DTU Research per School
B-School Research Rankings
--------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Times E-MBA Rankings '06 PDF
BusinessWeek E-MBA Rankings '05
Money's top 100 MBA Employers '06
US News Category Ranks '06
Financial Times Category Ranks
--------------------------------------------------------------
Asia B-School Rank 2000
Australian 2005 Financial Review
German B-School Rank
Computerworld top techno MBA Survey
Consus Group B-School Rankings
Entrepreneur.com top 100 Entrepreneurial Colleges
Find MBA Rankings
International Education Commission's Top 10
Marr/Kirkwood Comparison Rankings
Official MBA Guide:MBA Program Ranking and Screening

GMAT Resources show all
GMAC-Register for GMAT
---------- GMAT Articles ----------------------------------
GMAT 700+ Stories(download)
Why Prepare?
About the GMAT
How someone got a 760 score
How someone got a 790 score
Mark Rice GMAT Advice
Low GMAT Success Stories

---------- GMAT Forums ----------------------------------
Beat the GMAT
GMAT Club Forum
Scoretop.com-Forum and Files!
TestMagic Forum


---------- GMAT Companies ------------------------------
Bell Curves
GMATTutor.com
GMAX Online(Online GMAT Course)
Kaplan
ManhattanReview
Manhattan GMAT
Perfect GMAT
Princeton Review
Syvum.com
Test Prep New York
Test Prep Review(Online Course)
Veritas GMAT Prep
790GMAT GMAT Guru(SF based)


---------- GMAT Self Study Guides ----------------------
Corrections to Official Guide 11th
Advanced GMAT Math Study Guide
Deltacourse
GMAT Study Strategy
Micro Edu GMAT Prep Material
Probability Review(download)
4GMAT - Math Books (India)


---------- GMAT Resource/Reference -----------------
GMAT Scratchpad
Dr Math
Dr Math-Pascal Triangle
GMAT Official Guide Question Info
HyperGrammar
Krysstal.com
Manhattan GMAT Study Guides (Dave's Pick)
Math.com (Math Skills Review)
MathGoodies.com
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Texas A&M-College Algebra
The Math Page (For Basic Math Skills)
101 Basic Radical & Exponent Review


---------- GMAT Tests ------------------------------------
PowerPrep GMAT CAT (Dave's Pick)
Ascent Education
Arco
Axxent
800 Score (Dave's Pick)
English Test
GMATBuster
GMAT Cram.com
GMATExams.com
GMAT Practice Tests
Gorilla Test Prep
Manhattan GMAT Tests (Dave's Pick)
R&B Consulting Prep Software
Realtestquestions.com
ScoreTop Online Verbal-Quant Tests
TestMasters
TestPrep New York
Upstart Raising GMAT Simulator


Financing your MBA show all
Campusprogram.com
FastWeb
Finaid.com
Financial Aid Podcast
Foreign MBA.com
FreschInfo.com
Fundsnet-Search Engine
Gradloans.com
Graduate Fellowship Database
MBA.com-Loan info
MBAInfo-Article
MBAJungle-Article
Sallie Mae-MBA Loans
Studentawards.com
Tuitionpay.com
US Government's E-Scholar
MBA Admission Consultants show all
Accepted.com Forum
AdmissionConsultant.com
Brody Admissions
B-SchoolAdmission.com
Cambridge Essay Service
Clear Admit
EssayEdge.com
Essay Solutions
Expartus
Global Now
ManhattanReview
Maxx Associates
MBAdmission.com
MBA Applicant.com
MBA Apply
The MBA Exchange
MBAGameplan Article
MBAPrepAdvantage
MBA Studio
Stacy Blackman
Veritas Consulting
-------- Brazilian Admin Consultants ------------------
MBA Empresarial
-------- Commentary on Admin Consultants ----------
Why use them?
Comments about some of them
Not all Consultants are good
MBA Life show all
Chicago GSB Online Newspaper
Chicago GSB Magazine
Columbia B-School Wkly Online NewsPaper
Columbia Spectator Daily NewsPaper
Cornell Univ. Daily Sun (Main Campus)
Cornell Daily News Service Highlights
Dartmouth Online Newspaper
Tuck Today Online Happenings
Duke News & Community
HAAS Weekly
Harvard B-School Online Newspaper
Harvard Gazette Online Newspaper
Harvard Online Magazine
Kellogg Online Newspaper
News at MIT
Michigan(Ross) Newspaper
Texas McCombs Weekly
Michigan Daily Online Newspaper
Stern Online Newspaper
Stanford Online Newspaper
Stanford B-School Reporter
UCLA Qrtrly Assets Mag
Univ. Virginia Daily Online News
Wharton Online Newspaper
Yale Daily Online Newspaper
Yale Herald Online Newspaper
Blog & Other Resources show all
IQ Test
Efax.com
Bloglines
Computer Interval Clock
T-Mobile Coverage Check
Picasa
Hello.com
YouSendIt.com Send large files
Sendthisfile.com Send large files
Understanding Blog Template Code
SSI Developer - CSS
Changenotes.com-Web Monitor
Fodey.comNewspaperclip generator
MBA Related Books
Search Now:

Site Meter