GMAT Math Study Strategy

Although I have a Engineering/Science background, over the past 6 years, my math is rusty. As I look at most problems, I feel that I "almost know the answer" but cannot quite "get it". For now, I've decided I'm going to get all my math concepts right, first, and then proceed with problem solving.

Here is the strategy that I'm following:

• I use the Green Quantitative OG book as my guide for sections to study. This book has basic information on each topic.
• For each topic, I go through the following books for lists of formula's and understanding of concepts:
• Green Quantitative OG book)
• Barrons GRE (yes, you read correct: I use a GRE book for the math concepts since they have more details and formula's compared to any other GMAT book I was able to find)
• Barrons GMAT
• Kaplans Premier GMAT

• For each topic, write the formula's on a sheet of paper. Make separate sheets for different topics, so you can add to the topic later.
  
• Do not just write formula's. Understand the concept as well.
• Lastly, spend a few minutes everyday revising the formula's you have written. By the time you're ready for the GMAT they must be a part of your bloodstream!
  

My GMAT Study Strategy

After reviewing a lot of success stories and based on what I feel like I will need to work on, I've formulated the following strategy to ace the GMAT:

Books

I plan to use the following books for preparation:

• Kaplan Premier
• Official Guide (Orange book)
• Quantitative and Verbal Official guides
• Kaplan 800
  
• Barrons
  
• Manhattan Sentence Correction
  

Study plan

1) Diagnostic and Strategy

• For each section, make notes on the strategy outlined in the books.
  
• Then complete the relevant section in the Kaplan book.
  
• Complete all sections this way.
  

2) At this stage, I should have a clear idea of which section I need more work on and also have a good idea of strategies to solve problems from each section. This should remove the stress of having to tackle unknown sections later.

3) OG and Kaplan 800: Starting from the toughest section, do all the problems in these books.

When working on any section, each day, do at least 5-10 problems of a previously completed section as well. For example, if I'm done Problem Solving and then am working on Critical reasoning, do 5-10 problems of problem solving everyday along with the Critical Reasoning questions.

4) After OG and Kaplan 800, if required do more problems from Manhattan books.

5) Redo all incorrect/hard/unsure questions again - until I get 100% right. Do this every 2 weeks.

6) Notes and other info:

• While solving problems, make elaborate recordings of answers in the excel sheet to ensure that the hard, tricky, incorrect and confusing questions can be redone.
• Each problem solving session is to have ~40 questions, timed. Use excel to record answers.
• Once the above books are done, redo only the questions that were hard, tricky, got wrong or took a lot of time to finish.
• Get familiar with AWA on weekends.
• Study for 2 hours on weekdays and 5 ours on each weekend day.
  

Excel sheet format

Columns:

• Question #
• Time
• Answer (Actual)
• Attempt 1
• Answer (Selected)
• Right/Wrong
• Slow
• Unsure
• Careless Error
• Conceptual Error
• Note

• Attempt 2
• Answer (Selected)
• Right/Wrong
• Slow
• Unsure
• Careless Error
• Conceptual Error
• Notes

Here we go...

I just started studying for the GMAT - the first step towards applying to business school. This blog will capture my journey and the things I learn along the process of getting into a top B-school!