I really wanted someone to guide me or tell me whether I have made the right choice by opting for an classroom course by spending more money instead of an online course and whether I am studying right.I am actually asking for other student's experience.
I have two questions here.Whats the difference between a classroom course and online course.How do I assess my progress halfway thru the program ?

I actually have completed four session classroom course .I put in 2-3 hrs of study everyday without fail.Still my approach or my confidence level hasn't improved a bit.I still think how am I going to make it to the target? I feel ,I am stuck and I am not making any progress.I complete 50 -75% of the assignments before going to the next session.I took two CAT exams ,one before attending the second session and another by 4th session.There isn't any difference in the score considering the fact that I have read 3 more books.How do you all study before attending a classroom session.Do you complete the previous week assignments and complete lab and go to the next class. Please let me know how to effectively study the material so that I make some progress?

Do you all get any personal assessment from your instructor as to how your progress is and ways to improve ?Any useful opinion will be really appreciated at this time.

Hi,

I'm not a student, but I am a student services associate, and I can definitely help you out a little. You have several questions here that I will answer:

1. "Whats the difference between a classroom course and online course?"

There are three main differences between a classroom course and a Live Online course. Both are taught by our highly qualified instructors and both follow the same curriculum. You get the same resources for both. Aside from the obvious difference of a virtual classroom vs. a physical classroom, the differences are:

- With an in-person course, if you miss a class you can make it up in a different course. You can call us and schedule another time and another class to sit in on (and you can do this up to three times.) With a Live Online course, if you miss a class, you can watch your course recordings in Elluminate (the online classroom program we use.)

- The Live Online classes have two instructors (one talks while the other responds to chats) and the number of students allowed in the course is capped slightly higher than our in-person courses, which have one instructor.

- The price of Live Online is slightly lower.

2. "How do I assess my progress halfway thru the program ?"

You discuss several topics here: the first is that you did not see any improvement between your first and second exam. This is actually quite common. Even though you've been doing a lot of work, it's good to remember that you're only three weeks into the course, so there's time for more improvement. I know you said you'd been doing as much of the work as you could, but give it time to really sink in. If you still see no improvement by your third practice test, then maybe something else is at work.

Another topic you mention is the work. It's very easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of work in our class, and to try and do it quickly so you can get it all done. What our instructors say over and over again is that it's better to do a few problems and devote a significant amount of time to them than to do more in less time. The same goes for the reading. If you don't have time to read the entire guide, don't read the advanced section but make sure you are really understanding the concepts in the regular section. Don't skim or read quickly. Read a strategy, pause, go over it again if you need to, then move on. While you won't be able to do as many practice problems this way, you will be able to get a better grasp on the material.

The third question you asked was about feedback from your instructor. You should always feel free to ask your instructor a question after class, or to shoot him an email with a question later. If you do all three practice tests during the class, you are also eligible for the post course assessment, where your instructor either sends you a comprehensive email or meets with you to discuss what your strategies moving forward should be. But if you're worried about the course or any aspect of it before then, don't hesitate to talk to your instructor. You can also feel free to give us a call here at 1 800 576 4628 and student services can help with some advice (though we're not instructors.)

Best of luck and let me know if you have any further questions.

Best Wishes,
Caitlin Clay

Thanks a lot for the reply.I would definitely try your suggestions and will let you know how my progress goes.Meanwhile I would also talk to my instructor about how to progress in verbal.I read the verbal,but its lot difficult for me to apply the concepts.For example I am not able to locate the errors in SC.I would also try for some study groups.Hope things improve. with time.

Being raised in the United States is such a blessing for the Verbal. In my opinion, the GMAT is extremely unfair for those who learned English as a second language. Usually, I see nearly perfect math scores with horrible verbal. This obviously isn't testing their intelligence or ability to learn.

That being said, someone who is extremely smart can sound very elementary through a simple forum post. Written & verbal communication are high on the list of almost any company. If you cannot communicate effectively, professionally, & without grammer mistakes it will be hard to get promoted.

*** please do not check my writing for gramatical errors! ***

I'm very lucky...

GMAT verbal is very different in the sense that it tests the ability to use correct idiom,words and construction .There may be situations in which anyone can get confused about the usage of have been/had been etc.What I really wanted to know was how to improve the accuracy in applying the concepts.Also there is restriction of time.So GMAT SC can be challenging even to very successful people.BTW I am a very successful professional.I have worked in India,Germany and United states.