Hi,
I'm registered for the Live online MGMAT course and had a couple of questions regarding study progress, as well as the course.

I've been studying the past month or so for GMAT, about 5-10 hours weekly - an hour or two 2-3 times a week after work, and then 3-4 hours on a weekend. I just finished the OG, where in Math I scored approximately 70-75% overall for all questions, and verbal was alot better at 85-95%. I did go over my answers but didn't debrief as well as I should have. None of this was timed of course. I went in to a local college that offered a practice test for potential test takers in a computer lab, using the official GMAT prep software. Well, I started Math, and right from the get go I wasn't getting questions right, was unclear on concepts, and out of the 37 questions in 75 minutes, i barely got to finish about 22-25, selected random questions on 3-4 and then time ran out. On Verbal, which i thought I would do a lot better, i finished in about 35 minutes, but was so disheartened by the Math section i wasn't fully concentrating.

My ultimate score came out to 610 (Q: 36 V:38). This is obviously horrible and disheartening, especially since i'm aiming for atleast a 720. From your experiences with other students, how do these initial diagnostic tests turn out compared to final results? Are improvements drastic or are we expecting maybe 40-50 point increases? I do plan to study like crazy with the course, but I haven't done these basic math and english questions for more than 12 years now and I'm afraid there are certain concepts and types of questions that I am finding very difficult to grasp. Certain questions especially in the OG, despite reading answers, just utterly confuse me from looking at the multiple approaches one could use on them. There doesn't seem to be a few consistent approaches that work for specific types of questions.

My other question is specifically regarding the course I am registered for with MGMAT, the accelerated 1 month course. I went over some of the documents that came with the package, but am a bit confused on the format of the course. Prior to each session, are we supposed to go over the book for that session, and complete all the questions, with the instructors then going over high level strategy and a few choice questions? Are we supposed to complete test #1 before the first session?

Also for the session, I have not been provided a login password to access my specific course. Is this the same login password i use to login on the main website? I haven't specifically received anything in my course materials regarding agenda, an overview study plan, how to go about preparing for each session, maybe a day by day prep guide, where to access the live online course, etc. If someone could assist me with this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks alot for taking the time to address my concerns.

Hey,

Don't get too down on yourself about your practice test. For one, you didn't get to answer all the questions in the quant section. Even one unanswered question can make a big impact on your score, let alone several in a row.

Right now your performance is above average. However, if you're even slightly worried that you might need a refresher in math or verbal, don't hesitate to at least take a glance at our Foundations of Math and Foundations of Verbal Strategy Supplements. A lot of students find it helpful to read through these books before the course in order to get a good grasp on the fundamentals. The course throws a lot of material at you and you don't want to fall behind, especially considering you're enrolled in an accelerated course.

When you signed up for the course we sent you an email with your course schedule and instructions on how to set up your online Elluminate classroom. You will use the same username and password that you use on Manhattan GMAT's website. If you log in to your Student Center, you can find your syllabus and welcome guide on the front page. Your syllabus will detail everything you need to complete before each session. Your welcome guide will get you familiar with our materials and where to find them. The class sessions will teach you strategies and give you a few practice problems to work out as a class but you will be completing all of the homework using your course materials outside of class.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask me here or contact Student Services.

Best,
Matt Mapplebeck
Student Services Associate
Manhattan GMAT

Hi Matt, Thanks for getting back to me with the encouraging words. You mentioned I'm right now above average, i'm not sure if that was a typo and instead it was supposed to be below average, or if thats what you meant, because i find the above average with 610 hard to believe.

I did start reading the foundations to math book. I also today took the 20 question test you have to see if you need the FOM refresher, and i scored 19/20 on that, and completed in about 20 minutes so that does make me atleast believe that my basics aren't as rusty, just need more practice in the advanced stuff.

I did find the syllabus, and will start preparing today for thursdays class.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

Hey,

No problem! Actually, believe it or not, the average GMAT score is about a 550. So right now you're in a good spot considering that you left several questions blank in a row (resulting in a severe penalty) and you haven't even started your course yet. Looks like your basic math skills are strong too. I think you're well prepared for the course. Keep up the same level of work and determination throughout your course and I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

Best,
Matt Mapplebeck
Student Services Associate
Manhattan GMAT