I'm starting over from scratch. What's the best path?

[mmcleod]

I took the live course last year but my start-up got in the way of studying. I ended up deferring the test until this year and have restarted the process.

Now that I'm self studying, I have a few questions:

Is the course material I purchased last year dated?

What is the best mode of progress or is there a study guide that outlines where I should start and how I should move forward?

Thanks for the help!

[StaceyKoprince]

First, take a practice test (official conditions, including essay, IR, length of breaks, etc). That will let you know your starting point and what things you might have "lost" since you last studied.

Next, are you interested in re-taking the course or do you want to work strictly on your own? There's a re-take option for a few hundred dollars (check with office for exact price, I think it's around $300 or $400). Advantage here is that you get live instruction and can ask questions / get advice from an instructor. Disadvantage: there is a fee. Up to you whether the advantage is worth the disadvantage. :)

Re: materials, it depends on when you took the class. The test changed in June of last year, and we published new versions of our books in May - we're on 5th edition now and we're using OG 13th edition. If you have the older books, contact the office to learn your options for upgrading (I believe there's some kind of discount - but, again, I don't know the details).

You can also essentially "re-do" the course on your own by following the same syllabus that you used during class (if you no longer have your printed copy, you can access an electronic copy in your online account with us). You'll likely have to contact the office again to re-activate your account. Accounts deactivate after 6 months - but all of your data, etc, is still there. You just have to contact them to get it all working again.
800.576.GMAT or studentservices@manhattangmat.com

Also, use a combination of these two articles to help you set up / customize your study plan (a lot of the same material is in both, FYI):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

So, next steps - I recommend calling the office just to find out what your various options are. Then you can decide how you want to move forward. If you do set up your own plan, feel free to come back here and tell us about it / get advice. Good luck!

[mmcleod]

Stacey,

Thanks for the response. I've taken the CAT1 and will work from there!

Regards,

Matthew

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck!