OG 12 companion, GMAT strategy and resources

[alicegmat]

Hello! Do the explanations of the OG 12 Companion (Math) have multiple solution methods for a problem and guessing techniques for each problem?

I took the GMAT once and scored 48 on quant. I scored 48 on GMAT Prep tests too.
My pitfalls were:
1. I got stuck up on a question along the way and spent longer than I should have on it. I ended up rushing on a few questions that followed. And had ro random-guess for 3-4 questions in the end! I usually hit the first 6-7 questions right in a row on the GMAT Prep tests.
2. A few weak areas - probability, combinations and DS technique (statement carryover and not using the DS grid).

Before the test the only studying I'd done was from OG12, and I did *not* really have game plans, guessing techniques, timing strategies, or alternative methods to solve the same problems.

This happened mainly because my accuracy rate on the OG under timed conditions was really high : 93% for PS, 90% for DS (I had not expected to get stuck up on a question on the exam); and most of my mistakes on the OG were careless errors or about some content I did not really know in depth.

I plan to re-take the exam.
So for my preparation now, I'd need to master the DS technique, develop guessing strategies, and develop time management plan for the test.

What study plan strategy and resources would you recommend? Shall I go for 700+ problems resources?

Thanks!

[messi10]

Hi,

I think the instructors will be able to guide you better but I will chip in with some pointers.

Initially, even I was not interested in knowing different ways to solve questions. I was comfortable with what I knew and did not bother with anything extra. However, this became a problem. A simple example: solving a problem algebraically vs. solving it by picking numbers. Coming from an Indian background, I always used the algebraic method as this is what is drilled into us in school. But this does not always work. Sometimes you hit a wall if you try and do it without picking numbers. My suggestion is to try and know the different methods so if you can't get anywhere with one, you can try the other.

With DS, did you have any strategy at all? Starting with the easier statement? Are you familiar with the AD/BCE or the BD/ACE split? Please post back if you do not and I will elaborate more on this. This method increases your guessing odds as well. I found it a very useful approach.

Since you are already scoring a 48 on the quant, you are not far away. As you mentioned, you have identified some problematic topics that you do not understand in depth. Work on these and try and iron them out.

You also mentioned rushing on a few questions because of timing. Never ever get your timing wrong. If you can't solve a question in reasonable time, guess and move on. You have to get into the habit of guessing. Its a mindset that one has to get used to. Its very easy to say "I almost have this.." and waste 2,3,4 minutes on it. In your case, if you had guessed on that one question where you took so much time, you probably would not have had to random guess on those other questions that followed.

There are some very good posts by Stacey on timing, please search for these and stick to them.

Hope this helps

Regards

Sunil

[jnelson0612]

varun has given you some excellent thoughts. I would also suggest that you ask your question in the general forum; your question is actually wonderfully suited to that forum. Here's the link: general-gmat-strategy-questions-f9.html

Best wishes!

[alicegmat]

Thank you Jamie Nelson. I will post this in the general GMAT folder.

Regards.
Alisha.

[jnelson0612]

Great, thanks Alisha!

[shamraja16]

Can you please elaborate on AD/BCE or BD/ACE split?

Thanks in advance!

[RonPurewal]

Can you please elaborate on AD/BCE or BD/ACE split?

Thanks in advance!

it's in our course curriculum (and our books) -- but the very, very brief summary is that it's the first step of the flowchart that is on p. 269 of OG12.
note that, if you go to the left in the first step, the only possibilities are (a) and (d); if you go to the right, the only possibilities are (b), (c), and (e).
hence the grid

[shamraja16]

Thanks ron !! Got it

[jnelson0612]

:-)

[alicegmat]

Hello Sunil,

Thanks for sharing your insights.

My problem was that both concept-wise and technique-wise, I had not developed any consistent strategies for math.

My aim while solving the OG was to get the answer right, which I did for most problems, and so moved on to the next ones without analysing.

For problem solving, like I said, I had not reviewed and analysed my work. So in spite of good accuracy on the OG, I had not developed guessing strategies, or test-taking strategies.

I did follow the DS technique, which is elaborated in the OG flowchart (which is logically the same as AD/BCE split) though not consistently as a method for solving each problem.

Regards.
Alisha.

[alicegmat]

Hello,

Here is the link to my post in the general GMAT strategy forum.

og-12-companion-gmat-strategy-for-quant-700-problems-t12945.html

Regards
Alisha.

[messi10]

Hi Alisha,

Stacey has replied to that post. Is there something more you are looking for? If so, please let us know

Thanks

Sunil

[jnelson0612]

Indeed, thanks!