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The Official Guide for GMAT Review was the only book I bought to prepare for the GMAT, I also paid the subscription fee to use an online service with CAT (Computer Adaptive Tests) and with tips on how to work particularly on the writing section (the two essays). For quantitative sections, it lets you know the math you are expected to be able to do, and how to approach the problems. The guide has a review of all the things they are going to test you on during the test. The diagnostic test results are separated by question TYPE so you don't waste time once you have the results.
The guide shows you the specific wording used in the test, and how this wording should point out to you what to focus on, which is useful when answering questions based on reading passages. It also shows you where many people fail to answer correctly by pointing out some common mistakes. This book is quite good at offering you what it should, familiarity with the questions you will be asked during the test so you know what to work on. Another useful thing was getting familiar with the sentence correction questions, cause there are some quite repetitive things that will help you discard wrong choices right away, thus saving you time. The main purpose of this guide is for you to be able to use your time wisely during the test, and not waste time (or get an answer wrong) because you are not quite sure what the question is looking for. These two were good enough to provide me with the familiarity of the test I needed, and to get a score that will not prevent me from applying to any MBA program.
This is particularly useful for the Data Sufficiency part since most of us don't usually have to answer this kind of question ever in our life. Overall, this is the best guide for you to save time during the test without hurting your chances to get a great score. First you can take a diagnostic test that will let you know which sections you should focus on improving more, and which ones you are quite good at. The guide then offers you a good review of each question type, and the things being measured.
Just in the early stages of going through the book but it's a very useful book with questions that are quite challenging and helpful.
The software is formatted EXACTLY like the test, and it was invaluable in my preparation. One thing to note about this book: it will NOT teach you the fundamentals of math or correct grammar or critical reading, etc. Though many of its questions are difficult, the GMAT is not filled with impenetrable journal passages or advanced calculus; the test is trying to determine your grasp of the fundamentals of math, numbers, logic, and communication. In other words, if you need to brush up on these things, get out the old math textbooks from college and the old grammar and syntax books from high school.
Most people will not need to purchase several GMAT books at $30+ each to succeed. The practice software was a bit easier than the real thing, so keep that in mind. Spending serious time with this book helped me think the way the test "thinks".Finally, download the free Test Prep software from www.mba.com. Nevertheless, I believe that many people would benefit from having other books that focus more on skills and strategies to complement this one.
Another thing about this book: It keeps the test's "goals" in perspective. For example, Practice Test 1 I got a 700, Practice Test 2 730, and Practice Test 1 again (reinstalled) 710.My score: 700 Analytical-45 Verbal-40Good luck. My most important point is this: other books will no doubt be useful in some way; however, this one is a MUST, it is the "cornerstone" for further preparation. It is more accurate to think of this book as a collection of practice questions which assume you already have those skills.
If I would had started studying earlier, there is no doubt my score would have been a shocker. A week later, my score went up 50 points. I did the self diagnostic portion of the book and also did one of the practice exams. When I found out the results I spent a week(2 hours a day) reviewing the material and the questions.
Thanks. Awesome deal for me. I ordered this book being skeptical about the quality though it was described as "like new". But these people were true to their words and its really like a new book at great price and I got book within 5 days.
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