Reflections on Dealing with GMAT

Some reflection on dealing with this monster:

Math
I am mostly worried about the DS part because it is farely easy to commit a mistake. To build my skill, first I bought PRINCETON REVIEW Math Workout. I think this book works for me, especially for the DS part, it also help to build the overall math concepts we need to know. After studying this book, I embarked on GMAT Club's 25 challenges. Before the actual exam, I did about 3/4 of those challenges and they certainly made me feel more comfortable. At first I made around 68th percentile but then steadily hit around the 85th~95th range.

SC
Like what I did with math, I began with PRINCETON REVIEW verbal workout. But the book did not work well and my confidence almost always took a beating from the questions posted on this forum. Then MGMAT SC saved me. After studying this book, I am able to approach SC questions methodically. In the final weeks, I also made sure I master all the questions in OG.

CR & RC
These are my most inconsistent parts. For CR, again, I think it is essential to master the OG. I studied PRINCETON REVIEW Verbal and Kaplan GMAT 800. Although they help me to form the basic framework to approach the questions, the exercises inevitably deviate somewhat from what it looks like on the real test.
As for RC, I read about PRINCETON REVIEW's way, Kaplan's way, and MGMAT's way to approach articles, but none of them worked well. Then I sort of found out an optimal strategy for myself through exercises. In fact, what I do is just read every article as thoroughly as possible, without any skimming and skipping, which I think could make us overlook cue words and signal words. Because those cue words and signal words are essential in solving questions such as "what the author would be most likely agree?" or specs questions, we just can't afford to overlook them. Due to this strategy, it took pretty much time for me to finish a set of questions - as many as 11 min for 80-row articles -, but it is manageable for me since I can make up the lost time by SC.

Final Weeks
In the final weeks I did two PRINCETON REVIEW practice test and three MGMAT ones. PRINCETON REVIEW tests are not useful, especially the Verbal part. MGMAT ones are more similar to questions of ETS, and I think they are reliable gauge on whether you are on the right track. Although I did two Power Prep tests too, I did not take the results too seriously because I began the studying with OG.

In the last week, I wrote down a list that contains notes on the strategy of approaching each section of test. For example, on CR, I wrote "identify the conclusion and premises of the argument," and on RC "pay attention to shift of scope and subjects." I would review the list every time before I did the practice test. On the test day, I did not bring the notes but simply thought about them during the breaks. This indeed help me focus on taking care of the test instead of worried about the score.

A week before the test, I suffered insomnia and could barely fall asleep for two days. Afterwards, I stopped studying at night, ate more vegetables and made myself as relaxed as possible before sleep. Otherwise I would not do well on the 9AM exam.

For me it is not a good idea to hang out in the forum before the actual test. Before the test you should be as confident as you can be. Unless your confidence is stone-concrete, why bother jeopardizing it with those tough questions posted on the forum? Just make sure to have enough practice every day, then you'll be fine.

Materials
OG 11th
PRINCETON REVIEW Math Workout
PRINCETON REVIEW Verbal Workout
Kaplan GMAT 800
MGMAT SC
MGMAT CR & RC
GMAT Club 25 Challenges

Practice Tests
Power Prep 1 750 Aug 16
Power Prep 2 740 Oct 5
PRINCETON REVIEW Practice Test 1 680 Oct 20
PRINCETON REVIEW Practice Test 2 700 Oct 26
MGMAT Practice 1 660 Oct 16
MGMAT Practice2 700 Oct 21
MGMAT Practice3 720 Oct 27