You want to know how well you're going to do on the GMAT? How well did you do on the ACT or SAT? Whatever your percentile you scored there is likely to be the range that you'll score. You'll want to refresh yourself in how to take the test and take some basic practice tests, but unless you completely screwed off before the SAT/ACT odds are good you'll be in the same percentile. Maybe the review courses will boost you some but maybe not. They'll probably have a better chance to boost you than home study only because they'll force you to do the work and have a better idea which tricks you need to learn. Even then I would doubt it'll make a huge difference, you'll just be on the higher range of your abilities. How much is that worth? Depends upon how disciplined you are and how talented you are. Slacky discipline will be overcome by significant talent.

For me when I took the GRE's I studied a few evenings and went through one book. I didn't have alot of stress because for me to get into the program I just had to not screw it up. Didn't care that much about verbal, I actually took the test with the philosophy that if I knew it right away I would answer if not I would just guess. I saved my focus for the math and analytical sections. Compared to SAT/ACT, verbal was down 14% Math up 4% Analytical down 1%.

 

i would recommend TestMasters for LSAT (taking it now). As for GMAT, when i took it years ago i took a class with Kaplan and it did improve my simulated test scores, but i never took GMAT before and after so i don't know if it indeed worked.

 

Sounds like a prep book at home is the most cost effective, beneficial method for my needs.

 

depends on what type of learner you are. if you can discipline yourself for test prep books, then I think thats all you need. I took a course and they just went over the book every sat.. pretty worthless imo.


good luck!

 

I used a computer CD from Kaplan when I took it a while back.

I was in the 600's before and busted 700 when I finally took the test.

So, home study worked for me. The real key is to understand the test. Some of the math questions look ludicrously simple, but the right answer takes some real thought.

Example: A man travels from A to B at 9mph and from B to A at 6mph. What is his average speed?

The answer is not 7.5mph but is in fact 7.2mph. If you can work that out it sounds simple, but when you're rushing through a test it is probably a question most would get wrong.

As for the verbal part, you need to have an excellent understanding of the English language to do very well. You can do OK otherwise, but to really shine, know sentence structure and punctuation along with rules (and the exceptions) on how to use them.

Hint: Many of the qustions have more than one technically correct answer, but the "right" one is almost always the one that is the shortest.

 

Update: I decided on a M.S. program at Boston University. It was exactly what I was looking for and fits my life perfectly. I will know if I am accepted in two weeks. No entrance exam required. Thanks for everyones help.

 

https://www.mbarendezvous.com/articl...e-place-to-be/