Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Essential for efficient solutions, November 30, 2008
How do you find f(x)=f(1/x)? Are the product of 3 consecutive integers divisible by 2? how about 3,4, and 8? What is the units digit of 3^107? If you have any doubts on how to answers these types of questions, and most people do, you need this book. The explanations on how to best solve problems are very good. Yet the book suffers from what appears to be two different authors writing the explanations and the problems. The same type of problems are not always provided the same type of solutions. This book is a vast improvement over the previous edition. The GMAT has changed over the years and the previous version did not address all the changes. This book rectifies that. You can be assured many of the concepts outlined in this book will be tested in the real thing. Although the GMAT quant section only tests high school level math, do not confuse it with the SAT. It is way tougher and far more abstract. Furthermore, your high school math is probably very rusty by now. If you are unconvinced, please spit out the quadratic formula (which you must have used zillion times in HS) right now. If you can't do it in 5 seconds, then you are rusty. I am torn whether to give this book a 4 or 5 stars. So I would give it 4.5 stars. It is very worthwhile book and you will not regret the purchase unless you are already a math geek.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good refresher for equations and inequalities, July 29, 2010
This review is from: Equations, Inequalities, and VIC's: GMAT Strategy Guide, 4th Edition (Manhattan GMAT Preparation Guides, No. 3) (Paperback)
I self studied and scored a 770 on the GMAT. Here are my thoughts on the Manhattan GMAT Equations, Inequalities, and VICs GMAT guide: ===== OVERVIEW ===== The third book in the Manhattan GMAT quant series features theory and practice on equations (with an emphasis on the quadratic equation, the one most commonly tested on the GMAT), functions, inequalities and problems based around variables (the so-called VICs). As is the case with the entire series, the book does an in depth coverage of the theoretical aspects of the topics and also provides a decent amount of practice. The structure of this guide is similar to that of other MGMAT guides: a more basic to intermediate part (in this case, with 85 practice items) and an advanced section for those who want to take it a step further (where you'll also find 57 questions). The only issue with the questions supplied by MGMAT is that most of them are not exactly in the style of the GMAT, meaning that most problems simply ask for a value instead of letting you choose between options. Note that they are still good practice though! ===== PROS ===== *Solid conceptual review that gets to the core of the material. Because of its two-part structure, it is a good book for both for those who are just starting out and for those who seek more advanced practice and strategy *Comes with a code to register for the 6 online MGMAT tests (pretty decent predictors of your skill level) and 25 extra practice questions. However, the guide does rely heavily on the The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition for problems (you'll see sets of questions from the OG corresponding with topics) *I was personally impressed with the VICs chapter, because "all-letter" problems tend to scare students the most. I also enjoyed their sample problems, which combined both geometry and VICs - this is a plus, I believe, because the GMAT rarely tests just one concept but rather "mixes it up". Their coverage of advanced functions was also pretty good ===== CONS ===== *They sometimes overuse tables and drawings in general as a technique to approach problems. While this might help if you're a visual learner, for me it seemed unnecessary at times: drawing does take a bit and this is a timed test, so be sure not to go over the top with it. They also seem to have a thing for mnemonics and abbreviations, which might be confusing if you're trying to remember everything *Could have used more practice on arithmetic and geometric progressions and a few more challenging problems on equations *Even thought the Data Sufficiency chapter does present a few interesting tips, it could have been improved by adding a few practice problems and focusing less on rephrasing from the The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition===== BOTTOM LINE ===== The Manhattan GMAT Equations, Inequalities, & VICs guide is a comprehensive resource on these topics, featuring both a good theoretical review and some noteworthy practice. Although it does have its flaws, it is probably one of the best on the market for the given concepts. About me: Dana Jinaru, 770 GMAT scorer, expert at Beat The GMAT - a community serving 1.5 million+ MBA applicants each year
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
GMAT Tips and Tricks At Its Best, November 15, 2009
This review is from: Equations, Inequalities, and VIC's: GMAT Strategy Guide, 4th Edition (Manhattan GMAT Preparation Guides, No. 3) (Paperback)
Here's the thing: if you're looking for a book that will give you exactly what you need to know to knock down the inequalities (or any section for that matter) of the GMAT, you're not going to find one. The GMAT isn't THAT type of test. Think of it less like an AP exam and more like a Case Interview - something that gets better ONLY with practice. That being said, IMO Manhattan GMAT prep books are the best of the best. They should not be your only source of study material - I'd also highly recommend the Offical GMAT Study Guides. But in terms of a 3rd party source, when compared to Kaplan, Princeton Review, Veritas, Barrons, Arco et al: 1. The solutions are accurate and well described 2. The problems are representative of those you'll actually find on the GMAT (Kaplan and Princeton Review are nonsense!) 3. They're compact in content. If you're going to spend the money, I'd also highly recommend the question banks online. Summary: they're not going to teach you everything, and will not, alone, be responsible for a 200 point increase (unless your math skills are THAT bad) but are a great tool for refreshing those math skills you haven't used since 9th grade.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
