Customer Reviews

UG/The GMAT CAT W/ CD ROM 2000 (Unofficial Guides)

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I took the GMAT in 1995 to get into the MBA program at the University of Memphis and scored a 560, which was high enough to get accepted, but not outstanding. However, last year (1999) I decided to enter the Ph.D. program and my 560 just wasn't good enough. I needed a 600+ to even be considered.

The first time I took the test, I got the "Official Guide to the GMAT" by Educational Testing Service (ETS). They had some sample tests and some "no-brainer" pointers, but insisted that "you really couldn't study for this test". I didn't understand WHY, but was gullible enough to believe them. I didn't study very hard and only for about a week.

Since I had more riding on the the GMAT this time (both acceptance into the program and a graduate assistanceship) I decided to take it a bit more seriously...

First, I got "The Unofficial Guide to the GMAT" (1999 version) because it had the best synopsis and sounded like it would give me some TESTED pointers and tips.

Second, because of the time pressure to get the test done, I put aside two weeks of moderately intensive study (2-3 hours a day).

Third, I did MUCH better on the exam... a 640! :)

There are five very nice things about the "Unofficial Guide". First, you take a test to get a "baseline" score to work from (mine was a 580, without studying). Second, it prioritizes the information so that you will get the most for your effort. Third, it doesn't give you a bunch of "foo-foo dust" or "Duh! Tell me something I didn't already know" tips and tricks, but rather provides you with information that WORKS! Fourth, all of the information is well presented and organized so you can find the information related to what you need to improve on. Fifth, the information works for course exams also! :)

My only regret in taking it this last time is that I didn't spend the 2-3 months they recommended. I FIRMLY believe I could have achieved a 700+. After all, it is just like learning anything else and the "Unofficial Guide" tells you what you need to know...

Aside from the actual ETS software, of the books that I bought (Kaplan, Barron's), this software was by far the best. The software is very similar to the actual GMAT CAT. It includes 5 tests that mimic the format of the GMAT CAT very well. I attribute a significant portion of my score (over 750) to this software. The book is average. It has several errors, one of which - repeatedly using SAT rather than GMAT - is particularly annoying. I'd like to think there is some difference in level between the SAT and GMAT. Buy this book for the software.

Apparently, the numerous errors have been noticed by many others! (phew) According to this book, the area of a rectangle is 1/2bh (which is, of course, the area of a triangle). In the preliminary test alone, there were multiple math errors! Like everyone has been saying, this makes you think harder, but it also makes you waste time (recalculating your score, verifying that it really IS the area of a triangle just to be sure, etc.)

Otherwise, this book is laid out great and the CD-ROM is top-notch. Could be a 5-star book, if only they could hire someone to proof it!

I think that the strength comes from the test taking tips and appendicies. Lots of errors,(which make you think harder) and the tests are much easier than in other books

I just started studying for the GMAT a couple of weeks ago, and this was the fourth book I went through. This one had the easiest practice tests (compared to Princeton Review, the other Arco book and Barron's). The appendices provided a good, if somewhat skimpy review of math and grammar, and the math explanations were very easy to follow. I agree with everyone else who posted that there were a lot of typos, which were extremely annoying/frustrating, especially since I was trying to time myself. This book was also weak in providing explanations for answers to the verbal questions. Overall, I would recommend it but also warn that it should not be the sole source of anyone's GMAT review.

I did learn a lot of tips on taking the GMAT CAT from this book; however, the number of errors I came across got in the way of my studying. For example, there are errors in the answer keys (chapter 4, exercise 2) and errors in problem explanations that not only have mistakes in the explanations, but also give the wrong answer (bottom of page 213).

While there may have been some typos, I found that this book offered excellent advice on test-taking strategy that was not present in other review books. I found the verbal section particularly helpful. Another reviewer states that the practice questions are easier than other review books. This may be true but I scored higher on the actual GMAT than I did on any of the practice tests that I took from this book. Also, for the first time in my life I actually scored higher on verbal than math on a standardized test. (BTW, I can't help bragging; I scored a 750 on the GMAT and recently completed my MBA at Duke.)

This GMAT books is much better than the Kaplan's GMAT book. Although the Kaplan CD-ROM is better, the printed material is better organized and you get better tips and advise. I recommend you to get this book, so you can review the areas you need. If you are looking for a fancy CD-ROM and Multimedia, this is not the book, but if you are lloking for those tips that will make you suceed in the GMAT, this is the book for you.

I have just finished the math section of the diagnostic test and the number of errors is overwhelming. However, if you are a potentially high scorer, i believe this book will help because it lets you think more.(ironically. due to the errors) The questions were generally good.

This book gave a better math review than most of the other books. Still didnt score as well as I would have hoped as the questions I saw on my GMAT were unlike most of the practice questions I looked at. However, it is a good place to start as it reviews concepts that I saw on some of the practice tests that I was unaware of.