[Erica H]

Has anyone on here taken the GMAT yet? If so, what study materials did you use, and did you like them?

I am done with the CPA exam (thank god!) but now moving on to grad school.

Spectrum.

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[gans555]

wow, we went in reverse! lol. I took the GMAT in Jan. and now I have to take the CPA exam. I scored a 590 with only self studying using the Kaplan book and software that came with the book (this was good enough to get in my school). Honestly, you don't need to get a study course like the CPA exam. I'm studying for REG (first section) and the GMAT is so much easier. Youtube has a bunch of great videos, especially with math. Check out Gmatplatinum on youtube.

Where are you going to grad school at? I just graduated undergrad and now starting my master's full time at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I'm doing a MAcc, are you doing MBA or MAcc?

[Anonymous]

Fyi

https://www.another71.com/cpa-exam-forum/topic/gmat-advice#post-135336

[Erica H]

Thanks for posting that link to the other thread!

I'm currently going for a MAcc, however my long-term goal is a PhD. I've actually applied for a GMAT waiver for my MAcc program based on having my CPA already, however I was told I might be able to skip the MAcc altogether and go directly to a PhD if I can get a good GMAT score under my belt.

According to that thread, it looks like I'd need a 700. Whew! Well, after studying for the CPA, I think I can get a good idea of what kind of studying would be involved….. Looks like I have some work ahead of me!

AUD - 92
FAR - 73, 82
REG - 72, 82
BEC - 84 DONE!!!!!! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I can tell you that the GMAT is all about practice/preparation. The first time I took a GMAT practice test, I scored a 490. Part of that was because I had no idea what the stupid data sufficiency questions were even asking, but nonetheless, it was bad. Between that test and my actual GMAT, I put in about 100 hours of studying. I walked out with a 690 and felt like I left 10-20 points on the table, but was very happy with my score.

You've passed the CPA, so obviously you know how to study and have plenty of motivation. My advice would be don't waste time and money on review courses. Those things are a rip off. Just get the official GMAT book and work through every question in it. You can buy extra practice tests from Manhattan GMAT if you want more practice tests for relatively cheap. Time yourself on each question so you don't get used to taking as much time as you need. That exam is all about pacing yourself. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

GMAT is a cakewalk compared to the CPA exam.

[Anonymous]

I am up for a transition at my current company and may say in Houston or get relocated. I decided that if I say in the US I will go back and get my MBA. I am fairly sure that if I stay in the US it will be in Houston. With that said, I am thinking of taking my GMAT and applying for UH – main campus and Rice. Although my company will only reimburse however much UH costs, I am considering going to Rice on loans (approx 50k). I currently have less than 10k in student loans from my undergrad. I am leaning towards going to Rice, although it is more expense, I went to a small college and feel that not going to a more prestigious college is hurting my ability for fast promotions. The second issue is know what material to use to study. I want to make no less than a 700. I have a friend that went to Rice on a full ride at Rice and he sugessted reading “Cracking the GMAT” from Princeton Review to gain a general understanding of how the GMAT tests. Then he sugessted using the GMAT Official Guide.

What are your thoughts on the Rice v. UH issue?

What are your thoughts on the GMAT study material suggested?

[Anonymous]

Kaplan book is more than enough. Princeton Review book is more than enough. Maybe grab one on vocabulary book that covers some words in the book. Its not a difficult exam at all. I barely studied and scored in the low 600's.

[mypetmeatball]

I took a practice exam first and afterwards decided that I wouldn't need study materials to get the required score for my graduate program. My school isn't very selective and only needed a 500 and I got ~200 points higher on the practice exam.

I would do that to get an idea of how much studying you need to do.

[Anonymous]

I want to make a 700+ on my GMAT so that I have a better choice of MBA school especially while not knowing where I may be located.

@mypetmeatball

So you think doing a Diagnostic, much like we do when preparing for the CPA and then decide what material to get? Sounds reasonable…

[SeattleAccountant]

@ schilaufer “GMAT is a cakewalk compared to the CPA exam”

completely agree

Becker Class of Jan - Aug 2013: FARB DONE!!!!
CPA license pending 🙂

[whopper]

I took the GMAT using ‘Cracking the GMAT' Princeton Review and I would say it's not sufficient for a score of 500+ on the GMAT. In particular, its not strong for the quant section. I whizzed through the exercises/practice tests within the book but the actual GMAT had much more difficult questions. This is a good book to become introduced with the material but, in my opinion, it didn't prepare me for the more difficult questions. Also, shoot for the highest score possible. I aimed for my college's minimum entry score ‘to get it over with' lol but quickly learned this was not an effective plan. It seems that Kaplan and Manhatten have good study materials with a wide range of difficult levels. I also heard someone that took a general College Math course and stated this was a better preparation method than the GMAT study materials.

REG - 89, 04/29/13
BEC - 81, 08/06/13
FAR - 84, 12/19/13
AUD - 82, 10/05/13

[Author]

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