Kaplan GMAT 2003 (Kaplan Gmat)

By Kaplan Inc. and Kaplan Test Prep

Presents strategies and tips, and offers sample questions and answers for the math, verbal, and analytical sections. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743205286
• ISBN13: 9780743205283
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Kaplan
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.3" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

The best I used for my GMAT prep...

Personally, I think it is the best book out there today. Loved the 2001 edition: it had nice paper - white and thick, very nice for side notes. The book was very well organized and quite condenced - 350 pages. At the end it has a powerful Math review with the most useful formulae; that was one of my favorite sections. The Software is also the best of what I have seen: it is easy to use, helpful, interactive, and funny, which was very helpful to me in those cold winter nights as I was crunching math and verbal. There are about 4 tests on the CD, but you can really take them 6 or 8 times and still see new questions. (maybe my memory is bad?). NOTE: The Tests that are on the CD are not scored the same way as the Official GMAT; you will be about 100 points off (below) from your final GMAT score, so do not let this fact distress you. CD includes 4 full length practice tests, 9 verbal practice tests, 15 math review lessons, 9 math practice tests, quizes, a games, and a great fun interface.Book Score: 5/5Test Simulator: 4/5 (not representative, but tough is good).--Bogdan

The only book you need to buy

I took the GMAT twice. The first time I used only the Barron's GMAT Review book and scored a 590. The book was not even close to preparing me for the test. Granted, I did not study enough the first time around but there were a many items not covered in the proper way in the Barron's book. There was not even one mention of probability!I retook the test a month later after using the free online PowerPrep software and the CD accompanying the purchase of Kaplan's GMAT 2003. I scored a 710 on the second test. I really only studied about 2 hours twice a week between the first and second test! This book is a must to prepare for the exam.

Excellent Software

I purchased this book solely for the software that comes packaged with it. Before purchasing this book, I had already gone through both an ARCO and Barrons GMAT books and computerized practice exams. In addition, I had taken the downloadable PowerPrep exams. So I was familiar with many of the practice software available. So far, I have only taken the initial skills assessment test on the Kaplan CD, but I assume the four practice CAT's included in the software are similar. So far, I've been pleased with the comprehensive format:-Detailed breakdown (including bar charts) of relative performance in each category (i.e. Sentence Correction % correct, Problem Solving % correct, etc.)-Time spent on each question, including the time spent on correct answers and the time wasted on incorrect answers-An easy-to-read (similar to the actual GMAT) exam format-An easy-to-understand question review format. The left screen is the actual test question and the right side is a detailed description of the correct answer (and descriptions of why each of the incorrect answers are wrong). The correct answer is boxed in dashed green, while your answer choice remains marked in the radio button. The descriptions and explanations are more understandable than those of ARCO and Barrons.By reading the other reviewers' comments, I've realized that practicing simulated CAT's is the most effective test preparation. Make sure to review ALL solutions to the problems. You may even learn more efficient methods of answering your correct answers. This doesn't have to be time-consuming. You can skim through the solutions to the key parts.My current method of review: Allocate 3 to 3 ½ hours to study. Take the CAT (both verbal and analytical but not the writing section) and then spend the remaining time reviewing the solutions. Your cumulative GMAT score is not based on the essay writing. However, before taking the actual exam, it's important to practice writing the GMAT essays a few times under time constraints. You can download an extensive list (250 essay questions) from the GMAC website P>The software does have some silly graphics/cartoon people on it that offer some fairly obvious advice. View these characters not as an insult to your intelligence, but as a break from your intense studies. Glean information from these resources that you may not have found elsewhere.<p>In closing, practice hard, but the day or two before the exam, exercise, sleep well, and most importantly, have fun!

To get that GMAT advantage, this is a "MUST BUY!"

The Kaplan GMAT reviewer is INDISPENSABLE because of the companion cd. To those taking the GMAT, the secrets to success are practice, practice, and practice. No other test preparation tool gives you the kind of computer exam practice you'll need as the Kaplan cd.The Kaplan book is so-so. However, you will find its advice on "backsolving and plugging in the answer" invaluable strategies during the real GMAT. Further, the GMAT math reference containing 100 math concepts (easy,intermediate,difficult) is a good starting point for those rusty in their math.But the companion cd is something else. It has one diagnostic exam, 4 sample exams, and 3 sample exams each for sentence correction, critical reasoning, reading comprehension, problem solving and data sufficiency.Many people think that by just knowing the concepts, they'd do fine in the GMAT. But a computer adaptive exam is a totally different ballgame. The winning formula depends not only on one's knowledge but also on one's speed and fast thinking. Remember, in the quantitative section, one must answer 37 questions in 75 minutes, and in the verbal section, one should finish 41 questions in 75 minutes. Panic is the greatest enemy because it can block your ability to think. One should go into the exams mentally and physically prepared to tackle the gruelling 3 1/2 - 4 hour exams.Thus, you need to practice under true test conditions. The Kaplan cd is your best resource that helps simulate true testing conditions.Aside from the Kaplan, purchase the GMAT official reviewer by ETS. This is a must have too because it has hundreds of sample questions. Though a must-have, the GMAT reviewer will merely help one weave through the kinds of questions that may be asked but does not prepare one to deal with the time-pressure that one experiences in the real GMAT. Of course, the official reviewer comes with the powerprep software containing 2 sample exams. But these exams rehash the questions asked in the official reviewer. (Tip: Don't dwell too much on the topics on sets and the discussion on probabilities. They will just confuse you. The discussions were too academic. The Kaplan discussion on probabilities was better. But the official reviewer is a good resource for topics on arithmetic, algebra, geometry and coordinate geometry.)As a final resource, buy the Peterson Guide to the CAT GMAT. It has lots of sample questions too taken under true test conditions. (Junk its advice on timing - it does not work. Tip: think quick and answer quickly). Plus, its reviewers on Math concepts and sentence correction are top-notch!Believe me when I say that your success in the GMAT will depend on a large part on the PRACTICE YOU GET UNDER TRUE TEST CONDITIONS. I did not exactly get a score of 700 (+) but very close to that. I could not have gotten my near-700 score without the Kaplan. (Remember: A high GMAT score is very important but is not everything. You also need good grades, good work experience, g

Kaplan Delivers

Although the book has some interesting exercises, its value pales in comparison to that of the companion CD. The CD, stocked with a diagnostic test, four practice tests, and at least three practice sets for each question type (data sufficiency, problem solving, sentence correction, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning), is an invaluable part of any study regimen. The quantitative questions are harder than those on the "real" GMAT (a popular sentiment expressed in most of the reviews), whereas the verbal questions are right on. So, a word of advice, don't be discouraged by low scores on the practice tests as they tend to underestimate your true ability.In addition to the Kaplan book, another good resource is the PowerPrep software offered by ETS. PowerPrep's practice tests offer you the best approximation of your true score, familiarize you with the interface used on the real GMAT, and help you pinpoint areas for improvement. Before I purchased the Kaplan book I downloaded the Powerprep software and took the first practice exam cold. I scored a 660. I then bought this book and Princeton Review's Verbal Workout (another excellent book). I took all of Kaplan's practice exams, scoring 590, 610, 640 and 650 on consecutive tests. Two days before the GMAT, I took PowerPrep's second practice test and scored a 740, a sizeable improvement. I've no doubt most people experience the same improvement, giving them considerable confidence going into the exam (confidence that helped me score a 780).The bottomline - buy this book. Despite somewhat forgettable lessons and annoying typos in some of the reading passages, this book/CD succeeds. It will help you work out any timing issues and, unless you're already at 700 or above, it WILL raise your score.