Delay Start-Date to Study for GMAT?

Hi Monkeys,

Thanks for stopping by. I am 2 years out of undergrad, and just left my large consulting firm for a smaller, boutique consulting firm. I would like to apply to B-school in the next 2-3 years.

I can either 1) Push out my start date of the new firm for up to 2 months and use that time to study, or 2) start sooner rather than in 2 months, focus on work for the first 6 or so months, and then start studying while working full time after I'm settled in.

I've already taken a GMAT diagnostic, and did not perform well - my quant score, especially, needs massive improvement. I've spoken with people who have taken the GMAT - some have said that working while studying actually makes you more focused, and preps your brain for the material, others have said 2 months is not enough for a massive cram, and some of said "if you have the time - use it!"

Would love some thoughts of anybody who has successfully raised their score by a large percentage - studying full time, is 2 months enough? (Note that if I don't score very highly after that first test, it'll be hard to retake it in the first 6 months at the new firm, so I may be effectively starting from scratch on a retake).

Plus, some bonus questions - anybody who has had the opportunity to study full time for the GMAT, any studying tips? Are tutors worth it? Does Kaplan vs. Manhattan really make that much of a difference? Tips for giving that quant score a massive increase?

Thanks guys - really appreciate your help, and looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
RP

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