HI All,Let me start with few things i observed during my first GMAT prep.1) OG 10th and 11th edition - These books will familiarise you with the type of questions asked in the exam. Of course, as many say, if one is able to understand why rather than what questions went wrong during timed tests in the OG, it is going to fetch a lot the the whole prep.2) Learning from mistakes is the key for GMATPrep. Thus, practicing a lot will bring us into a shining zone both in verbal as well as quant abilities.3) Kaplan 800 will bring a better picture on questions which may not be felt easy at GMAT. So a blended preparation strategy with Kaplan and OG is what most of the successful GMATians suggest. Kaplan helps us to step up one more level during preparation.4) Arco,Nova,Barron's are considered to be the tertiary set of material referred to before the exam(by most of the GMATians.Of course, each one has a different approach towards GMAT). These would be suggestible if time permits or if practice demands.5) Most of the Indians(about 60-70% of the posts i observe from) feel Verbal to be the monster ahead of them. There should be a concrete and systematic approach in attacking the verbal section as it arrives into the picture after a strenuous and tiresome two and half hours of effort. This should be convincingly closed to facilitate a fitting end. As per my observation, these could help in a preparation for the three sections in verbal.RC - To read faster and comprehend better, try to figure out articles which seem to be really uninteresting and dull. Nothing should be able to fascinate or instigate your mind to have a pre-emptive conclusion/logic about the article. Try to figure out few things out of it. The author's tone, what are the underlying assumptions, what are the key phrases and liners in the article that makes the passage meaningful, infact one sided and last but not least a title for the entire article which clearly portrays the flow of the passage.CR- Be narrow minded. Dont allow your mind to use its intelligence to make some presumptions about the topic. Practice 4 main scenarios - supporting argument, contradicting argument, assumption behind the argument, conclusion or a filling end to the argument.SC- Be clear about the basic ground rules. Never one can straightaway mark all the questions correct after reading/revising the rules. Practice improves applicability of rules.6) And about the hours of preparation, it purely depends on the candidate. If someone is really good at Inequalities/Permutations and combinations/Probability/Sets in Quant and any of the two sections in Verbal, they surely will carry an edge. I feel a dedicated effort of 25-30 hours a week for 2-3 months will be able to add value to the preparation.7) The sticky posts in this forum seem to be having a variation of questions asked at GMAT. Probably these might help in resolving some fillers in concepts.

For time management and motivation, previous experiences are always there.So let us start with unity and better participate actively in discussions about the strategy. But it is time to start rather than to discuss and wait at the shore for the ship.If any one is interested in my experiences/thoughts about GMAT/MBA, you may visit my blog. And if you feel like adding to or suggesting on or contradicting with my views, your comments are most welcome.