490 to 660, and still not there....

I wrote the GMAT last year after 3 weeks of study just to see what the exam was about. My score was pretty atrocious but then again I hadn't really put in the effort needed to get through.

5 years since I've taken any sort of course. Finance background and fairly strong verbal skills.

So I started studying again about 2.5 months ago. The study materials I've used were the exercises in the MGMAT quant books, gmat shop 200 questions, and an assortment of question sets I received from acquaintances. I looked through the OG 12th edition book, I really don't find the questions challenging there - almost like a waste of time.

My biggest problem was pacing in math. In contrast I'd finish the verbal at least 15 mins in advance always.

So I started writing practice tests about a month in and these were the results:

Princeton Review 1: q34 v36 580
Official GMAT CAT1: q40 v46 610
Manhattan GMAT 1: q36 v32 570
Princeton Review 2: q41 v39 650
Princeton Review 3: q48 v41 730
Manhattan GMAT 2: q42 v40 680
Manhattan GMAT 3: q46 v40 700
Official GMAT CAT2: q46 v36 680

Opinions on the practice cats: official tests are the real deal. Princeton Review ones are far to easy IMO, but are great for building confidence and laying foundations of pacing. Manhattan math is hard and the verbal is maybe a snitch less difficult than the real deal.

And then I wrote the actual test yesterday.

The result was a disappointing 660, q42 v39

I took 3 minutes extra getting into the quant section as I mistimed my break and ran into a slew of work/time questions that threw me off totally. It messed up my pacing, and even though I finished on time I really wasn't happy at all with the quant section. If I'd scored a 46 there as I was expecting I'd be sitting content right now and not worrying about my next test date. I took my time with the verbal and the results were fairly in line with expectations.

I've re-registered to write in 31 days - so much for getting my life back. I'm also really not sure what schools will make of my 3 attempts versus the regular 2. I guess I need to work on doing better at quant. 61st percentile is really bad in my books. Any tips on what I should work with/work on?

I think my weaknesses are in work/time, mixture, some number properties and DEFINITELY combinations. In verbal, could probably improve SC, CR and RC since they're all at the same level with me.

I really need that high score since my undergrad grades are rubbish. Would appreciate thoughts on how to get myself to the next level.