first attempt on GMAT, 710

My first attempt on GMAT ended with 710(Q51, V34)

For most of my review, I used Knewton courses and assignments. They had enough review problems and the problems are quite similar to prep. My last three mock test on Knewton are 720, 740 and 740. Mock test on Kaplan and Veritas are all 740. For Manhattan, I only got 690 because I sort of don't like Manhattan's test. The questions are kind of strange and I don't feel comfortable with that interface(My own problem, not Manhattan's. They are also known for the high quality), but I do like the analysis after the test, because I can know which level of questions I got wrong.

For each question type, SC requires you to remember the exact grammar rules. It's better that you can form a correct intuition so that you can simply follow your ear during the test and solve SC questions in less than one min. CR requires you to be familiar with GMAT way of thinking. The most important logic in CR are cause-effect argument and strengthen/weaken a certain plan. You'd better prephrase the answer when going through each choices. RC, for a native speaker, is maybe the most challenging part, but my strategy is to know what each paragraph is talking about and their relationship with main idea. For math section, I do not spend much time, but should definitely be familiar with each question type and the testing points. DS may be somewhat tricky because you may forget about B and D, and jump directly to C after you rule out A(I always made such silly mistakes during my preparation, avoid that)


Meanwhile, I should say that we'd better keep our pace on the test because if you are slow in the test, you may feel more pressure so that the chance of getting wrong goes up. suggested pace for V section: for the first ten questions, spend roughly 20 min; Q11-20, spend 15-20 min; Q21-30, another 15-20 min; the last 11, 10-15 min. I do suggest that you slow down a little bit at the beginning because you can feel better and better as the test goes on.

For the test day, I cannot help feeling a little bit nervous, but I can still follow my normal pace and finish them on time. The result is not that satisfying to me, but I do think that it reflect my current ability and I have no regret.

But, does it enough to get admitted into master in finance or master in accounting programs in US? I'm trying to apply to MSF or MSA in US business schools next year. Doesn't know whether it is enough for an international applicant.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. I'm happy to help you.

Oh, forgot one important strategy--error log.

Help me a lot for the last few days.

Congratulations on your score.

1) are the SC harder on the actual than the GMATPrep or OG?
2) same for above for quant?

Thanks! Most of my SC questions are with longer parts underlined, especially the last few SC. But again, with certain rules and logical meaning, you can solve them. My SC is actually my best parts in verbal after 2 months of preparation. They are similar to the last twenty or thirty questions in OG. However, I do doubt whether the questions I got are the hardest ones in GMAT, because I got only 34 in V part.

Qant section is harder than OG questions, but again, if you can understand what are tested, it's easy to solve them. GMATclub does contain a lot of precious questions, use it well:)

Thanks for the reply!

Will definitely work on that (my exam is this Friday so hopefully I crack 700).

So I am assuming (based on the above post) that you did not notice a huge difference in this so called 'SC being more focused on meaning than ever before'?

Well, actually you should focus on meaning. It's the first thing you should understand. As I said, logical meaning and certain rules can help you solve SC.

But the meaning is not that confused as long as you can understand what the sentence is talking about.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAM

congrates

I am going to be nosy and ask how long have you been studying for the GMAT? Strangely, I am never exceeding 33 on verbal....

Well, I've been practicing for almost three month. You know, for a non-native speaker, verbal section always costs me more energy. My suggestion is that you first focus on basic concepts, using materials such as Manhattan or any other books or courses, do not think about getting higher score at first. After you are familiar with those concepts, you can conquer verbal in the test and your score will be better then. It's no use thinking about it until you are well-prepared. Good Luck!