This is my first post since I took the GMAT exam for the first time during the end of August. I scored a 620 (44 q, 31 v).

I'm confused as to how my verbal has slipped so much since I first took the GMAT Prep 1 CAT in May, when I had not studied at all. I spent the entire summer studying with no trace of a personal life. Overall, I spent about 2 months studying Quant and about 1 month studying Verbal. I made this decision back in May when I took the GMAT Prep 1 CAT, as my Quant was lower than my verbal. I scored a 540 overall on the GMAT Prep 1 CAT (34 q, 37 v).

For studying, I used the entire MGMAT book series (except RC book) and OG12 guide. I read through each book, doing 90% of the end of chapter problems and taking extensive notes. For the OG, I completed 80% of the quant and 70% of the SC and CR. Didn't touch the RC as that is my strongest area.

This is where it gets weird. As I continued to study and take MGMAT CAT exams my quant got stronger and increased, but my verbal started to decrease as soon as I began studying verbal in July. I am not sure as to why studying the MGMAT verbal techniques would make my score decrease. I would assume that it would help me instead. Maybe it is because I have two conflicting techniques now? Before studying MGMAT verbal, I just tried my best to read each question and figure out what sounded the most correct (using my gut feeling). After studying, I worked at implementing the MGMAT techniques. As I continued to do this, my CAT scores for verbal began to decrease. In addition to my Quant scores and confidence.

I feel lost and unsure of how to study for my 2nd attempt at the GMAT. I am not going to schedule my exam until I feel comfortable with Verbal. The only thing I am sure of is I need to focus the majority of my time on verbal.

Below is my test history.

May - GMAT Prep Test 1 - 540 - 34 Q, 37 V
June - MGMAT CAT 1 - 43 Q, (didn't take verbal)
July - MGMAT CAT 2 - 660, 42 Q, 38 V
July - MGMaT CAT 3 - 660, 45 Q, 35 V
August - MGMAT CAT 4 - 620, 44 Q, 27 V
August - MGMAT CAT 5 - 590, 39 Q, 33 V
August - GMAT Prep Test 2 - 540 - 38 Q, 27 V
Official GMAT Exam - 620 - 44 q, 31 v

Any thoughts, tips or insight? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Guy in need of a better plan

That helps a lot. I felt rushed in studying for verbal and it really showed. Thanks for the advice.