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June 16th, 2007 - Target: 720! Help get me there :D [#permalink]
18 Apr 2007, 12:29
I took the GMAT almost a year ago. After studying for about 2 hours a day for 2 months, I received a score of 540. I know, horrible. I only used the Princeton review and completed only one powerprep practice test. I did get a 5.5 on the essay section though  But I realized where I went wrong, and now have a new game plan.
I am scheduled to test on June 16th, and am shooting for a goal of 720.
Does anyone have any advice on how I can accomplish this score in two months???
I am currently doing sample questions like hell from the Official Guide for GMAT review, and using 800score (online) to give me something to read/study while I'm at work. Any advice will be well appreciated, and I will keep everyone informed of my progress and practice test scores on a weekly basis. I will take my first full practice test this Sunday.
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Read all the sticky's.
After that, I can help you with more specific questions.
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Thanks! This week I am focusing on the Problem Solving portion in the Quantitative Section. I'm starting with the last problem solving sample questions in the OG and working my way forward. I heard the first sample questions are too easy.
I do one question at a time, then immediately look at the solution after I attempt to solve it. If I get it wrong, I try to memorize the pattern used to solve the problem, then I move on. I'll come back to all of the problems I got wrong the next day to see if I remember how to solve it. If I can't remember how to solve it, I spend a little more time with the solution and come back to that problem every day until I get it correct.
While I do that at home, I've been reading the math section of 800score online at work (during breaks) to refresh my memory and read up on solutions to particular types of problems I have issues with.
Is this an ok strategy? I am trying to be as efficient with my time as possible. I will do the math portion of a sample test this Sunday to see if this works for me. I know everyone is different when it comes to things that work for them, but I am very open to hearing your suggestions on studying techniques!!!
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If you're trying to jump from a 540 to a 720 in two months, it will be tremendously difficult. I went from a 640 (diagnostic) to a 730 (actual gmat) and it took me 7 weeks of hardcore preparation after about 2 months of very loose preparation.
I would recommend you do 10 questions at a time, and time it. Try doing the first 1/3 of each section on the OG. If you cannot finish these questions quickly, you will have a difficult time scoring 700+. A 700+ should be able to breeze through the first 2/3 of each section.
You need to identify what you are weak at. For example, problem solving is not a good enough answer. It has to be geometry, or arithmetic or probability etc.
For the verbal, you need to work on each section separately. You need to learn every rule in sentence correction and use a quick methodical checklist to eliminate incorrect answers. For reading comp, start reading intellectual periodicals, daily. Critical Reasoning is a bit tougher to learn, but you just have to recognize the pattern of arguments that come up over and over on the GMAT. Identify the conclusion and manipulate the assumption to get the answer that the question is asking for.
If you want a 700+ you will need to dedicate more time and get serious with the test. From afar, the GMAT looks pretty easy, but in actuality it is more difficult than people think it is.
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Thanks for all of the info. Once I dive into the other areas of the GMAT, I'll have a better idea of which areas I am struggling in.
You have a really great idea with reading intellectual periodicals daily. Where can I find intellectual periodicals?? I'm sure the articles I read on digg don't count :p
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ramyhin wrote: You have a really great idea with reading intellectual periodicals daily. Where can I find intellectual periodicals?? I'm sure the articles I read on digg don't count :p
Yes, but not my idea. It is the idea of a fellow gmatclubber. I got a postcard from Time magazine for an annual subscription for $20. It was like fate knocking on my door. I subscribed and read it cover to cover every week. It was boring as heck, but I just had to do it.
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I read The Economist for a couple of years before the GMAT and I must say it did help me improve the RCs a lot. I read it because I enjoyed doing so, and then noticed how helpful reading it was.
Cheers. L.
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