Hi everyone,

My test date is approaching quickly, but unfortunately my test scores are not increasing just as quickly. I am writing down my studying experience with exam scores thus far- hopefully someone can give me some solid advice!!

My test date is in early March 2013 and I started browsing the GMAT material in July 2012. I studied on and off, and started seriously studying in September. I'm not sure I'm taking the best approaches though. Here are my scores so far:

July2012: 470 (Q25/V29)
September2012: 560 (Q34/V34), 600 (Q34/V37)
Oct2012: 580 (Q33/V37), 580 (Q37/V31)
Dec2012: 570 (Q32/V32), 640 (Q36/V44), 630 (Q42/V35), 590 (Q43/V26), 580 (Q41, V28)
Jan2013: 620 (Q39/V35)

I underlined the scores where I got my highest verbal and quant raw scores- hopefully this means that I'm capable of achieving 40+ on both sections. My target is 700+, and I'm beginning to really worry because I'm so inconsistent (or consistently) under my target score.

My strategy so far has been to do the Veritas Prep homework and the OG13 questions. I took a Veritas classroom course because I really haven't taken any math classes since I was in HS- and it looks like it helped a little bit, but somehow my verbal score plummeted. I have an inkling that I'm focusing too much on practice problem quantity instead of quality now- so if you have strategy tips, I would REALLY appreciate it!!!

Hi JJ2014,

I think you can improve further if you plan your study properly.

I see a gradual increase in your scores. You can touch the 700+ mark if you score 34+ in Verbal and 48+ in Quant.

Seeing your scores, you need to work more on quant, also you have more space to improve your Quant score. Scoring 40+ in verbal is much harder than scoring 40+ in quant . So once you reach the 46 - 48+ mark on Quant and if time permits go for 40+ target in Verbal.

Following combinations would give you a rough benchmark for a 700 - 710 score

Q47 V38
Q49 V36, 37
Q46 V39, 40
Q48 V37


I would recommend you the below strategy. .

Remaining Days of Jan -- Solidify your Quant concepts. You can do this by learning the basics and practicing easy questions (550 - 600 on all the quant topics). Getting an easy question incorrect in the test could do more harm to your score; moreover taking less time in easy questions would give you more time to solve harder quant questions later in the test. Figure out which areas you find difficult and practice more on these areas in the coming month. Keep in touch with verbal part but give more focus to quant in Jan.

Feb -- Practice harder quant and verbal questions. If you have not yet finished OGs and GMAT Prep then you must do so before entering the test.

1st week of March -- revise the questions you got incorrect in your practice and solidify those concepts in both verbal and quant. If you want to practice questions then restrict yourself to official ones. Do not take any new test 1 week prior to your actual GMAT. You could repeat your GMATPrep tests.

All the best

Vercules
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Thank you all VERY VERY much!!! I will try these suggestions and hopefully see progress..
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Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.

Appreciate the +1!

Whats your Quant/Verbal split and how do you fare in different topics (algebra/geometry/number properties etc) and different question types (DS/PS/CR/SC/RC)?
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Karishma
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor
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