Please give me your input, ideas, criticism regarding my study plan below:
I now have 1 FULL MONTH OFF as I'm in transition between careers (getting out of the Army).
What's the best way for me to boost my score? I know I've got the drive and discipline to put in what it takes. I'm just not sure what's the best method given my last performance on the real test (albeit it was a horrendous day: traffic/late to test center, running out of time, etc).
OFFICIAL GMAT TEST: 660 (Q41/V40) After POWERPREP/
MGMAT practice tests of 700+
WEAK AREAS: (According to
Manhattan GMAT Tests):
Quant: Score Range 39-45 (Avg: ~41)
1. # Properties: O&E, Prob/Combinatorics
2. Word Problems: Consecutive Integers, Rates, Algebraic Trans.
3. FDP: Percents
4. Geometry: Circles & Cylinders, Lines & Angles
5. Data Sufficiency Problems
Verbal: 39-45 (Avg. ~42)
1. CR (Upper level problems)
2. SC (Upper level problems)
Materials:
-
OG 12
- All
Manhattan Books- Powerscore CR
- *Considering Jeff Sackmann's Quant Guide... any thoughts?
Strategy:
- Use each week to focus on one major Quant/Verbal Weak Area that week
- Once major weak areas have been covered, allow for final one week of review/practice exams... mix of problems each day
For example:MON- SAT Schedule:
6AM- Wakeup, breakfast, errands, etc.
8-11 AM-
MGMAT QUANT SG - 1-2 Topics Per Day, solve problems
12-2 PM- LUNCH, WORKOUT
2-5 PM - QUANT SG,
OG Problems
6 PM- Dinner/break
8-10 PM - VERBAL SG, problems
11 PM Sleep
-Rinse, Repeat
SUN - Break
July Week 2:
- Quant Topic: Number Properties
1. Review
MGMAT # Property SG
2. Solve Problems in book, additional problems online
4. Try
OG Problems - record in
Error Log- Verbal Topic: SC
1. Review SC Chapters
2. Solve Practice Problems
3. Solve
OG problems
July Week 3:
- Quant: Word Problems: Rates, Prob/Combinatorics, etc.
(Same process as above)
- Verbal: CR
(Same process as above)
July Week 4
- Quant: FDP, Algebra, Geometry
- Verbal: Mix of Problems from
OGAug Week 1
- Quant: Integrate Reasoning, Mix from
OG- Verbal:
OG Mix
Additional Thoughts/Questions:
1. When to start Practice Exams again: *Practice Exams either EVERY WEEKEND OR ~Daily AUG WEEK 1
2. When does the time *actually start on the GMAT during the break? After you finish the section once you actually click the "start break" or does it start as soon as that window pops up?
3. When do you actually find time to write out the "timing benchmarks"? I ran out of time during the break to do so and didn't get to when I returned to my seat.
Thank you for the input!
PREVIOUS POST:
onsamline wrote:
I recently took the GMAT and scored a 660 (41Q/40V) after scoring 700+ on practice exams (
MGMAT/POWERPREP).
Granted, I had a bad day as I didn't get much sleep, arrived at the test center late after running from the subway, felt extremely anxious, and I mismanaged my time on Verbal, but I'm not sure how significant of an effect that had on my performance as I feel that even with those factors, I should have scored at least in the 680-690 range if I was truly prepared.
DURING THE TEST:
QUANT: I thought it was relatively easy compared to the
MGMAT CATs and POWERPREP. The questions seemed mostly focused on int properties/algebra/percent type questions, although this might be because I didn't reach "higher level questions." I didn't struggle until the end, when I ran out of time and left the last question blank.
VERBAL: This had been my strength, except for CR which I seem to have difficulty with if I'm not focused, but I ended up rushing through a few questions to make sure I didn't run out of time at the end.
Anyway, after feeling burnt out/disappointed/pathetic for a few days, I'm trying to come up with a better strategy and would DEFINITELY appreciate any/all input.
What is the best strategy to pursue at this point?
On previous exams, I had been averaging the following:
- QUANT Practice Test: AVG: ~43 RANGE: 39-45
- VERBAL Practice Test: AVG: ~42 RANGE: 40-45
Quant has always been a relative weakness, but my Quant score this time (41) does not deviate significantly from previous scores so I wonder how much higher I can score next time
TIMELINE:
-I'm planning on retaking the test in about 2 months.
RESOURCES:
-ALL
MGMAT Books-
OG 12
-FORUMS
STRATEGY:
- Go through all incorrect/missed problems on
MGMAT CATs
- Work on Weak Areas through
MGMAT Books- Go through
MGMAT CR Again
- Practice Test every 2 weeks to practice timing
I also wonder if I should try a service like KNEWTON or MASTERGMAT? I've already spent $$$ on the
MGMAT course and other materials, but I realize that I have the most difficulty with DS questions. I feel like I understand the concepts and can solve the PS questions (even difficult Combinatorics questions), but when it comes to DS, I seem to waste time trying to figure out how to approach certain problems. I'm wondering if one of these programs will help me address those issues.