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Struggling with GMAT: Should I stop thinking about MBA?

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Joined: 13 Mar 2007
Posts: 98
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Kudos [?]: 28 [1] , given: 0

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29 May 2008, 13:43
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I am someone who took GMAT 3 times and I got 380, 390, 420, while my target score is 550+. For quantitative section, I have been getting between 31 – 39 and the verbal I am really weak. I have been using:
1.GMAT Official guide 11th edition. (I have done all the math section and most of the verbal section.)
2.GMATPrep software (I have taken more than 11times and after the while I got same questions)
3.MGMAT Sentence correction.
4.GMATclub forum site (It helps me to find the correct answer for GMATPrep questions.).

Here are my problems:
1.In the math section, Data sufficiency, is my weakest area. If I can fix this area, I think I can increase my Quantitative score to 40+.
2.In verbal section: Reading Comprehension is my weakest area. Sentence Correction is my strongest area and Critical Reasoning is in the middle.

what are your suggestions? Should I just stop thinking about MBA, or...
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Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 1888
Location: Oklahoma City
Schools: Hard Knocks
Followers: 39

Kudos [?]: 530 [2] , given: 32

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29 May 2008, 19:57
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Part of what makes someone successful is not the ability to attain something, but the drive to not stop until they have it. You have to decide where you fall in that. Something else to think about is that if you take it 5+ times, I think the schools see that.

Here are some questions to ponder regarding data sufficiency:

1) How much time are you spending on each DS question (average)?
2) Are you trying to solve the question, or do you stop once you know the information is sufficient? Solving each question to the end to know it's sufficient can take extra time.
3) Do you find yourself analyzing statement 2 including the information from sentence 1?

As for the Reading Comprehension, here are some tips to do when practicing. These may not work for you, but if they're different than what you've done before, it's worth a shot.

1) Read each paragraph twice before moving on to the next paragraph. This helps you get at the individual paragraph and what it means. Otherwise, the information can be lost in the whole. (i.e., you stop seeing the trees and only see a forest).

2) Jot down the main point of each paragraph with a max of 4-5 words. This forces you to really get at what the author is saying. The 4-5 words do not have to be in a sentence, and I count "pollution bad" as one word for these purposes

3. Make sure you understand the scope of what the author is trying to say. Many times the answers will contain one or more choices that use terms such as "always", "never", or "must". Rarely do passages use such definite terms. These can be a key that this question is wrong. I say key because it's not absolutely true, so you have to look at that answer, but look cautiously.

4. Figure out the structure of the passage. Most of them are 3 - 4 paragraphs long. Even if the paragraph is talkin about the Emperor Penguin, at some point in the passage it will say something about another type of penguin as a contrast. You might see the structure of the passage similar to the following example:

Paragraph 1 - Present a broad topic
Paragraph 2 - Introduce feature of topic in paragraph 1
Paragraph 3 - Discuss pros/cons of feature
Paragraph 4 - Conclude.

This is very general, but in your OG books, they are sure to discuss this in a far better manner than I have.

Keep your spirits up. You're on the right track. I disagree with those people that say "If you believe it, then it's real!" meaning if you believe you can score where you want, you can. I don't think it's that simple or simply believing in Santa Clause would make him real.

You're here so you are committed to improving your score. You can believe you can do it, but that doesn't eliminate the amount of work it takes to succeed.

Keep working and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to adequately prepare for the next sitting.

GMAT_700 wrote:
I am someone who took GMAT 3 times and I got 380, 390, 420, while my target score is 550+. For quantitative section, I have been getting between 31 – 39 and the verbal I am really weak. I have been using:
1.GMAT Official guide 11th edition. (I have done all the math section and most of the verbal section.)
2.GMATPrep software (I have taken more than 11times and after the while I got same questions)
3.MGMAT Sentence correction.
4.GMATclub forum site (It helps me to find the correct answer for GMATPrep questions.).

Here are my problems:
1.In the math section, Data sufficiency, is my weakest area. If I can fix this area, I think I can increase my Quantitative score to 40+.
2.In verbal section: Reading Comprehension is my weakest area. Sentence Correction is my strongest area and Critical Reasoning is in the middle.

what are your suggestions? Should I just stop thinking about MBA, or...

_________________

------------------------------------
J Allen Morris
**I'm pretty sure I'm right, but then again, I'm just a guy with his head up his a.

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Joined: 23 Feb 2008
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30 May 2008, 13:19
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Have you thought about taking a prep course or working with a tutor? That would probably be your best bet.
Re: Struggling with GMAT: Should I stop thinking about MBA?   [#permalink] 30 May 2008, 13:19
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