by Rich Cohen; EMPOWERgmat Rich.C@empowergmat.com
This series of emails and PMs focuses on situations that many Test Takers face during their studies. The names of the original posters have been changed to protect their identities.
Tactical Approaches vs. ‘Math’ Approaches
Hi Rich,
I read thru the backup strategies and seem to understand them well. Although, I do not have them memorized. Is it important that I have these tricks memorized at this point? Will I have enough practice problems to try these tips out as the chapters unfold?
Hans
Hi Hans,
Since the Quant section of the GMAT is not, strictly-speaking, a “math test” – referring to Tactical approaches as “backup strategies” is not correct. Many questions on the GMAT can be approached in a variety of ways, so it's beneficial to you if you know more than one way to approach a question. To that end, Tactical approaches are often easier and faster than the standard ‘math approaches’ that you might choose to use.
In simple terms, you have two goals for any question that you're going to attempt to answer:
1) Get the question correct
2) Do so as quickly as possible
You can certainly use a "math" approach to answer most Quant questions, but in many cases, THAT way of thinking takes too much time to implement. So you should keep an open mind to all of the various Tactics that are available to you and you should plan to practice them sooner rather than later. Sufficient practice (including re-attempting past questions using different tactics) should help you to gain familiarity with all the options (and help you to figure out the right approach for any given question).
General Advice If Your First CAT Score is Low
Dear Rich,
I am very concerned about what I made on my first test score. I went through GMATPrep test 1 and I received a 280!!!!!!!!! My target score is a 710 or better. Is this normal to have a score this low?!?!?! I have 3-4 months to study but I’m starting to feel defeated before even studying. Is there any general advice before I begin?
Inego
Hi Inego,
You've given yourself plenty of time to study, which is good. Try to keep the proper positive attitude and keep your eye "on the prize." Look to improve in "small chunks" over the next 3 months. Your next practice score is NOT going to be close to 700, but it should be better than your first score. Review is a big part of this process, so make sure that you factor in the time that it takes to go back and fully review each practice CAT that you take as well as prior homework problems, drills, etc.
General Advice After Choosing to Reschedule the GMAT
Rich,
I'm scheduled to sit for the exam in 12 days, but I am planning on rescheduling. I took a practice test a couple of weeks ago and scored a 460. Quant was rough, and I ran out of time during Verbal with 12-14 questions left. I’ve been studying for just 1 month. I know my weak areas, and I think I can devote about 3 hours/day during the week and maybe 3-6 hours on the weekends. I have given up on the idea of applying this round, but I want to put the test behind me and would like to take it as soon as possible. Ideally I would love a 680, but what is realistic timeframe for me to score around 650?
Jarvis
Hi Jarvis,
First off, I want to compliment you on your ability to realize that you needed more time to prepare and that you are taking the necessary steps to adjust your timeline and improve your chances of success. Based on what you've described, you might have tried to learn a lot in a very short period of time and you have a significant pacing problem. The good news is that all of these problems can be fixed. Since I don't know all of the details about your situation, I'm going to give you a rather broad piece of advice to begin: many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) on their studies to achieve their "peak" performances. You could very well score in the high 600s in the future, but you haven't put in enough time yet to do so.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
