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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.
Opportunities to Pick Up Points
Rich,
I just took a practice test and scored a 510. The breakdown was 40 (52 percentile) in math and 20 (20th percentile) in verbal. What am I doing wrong in verbal? My goal is to get a 600. Do I need to increase both scores or just the verbal?
Uve
Hi Uve,
A big part of your improvement is going to be based on your review. If you haven't done so yet, then you should review your CAT question-by-question and determine WHY you got each question correct or incorrect. In the case of the correct questions, then what tactics did you use that you can repeat later? If you just got lucky, then some additional studying should be done to "shore up" those areas. In the case of incorrect questions, then WHY did you get the question wrong? Review your notes and your approach. If you "narrowed it down", but still got the question wrong anyway, then you need to adjust THAT approach. If grammar or math rules are the problem, then you need to learn (or relearn) the "rules" that are tested.
Thankfully, the Official GMAT is a standardized, predictable exam, so you can learn the patterns behind it and make sure that you're ready for them when they show up. As an example, "causality" is a concept that shows up on a number of CR questions. Knowing how to spot it, the assumptions behind it and how to strengthen/weaken it (as needed) will lead to some easy points on your CATs and on Test Day.
As to your question, you'll probably find some easy points in BOTH sections, so be sure to continue doing work on both the Quant and Verbal.
Finishing Early = Missed Opportunities
Dear Rich,
Hit a 680 (Q44 / V38) today on my second GMAT Prep Test. Did a bit worse on verbal. It was a bit surprising to me since I finished with 8 minutes left and felt like I was getting all the questions right. What would you suggest to raise that score back up?
Doble,
Hi Doble,
Proper pacing and usage of the entire amount of time for each section can have a significant impact on a Test Taker's performance. Since you're scoring at a higher level now, there's really not too much to be concerned about. However, finishing a section early (in your example, 8 minutes early) usually represents a missed opportunity. As you review that CAT, think about what you COULD have done with those extra 8 minutes. Your use of that time probably could have helped you to get a number of additional questions correct.
Be Open to Change When Progress is Slow
Hi Rich,
I don't often post on here but I'm getting a little stressed out with my recent GMAT experience. I started studying about a couple of months ago for the test. First, took a CAT and scored a 410 (mostly due to the low score in Quant). Went back and learned the basics, practiced 75% of the Quant questions in the OG, read through most of the Manhattan Prep guides for Quant, etc. I didn't focus on Verbal at all during this process as I wanted to see if I could improve Quant.
Took my second CAT last night and scored a 460 (28Q/27V). Again, I haven't even looked at a Verbal problem as I have been studying math the past couple of months. Problem solving isn't bad but my DS skills are lacking, hardly getting any problems right.
My question is, should I keep focusing on improving my math or start to look at the Verbal section?
Equis
Hi Equis,
If you’ve spent two months of study time without practicing Verbal at all, and this 50 point improvement is the result, then it’s likely time to make some adjustments to your overall Study Plan and schedule.
The length of time that you spend studying isn't necessarily the most important factor in your progress. There's something to be said for the QUALITY of your study - the materials you use, the tactics you learn, you retention levels, etc.
You have a great opportunity to earn BIG points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. As such, a more "balanced attack" against both the Quant and Verbal sections will have to happen and you'll need to learn some new tactics (and practice them until they become a natural part of your Test Taking process).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
