10 days for test day and havent even started Verbal! Any suggestions?

Question

I decided a month ago to try to apply for Fall 2023 in the 3rd round of applications.
I hadn't given a competitive exam in 12 years, and I can't recollect even the basic math.
I started prepping a month ago.
I gave a mock today and scored a 480, which scared the sh*t out of me as I thought I had just finished quant, and hoped for a Q45 at least, and got a Q36. I tried memorizing a lot of concepts in a short period, so couldn't recollect much while giving the test.
This was my first mock.
I am unsure of how to proceed and how will I be able to get Verbal done in 10 days.

Any suggestions on how to proceed with Verbal and with what to help me cross the 700+ mark?
Any suggestions on how to solidify Quant?

Regards,
Anira

bb · Answer

Reschedule? 10 days is very tight and limited. There is no guarantee

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider checking out the Share GMAT Experience subforum. You may get a sense of how long/likely different score jumps are including some helpful tips/resources to check out.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Anira,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you've been studying for just 1 month, then you should not expect to have mastered all of the Quant and Verbal skills needed to consistently score 700+ yet. By extension, taking the GMAT in just 10 days from now will likely lead to a score result that is far lower than your Goal. There's no harm in taking the GMAT as scheduled (since Business Schools generally do not care if you take the GMAT more than once), but if you ultimately "need" a 700+ to get into your first-choice School, then you will almost certainly need more study time than you have currently planned for - and you could potentially save some time, money and frustation by pushing back your Test Date.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to and what specific application deadlines are you facing?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Anira.

The thing is that, to master the GMAT, you have to go beyond learning concepts. You also have to master answering each type of question so that you're ready get many questions correct on test day.

So, at this point, for Quant, you need to practice one topic at a time to become skilled in answering the various types of Quant questions.

To learn how to practice for the GMAT for best results, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

Regarding Verbal, I think it will be hard for you to increase your score to 700+ in the next 10 days, but if you want to give it a shot, in this video, I discuss how to prepare for GMAT Verbal in a short period of time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEyR_lPzWlE

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Anira,

I agree that you should push back your test. What are your options?

Anira · Answer

Unfortunately, I can't.

Due to Personal reasons, I can't push my admission to next year.

And For Fall 2023 applications, literally, April 1st week is the deadline. So trying to give the test 2 days prior.

And another unfortunate thing is that these are the last round of deadlines.

I just wish I had realized earlier that MBA is the path that is right for my career path. And in the past month, along with trying to prep for math that I hadn't used in a decade by studying for atleast 8 hrs a day, I was trying to put application requirements together.

My verbal performance on the mock is something I am not surprised by. But with my quant, I realized I couldn't recollect things right away and some errors were cause I just wasn't confident of my approach and chose in random.

Anira · Answer

I plan to start my verbal prep today. I plan to start with CR and then RC, so that the meaning analysis helps me in the other topics. 
 I plan to prep for CR the next five days. Any suggestions on how to split my time and how to approach the topics?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

You'll probably want to take at least one Official Mock before your exam. 2 are free to use through the main MBA website. You mention April 1st being the deadline to apply. Consider finding out which schools may provide some flexibility (i.e. allow you the option to update your score post-application).

Quick tips:

For Sentence Correction, memorizing relevant idioms commonly tested on GMAT SC may help boost your performance on those questions.

Sentence Correction Idiom List

For Reading Comprehension, becoming familiar with how INFERENCE questions could also be helpful.

Anira · Answer

Thank you for the guidance, really appreciate it. I will definitely review the material suggested.

I have four mocks left( 2 of the official, and 2 from the platform I am using ), so I plan to take two a week starting this weekend. And the day of the mocks, I plan to do quizzes; Hope that helps until D-day.

I have spoken to a few universities, but most of them keep reverting saying, "only apply when your application is the strongest" . So that kinda pushes the limits.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Anisha,

Each CAT/mock is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically should not take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. Taking 2 CATs a week is NOT a good idea at this point - and you will likely end up 'wasting' some CATs that you would benefit from having later on.

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

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10 days for test day and havent even started Verbal! Any suggestions?

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