2 months left

Question

Dear friends,
I am encouraged to write this post after reading good responses on the forum. I have registered for the GMAT exam and it's towards the end of September. I am first time taker. I decided to prepare by joining live classes of Princeton review in September last year. In the mock test that I took I scored 350 which was very discouraging. I joined their classes and online portal and gradually have improved to a score of 580 in the last mock I took in Jan 17. For 3 months I had to exit preparation because of work. I restarted in mid April. In the last mock that I took in Jan I scored q37 and v 28. I joined egmat course and now at it. My target score is 700. Can I do it in 2 months time. I do not seem to be improving though I am afraid to take another mock. Am able to spend about 10-15 hours per week. I am trying to increase my study time though it's difficult balancing work and home. So...

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Mkrishnabdrr · Answer

For non natives of English language, egmat is good for GMAT verbal preparation. egmat's SC course is best. Moreover, go through the Manhattan guides. It's SC guide is more comprehensive and at advance level. For quant, follow bunuel and subscribe the gmatclub's tests. Best of luck for your gmat preparation.

9994ag · Answer

Thanks brother,
I am already member of GMAT club but not active. I will try to be more active though it's also a distraction once one opens the gmatclub portal.

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sananoor · Answer

Hi, you are not alone in this journey...I will suggest you that use quality sources and give mocks every week as it will help you to know your weaknesses. Analyze your mistakes, if you think you didnt understand the question then it means your concept is weak but if you are doing silly mistakes like calculating wrong answer then it means you need practice, a lot of actually. either its quant or verbal, one need to practice and learn from mistakes. GMATCLUB is the best source as you can find thousands of quality questions with experts explanations. try gmatclub quant test it helps a lot. i havnt used verbal tests but quant one helped me score quant 47.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi 9994ag,

If you really took your last CAT back in January, then it has been 6 months since you took a CAT. Until you have an up-to-date score result from a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT (taken in a realistic fashion), then we have no idea what your current ability level is, nor do we know what you need to work on to hit your score goal. As such, I suggest that you take a new CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend). Once you have that score result, you should post back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

9994ag · Answer

Thanks sananoor 
For some good tips. Its very encouraging to receive advice when you are struggling.

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9994ag · Answer

Thanks Rich,
I haven't taken cat recently because it's been months since I brushed up my quant section but I will do it anyway this weekend. I got some Princeton tests remaining. I am planning to apply in October- Dec this year. Not sure about schools yet. Will decide as per my score.

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi It is possible with hard work and good strategies It is better to start with taking a CAT exam know starting point 3 month is pretty enough time so you can start with Best comprehensive material 1. Manhattan GMAT Quant Guides 2. Manhattan GMAT Verbal guides or Aristotle Verbal Guide for CR critical reasoning bible is best book with 300+ pages of comprehensive Data Start with quant, learn the concepts tested on GMAT After learning, practice your learned section with timed practice You can also take quizzes to meet the pace of GMAT 1 Month for learning concepts and 15 days of practice and same with the verbal when completed all the concepts learning and handsome practice Take full lenght CATs, know your estimated score Analyze the result with Correct/incorrect questions, pacing analysis trace your mistakes and learn from them, make an error log to know your mistakes in the previously attempted questions Best CATs 1. Official GMAC (50+50$) 2. Manhattan GMAT (49$) 3. GMAT Club Quant CATs (80$) 4. Veritas CATs (49$ but you can buy at 15-20$ During sale period) Good Luck Cheers

sananoor · Answer

You are always Welcome, I will suggest you to take one mock so that you know what are you weak areas. dont spend much of the time on concepts, i will suggest do practice and learn from your mistakes. I realized that more you practiced more you learn, but if you dont revise your error log then you are in problem.

9994ag · Answer

Dear Rich,
I took Princeton CAT and scored a dismal 530 Q33/V30. In Quant I got 29 out of 37 right and in verbal 27 out of 41 right. Feeling really disappointed as I had scored 580 (Q37/V30) and had 26 out of 37 in Q and 28 out of 41. So end up going down. I have about 45 days to go for my exam. What can I do to improve.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi 9994ag,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, this recent CAT score result is fairly similar to your prior result - albeit at the 'lower end' of the same general range (550 +/- a few points). Raising this score to a 700+ will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study though, so you might need to consider pushing back your Test Date.

1) Are you still currently enrolled in a GMAT Course? When does that Course end?

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

9994ag · Answer

Hi Rich,
I will push my exam. Currently it is scheduled for 28 September I will push it to end of Oct or first wk of Nov. I am still enrolled with egmat and it is valid till September. I have worked hard in SC but am consistently getting only 12-14 out of 17-18 qs right. I will let SC rest for a while. I think I would focus more on RC and on quant. In PS I am getting only one or two q wrong but DS is pulling me down. Thanks for your prompt response.

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9994ag · Answer

Hi,
After my last post I have taken a few more mock, all of Princeton review as I had them and these are my results
T-6 13/8/17 530 Q33/V30
T-7 20/8/17 470 Q34/V22
T-8 27/8/17 570 Q37/V24
T-9 3/9/17 650 Q43/V37
Last one shows abnormal results as I could not have improved so drastically. I have followed all test conditions. My exam is originally scheduled for 28 sept, but I will postpone it. I am not sure how much time is required to achieve a target score of 700 . Any suggestions? I am currently following e-Gmat courses.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi 9994ag,

All of the CATs that you've listed are from Princeton, so that might be a factor in the inconsistencies in your scores. The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC (the 2 free CATs, and each of the 2 that come with Exam Pack 1 and Exam Pack 2), so it would be useful to know how you perform on one of those CATS. As such, I suggest that you study as you see fit for the next 1-2 weeks, then take one of the Official CATs.

If we assume that you're probably in the mid-500s 'ability level', then you would likely still need at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study to regularly hit 700+.

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

9994ag · Answer

Hello,
This time I gave a Manhattan Cat and scored 580 (Q38 V31). After all the preparation I am back to square one. I am at my limits and cannot think what more I should do to improve my score. I am doing the eGmat course once again after having done it once. I do not know if that is the correct way to do things. I postponed my exam to 2nd Dec and need guidance to improve. Pl advice someone.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi 9994ag,

Most of your CAT Scores are in the mid-500s to high-500s, so even after months of study and using a couple of different GMAT products, "your way" of approaching the Exam appears to have gotten you 'stuck' at this level. Continuing to study in the same ways - and with the same products - will likely continue to lead to these types of scores. Thus, some significant changes will be required for you to hit a 700+. You will almost certainly need new practice materials and new Tactics for BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections (that you MUST focus on learning and practicing).

A December 7th Test Date is a little over 7 weeks away - and you could potentially improve a great deal during that time - but you will need to be really efficient with your studies going forward. Are you still able to spend 10-15 hours each week on your studies or has your availability changed?

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

9994ag · Answer

Dear Rich
Thanks for your reply. I am able to spend about 3 hrs on week days and about 10 on weekends (total about 25 hrs.per week) . Lot of my time is spent in analysis mistakes. Perhaps i need to change my strategies as you mentioned. What changes do you think I can make in my methods. Should I take up some other course or keep doing this course once again. I am not sure. There is not much time to plan.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi 9994ag,

Based on everything that you've described, some type of new practice materials will likely be required. When it comes to studying for the GMAT, there are a variety of different options. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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

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