2016 MBA Admission Prospective Candidate - Advice needed in GMAT Prep

Question

Hi all, I am targeting to write GMAT by the end of August 2015 and am currently in the course of preparation. Started preparation in the month of June. This is the first time am attempting GMAT. 1st Mock Test : 340 (Q 24, V 11) 2nd Mock Test: 470 (Q 32, V 23) However, 3rd Mock Test : 430 (Q 29, V 21). I ran out of time for Quant and in Verbal I messed up SC & CR.

I have been jotting down my errors and practicing sub set wise now. In Quant, am finding it hard to crack the major part of DS and PS in Algebra - Functions,Inequalities; Arithmetic - Descriptive Statistics,Ratio and Proportion,Power and Roots of Numbers,Probability,Real Numbers;Geometry - Lines,Quad,Rectangular Solids and Cylinders and Rates. In Verbal am getting mistakes in SC - Tense,Idioms,Pronoun Errors,Parallel Constr. Any tips/strategies/advice/techniques in particular to speed up/ increase accuracy/systematically study would be highly appreciated. I have slightly more than a month left and I am determined to make the most out of my time. Thanks in advance.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sinraj,

You've made some nice improvements to your scores (so far). I'd like to know a bit more about how you've been studying and your goals:

1) What is your goal score?
2) When you took these CATs, did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) What GMAT resources have you used during your studies?

4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

GMATPill · Answer

Hi Sinraj,

I would recommend that you step back and allocate time to each subsection. As you go through each subsection - really focus on each section. Spend multiple consecutive days on problem solving questions --- do not look at DS or verbal questions. Just focus on problem solving ones -- all the various ones EXCEPT the ones that are usually more difficult (complex word problems, mixtures, rates, and combinatorics).

Stick to functions, algebra, exponents, fractions, sequences, etc.

Lastly, see if this sample video helps.

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sinraj · Answer

Hello, Thanks a lot for the responses. Appreciate it.

Rich: Please find my answers inline. 1) What is your goal score? I am targeting 730(Q 45, V 45) 2) When you took these CATs, did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)? Not really. I had taken only Quant & Verbal in my mock CATS. 3) What GMAT resources have you used during your studies? I am referring to Princeton resources and OG Guide. 4) When are you planning to apply to Business School? I am targeting 2016 Fall Admissions and looking forward to apply by Oct/Nov. I am able to spend 2+ hours a day & 4+ hours in the weekend for studies. So at the moment, am eagerly hoping I get some advice/suggestions for a concrete plan for the next one month, so that I could see some positive results in my CATs. GMATPill: From my past two CATS, I realized that my weak areas are DS and PS in: (Majorly DS) Algebra - Functions,Inequalities Arithmetic - Descriptive Statistics,Ratio and Proportion,Power and Roots of Numbers,Probability,Real Numbers Geometry - Lines,Quad,Rectangular Solids and Cylinders and Rates. Also, I took a heap lot of time in Quant which resulted in losing out on time for the last 10 questions.

So I guess Conceptual Knowledge, Practise & Time Management needs to be revamped. But whats the most efficient way to do that? hmm...Noted your points. Will implement that. In Verbal am getting most of the errors in SC - Tense,Idioms,Pronoun Errors,Parallel Constr and CR - Assumption, Strengthen & Weaken. Thanks.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sinraj,

The extra information you've provided is helpful - it points out some 'problems' in how you've been studying and implies that you will probably need to push back your Test Date to achieve your goals.

The 'accuracy' of a CAT score is based heavily on how realistic YOU choose to make the CAT. If you skip sections, pause the Test, take it at home, take it at a different time of day as your Official GMAT, do anything else that is unrealistic, etc., then your score is likely to be less accurate. Since you've been skipping the Essay and IR sections, these CAT scores are likely 'inflated' (since you took a shorter, easier Test than what you'll face on the FULL GMAT). As you continue to study, you MUST take the FULL GMAT each time.

With an end-of-August Test Date, you have just over 1 month of study time remaining. With a score goal of 730+, you would have to raise your scores 260+ points (assuming your CAT scores were accurate, which they are likely not). I suspect that it would take at least 3 months of consistent, guided study to hit that goal. You still have the potential to hit your goal and apply for Round 1, but the likelier scenario is that you'll have to push back your Test Date, invest in some new study materials and apply for Round 2.

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

sinraj · Answer

Thought of updating this thread of mine, so that it keeps me motivated to an extent.
Gave Princeton CAT two days back. Got 570. (Q 37 & V 32)

Scores so far:

1st Mock Test : 340 (Q 24, V 11) June last week
2nd Mock Test: 470 (Q 32, V 23) July 2nd week
3rd Mock Test: 570 (Q 37, V 32) July last week

Target is 730 (Q 45, V 45) . 160 more and a month left. So a long way to go.
lets see how it goes.

sinraj · Answer

4th Princeton CAT: 620 (Q 40, V 36) July 30th Glad I touched the 40 mark in Quant. This will keep me going for another month! Target is 730 (Q 45, V 45) . 120 more!! And am on it.

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