3 weeks until test - feeling demotivated, on right track??

Question

Am I scoring on the right track to take the test on Saturday 18 March?

I did the first practice test last week as a diagnostic and scored  660 (49Q, 31V) . Then I did a week of studying by reading some of the MP strategy guides for SC, and scored  700 (49Q, 35V)  on practice test 2. My goal score is 770, but I'd be happy with 750+.

How many times do I need to score my goal score on the practice test before I take the real thing? I figure if I get 750+ on at least two practice tests consecutively, I am highly likely to achieve my goal score(?).

I was hoping I could move my test date up and be done with this all but my recent score shows I still need to improve.

I only have 4 hours a day available for studying with Saturday dedicated to doing a practice test, then rest on Sunday. But I'm already feeling burned out by studying before and after work so unsure if I can sustain the schedule. Have I given myself too little time? Or is this the right score to be scoring (50 points below target) a few weeks before the real thing?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

This person went from a V31 to a V40 on their second attempt. These were Official exams about 30 days apart, though. May still be some quick tips you can take. The post mentions a variety of resources you can also check out. https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-online- ... 68599.html For a 750+, you'll probably want a V42 to combo with the Quant. A Q50 V42, for example, would comfortably hit your target. Had a student who ended up with a Q49 V44 760 so there are other combos you might want to aim for. You're already at a Q49 so the former combo may be more likely. All the best with the prep. May want to be open to potentially retaking for the type of score you're looking for.

bb · Answer

You are giving yourself four weeks to score 770? 😱

I think that’s not very realistic in terms of expectations or goals. Unless you’re starting. Forget that, I don’t know where you’re starting from unless it’s 750, I don’t think four weeks would get you to 770 from cold.

Posted from my mobile device

gmattakeer749404 · Answer

I'm starting from 660 and scored 700 in my last official practice test, I was hoping with an intensive study program I could achieve it but slowing realising there's a lot of work involved (I thought math would be able to carry me but it seems a 49Q is meaningless). Is 740 achievable?

bb · Answer

Part of the challenge with the GMAT is that a very high score such as above 95th percentile or 99th percentile is like an inverted pyramid and the higher the score the greater the scope of knowledge you need to have and be prepared to address in the answer.

There are just a lot of small things that take time to learn especially in critical reasoning and a lot of this is not so much the knowledge but how to apply it because some of the questions are not very traditional so seeing some questions you may not even know how to solve them the first time you see them. And you only have 2 minutes …

Moreover, even people starting with very humble scores, it takes about three months to get about 120 - 150 points of improvement with constraint studying and the first month to improve 75 points, second month improve another 50 in the third month they improve the remaining 20 or 25…

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of successful experience templates to share for intense prep. It is possible but it varies person by person. Some need more help in one area such as CR and others in PS for example. The challenge is usually processing and retaining. It takes time to absorb and apply. You can try focusing on mistakes and follow that trail… you almost have to since most courses are designed for 2 or more months.

It’s good you started at a solid base. However, it’s a lot easier to improve when you have a 550 that a 660…. If you’re looking for a high score, you should definitely aim for Q 50 or Q 51.

Posted from my mobile device

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

You can certainly score 750+ with effective prep, but you'll likely need at least a couple months to do so.

To get a sense of the Quant and Verbal performance you need for achieving your score goal, check out this  GMAT Score Chart .

gmattakeer749404 · Answer

To do this, should I just do 700+-level questions and learn by error instead of reading guides and doing easy questions? I usually do a mix of daily math questions but realising it's wasting time to do anything sub-600.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I recommend the following:

To improve your quant skills, you may find it helpful to engage in topical quant practice.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi srvw,

To start, a 660 is a fantastic initial CAT score (the Average Score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years) - especially if you took that Test without any prior study. That score implies that you are strong overall critical-thinker, which is a skill that will serve you well on the GMAT (and beyond). That having been said, many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and if you are already feeling 'burned out' by just a couple of weeks of study, then you are likely approaching this whole process in a problematic way. The type of Score that you're after is above the 99th percentile (so clearly most GMATers never score that high no matter how much they study or how many times they take the Official GMAT). If you are serious about that Score Goal, then you will likely need more study time than you have currently planned for (and a more formal, organized Study Plan than you have put together for yourself).

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) To confirm: how long have you studied in total?
2) Did you take either of those 2 CATs/mocks more than once?
3) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

gmattakeer749404 · Answer

1. 1.5 weeks
2. No, I took each once (practice test 1 and practice test 2)
3. Sat 18 Feb and Fri 24 Feb
4. Planning to apply to BS in 1-2 two years but need to take the test anyway for a master's programme I'm applying to in April

gmattakeer749404 · Answer

This has been very helpful, thank you Scott!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi srvw,

If you need a GMAT Score for an upcoming application deadline for a different Programs, then you might find it necessary to take the GMAT twice (once in the short-term to meet this deadline - and one a bit later on, once you've had a time to proper hone all of the skills needed to hit your Score Goal).

1) What is the specific upcoming application deadline that you are facing?

As far as how you should be focusing your studies at this point, we'll need to analyze your recent results in more detail. I've sent you a PM with some notes on how to work through that type of review.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

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3 weeks until test - feeling demotivated, on right track??

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