330 (Q17, V17) to 570 (Q,36, V32) in 45 days. Help, please!

Question

Hello, everyone!

I would like to start off saying that I am not a native speaker and I do not have a degree in engineering or math. Actually, I have always been mediocre in math. English, on the other hand, wasn't one of my biggest concerns until I took the GMATPrep 45 days ago and got this horrible 17 score on Verbal, together with a terrible and indeed expected 17 on Quant, and a total score of 330. Matter of fact is that I had no idea how the test worked, what kind of questions / specific topics were tested. All I knew was that the test was about math and english skills (no kidding) and wanted to give it a first try to see where I stood.

In the last 45 days, I thoroughly studied the MGMAT 8-Book Bundle (specially SC, Number Properties, Algebra and Geometry) and did a lot of exercises (completed the OG 12 and did many other exercises that I found in this forum   and similar ones). Then, I decided to take another GMATPrep (not the same) and I got a 570 (Q36, V32). What do you guys think about this improvement? My goal is to get a 700 and I am well aware that there is a hard as hell path to get there, but that it is not impossible.

It is important to say that I had to guess 4-5 questions on the Quant section because I simply did not manage the time. On the Verbal section, I had to guess 2-3. Unfortunately, I had not practiced timed exercises before, but I started doing so in the last couple days and was able to score 80% on the SC portion of the OG 2nd Edition Verbal Review.

That said, I would like to ask for some guidelines and tips on how to study for the GMAT from now on and improve well enough to hit the so-dreamed 700. Anything, anything at all would be more than welcome and very helpful.

I plan to take the actual test on May 1st or 2nd so that I have the time to try again if needed before the new GMAT comes out (June 5th). I am willing to quit my job by the beginning of March to study full time for it (I would quit my job by the end of March anyways as I want to get a new job on the private sector. I currently work for the government. Additionally, I will only apply next year).

At the moment, I am struggling with the Quant Section, but I think I am improving at a reasonable pace on the Verbal Section. In terms of material, I have the CR Bible, OG 11 and 12, OG Math Review and OG Verbal reviews (1st and 2nd Editions), MGMAT 8-Book Bundle (I have only completed the OG 12 and the SC portion of the OG 2nd Edition Verbal Review so far).

Thanks a lot for your time, guys!

rajeevrks27 · Answer

Hey buddy, many congrats, u have improved by a massive 220 points in 45 days....feel the feel-good factor, it proves three things 1) You are hardworking and determined person. 2) An intelligent person. 3) If you can improve by 220 points in 45 days, you can easily improve by 130 + in another three months, using your qualities mentioned in point 1 and 2. so

now let's talk about the studies part I would highly recommend you to go through all the mgmat books( except CR, use powerscore CR bible instead) once again and simultaneously do the og 12 questions( as referred in the mgmat books)...while doing questions,prac under timed condition always and maintain an error log( v v imp)...you must refer back to ur error log for those questions that u have done incorrect or guessed lay more and more emphasis on ur weak subjects/topics.. first understand the basic and then do lots of questions on them...turn ur weakness to ur strength.. get into the habit of writing test almost every weekend. this will help you a lot to complete the test with in stipulated time.. moreover, whenever you do a question, prac it under timed condition and more thing, if u want to achieve a score of 700, then u must target at around 730, just to make sure if the test anxiety sucks 20/30 points... lemme know if this helps.

rajeevrks27 · Answer

Also , go through the below mentioned link, the discussion i had with one of the fellow gmatter will give u a lot of insight gmat-advice-request-127016.html wish u luck.

pedroca · Answer

rajeevrks27,

Thank you a lot for your comments.

When I first started studying I had no ideia at all of the basic concepts of math. I can feel that I did improve a lot on the last 45 days and I will start using the error log to track my mistakes from now on.

Your words gave me strenght to keep studying hard. I didn't quite know how meaningful was going from 330 to 570 on that time frame (45 days). I understand that going to 570 to 700 is MUCH harder than from 330 to 570, but I think if I keep studying hard, I will get there and it doesn't matter if I will get there by May or June. I just need to focus on getting there.

As for Quant, I will go cover to cover on the 5 MGMAT Books (I already did that for Geometry and Number Properties, but will do it again).

I am thinking about doing the following studying order for the books:

1) NP
2) EIV
3) WT
4) FDP
5) Geometry

Do you think it's a good approach?

Thanks a lot!!

rajeevrks27 · Answer

oh yes, absolutely that's correct...

But remember while doing these books, u must look for ur weaknesses and thereafter strive for self improvement as we discussed...and don't forget the verbal, there is much scope in verbal also to improve and i am sure u will give due attention to it...Afterall an equivalent verbal score will do more gain than quant..so all d very best...As i will also be taking my test during the same time, so be on this forum....GMATCLUB is simply great...

MSoS · Answer

Hi pedroca, first of all i want to welcome you here!

Of course you are right if you say that the first improvement of 220 points were easier than the increase to 700+. That does not only need hard work and commitment but also the ability to solve the hard questions. The test tries to trap you or play games with your brain. All questions can be solved within 10-15 minutes, BUT you only have round about 2 minutes in average.

1. Brush up your fundamentals (you are not able to manage 700+ with weak fundamentals knowledge)
2. Have a study plan (estimate how many hours you are capable to spend each day) and stick to it. Not on a daily basis but on a weekly. 
3. Go through MGMAT (8books) and solve the questions in the OG12 accordingly
4. Start with GMATPrep Test and analyse your weaknesses and strenghs (use an error log). Do not rush through the review. Analyse each and every question (even though you answered it right) to learn more about concepts and tricks. You might be able to answer a question correct, but most of the times there are faster approaches more efficient
5. go back to your study books and brush up the fundamentals, which you got wrong at the CATs
6. Try the gmatclub tests (really hard) - if you are at Q46-Q48 it will help you to improve. Same with verbal
7. Practice, Practice, Practice....

Good luck with your study.

bb · Answer

wow - that's an impressive improvement. Congratulations. 
If you manage to get 700+, I think you will officially demonstrate the most improvement I have seen anyone get at GMAT Club.

Looks like you got some great advice and in good hands. I can suggest that you work on the math books and once you find a problem area, you don't move past it until it is very clear and you are comfortable. MGMAT Foundations of GMAT Math is recommended.

pedroca · Answer

Thanks for the words, guys.

@bb: I will try my best and if I reach the 700s, I promise I will write an extensive thread about my journey. By the way: do you think it is a good ideia to use the MGMAT Foundations together with the MGMAT Guides? If so, I will buy it as well.

Thanks again!!

MSoS · Answer

If you are weak in Q you should considert it. I guess you need to get as much information as you can get to ace the Q section.

wallstreetbarbie · Answer

Wow... this is such an amazing improvement. I do need to play devil advocate here and state the following. Your first exam you knew very little... as you first began to study all that knowledge made a difference. Now at 570 you know a whole lot more. So the study to point increase will be much smaller. Which is ok... at this point (as everyone said) you need to focus on studying smart... what are you getting wrong? which concept is not making sense? Identify these and attack them one by one.

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330 (Q17, V17) to 570 (Q,36, V32) in 45 days. Help, please!

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