430 - 600+ in 6 weeks

Question

Hello guys, i'm sorry because i'm opening a new thread but it's clearer for everything.

I scored 430 ten days ago ( Q.42 V.11 ); I need to score at least 600, it would be better 650. Before the first exam i hadn't had enough time to prepare it, now i have it.

First of all I thank Mikemcgarry for the precious links he gave me in this thread : is-it-possible-168639.html ;

My main doubt is whether or not studying completely with books like manhattan and OG 2013, or using online resources like gmat club books (math and verbal) or site like veritasprep or magoosh or others.
I'm afraid to waste time if I don't find a precise plan to follow!

Thank you for suggests and for the time you spend to help us

KarishmaB · Answer

My suggestion to you would be that you should stick to one resource. A 600 - 650 is easily achievable as long as you put in time and effort. Go through all the books of a complete set, do all the online assignments, take the practice tests, read up on their blog, use the homework help to get your doubts cleared etc. Dedicate your efforts in one direction to ensure that you cover everything and not get lost in different strategies. You can try everything for free to figure out what works best for you. Check here for details: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/

templeballs · Answer

Thank you Karishma, the problem is I have only 6 weeks before the exam.
I've started with the grammar book (gmat club book) and I'll finish with it tomorrow (2 days). I have to improve my verbal score from 11 to a reasonable score which permit me to gain the 650. The bigger problem is Reading Comprehension; I don't have enough time to read newspaper, do I?

Can you suggest me how I could subdivide these few weeks?

Another question, from may I'll be in Amsterdam, do you know if I'll can find some center where have lessons, paying? I think I no need to score 650 but maybe it could be a method to be quicker.

KyleWiddison · Answer

You are correct - you must be focused in your studies and you have to work on the areas of weakness to get the most score improvement possible. Your Verbal is weak (and therefore offers the most room for improvement) but you should run a diagnostic exam to give yourself a good view of all your areas of weakness. Here is a link to our free exam (https://www.manhattangmat.com/free-gmat.cfm) - after you take the exam you can run a diagnostic report pull data on your areas of weakness (and therefore focus). You know already that RC is a weak point and, with only 6 weeks to go, you need to start plowing through the OG and find some specific training on the topic.

I can't help you in Amsterdam, but you might look into some guided self-study online (https://www.manhattangmat.com/Programs/Guided-Self-Study), based on the areas of weakness you identified. You could try online tutoring as well (https://www.manhattangmat.com/Programs/Private-Tutoring).

Good luck - you have a tough road ahead with loads of work, but I have seen it happen...

KW

KarishmaB · Answer

For RC, I usually suggest people to get our RC book since in my opinion, it is wonderful. It discusses question types, how to identify the types, how to handle them, strategies to use and it has tons of high level passages. But since you don't have much time for your test, I would suggest you to check out the following RC related posts on our blog: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/03 ... questions/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2011/08 ... trategies/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/12 ... -the-gmat/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/08 ... -the-gmat/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/08 ... -the-gmat/ They give you lots of ideas on how to handle RC. After you are done with it, you can check out RC passages from our free question bank: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2012/10 ... tion-bank/ You can find similar help for CR and SC too on our blog and in our question bank. Also, do not forget to review Quant concepts and practice some questions on a regular basis. You don't want to feel blank when faced with the Quant section because you have been stuffing yourself with Verbal concepts! As for coaching in Amsterdam, we offer live online sessions. To get a feel for how the online sessions play, check out Matt's upcoming Monday session: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#-matt-mondays/

OptimusPrep · Answer

The chances for success are generally much higher if you take professional help - no matter which test prep company.

The best way to prepare for any test is (several academic studies proved that) by having a private tutor who is an expert in this field.

Please visit the following link to get an idea how our unique approach differs from the others: https://optimus-prep.com/our-unique-approach

If you have questions or would like to find out more please contact us, we can def. help you to improve!

OPTIMUS PREP

templeballs · Answer

Thank you all, in this week I finished to study from the manhattan verbal book and from the gmat-club verbal book; I've learned a lot and for sure I'll go into your links karishma. 
I think I've just the time to do all the verbal questions from the official guide; I've planned to study math for the following 2 weeks but every day do these verbal questions at once to be able to finish all these in 2 weeks. 
What about math? 
I think in this week I'll study all books from the manhattan but I haven't seen the part about probability, combination ecc.; I'm looking for a resource about it that explain clearly and completely this stuff.

From the next week I'll go only doing exercises and exercises helping myself with this forum or blogs.

What do you think about the plan? Any suggestions? 
Thanks again!!

EDIT: Karishma, I'm making a mistake or your online monday course is free?? How does it work?

KyleWiddison · Answer

The probability/combination portions will be in the Number Properties Guide (assuming you have the latest version). A word of advice - As you go through the OG problems, but sure to spend plenty of time reviewing your work. Review all problems - both those you got wrong and those you got right. Plan to spend a lot of time reviewing your work (~2 minutes or more). Most people have the mistaken idea that by working through a lot of problems they will automatically get better. You want to get exposure lots of problems, but you must learn the concepts you don't understand or the effort is largely wasted. It's far better to thoroughly work out a smaller set of problems then to quickly cover lots of problems.

Good luck!

KW

KarishmaB · Answer

G-Matt Mondays are free to all. Matt - one of out star instructors takes these Monday classes to tackle some important concepts every week. Additionally, these classes provide you with a feel of our online full courses. As for Combinatorics, you can check out our 'Statistics and Combinatorics' book. It discusses permutation, combination and probability concepts in detail. Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Veritas-Prep-Stat ... ritas+prep In addition, I also have quite a few blog posts on these topics.

templeballs · Answer

Hello everybody, sometimes they came back :D

Im writing to communicate you that I've finished all Manhattan books and I got absolutely better; first time I took the exam I had only done official guide. 
I've taken also Veritas prep books now, but I will not have enough time to study other time from it. Therefore I think I'll get only into those arguments that I need to do better; for example Probability and combinatorics.

And for sure verbal: I need to do a lot of exercise, and finish official guide yet!

See you here!

KyleWiddison · Answer

Thanks for coming back! We are often left without updates. Best of luck and I look forward to hearing more...

KW

templeballs · Answer

Hey, I've now 3 full days to improve as i can! 
I know, generally, the day before the exam, you should not study and others clear and absolutely useful recommendations…but my studies didn't' go like it would have gone so now, i've to maximize the forces and the study! In this last days i went into the verbal part, CR and RC.

I want now spend almost 2 days for the quant. I know you can't say to me which parts do because i only know it, but if you had any suggestions to get the max profit from this limited time i would be grate!

KarishmaB · Answer

I guess only a day is left for your test now but if you still want to study Quant today, review number properties, algebra and geometry (focus on your log book). You get the most bang for your buck, so to say, from these topics.

templeballs · Answer

Hello guys, the story had an end! 
First exam was 430 ( Q.42 V.11 )
Second exam was 530 ( Q. V. )
In one month i've scored 100 points more, improving the verbal part but lowering in the quant part!!

I've lost my chance with the university and I will do other two years in another italian university.

However, I want crack gmat exam so…… I have now 2 years (let them be only 1) to obtain a gooood score so that I will apply a goood master (suggest…).

Maybe i need a plan……..

bye and thank you

KarishmaB · Answer

First of all, a 100 point jump in a month is commendable. Sorry to know that you missed this chance but I am sure if you put in effort, you will wind up at an even better place. With the kind of time you have at hand now, there is a lot you can do to improve your score. You must start reading - books, magazines, national dailies etc. Many people recommend the Economist which is great for language skills though I wouldn't form opinions on world matters based on it since I have found it to be extremely biased. Read at least for an hour every day. The verbal forum has a link: books-to-read-improve-verbal-score-and-enjoy-a-good-read-76079.html You can try some of these books if you do not from where to start. Also, keep working on Quant from various sources. I believe you have the Veritas books. Go through them thoroughly including practice questions and then try out OG. Also try to work on conceptual understanding of various topics using posts such as those on my blog: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/categor ... om/page/5/

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