Ok so i have been preparing GMAT for about 2 weeks. I just finished up Manhattan and
Powerscore SC and started on CR. I then gave my first GMAC Prep test 2 days ago to see where i stand. I am pretty good at math but do lack in Verbal (mainly CR and RC's) so i thought i would at least score a 600. To my horror i got a 500! Now i am extremely discouraged since my target score is 740+ and i wont accept anything below that. I was planning to apply for round 1 this year but considering the fact that i need to gain 250 pts my outlook isnt too bright.
What i learned from my practice tests,
1. I got my first SC question wrong
((, that definitely would have hurt my score since i thought i was pretty good @ SC by now.
2. The math section was a bit hard but i attribute that to the fact that I have forgotten a lot of my basics but i am sure that just brushing over some of the common topics and formulae should get my score in 40-45 range.
3. My time management was extremely poor. On Math i spent way too much time on each question and Verbal RC's took a LOOONG time. As a result i was @ the 1 min remaining mark in both sections with at least 3-4 questions left (of course i guessed). I hope to increase my time management through more practice.
So i needed some tips to improve my score. I have been scouring the forums for the last 2-3 days and I ordered up the whole
MGMAT collection. I spend 2-2.5 hrs each weekday/workday but weekends have been flaky and i end up spending not more than 2-3 on weekends. So how much should i study each week? Can i afford a break day?
Also, i am looking for a good grammar book that just clarifies the topics mentioned in SC. I have a good hold over the basics of speech but i get confused with gerunds, infinitives (i.e. verbals) etc.
Lastly, do you think i can achieve a 740+ score even with my 500 score right now? I am pretty dedicated and after my score on the first test i have started to pursue my prep with even more enthusiasm. Also, i am aiming for a 740 since i primarily have an IT background @ an insurance company (doesnt do a lot for me), have some extracurricular stuff (nothing too great), a 3.8 GPA in Computer Systems Engg. at ASU (GO DEVILS!) so a 740 is essential to get into a top 10-15 school. Anything else i can do in the meantime to make my resume attractive @ B schools?
I know these are a whole lot of questions but any help would be appreciated!
Material i have right now,
Manhattan SC
Powerscore SCPowerscore CREntire Manhattan set (on the way)
Kaplan GMAT Verbal workbook
Kaplan GMAT Advanced
Kaplan GMAT Math workbook
Kaplan GMAT
OGOG VerbalOG Quant (on the way)
Princeton GMAT
That brings the sum total to about 18 books (not counting the Manhattan SC twice) which i think is more than enough for me. I will even buy the
GMAT club tests at a later point when i am done with all my prep books.