540 (Q:49; V:17) - I don't understand anything

Question

Dear mates, I hope I can find some consolation round here... After more the 3 months of training between my first attempt (580) and my last attemp, and after getting scores between 650 and 710 in almost all my training exams, I scored 17 in the verbal part :beat

However, I think I'm on the right way, I know now that the best way to improve the verbal score is to read and spend at leats 30 minutes daily in reading... Unfortunately, I have to wait to apply to next year, but I'm sure I'll reach my goal. The positive thing is that I'll be in Gmatclub one year more :wink:

Regards,

ugimba · Answer

John,

Sorry to hear that verbal score. But awesome quant score. Can you be a bit elaborative about your verbal preparation and the exam part of it? and what are ur plans(strategies, if u can) to make it better next time?

Goodluck next time.

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

Dear Mates,

I’m writing this because I think (and I hope) it can help someone.

In my first attempt I scored 580 (see below my signature), not a surprise because that’s the score I got during my training. After that, I spent almost 3 months more preparing the real thing.

The way I prepared for this was: using MGMAT texts, SC guide is an essential BTW, critical reasoning too, taking part in these forums is also a must, but above all, spending at least 1 hour a day reading in English. I think that’s the important point for a non native speaker.

The results came soon, my first scores were around 600, then 650 and finally, I could reach 700 easily. The day before the exam, I got 680 and 710 in both GMATPrep Tests (although it’s true that around 30% of the questions weren’t new for me)

Then, the real tihing: Q:49 which is close to what I scored before. But on verbal 17!! I don’t understand why (well, the answer is obvious, but IMO this score do not show my real level)

Unfortunately, I have to delay my application to next year, but the positive thing is that I already know how to deal with GMAT.

My strategy for the next 4 months: trying to improve my reading skill by reading in English, taking part in this forum, and doing at least 2 training exams each week.

I’d like to say that it’s possible for non native speaker to reach the 700+ score, and I’m sure I will

All the best

gameCode · Answer

Really sorry to hear that JohnLewis. Were you able to finish the verbal or were there some qs unanswered at the end ? If you were scoring 680 and 710 in mock tests, its dis-heartening to see 17 in verbal.
 Its an example of how unpredictable these tests are, what happens on that day, nobody knows. 
Anyways, get set for the next go, and you said you can't take the test again , is it ? you might be able to make 3rd round if you give it 31 days later ...( unless you have attempted 5 times in last 1 year calender days, which i dont think is the case ????.. )

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

no, I finished all the questions, in fact 3 or 4 minutes remained when I finished them, as I expected according to my experience... That's true, the real thing is absolutely impredictable... :cry:

ugimba · Answer

What amazes me is, you got more correct answers/percentage in your second test than the first one. but you end up getting lower score in second attempt....

1st Attempt: 580(Q:38; V:21)
2nd Attempt: 540 (Q:49; V:17)

in second test, ur quant went up 11 points ...but lessen only 4 points in verbal but you still lost 40 points score overall. this is wierd.

Thanks.

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

Hi,

for me it's not strange. I don't know in the real exam, but during my training I used to score Q:49 aprox and V:34 aprox and in both I had around 11 to 12 answers bad. Same number os worng questions, different score...

I think that the important thing is what kind of questions you have right (depending on the level of complexity of the question) and not the number of right questions

Regards,

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

sorry, I got to modify the score of my first attempt:

580 (Q:43; V:28)

anitakonst · Answer

Hello, We Louis you are not the one. I have initially scored at 570... then studies for 6 months - was scoring at 650 on mock tests. Took the test couple of weeks ago - got 510 - frustrating !!!!!! :cry:

One thing I noticed I did a lot lower on math and I almost did not have geometry or algebra questions on the test - a lot of data sufficiency and integers type... I still have my application in... if don't get in will continue to study - not sure though how.. I did Kaplan course and used prepfortests.com strategies. Let me know if you would like to partner with me in studying. Anna

spgny · Answer

Feel your pain Anna.....same boat here.

jallenmorris · Answer

It's not really weird when you consider just how heavily weighted the verbal appears to be. Take my scores for example:

Attempt #1 Q:42  , V:38   and I got a 650 {82%}.

Attempt #2 Q:47  , V:42   and I got a 720  .

See how the final score each time was so close to the verbal percentile? I think people don't realize just how important the verbal score really is.

JohnLewis1980 · Answer

Good point jallenmorris!! I'm very surprised about this finding :shock:

Ibodullo · Answer

Nice point Jallenmorris! The Verbal section is more important than the Quantative. We should pay more attention to Verbal!

spgny · Answer

Agreed..verbal is underestimated.....

ysr · Answer

Yeah verbal is pain and we dont even know whether we are answering correctly or not .....I got a dismal 24 in Verbal

I think best strategy is to analyze more what you are studying rather than studying more.....

Fairness · Answer

I got same scored one of the MGMAT exams:( I think , the verbal section also needs a chance..

MackyCee · Answer

Verbal is indeed a pain - but it can be improved (depending on individual circumstances) with a very high ROI.

I will begin by saying that it is much easier to improve for a native speaker, than a non-native speaker - but both can improve nonetheless. There are many examples of non-natives who have cracked the 700+ mark - and many have had unique, interesting and effective strategies. These forums are a treasure trove of useful info and strategy.

I've read that a lot of the non-natives found the MGMAT guides very helpful (as did many of the natives!) - so I bought the full-set. Over the past hour and a half (literally, I'm two chapters thru MGMAT Guide 6 (CR)) - and I already feel a dramatic improvement in my CR ability. On my first CAT, I tanked CR, I only got 43% of the questions that I attempted correctly - so - it's obvious that it's a weakness.

Have a look back at the CATs you have done, be honest with yourself, a draw out your true weaknesses. The MGMAT guides have been a godsend, and I really truly recommend them. I absolutely tanked Number Properties on my diagnostic CAT, and after reading and solving the NP MGMAT Guide, I feel like a NP machine.

Best of luck with future study!

PrashantPonde · Answer

Use MGMAT RC/SC books and Powerscore for CR, practice as much you can, read economist, HBR, Scientific american every day. It would help you boost your verbal scores.

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540 (Q:49; V:17) - I don't understand anything

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