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cb02
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Joined: 09 Aug 2016
Last visit: 07 Feb 2021
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Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
GPA: 2.46
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 29 Aug 2017, 20:04
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Hi

I studied for the GMAT last fall (Sept 2016 - Nov 2016) by taking Kaplan courses. It wasn't much help. I just learned some basics and tips/tricks.
I took some time off after the courses ended because work got busy. I hired a private tutor (who has good experience) and started studying again at the end of Feb 2017, took the exam in May 2017 (three months), scored a 570 (Q:47 & V:17). I continued with private tutoring throughout the next few months, just retook it today (End of Aug), and go the same score of 570 (Q:46 & V: 23). I probably wasn't as consistent in the summer because of work and summer breaks.

I am confident in Quant and can bring up the score a bit closer to 50, but Verbal (RC & CR), is what I am struggling with (I do well in SC/grammar). On all my practice CATs, my verbal score fluctuates from low 20s to high 20s. Ever since I started studying in Feb 2017, I have only been using the Official Guide books. I work about 60 hours/week (finance in NYC). I am thinking about taking an unpaid leave from work for 4-8 weeks to study and retake it in November. I was also recommended to try the GRE instead.

Any advice on how to improve my Verbal would be very helpful. Should I take any courses (MGMAT or Veritas)? It would also help to know if GRE is worth a try.

Thanks

Official GMAT Scores
May 2017: 570 (Q:47 & V:17)
Aug 2017: 570 (Q:46 & V: 23)

Recent Practice CATs (OG)
8/26: 610 (Q:44 & V:29)
8/20: 560 (Q:44 & V:24)
8/12: 630 (Q:48 & V:28)
8/05: 610 (Q:47 & V:28)
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 30 Aug 2017, 15:44
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Hi cb02,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Given your two Official Scores, it certainly appears that you respond to the GMAT in a fairly consistent way. It's possible that you've developed some 'bad habits' during your prior studies - and that's part of why you're 'stuck' at this score level.

You could certainly switch over to the GRE (you can download two practice GREs from www.gre.org - take one and see how you score), but before you make that change, it would help to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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cb02
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Joined: 09 Aug 2016
Last visit: 07 Feb 2021
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Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
GPA: 2.46
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 30 Aug 2017, 16:01
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi cb02,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Given your two Official Scores, it certainly appears that you respond to the GMAT in a fairly consistent way. It's possible that you've developed some 'bad habits' during your prior studies - and that's part of why you're 'stuck' at this score level.

You could certainly switch over to the GRE (you can download two practice GREs from https://www.gre.org - take one and see how you score), but before you make that change, it would help to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Thanks for the details.
My answers are below

1. Goal score: get at least 680. Hopefully break 700
2. Planning to retake it in 3 months. Mid November
3. Planning to apply B School by Jan (Second round of this year)
4. Looking at Mcdonough, Darden, Ross, Anderson, Marshall

I am confident in getting my quant score closer to 50, but its the verbal score that will really increase my overall score.

Thanks
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 30 Aug 2017, 16:18
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Hi cb02,

Raising a 570 to a 680+ will take some considerable effort and you will have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. That work will likely take at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - so you could potentially achieve that goal in the timeframe that you've described.... IF you are efficient with your studies. That last point is important - for example, you can't simply assume that "your way" of approaching the Quant section will get you to a Q50+ (since it hasn't so far).

Given your work schedule, you won't necessarily have to take unpaid leave to study properly, but you don't have time to 'play around' with your studies at this point. You need the structure of a set Study Plan and you need to focus on honing the necessarily Tactical skills. Much of this will depend on your 'flexibility' as a thinker - if you're not able to change the way that you 'see' (and respond to) the GMAT, then you will likely continue to score in the high 500s.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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cb02
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Joined: 09 Aug 2016
Last visit: 07 Feb 2021
Posts: 26
Own Kudos:
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Given Kudos: 14
Location: United States (NY)
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
GPA: 2.46
Schools: Goizueta '21 (A) McDonough '21 (WL) Anderson FEMBA '22 (WL) Kenan-Flagler '21 (WL) Darden '21 (D) USC MBA.PM '22 (A)
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Posts: 26
Kudos: 2
570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 30 Aug 2017, 18:23
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi cb02,

Raising a 570 to a 680+ will take some considerable effort and you will have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. That work will likely take at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - so you could potentially achieve that goal in the timeframe that you've described.... IF you are efficient with your studies. That last point is important - for example, you can't simply assume that "your way" of approaching the Quant section will get you to a Q50+ (since it hasn't so far).

Given your work schedule, you won't necessarily have to take unpaid leave to study properly, but you don't have time to 'play around' with your studies at this point. You need the structure of a set Study Plan and you need to focus on honing the necessarily Tactical skills. Much of this will depend on your 'flexibility' as a thinker - if you're not able to change the way that you 'see' (and respond to) the GMAT, then you will likely continue to score in the high 500s.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

From now until early October, I will have about 18 hours per week (8 hours on weekdays and 10 hours on weekends) to study consistently.
Then from early Oct to mid Nov, I will be free everyday. I am planning to take Veritas or MGMAT courses starting in early Sept.
I am looking to take the exam Monday, Nov 20. So I have a little lass than 12 weeks.
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premprabhs111
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 31 Aug 2017, 09:07
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in my case first test 540 was very sick.My mock scores were around 700 . 670 in gmatprep 1 and 720 in gmatprep2. Second test 640 q50v27 was anxious and nervous during the whole verbal part . Third attempt q49v40 720 finally got what i really deserved. i was able to get 700+ in my mocks with 1 week of studying but anxiousness was my enemy. Don't worry take your time and give a good shot
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 31 Aug 2017, 13:13
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Hi cb02,

The amount of study time that you've outlined should give you a really good opportunity to continue studying and honing your skills. I think that would find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). With a 'fixed' class schedule, you'll have to be organized about fitting those classes into your weekly routine - but if you can plan far-enough ahead, then you should be fine. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, sample classes, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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570 on Second Attempt - Need Advice, Especially on Verbal 01 Sep 2017, 17:36
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premprabhs111
in my case first test 540 was very sick.My mock scores were around 700 . 670 in gmatprep 1 and 720 in gmatprep2. Second test 640 q50v27 was anxious and nervous during the whole verbal part . Third attempt q49v40 720 finally got what i really deserved. i was able to get 700+ in my mocks with 1 week of studying but anxiousness was my enemy. Don't worry take your time and give a good shot

given the marks you were getting for your mocks, retaking the tests makes perfect sense. i also got 680 but for my mocks was getting 700+. have booked to retake the test 2 october. hopefully to get 750+ now :grin:
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