580 Score in Veritas cat test. Possibility of 700+ score

Question

Hello All,

I am planning to take my GMAT in May ( possibly May 11th). I took my first diagnostic test from Veritas today. I scored 580. I am aiming for 700+ . Is veritas CAT a good scale to judge my current skillset? I also observed that I finished the Quant section in 56 minutes and verbal in 45 minutes.

1. How do I effectively manage my time? I am sure I could have done better if I utilized my time better. Since watch is not allowed, how can I time my questions correctly? 
2. I had to guess few answers in Quant because the choices didnt have the answer I calculated. How can this affect my diagnostic score analysis.
3. I am currently in a busy job. I can spend at most 90 minutes a day and 4 hours for a weekend. is 4 months a good idea to take the GMAT test?

Thank you!

Below is the breakdown from the test

Section Score Percentile Correct %
Quant 43 (of 60) 52% 54%
Verbal 27 (of 60) 47% 71%
Total 580 52 63%

Quant total time : 56m 28s
Verbal total time : 47m 56s

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sateesh611,

To start, a 580 is a solid initial CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). In addition, you clearly 'rushed' through both the Quant and Verbal sections, so it stands to reason that if you had slowed down, taken more notes, etc., then you probably would have scored higher. Your practice CATs (and the Official GMAT) have a 'countdown clock' in the corner for you to use as reference so you'll always know how much time you have left. With the proper training, you should be able to better pace yourself through each section. You've given yourself plenty of time to study - which is good. Now we just have to determine how you should approach this whole process.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) Are you just beginning your studies (or if you've been studying for some time, how long have you been studying?)?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) Did you take the FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections)?

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

sateesh611 · Answer

Thank you EMPOWERgmatRichC for your detailed feedback. Yes, I shouldnt have rushed . I did some retrospective and realized I spend an average of 40 seconds for DS quant questions and answered mostly incorrect

. please find my responses below. Studies: 1) Are you just beginning your studies (or if you've been studying for some time, how long have you been studying?)? The Veritas CAT was my day 1. So yes, just preparing. 2) What study materials have you used so far? I havent used any, but I plan to use MGMAT books and OG. 3) Did you take the FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections)? No. I just took Verbal and Quant. Goals: 4) When are you planning to apply to Business School? Next year. I plan to apply for evening MBA and I am out of time for this year admissions. 5) What Schools are you planning to apply to? Foster school of business. Thank you again for your response

DAVEexamPAL · Answer

sateesh611 Since this test is the first thing you've done, you have a tremendous potential for improving this score. 
What is important at this stage is that you build yourself a structured study plan, and stick to it.
Even with your tight schedule, 3 months might be enough. The problem with 4 months is that over such a long time, you risk forgetting things by the time you've finished. one way or another - start by building a detailed plan and seeing you can fir everything in, and only then decide how long from now to take the test. 
Your plan should include, for each GMAT topic, 1) a review of the material, 2) solving practice questions relating to that material, and 3) reviewing your practice questions, trying to identify repeating mistakes and thinking how to solve them. Given your tight schedule of an hour and a half a day, I think you could do one of these three stages each day.

Here is a 90 day study plan guide I've written, based on a working person's schedule, much like your own.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sateesh611,

You have a significant amount of time before you plan to apply to Business School, so at this point you can approach your studies however you like. If you'd prefer to 'play around' a bit and focus first on whichever areas of the Exam that interest you, then that's fine (you can always adjust your approach later on based on your CAT score results). However, if you'd prefer to be 'efficient' with your studies right from the beginning, then you would likely benefit from a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

While many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, you might need more or less time than that (thus, 4 months is certainly a reasonable period of time to plan for). However you choose to proceed, you must make sure to take your CATs in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT each time - with the Essay and IR sections, take the CATs away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.).

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

sateesh611 · Answer

DAVEexamPAL:Thank you for the reply. I am worried about 3 months because I dont want to stress myself. at the same time, I do agree that I might slip off. Thank you for the link

sateesh611 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC: Thank you for the reply. How many CAT's are suggested before my final test? Do you have a suggestion on any tests? when would you say "Too many CAT's" ( Which instead of helping, hurts more.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sateesh611,

While there are certain aspects to Test Day that you can really only learn by taking realistic, FULL-LENGTH CATs, once you've learned those things, it's important to remember that taking lots of CATs will NOT make you a better Test Taker. A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to put in the necessary practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In the early phases of your studies, you should plan to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT every 2-3 weeks - and then as you get closer to Test Day, you should take 1 FULL CAT per week (but no more than that).

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

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580 Score in Veritas cat test. Possibility of 700+ score

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