590 in GMAT Prep , Disheartened ( GMAT Experts Please Help )

Question

Hi,

I have been preparing for GMAT for around 2 months. I have scheduled my gmat on 27 June 2015. However, i gave my gmatprep mock and found that i merely stand at 590 with Q 49 and V 21. I have been following EGMAT course and completed SC part of it. I feel that I am weak in Verbal as a whole.

Some of the actions i am planning to take :

1. First , I would reschedule my GMAT to around July End. 
2. Second I would start reading more and more novels. GMAT Fiction Preferably.
3. Third, 4 - 5 hrs of daily Verbal study.
4. Forth, Prepare more of scholarium. However, not sure whether it will help me.

I strongly need the comments of GMAT Experts. Please suggest a work plan to score 700+. I am ready to give anything for GMAT.

Manshul

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Manshul,

Pushing back your Test Date is a good idea. The extra 4-5 weeks of study time should be quite valuable.

I have a few questions about how you've studied so far:

1) You mention that you've been studying for about 2 months, but how much of that time has been devoted to Verbal practice?
2) Is the 590 the only CAT that you've taken? If not, then what were your other scores?

Since you've used some resources that have not helped you to improve your Verbal score, you're probably going to need to invest in some new resources. You'll also have to put in some serious time practicing the proper tactics for the Verbal section.

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

manshul1807 · Answer

Sir,

Thanks for answering my query.

1. My preparation was in bits and pieces. It comprised of mainly solving questions on gmatclub and getting some SC concepts from EGMAT.
2. Yes, this is the only mock which i took

I do feel that i need a more structured approach rather than joining a new course. Also, as i guess i cant afford one.

Manshul

KarishmaB · Answer

Here is my advice on your plan of action:

Rescheduling sounds reasonable.

With 1.5 months to go, novels will not make a lot of difference. Focus on GMAT RC passages and strategic reading. Learn what is expected of you in various question types and how to solve them. In any case, reading is good, of course, but invest your limited time in reading a national daily, Economist etc

Break the 5 hr Verbal study schedule into two slots of 1.5 hrs each. Put in an hour of Quant/IR with each slot. Extra focus has to be in Verbal but you cannot ignore the other areas. You don't want to feel out-of-practice during the test.

Also, focus on "why" during your preparation. Ensure you fully understand exactly why the answer is what it is and why it is not one of the other four options.

manshul1807 · Answer

Dear Mam,

Thanks for a reply.

I would follow your advice religiously.

Regards
Manshul

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Manshul,

Since you were studying in an inconsistent way, took just one practice CAT so far and didn't put much effort into the Verbal section yet, your overall CAT score is not surprising. A 590 is above-average (the average on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years), but it's unclear what you were expecting to happen on this first CAT.

However you choose to study going forward, consistency MUST be a part of your plan and you have to put in the necessary strategic practice and repetitions to raise your scores.

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

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi manshul1807,

Students enrolled in Economist GMAT Tutor have found supplementing their prep with outside readings/opinion pieces has helped improve performance in RC. However, I am curious to know if there was anything previously that kept you from devoting more time to your prep. If so, I'd be happy to suggest some tips to help you stay accountable to a more involved study plan.

Best,
Rich

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hello manshul1807,

I agree that with such a short time frame novels aren't the best thing to reach for. If you do any outside reading you could benefit from reading sources more similar to the GMAT, like the Economist and Scientific American. But that should be done outside of your scheduled GMAT study hours. Spend 3-5 days to go over the verbal, section by section. Review the basic content, question types, and strategies for each question type. When you do practice sets, focus on applying the strategies that you've learned. Accuracy should follow naturally once you've found strategies that work for you and applied them. During that week also do a little quant every day to keep your skills balanced. For the remaining time practice both sections every day and be sure to take 2-4 more full length tests before exam day. Schedule time to review the missed questions, taking note of what you missed and why.

Best of luck!

590 in GMAT Prep , Disheartened ( GMAT Experts Please Help )

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