610 to 720 how to study and what to study

Hi Karishma,

Below is the summary from ESR report:-

Quant

Your Quantitative score of 41 is higher than 45% of GMAT Exam scores recorded in the past three years. The mean
score for this section is 38.91.
Your performance on Problem Solving questions was equivalent to a score of 44. Your score is better than 57% of all
sub-section scores recorded in the past three years. The mean for all test takers is 38.18.
Your performance on Data Sufficiency questions was equivalent to a score of 36. Your score is better than 35% of all
sub-section scores recorded in the past three years. The mean for all test takers is 38.07.
Your performance on Arithmetic questions was equivalent to a score of 38. Your score is better than 40% of all subsection
scores recorded in the past three years. The mean for all test takers is 38.33.
Your performance on Algebra/Geometry questions was equivalent to a score of 44. Your score is better than 57% of all
sub-section scores recorded in the past three years. The mean for all test takers is 37.97.
You completed 37 of the 37 questions in the Quantitative section.
You responded correctly to 71% of the first set of questions, 43% of the second set of questions, 71% of the third set of
questions and 57% of the final set of questions..
The average difficulty of questions presented to you in the first set of questions was Medium, the average for the
second set of questions was Medium, the average for the third set of questions was Medium and was Medium for the
final set of questions.
The average time it took you to respond to the first set of questions presented was 2:41, the average time for the
second set of questions was 1:58, the average time for the third set of questions was 1:41 and 1:47 for the final set of
questions.

Verbal

Your Verbal score of 34 is higher than 72% of GMAT Exam scores recorded in the past three years. The mean score
for this section is 26.8.
Your performance on Critical Reasoning questions was equivalent to a score of 36, which is better than 74% of GMAT
Exam scores recorded in the past three years. The mean score for this sub-section is 27.61.
Your performance on Reading Comprehension questions was equivalent to a score of 51, which is better than 95% of
GMAT Exam scores recorded in the past three years. The mean score for this sub-section is 27.32.
Your performance on Sentence Correction questions was equivalent to a score of 22, which is better than 32% of
GMAT Exam scores recorded in the past three years. The mean score for this sub-section is 27.21.
You completed 41 of the 41 questions in the Verbal section.
You responded correctly to 88% of the first set of questions, 29% of the second set of questions, 86% of the third set of
questions and 63% of the final set of questions.
The average difficulty of questions presented to you in the first set of questions was Medium, the average for the
second set of questions was Medium , the average for the third set of questions was Medium and was Medium for the
final set of questions.
The average time it took you to respond to the first set of questions presented was 1:53, the average time for the
second set of questions was 2:40, the average time for the third set of questions was 1:55 and 1:15 for the final set of
questions.

Please suggest

Thanks Ankur

Hi Ankur,

I am not an expert and I am preparing from last 5 months. Based on my experience till now, I can suggest you few points.

-- Given you have always scored Q-47-48 in prep exams, it is most likely that you may be facing difficulties in 700 level questions. You can practice such questions available on GMATClub or from OG to improve your understanding or timing.
-- In Verbal, even I am facing difficulties here, I went through e-gmat course. For non-natives, it is a good course to get your fundamentals right. But it is certainly not complete.

-- Moreover, before actual GMAT, you can attempt other Mocks apart from GMATPrep such as MGMAT etc to analyse your scores.
-- For Quants, GMAT Club maths tests are very good. I would say, a must for Q50 or Q51.

Wish you all the best for your preparation!!

Hi Ankur,

Unfortunately, the goal of raising a 610 to a 720+ will likely take at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. You will have to commit to a more rigorous study routine and you'll likely need to invest in some new GMAT resources.

1) What are the exact application deadlines for the Programs that you're interested in?
2) Why can you only apply to Business School THIS year?

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

Hi Rich,

It's not like I can apply this year only. Just that I want to try for the March 15 and 31 deadlines.

Please suggest which material I can use going forward and what to focus on in that material.

Thanks Ankur

HI Karishma,

I have posted the summary from my ESR report. Please suggest how to proceed.

Thanks
Ankur

Hi Ankur,

A March 15th application deadline is just 7 weeks away - and that might not be enough time to hit your score goal and put together a strong overall application. When it comes to applying to highly-competitive Programs, you don't want to 'rush in' an application if it has any 'weak spots' in it (the Admissions Committee(s) would recognize any weakness immediately).

I have a few follow-up questions about your studies so far:

1) What types of study materials were you using (re: books, classes, online materials, etc.)?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
3) Can you post your ESR here (if you don't want to post it publicly, then you can PM it to me)?

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

Hi Rich

You are right. I don't want to rush my application. Just want to give my GMAT again soon so that I dont lose the effect of the preparation I have done till now.

I have used mainly books. Course material from Princeton Review and Jamboree and GMAT 2016 official Guide.
Also used the online material that comes with official guide.

I can dedicate 27 hours every week to study.

Already posted the Summary for both Quant and verbal from my ESR.
Please let me know if it is sufficient.

Thanks
Ankur

You have more issues in the Data Sufficiency format - spend some time understanding why you mess it up more often.
RC performance is very good but you really need to work on sentence correction.

Hi Ankur,

I've sent you a PM with some notes.

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